Tension/Nerves

[TS]

When riding, especially when the word 'jump' is mentioned my shoulders get very tense, this makes my arms rigid and sets my hands - obviously my horse doesn't like this and things go down hill from there, making me more & more nervous - I want to beable to get past this and enjoy jumping. Any tips on how to stay relaxed?

[judyl]

Hi TS

The thing to remember is that everyone suffers from nerves to some extent or another. One good thing you can do is remember to breathe or to take some deep breaths in and out. Sometimes it also helps to hum to yourself as well - I do that (or sing to my horse out on hacks) and that seems to calm us both down. It's worth a try!

Judy

[irishhorselovr]

i injoy jumping so getting nervous isn't a thing 4 me. when ever i get nervous doing anything on horses i sing or hum a little song. also try some deep breathing. if all else fails think of what someone u look up to would do and go from there. i really don't know how to help u. sorry.

Amanda
" believe in ** selve and look forward to things that challenge you"

[Maci]

When you're nervous, just relax; think happy thoughts of positive things, like jumping right. This optimism should help you stay focused. Breathe deeply, and just go for it!!
Hope this can help calm you down!
Maci :)

[fionahogg]

Having lessons with a really good, understanding instructor who is good with nervous riders can make the world of diference. Some instructors aren't really very encouraging (not wishing to offend anybody...I know there are also a lot of fabulous instructors out there too!) and this doesn't help. Make sure that you feel you can trust the horse as well, and take your time, build up slow, just a line of raised trotting poles in your jumping position to start with, then build up to a line of trot poles followed by a small cross. Don't expect to be able to jump everything straight away, even if you used to be quite confident jumping. Just take it slow with a good instructor and don't move onto the next stage until you are completely happy with what you are working on at the mo.
Fiona.

[TS]

Thanks for your help. After reaching a real low point, something happened, don't know what! Now I'm really enjoying my jumping and my confidence has come back!

[fionahogg]

That's great!! Well done. Keep up the good work.

Fiona.

[jillaroo]

When I was getting myself into a real state over cantering my instructor played games with me to take my mind off the speed - she made me hold a crop and pretend I was playing polo. The whole time she was barking at me like a drill sergent for not holding the 'mallet' properly and not bringing it back to the rest position, and not swinging properly etc and I was so irritated at not being able to hold the stupid crop properly that I was paying less attention to the canter itself. I was also laughing my head off because I looked like a complete idiot. Because I was not sitting there totally focused on the canter I was much less stressed and because I was relaxing more I was doing better. I'm not sure what games you could play to make jumping less stressful, but it's a thought. Though having just read your last post it sounds as though you have it figured-out anyway! Well done!