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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 393
 
Location: Oklahoma |
I have rode for several years. Took about a year off and have since been going again for the past two years. Since starting back I have horrible anxiety/nerves before a run. It doesn't matter if it is a $20 or $200 jackpot. What have you found to help settle yourself down before a run. I need way more help than just deep breathing. It usuallly hits me about 15 before my run. Thanks! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: run2win land | I have used and helped others with calming essential oils. You inhale it and it goes to work to settle you down. They need to be the pure therapeutic grade. The ones at Walmart and other places that are cheap are nothing more than perfume. So look at doterra serenity or lavender.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | I really struggle with pre-run anxiety and I have been trying a combination of things lately. Visualizing my run as I get ready. DEEP, purposeful breathes when I am in the warm up arena/alley. Essential oils (my grandmother is a Young Living rep and has done a custom blend for me) - I think it certainly takes the edge off. I'm also using Focus Ear Magnets from Depaulo when I remember. Not sure if they help or not but if you leave them on long enough the pain from them is enough to take your mind off of other things LOL
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I have a friend that takes kava that she got at Sprouts I think. She says it works great to settle her mind but she is still alert |
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5408
| I started taking an anti-anxiety med to help me deal with a bad situation and noticed that it took care of my nerves when competing. I stopped taking them and noticed that the nervousness was back so I started back on them. I love it, helps me deal with rotten people plus takes away the nerves when competing. You would be surprised by how many people use some sort of medication. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ |  |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| I have struggled all year with anxiety before I run and my sweet horse keeps putting up with me but she is young and needed me to just let her work and stay out of her way. The last two runs I had a little drink before hand and I ran my two fastest times ever on her. I am also going to try some oils a friend is making up for me but I think I will keep having a little snort before I ride! |
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Location: U.S. | If your religious (no judgment either way) pray. Before you run and put it in his hands. This helps me. |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| .5 milligrams Xanax, also hauling several times a week. The more you haul and run, the easier it will get. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | beer lol |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: Georgia | classicpotatochip - 2016-10-25 9:41 AM
.5 milligrams Xanax, also hauling several times a week. The more you haul and run, the easier it will get.
Ive been taking 1/4 a bar of Xanax too and it has worked amazing. I started riding calm and like im supposed to and it doesnt mess with my coordination in that small of a dosage |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| Im the queen of this :(
Deep breathing is easy to over look because it's hard to do when you are anxious. BUT if you count to 4 in thru your nose - hold it and exhale 4 counts out your mouth - hold and repeat, you can literally feel your shoulders dropping and your muscles relaxing. It's hard but counting takes you mind off your worry too. I do this about 10-15 out from my draw #.
I'd love to know how a tiny bit of xanax would affect me. Kind of scared to go that route? |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| hoofs_in_motion - 2016-10-25 8:45 AM
beer lol
Got there before me.
I do feel better making a run after a couple brews.
I also remember walking a jump course at 16 and telling my trainer at the time this would all be easier if I could have a shot of whiskey.
I think perfect practic helps. Chris Martin preaches it as a means to calm a horses anxiety before runs - if they are only allowed to have perfect practice at home, perfect practice in warm ups, then there is no question what their job is when they turn into the alley, run to their spot and turn.
I think the same helps us, if we practice perfect and have trust that our horse is going to do his job, run to his spot and turn, then what do we have to worry about? Easier said than done I know.
In the meantime breath - I have a couple friends that I help into the alley from time to time and I make them sing with me, you cannot be nervous as a full grown adult singing row row row your boat off key, it's scientifically proven to be impossible. Wiggle and stretch your jaw out, it helps relax your neck and shoulders and often you're clinching your teeth without realizing it.
Develop a pre run plan and stick to it. I warm up, get off about 3 drags out and loosen my cinch, boot him up if I haven't and just let him chill. The drag before mine I tighten him up, get back on, rubber bands etc and by then they're calling us to the holding area. |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | ~BINGO~ - 2016-10-24 7:37 PM
I know a gal that always has a couple beers at shows...maybe that's why she's in the 1-D?!?! Haha. |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | I pray before every run that the Lord watch over me and my horse and help me ride to His glory. You might ask Him to take away your fear and give you peace. Then I shut my eyes and visualize my run. From walking to the alley, to going down the alley, all three turns and the run home. Your mind does the last thing it sees, so even if something unorthodox happens, you will still react appropriately. I also don't hang out around the alley. I stay at my trailer, or over to the side to do my prayer and visualization. When the horse ahead of me heads into the arena, I take a deep breath, have faith the Lord will take care of me and my horse, and head to the alley. That's what helps me. It also helps to have a calm horse, which I do.
Edited by dianeguinn 2016-10-25 12:37 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Two fingers of whiskey. Boom. Ready to rock.  |
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Expert
Posts: 1343
Location: East Texas | dianeguinn - 2016-10-25 12:36 PM
I pray before every run that the Lord watch over me and my horse and help me ride to His glory. You might ask Him to take away your fear and give you peace. Then I shut my eyes and visualize my run. From walking to the alley, to going down the alley, all three turns and the run home. Your mind does the last thing it sees, so even if something unorthodox happens, you will still react appropriately. I also don't hang out around the alley. I stay at my trailer, or over to the side to do my prayer and visualization. When the horse ahead of me heads into the arena, I take a deep breath, have faith the Lord will take care of me and my horse, and head to the alley. That's what helps me. It also helps to have a calm horse, which I do.
Amen!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| horsesinharleton - 2016-10-25 1:16 PM dianeguinn - 2016-10-25 12:36 PM I pray before every run that the Lord watch over me and my horse and help me ride to His glory. You might ask Him to take away your fear and give you peace. Then I shut my eyes and visualize my run. From walking to the alley, to going down the alley, all three turns and the run home. Your mind does the last thing it sees, so even if something unorthodox happens, you will still react appropriately. I also don't hang out around the alley. I stay at my trailer, or over to the side to do my prayer and visualization. When the horse ahead of me heads into the arena, I take a deep breath, have faith the Lord will take care of me and my horse, and head to the alley. That's what helps me. It also helps to have a calm horse, which I do. Amen!!!
YES! I too say a prayer (with my horse) before every run. Forgot about that! |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| I just about had a panic attack before each run. That was one reason that I attended a clinic with a lot of saddle time. Since attending I have gone from a 26 on poles to a 23. From way out there to just out of the 5D money. I am VERY pleased with my progress. There will probably be 450 barrel racers at the closest barrel race this weekend. I will be right in there with them. Tough E TX competition so a 5D will need about a 16.8 to place. I plan to be in the money. |
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Regular
Posts: 50
Location: Naples, Texas | I have found that praying works for me as well.
Edited by canchazer4life 2016-10-25 1:40 PM
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