Last year I decided I was going to start riding consistently. I started riding my horse and realized I was in really bad shape. It was hard to mount. It was hard to ride. I could stand to lose a few pounds, so I started looking for ways to get in better shape that worked for 51 year old me.

I’ll tell you, Facebook read my mind and started throwing a ton of options my way. I tried a few of them and holy moly… they were overwhelming, I was too sore to walk, even less ride, and I just couldn’t stand the energy of the programs.

One day I went into a Facebook horse group I belong to and asked what people were doing. Someone mentioned Team Body Project. I took a look and tried one of their workouts and I was hooked. The energy of Team Body Project is just completely different than the ones I’d tried before. The focus was on moving your magnificent body, and being consistent, instead of lifting heavier and more and more and more to get as strong as you can be.

At the time I was also reading some books about habits, and the mentality of Team Body Project fit right in with all of that. Daniel is my favorite trainer, though, honestly, I love his workouts so much I haven’t really tried many of the other trainers. There are workouts that are short, medium and long, easy, medium and hard! There’s always something to do, no matter what state of mind or body you are in that day.

After a couple weeks I found my legs were so much stronger. Mounting was easy! I could just step right up there. I found my balance was better, my core was stronger. It was EASIER to ride, which made it me want to do it more and made it more fun. Riding more also made me stronger, so it became an upward spiral of positive change.

Team Body Project offers a lot of free workouts on Youtube. You can try them out, see if you like them. They also have a subscription site with hundreds of workouts that aren’t on youtube. I love being able to try something before I pay for it, so I started out with the Youtube workouts, but it didn’t take me long to know I’d found a home base for fitness and join the subscription.

Building muscle, strength and balance is not the only things you need to ride over 50, you also need to be flexible. I love yoga and Yoga with Adrienne is my go to source for amazing yoga sessions. Her energy is uplifting, comforting and welcoming. I love that she encourages you to listen to YOUR body, and do what your body can do today. Her videos are free on Youtube too. And her sweet dog Benji is alway there as well.

It’s pretty easy to think you have to join a gym or pay a lot of money to get fit, but there are a lot of great choices that don’t cost you anything to just get started.

The more fit I get the better I ride, and the more fun it is. I don’t always love working out, but I do love being the best me I can be for my horse, so I keep at it. It doesn’t take hours a day, even a short 20 minute workout will keep you making progress, or at least moving your body for the day. Creating the habit of moving my body most days of the week has really helped me move forward and gain confidence as a new rider over 50.

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Work on your mindset.

The first step to gaining confidence in the saddle is to work on your mindset. Negative self-talk can sabotage your confidence, so try to shift your thoughts to a more positive outlook. Visualize yourself riding confidently and successfully, and use positive affirmations to reinforce your beliefs. If you’re struggling with anxiety or fear, consider seeking the help of a therapist or coach who can help you work through your feelings and develop coping strategies.

Build a strong foundation.

You need a foundation, but your horse also needs a foundation. I started back at the beginning with Goose. We started on the ground. The better she got on the ground the more confident I felt in my ability to handle her. Also the more confident I got on the ground, the more it translated to confidence under saddle as well. Once you’re riding, having a strong foundation in riding basics such as balance, posture, and position can give you a sense of security in the saddle. Practice exercises such as lunging or riding without stirrups to improve your skills and confidence. Take the time to work with a skilled instructor who can help you refine your technique and build your confidence.

Choose a reliable horse.

If you’re lacking confidence in the saddle, riding a safe and reliable horse can make all the difference. It really can. I don’t know that Goose was the BEST choice I could have made for a first horse, but being able to really take it one step at a time has created a great bond between us. It really is a good idea when you’re first riding and gaining confidence to choose a horse that you trust and feel comfortable with. If you’re new to riding, look for a calm and gentle horse with a steady temperament. Riding a horse that is unpredictable or difficult can erode your confidence, so make sure to choose a horse that matches your skill level and personality.

Take small steps.

Taking small steps towards your riding goals can help you build confidence and improve your skills over time. Start with simple exercises and gradually increase the difficulty as you become more comfortable in the saddle. For example, if you’re working on trotting, start by practicing in a small, enclosed arena before moving on to open spaces or more challenging terrain. Celebrate your progress and remember that every small step counts towards your ultimate goal. This is what I’ve been doing with Goose. We started in a small space, and now we have worked our way to the outdoor arena, and even out onto the road. Each small step has added up and we just reached 70 hours logged riding!

Seek support.

Finally, don’t be afraid to seek support from other riders, trainers, or coaches. Join a local riding club or online community where you can connect with other riders who share your goals and struggles. I love the Warwick Schiller community on Facebook. It really helps to find a horse community that shares the same values of horsemanship as you. Even joining an online “challenge” can really help. I am currently working through Michael Lyon’s “horsemanship challenge”. It’s given me the extra push I needed to actually get out and ride my horse. I’ve found when I’m not confident in what I’m doing, sometimes it’s easier to just skip it than get out there and do it. A community can really help you stay motivated to work through the tough stuff at the beginning as you gain confidence. Working with a skilled instructor or coach can also provide valuable guidance and support as you work towards building your confidence in the saddle.

