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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 324
| On the 23rd Im running a mare that I haven't ran in a while (and the last time I ran her it didn't go so well) and I'm nervous. I know if I'm nervous before the run we don't stand a chance so does anyone know of a way that I can calm myself before our run? And I'm underage so I can't do a shot of anything (; |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
 
| The only thing that helps me is by knowing that I've done everything I can do to make a good run. All the maintenance, feeding, riding, tweaking, tack changes, etc are already done months, weeks, days, and hours ahead of time. I'm the most relaxed before a run, and the flood of nerves I get when I hear my name is excitement that I can utilize for my focus.
Anytime I'm riding a horse through a run that I haven't had time to prepare for, or I'm rehabbing a blown up horse, and I don't know what will happen, I just try to slow all my actions down, be as relaxed as possible, and just let the run happen. I don't train or pick or make changes when I get there, because it's too late anyway. Just remember to breathe! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1580
 
Location: Down South | I would like to know also some recommendations to calm myself before I run. I just returned from a 3 day show this weekend, each time before I can my heart was about to jump out of my chest. I try to tell myself to calm down, the only thing that is hindering this horse's performance is his rider, but it's easier spoken than done. On the way home last night I was thinking about all the products available that we can give our horses to take the edge off when they are nervous and hyper, what about us humans.?! :) |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas | When I do clinics I have everyone do a little homework assignment and list the things that they want to address during the clinic... Nerves, anxiety, fear, confidence... Every assignment I have received has one of those things listed. It is something that almost everyone has to overcome. There is no good answer to that question, you simply have to do it in spite of what you are feeling. My clinics are "Christian based" because I can not share with you how I have gotten to where I am unless I include my relationship with God... Sure, I get nervous, and when I do, I just remind myself that God has a plan, and if I am REALLY trusting Him and His plan, then there is nothing to fear. I tell my ladies that all you need to do is be prepared, do your homework at home, go to the barrel race, trust God and have 17 seconds of courage! It's like everything else we do in life... it takes a little practice to get good at it.
Good luck!
Edited by grinandbareit 2015-01-05 10:49 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | Barbara Schulte has an excellent set of dvd's out about mental mastery. Also read the book,"The Winners Edge". When the nerves engulf you and threaten to wash away your ability to think clearly, think of it like this: you are a surfer, and the nervousness is simply nervous energy which CAN be controlled and mastered. feel the waves building up inside you, then imagine yourself riding the crest of the wave, on top, clear-headed, and amazingly focussed. I did this when I ran pro rodeo, and it worked great. Also, deep, slow breathing is proven to literally slow the heart rate and bring blood pressure down. Good luck and God bless you! Order those tapes/dvd's!
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Eat. Don't allow your nerves to overcome you and make sure you've had good nutrition for the day and stay hydrated. Not eating and drinking are a good way to brain cloud going.
Slow it down. You cant turn 2 until you finish turning 1 and 3 isn't going to be there until you're out of the 2nd, so don't rush it.
Smooth and clean. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 324
| Thank you everyone! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? |
Ever hear folks say "Fake it till you feel it"? I think most of us go through what you are feeling. What I try to do is mimic the physiological cues that occur when relaxed. Take nice deep slow breaths...drop my shoulders, close my eyes and think about how it feels when the run is over.
One other thing I do is to try to have a routine. Following the same process and steps makes me more relaxed. AND...give yourself plenty of time. Having to rush through warm up/saddling etc before a run...or being almost late to the gate will sure make you more stressed/anxious.
If you have put in the homework and effort to get there...try to channel the nerves into happy excitement over the fact that you are getting to show the benefits of the effort you have put in. Now is when it pays off. Whether that pay off is just to go in and make a clean run...or to fly and take home the check...either way it's a win and we do this because it is FUN! |
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  Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | **Cowgirl Up** - 2015-01-05 5:14 PM On the 23rd Im running a mare that I haven't ran in a while (and the last time I ran her it didn't go so well) and I'm nervous. I know if I'm nervous before the run we don't stand a chance so does anyone know of a way that I can calm myself before our run? And I'm underage so I can't do a shot of anything (;
Well, there goes my great suggestion lol.
