What Can You Do Or Change To Manage Excessive Riding Nerves?

We’ve all seen those riders who persist to no end even though they lack confidence and bravery. While this is admirable, it’s of no benefit to the horse or rider to constantly feel anxious each time they ride. At what point is it time to assess your riding ambitions and possibly pursue a different discipline?

The anxious rider

Horse riding and nerves never go well together, and certainly don’t make for a good combination if you’re looking to be competitive. We’re not trying to put anybody down – it’s just the reality of riding. You’re sitting on an animal with his own mind and over whom you have limited control. This alone can put some people off and you shouldn’t ride if you are constantly in fear of riding your horse. Horses are in tune with our moods and emotions more than we think, and you won’t be doing yourself or your horse any favours if you get on your horse feeling tense and uptight each time. He won’t enjoy it and neither will you.

It’s normal to feel nervous at first, especially if you’re a beginner. However, if you’ve been riding for over a year and you still get that uneasy feeling each time you get on, consider sticking to happy hacking and some low-key general riding. Take things easy until your confidence improves or you’ll be setting yourself up for all sorts of anxiety, which is not what riding should be about! Develop at your own pace and don’t let others influence you too easily.

Jumping nerves

Many riders are nervous about jumping and it’s understandable why. Even the professionals get uncomfortable when the jumps get to a certain height. Whatever level you’re riding at, it’s important that you are a confident rider if you want to jump – whether that’s 50cm or 1.50m.