Moving out of Your Dis-Comfort Zone

 Anyone who has ridden a horse knows that going into new territory can bring about high anxiety, in horse & rider!  What is a rider to do, in order to gain their horse's confidence, stay safe and expand their horizons?  How does one get out of a rut?  How can you meet a specific riding goal?

Let me offer these suggestions.

• Create a vision.  Decide what it is you want to do.   Write it in a journal to begin the process.  "I like to ride my horse on trail rides with friends." 

• Break your vision into specific steps in the process.  

           1. I want to feel comfortable driving the truck with a trailer.
           2. I want my horse to load easily.
           3. I want to connect with people to ride on trails.
           4. I want my horse and me to be safe and sound on the trails.

• Set goals under each step to get you started. 

          1. Drive the truck more.

          2. Drive the truck with an empty trailer. 

         and continue with each step.   Write this in your journal.  

• Be ready to revise your steps and goals as needed but use your Vision to keep your focus on what it is you want.  

• Remind yourself of why you want your Vision.  Spend some time thinking about the benefits this will provide you and your horse.  Write this in your journal.  

• Keep track of your progress.  If you meet too many stumbling blocks, break your steps into smaller, more manageable goals.  Seek some assistance if needed.  Use the stumbling blocks as learning opportunities and consider it progress along the way.  

• Be open to new adventures!  Is a stumbling block possibly pointing you in a different direction?  Be open to new possibilities!  Maybe your horse is trying to tell you he is not suited for trail riding but LOVES to jump.  Be open to what your horse is telling you in this process.  

• Spend some time thinking of your horse's personality.  What do you sense he really enjoys?  We've probably all ridden or have seen ring sour horses.  They are trying to say, with every fiber of their being, this activity is no longer something they can do.  Respect your horse's preferences.  Learn and explore what he is saying.  Let it be okay to take a sideways approach.  

• Journal from your horse's point of view after a major break thru or stumbling block.  Revise whatever is needed and return to try again.  

• Remember the fun of doing this is ~~ in the process ~~!!  Write down what you are learning in the process and remind yourself what is enjoyable in the process.  Your horse will thank you - he knows where YOUR heart is in what you are doing with him!  This is the blessing and the curse of horseback riding!  :)  

I hope these tips may help you meet your horse goals but more importantly, 

I hope this helps you to 

enjoy the process and enjoy your horse!  

I have created a reusable Horse Journal and Training Log that you can download for free by clicking the horse image below.  It will take you to my website and give you the link.  The only thing I ask is you share, like, comment or repin this article or others of mine.  

Happy Trails! 

Sue Steiner

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