How about head phones before the run and blasting a few highly motivating songs into your ears....and I mean blast!!
We will we will rock you!
Don't give a **** about my bad reputation!
Metallica
Whatever motivates you and would make you want to dance. Take your mind completely off of the run. It's just a run. No big deal. |
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | When someone I know is having problems with there horse or themselves I tell them to write down what they need to do and what they should do that will help them make the best run they can.write down everyday so it gets into your thoughts.get off your horse and walk around before your run so your horse don't feel your jitters. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| LRQHS - 2015-01-06 8:01 AM
**Cowgirl Up** - 2015-01-05 5:14 PM On the 23rd Im running a mare that I haven't ran in a while (and the last time I ran her it didn't go so well) and I'm nervous. I know if I'm nervous before the run we don't stand a chance so does anyone know of a way that I can calm myself before our run? And I'm underage so I can't do a shot of anything (;
Well, there goes my great suggestion lol.
How about head phones before the run and blasting a few highly motivating songs into your ears....and I mean blast!!
We will we will rock you!
Don't give a **** about my bad reputation!
Metallica
Whatever motivates you and would make you want to dance. Take your mind completely off of the run. It's just a run. No big deal.
I listen to music while I warm up...but I've found if I listen to "pump up" type songs it just gets the adrenaline running even MORE, which sets my horse off, which makes me more nervous...it's a vicious cycle! My warming up playlist is lots of classic country and slower type songs. I also starting humming along when a friend pointed out that I was holding my breath when the time came to head in the gate. I always hum Walking After Midnight by Patsy Cline...for some reason that particular song helps keep me level headed!
Visualization exercises and affirmations are also great tools that you can practice even without your horse. Not sure where you are at or if the registration is still open, but this weekend Randi Larson is putting on a workshop for barrel racers in Grand Forks, ND. I have a couple friends who have worked with her extensively. She works with people on what she calls body and belief balancing - helping you eliminate the negative thoughts that can contribute to nerves and take away from your success. I think she also does sessions over the phone if you're far away! She has a page on Facebook with more information. |
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Expert
Posts: 2678
Location: Mi | k.maddocks24 - 2015-01-06 9:22 AM LRQHS - 2015-01-06 8:01 AM **Cowgirl Up** - 2015-01-05 5:14 PM On the 23rd Im running a mare that I haven't ran in a while (and the last time I ran her it didn't go so well) and I'm nervous. I know if I'm nervous before the run we don't stand a chance so does anyone know of a way that I can calm myself before our run? And I'm underage so I can't do a shot of anything (; Well, there goes my great suggestion lol.
How about head phones before the run and blasting a few highly motivating songs into your ears....and I mean blast!!
We will we will rock you!
Don't give a **** about my bad reputation!
Metallica
Whatever motivates you and would make you want to dance. Take your mind completely off of the run. It's just a run. No big deal. I listen to music while I warm up...but I've found if I listen to "pump up" type songs it just gets the adrenaline running even MORE, which sets my horse off, which makes me more nervous...it's a vicious cycle! My warming up playlist is lots of classic country and slower type songs. I also starting humming along when a friend pointed out that I was holding my breath when the time came to head in the gate. I always hum Walking After Midnight by Patsy Cline...for some reason that particular song helps keep me level headed! Visualization exercises and affirmations are also great tools that you can practice even without your horse. Not sure where you are at or if the registration is still open, but this weekend Randi Larson is putting on a workshop for barrel racers in Grand Forks, ND. I have a couple friends who have worked with her extensively. She works with people on what she calls body and belief balancing - helping you eliminate the negative thoughts that can contribute to nerves and take away from your success. I think she also does sessions over the phone if you're far away! She has a page on Facebook with more information.
Don't hum, SING! Doesn't have to be load, but by singing you are breathing, also chew gum! |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | Don't forget to breathe and SING! |
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