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 Member
Posts: 33
| Hey y'all, my horse and I have been running with each other for about 9 months and solved a lot of problems and we can run a good pattern at home but in competition is seems like my mind blows up and I go back to my old way of riding, and do not run a good pattern at all. If y'all have any mental tips that could help it would be very much so appreciated. Thank you <3 |
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4642
  
Location: Texas | I sing to myself. It keeps my mind off of my run and makes me focus on the song. Singing also forces you to breathe, which helps you relax. If you're getting nervous, you're probably holding your breath which is making you tense up and that will make you ride poorly. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| I just attended a Josey clinic and that sure helped me. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Mind Gym is a fantastic book to read regarding mental strength. |
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| streakysox - 2016-10-09 10:35 PM
I just attended a Josey clinic and that sure helped me.
SINGING?? or advice you got at the clinic??
Myself ... I use this famous rhythmic song for any horse activity ...
I can speed it up or slow it down anytime I want ...
https://youtu.be/RZIVphczMbY
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| BARRELHORSE USA - 2016-10-10 1:25 AM
streakysox - 2016-10-09 10:35 PM
I just attended a Josey clinic and that sure helped me.
SINGING?? or advice you got at the clinic??
Myself ... I use this famous rhythmic song for any horse activity ...
I can speed it up or slow it down anytime I want ...
https://youtu.be/RZIVphczMbY
definitely NOT singing. That would be like a mass evacuation. I cna't ride but singing is worse!!!! |
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| hammer_time - 2016-10-10 12:57 AM
Mind Gym is a fantastic book to read regarding mental strength.
I've heard great things about this book as well! I need to get it ordered for myself.
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Expert
Posts: 1280
Location: Texas | I have the Mind Gym book, and I agree, it will give you some good, positive strategies for self motivation. Singing also helps me to calm my nerves, but I try not to do it within ear shot of anyone but my horse. Most of all though, it helps to BE PREPARED. The less prepared you are (or feel that you are), the more nerves you will have. Do your homework, keep your horse in shape, and remember that you have a job to do. Your horse relies on you to do that job. When you enter that arena, if you don't focus on your job, then your horse cannot be expected to run with confidence. Do not worry about what anyone else might think. Block everything else out. |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| make a mental run see your run in head say breathe as you come down alley way |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| I have the same problem. I bought the book by the way, and I haven't read it yet. 
But, I do believe I am getting better. I try the morning or several hours before my run to visualize it. If I do it right before I run, it makes me too nervous. Then right before I run try to breathe, and don't think about more than 2 things that I have to do. If you put too much on your brain, you will forget most of it so I try to keep it simple. |
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Veteran
Posts: 276
| Kudos to you for noticing a problem within yourself and not making excuses.
Everyone has in the past or is currently struggling with this in some form. Do what you can to keep your mind at ease, but keep entering. Mental game is so much of competing, and you have to practice that too. :) Good luck to you! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1008
| Mentally put yourself in competition mind frame and different scenarios when making your runs at home.....and work from there. It takes time and practice. |
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Mastering the Mental Game