Maybe you've asked yourself this question:
“I used to be fearless. What happened to me?”
You remember the rider you used to be.
The kid who would climb on anything with four legs and a halter.
The woman who got on without spending the entire drive to the barn dealing with horse riding anxiety.
You didn't need to feel confident first.
You just...
RODE.
And now?
Maybe you think about riding a LOT more than you actually enjoy it.
Maybe you stand at the mounting block and hesitate.
Maybe you find reasons not to ride.
Maybe you're frustrated because this isn't who you used to be.
So what happened?
Maybe Nothing Happened TO You
There's a whole lot of LIFE WISDOM between Fearless Kid You and the horsewoman you are today.
You know more now.
You've experienced more.
Maybe you've had a fall.
Maybe you've gotten hurt.
Maybe you've watched someone else get hurt.
Maybe you're riding a different horse.
Maybe your body is starting to feel older than your brain.
Or maybe riding simply feels different now than it did years ago.
That doesn't mean we need to erase everything you've learned so you can become fearless again.
Confidence is built, not magically found.
Honestly, Fearless Kid You probably made a few horse-related decisions that Adult You would NEVER repeat. 😂
We can keep some of that wisdom and still make steady progress.
Do You Really Want to Be Fearless Again?
Here's the question I've been playing with:
What if you don't actually miss being fearless?
What if you miss being EXCITED to ride?
Think about what riding used to feel like.
You couldn't wait to get to the barn.
A mistake didn't automatically ruin the ride.
It didn't have to be pretty to be fun.
You figured things out as you went.
And horses were FUN.
Maybe that's the part you're really missing.
Not the complete absence of fear.
The excitement.
The hope.
The OH GOOD! I GET TO RIDE TODAY!
Ask a Different Question
Instead of asking:
“How do I become fearless again?”
Try asking:
“What do I need to feel calm and enjoy riding NOW?”
Not when you were 12.
Not before that fall.
Not with your previous horse.
NOW.
The answer might be very different today.
Maybe you need a plan for the things you're worried about.
Maybe you need to take a smaller, more achievable step.
Maybe you need to change something about your riding preparation.
Maybe you need help figuring out exactly what changed in the first place.
You aren't trying to turn back the clock.
You're figuring out what the horsewoman you are today needs to build a steady partnership with her horse.
Invite Fearless Kid You Back
Adult You gets to keep the experience.
The knowledge.
The better judgment.
And yes, probably a much healthier respect for gravity. 😂
But Fearless Kid You still has something to contribute.
She remembers the fun.
She remembers the excitement.
She remembers why you fell in love with horses in the first place.
Maybe she doesn't need to take over.
Maybe she doesn't even need the reins.
Maybe she just needs to ride double with you.
Your Next Calm Step
We spend so much time taking care of our horses. Maybe it's time we took that same care of ourselves.
If riding anxiety has changed your riding and you're ready to figure out what you need to feel confident in the saddle again, a Calm-Ride Strategy Call is a place for us to start.
We'll look at what's actually creating the fear and start mapping out your next achievable step — as the horsewoman you are today.
Life is too short to own a horse you're afraid to ride.
0 Comments