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Regular
Posts: 59
| My nerves get very bad when it comes time to make a run at a barrel race. Since my nerves get very bad, it causes my horse to become even more nervous espescially at the gate. I know its not my mare because at practice we make perfect runs and never have any issues with getting nervous. I would really appreciate some ideas that I can use to help calm me down so I can perform better with my mare! Breathing in and out slowly and deeply never does help me...it actually makes it worse for me. But all advice is appreciated! |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
  
| Pray if you’re of faith.
Sing, even if it’s low and to yourself. When I help nervous friends into the alley I find breaking into a rousing rendition of row row row your boat breaks the tension up nicely - laughter is the best medicine.
Think about your run and pick 1 or 2 things you want to do well. Maybe it’s really riding into your spot for the 1st, or riding all the way past the 3rd. Sometimes we put sooooo much pressure on ourselves to do EVERYTHING right in a run that the pressure we put on ourselves is unbearable. And commit to those 1 or 2 things, find the good in every run and build on it.
I’ve also found that the relaxation techniques in the yoga that I do translate pretty well to the saddle. I really think about my seat bones - if I can’t feel my saddle seat on my seat bones, I’m tensed, and my horse is feeling every bit of that through my seat and legs. It’s a nice little check I can do before I head from warm up to the holding pen. |
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 To the Left
Posts: 1865
Location: Florida | Have a cold beer, or two. |
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Veteran
Posts: 134
| I am very careful about what I eat and drink before a run ( or presentation, or anything stressful). Absolutely no caffeine as if I am a tad bit nervous it will amplify it and low sugar.
Breathing tricks never work for me so I have to depend on mental tricks. If I find myself getting stressed, I remind myself that this is a hobby, an expensive and competitive hobby, but still a hobby as I do not have to bring home a check at a run to pay the bills. I remind myself about some of the really stressful things in my life (i.e. giving scientific talks to scientists that have been studying my field of study for longer than I have been born, job interviews, etc.) and how this is no where near that level of stress.
I have a pretty stressful career so I do everything I can to keep the horse part of my life fun and not something to stress about.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Idaho | First, I always try to stay away from everyone. I don't hang out by the gate or hang out with my friends, whether its in the warm up pen or off in a secluded area, I keep my horses walking in big circles. Just staying calm, relaxed. It keeps my mind on what I'm supposed to be doing, just telling my body to relax. I also tell myself to go in there and ride my horse. I tell myself I've done this run a million times.. practiced at home, run in different arena's, different shows. I just need to go in there and ride my horse. This helps (for the most part) keeping my horse calm too.
I know this doesn't work for everybody, but I'm not a really competitive person. I just want to go in there and do my best. I don't worry about what others think of me. There is a book called "Mind Game", definitely a good read! It puts things into perspective when out there competing. If you ever read Charmayne James and Martha Wright books, they too really give good thoughts and ideas on how to beat that nervous when you walk down the alley. You just need to find what works best for you. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | Wiggle your toes inside your boots. It gives you something to focus on and it releases the tension in your legs that your horse is feeding off of. I usually sing a song in my head and wiggle my toes to the song!
The best thing is to remember this is JUST A BARREL RACE!! Three stationary objects!! And if it goes bad, there is always one next weekend! |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| I sold the horse that made me nervous. She was a nice 1D horse but more of a free runner and hard turner. Went back to old faithful that is also a 1D horse but is more of a push style. Totally got rid of the nerves. |
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 Peat and Repeat
Posts: 2773
Location: IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD AT LEAST THEY KNOW ME HERE | I always pray before I run
And give thanks when I come out.
Dont watch the other riders before your run.
Trust your training, trust your horse and just simply ride ;0)
Move your pony around a bit.
Don't over think the pattern ;0)
Just breathe :0) |
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 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | EagleJess - 2017-12-23 5:17 PM I am very careful about what I eat and drink before a run ( or presentation, or anything stressful). Absolutely no caffeine as if I am a tad bit nervous it will amplify it and low sugar. Breathing tricks never work for me so I have to depend on mental tricks. If I find myself getting stressed, I remind myself that this is a hobby, an expensive and competitive hobby, but still a hobby as I do not have to bring home a check at a run to pay the bills. I remind myself about some of the really stressful things in my life (i.e. giving scientific talks to scientists that have been studying my field of study for longer than I have been born, job interviews, etc.) and how this is no where near that level of stress. I have a pretty stressful career so I do everything I can to keep the horse part of my life fun and not something to stress about.
I have the exact same problem with caffeine. I thought I was the only one. |
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4627
Location: Texas | I keep myself and my horse away from everyone else. I pray once I'm mounted, I pray about 10 runners before me, and then I pray right before I walk my mare up into the ally. I don't worry about what anyone else is doing, I just sing to myself. It forces me to breath and it works fairly well at distracting me. |
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| Chew gum |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | kmgkmg2002 - 2017-12-23 12:34 PM My nerves get very bad when it comes time to make a run at a barrel race. Since my nerves get very bad, it causes my horse to become even more nervous espescially at the gate. I know its not my mare because at practice we make perfect runs and never have any issues with getting nervous. I would really appreciate some ideas that I can use to help calm me down so I can perform better with my mare! Breathing in and out slowly and deeply never does help me...it actually makes it worse for me. But all advice is appreciated!
I remind myself that I do this for FUN. I make myself smile while thinking that thought. Then I go have fun.
After your run, focus on the things that went well, rather than focusing on the things you need to fix.
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | A horse knows the difference between practice and competition, so he's going to be more on the muscle.
Don't hang around outside the arena until the last 5 before you run. If you really need a little help with the nerves take a calming supplement like Kava Kava. You need to give yourself positive self talk. It's just another barrel race. Nobody cares how I ride or look, they're all worrying about themselves. I have the knowlege to do this right. Thank God for the opportunity to do what you love.
And just remember, theres no such thing as a perfect run. Maybe one in a million but just go do the best you can. |
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | Headphones and rocking out before you run. If you need, take one out during your drag and put it in before you go down the alley. I usually joke and cut up before I go in. It is just another day at the office. You can prepare all you want, but when it comes to your run anything can happen. Focus on the positive each run and go on to the next. The less you stress on the bad the easier the next trip down the alley is. |
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | Vickie - 2017-12-23 4:32 PM
Have a cold beer, or two.
This |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 966
Location: Loco,Ok | Prayer don't hurt at all. It's good. Before you leave the house.You still have to do your part.Breathe. You have to teach yourself to breath all the way through the run. Everyone rides different when you put up the cash. Exhibition no pressure on you become no money up. Suck in air few before your turn. If need to it does work. Get off and trot down the road,until your breathing hard. You can lead your horse or have someone hold him. When you hold your breath in just seconds your brain gets foggy and nerves get worse. Over time you will breathe all the way through And see it all. That builds confidence in both you and your horse. Try it at home teach yourself to breath. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 589
| Constantly pray, drink a beer or two, have a THE Calming Cookie for me and my horse and then pray again before we take off. |
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 Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
Location: LA Lower Alabama | If you have a 1D horse then be nervous because there is a lot of money at stake. If not then relax and enjoy because it becomes luck of the placing. I get more excited than nervous because I really enjoy it but I 100% believe that good practice and effort keeps the nerves down a lot! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Vickie - 2017-12-23 3:32 PM
Have a cold beer, or two.
You'll have to pee less if you just take a shot or two  |
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advice for helping nerves before running