Posted 2015-02-11 8:16 PM Subject: RE: Where does confidence come from?
Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315 Location: East Tennessee but who knows?!
I've been riding a lot of years and every time time my confidence has slipped (usually coming back first of the year after being a couch potatoe all winter) working out and getting strong is what has worked to get it back - core work and lifting weights. This year I started doing planks with kettlebells and some more kettlebell exercises and noticed the biggest difference yet.
There's something about feeling in control of your body that makes you more confidence when you ride.
edited to add -- I've seen the same thing in my students too. I always give them exercises to do as homework.
Posted 2015-02-11 8:27 PM Subject: RE: Where does confidence come from?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 682 Location: Northwest
I definitely agree with building your core, and also riding a ton without stirrups (walking, trotting, and loping the pattern) makes a person extremely confident that no matter if the horse shies away from the barrel, trips or fires hard etc. that you have the strength to not go tumbling off. (For me anyways!) Also, if you are riding non-seasoned horses it is nice to get on one for awhile that completely knows their job. Helps my confidence a ton knowing my mount is going to take care of me 100%.
Where does confidence come from?