In conclusion, gaining confidence in the saddle takes time and effort, but with the right mindset, foundation, horse, approach, and support, you can become a more confident rider. Remember to be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and stay focused on your goals. With persistence and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

If you’re an equestrian looking to boost your confidence and motivation in the saddle, then don’t miss out on our printable affirmation cards featuring 40 positive affirmations for equestrians. These affirmations are designed to help you stay focused, confident, and motivated, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider. So why not head over to our etsy shop now and start incorporating these powerful affirmations into your daily routine? With a positive mindset and a little bit of practice, you can achieve anything you set your mind to in the saddle. So don’t wait, take action today and start transforming your riding experience with the power of positive affirmations!

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However, a challenge does me a lot of good and having this goal in front of me has really made me step up my game. I can now catch her with ease, and we’ve been riding regularly. Yesterday was our 42nd session. We’ve been riding just about daily now. We have worked on things in the arena and I feel confident in her and myself enough to start taking her out of the arena and working on heading out on the trail.

We’ve done this a couple days now, but yesterday was really windy. In the past I would have just skipped it, but heck, I live in Kansas. If you’re not going to ride in the wind, you aren’t going to ride.

We started out and she was a little rushier than she’s been, she felt a little tighter than she has recently felt, she was a little lookier than in recent rides. And then I took a look at myself. I was tighter than I have been, holding my breath, looking around, trying to find the next thing that might spook her. She was literally taking her cues from me. I was acting like there was something to be worried about so sure enough… she was worried.

Here are the tips I’ve got for you, I have used them all and they definitely helped me have a nice ride in the wind yesterday.

BREATHE

You’ve got to breathe. Notice your breath, are you breathing normally? Is your breath shallow? Are you holding your breath? Your breath is one of the biggest indicators to your horse. Take a big deep breath, and blow it out. When Goose hears me blow out a deep breath she almost always takes a deep breath herself. It resets her, and me! We took a lot of breaths yesterday because I kept realizing I was holding mine.

Relax your muscles.

Do a quick body scan. Where are you holding tension. Check your but, your legs, your back, your shoulders, your arms/hands. Relax. Let go of your tension. I notice I hold tension in my but and legs. Take a second to let go of the tension. Move around in the saddle a little bit if you need to. Reposition yourself a little. They can feel that tension. When you are tense they feel there’s a good reason for them to be tense as well.

Use positive self talk

Get yourself a mantra. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. “I can do this” is perfectly fine. Repeat it. Over and over again, until you begin to relax a little bit. If you have trouble coming up with something, here are 60 affirmations for equestrians.

Stay Present

It is so easy to go back in the past and think of things that have happened on previous rides, or jump to the future and wonder what will happen further into this ride. You just can’t. You have to stay present. This moment. The one you are in right now. Right now… she’s good. I’m good. Right now… she’s good. I’m good. The more present you can stay the better your ride will be. Also the quicker you will be able to reacte if you need to because you will be right there in the moment.
I have honestly found riding my horse to be one of the BEST mindfulness practices available to me. It’s quickly becoming my favorite part of riding. <3 It’s just like any other meditation practice, notice your thoughts, and if you find them somewhere beside the moment you’re in, just bring them back. Notice something concrete about the moment. The way your feet feel in the stirrups. The butterfly on the dandelion. The way the reins feel in your hands. All of these will help ground you in the present moment. Don’t be hard on yourself if you find your mind wandering, just keep bringing yourself back to the moment. Your horse will notice.

Trust your horse.

If your horse is safe enough for you to be riding, then it’s safe enough for you to trust it. I have to say, I’m really bad about this sometimes. Goose is a good horse, but I’m a new rider. I don’t always trust myself, which bleeds over into not trusting her. My daughter is always saying to me… “You gotta give Goose some credit. She’s a good girl.” And when I do, I feel more confident and capable. Before I ride, I think about our last ride, which was good. The ride before that was good. She’s never done anything to get me killed, and even the things she used to do that I found scary she doesn’t really do anymore. I’m also a better rider now. Trust yourself and your horse. You’ve got this.

I’m going to throw in one more extra.

Sing.

It’s silly, but it’s fun and it’s a great way to calm your nerves while you’re riding, and it will force you to breathe as well. Pick a song you know well, and sing. Sing out loud. Your horse loves your voice.

I hope these tips will help you when you get a bit nervous riding your horse. I know they help me. They are all really simple things, almost too simple, but they work. The hardest part about it is remembering to use them.

If you’ve got tools you use to help overcome nerves when riding, I’d love to hear them, leave a comment and let me know!

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