Are you a Tense Rider? What Causes Tension and How to Relax

[@luemun]

I struggle with tension a lot as a rider, but I've been working every lesson this month doing no stirrup-work and breathing exercises, and today i was able to sit the canter totally relaxed for the first time ever 😀 (and I've been riding for ten years!!) A lot of it is thanks to your and other youtubers' videos, I wasn't even aware before that I wasn't supposed to brace in the stirrups.

[@erynd2524]

My biggest problem is getting past my fears of falling after Being bucked off my horse twice. Thank you for the videos.

[@karolglinsky6526]

Tension often comes not from the actual situation. People are often tensed because of their personal problems. Or I can say the mixture of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin in their bains is not good. A teacher can only highlight external manifestations but it is up to the student to find the internal reason. The best starting position is to ride with love and passion, with empty head and without fear then the tension should be banished.

[@Ava_Kirby]

I used to lease a horse that I was completely comfortable on and never have any relaxation issues. Unfortunately she had to be retired. I just started riding a new horse and I’m really struggling to trust her and just relax. Thanks for the tips I’ll definitely have to try them today.

[@evergreenstables8330]

this helped sooooooooo much! One time a pony and a horse took off with me and i tried to over come it and i almost have. But, I'm a tense kind of person because I used to do ballet, using many muscles causing tension. Also once I couldn't get a pony to canter and I was nervous that my instructor was disappointed in me and that i would never get that pony to canter, so i was nervous the next lesson so I was tense. I've had this tension for a few weeks now and its causing the horses I ride to go faster, making me tenser. I will remember this the next time my instructor tells me to be calm and relax. THANK YOU soooooooo much!!!

[@sadienigb]

thank you so much for this! i took a hard fall not so long ago and i’ve lost my confidence. this really helped me to relax and have more control over what is happening

[@leealexander3507]

Tension while handling your horse will cause problems whether you are riding or on the ground because you will communicate your tension to your horse. This is especially bad if you have a sensitive or reactive horse. The reactive horse will be the most responsive horse if you can only relax. You can also help a fearful horse if you can remain calm and centered. This helps your fearful horse to become more confident.

[@bogdancostea294]

all good riding instructors i have heard have similar advice and, for all of us amateurs, some of it seems immediately intelligible, some seems even easy to do, but there is just that coherent ensemble that never quite comes off naturally - your explanation is very coherent and points out that really useful image of a 'relaxed whole rider' that is so hard to achieve (for some of us :)). excellent videos overall!

[@auroradavison8854]

That's all I hear from my instructor - RELAX! lol

[@nurulsolehah6801]

This is a problem I certainly have struggled with for a long time. Really appreciate your lessons. They really do help. Thankssss

[@carolined3058]

when I'm tensed I start to smile and sing

[@evadevries3738]

The cat in the background at 1 minute XDDDDDDD

[@gilliangirl1]

LOL! At first I thought it was a small bug on my computer screen :D

[@sierracampbell3828]

So this summer I'm volunteering as a leader at the riding camp where I learned to ride. I'm a pretty good rider, but not sure how to help other people (kids 5-13) become good riders. Maybe you could make a video or reply to this comment? Thank you so much I love your channel!🏇

[@bogdancostea294]

absolutely spot on! thank you!

[@roosilicious]

I have tension about doing it good. I don't want to make mistakes. I am also afraid of what others think about me. It's very annoying because I know that's its normal because I am learning. Ik want to get rid of the tension so I can learn better

[@annep52]

Another brilliant and very useful video!

[@aeryn6275]

0:59 That little cat in the backround like "Oh, hello, look how much swag I have."

[@46rambo49]

we call it "return to the positive riding position"

[@da359]

I ride a lazy lesson pony, and my first fall he wasnt listening so my trainer tapped him with the lunge crop and he bolted. Ive been nervous ever since, and when they dont listen to cues, I give up, because I always think standing still is better than an agitated horse

[@RoedhamHouseRanch]

Awesome!

[@chloepearson5523]

all of a sudden i tense up a lot when jumping. when i was younger it was never like this because I had like no fear lol but now i actually find myself getting nervous. i think i get in my head and overthink everything and my tension affects my jump position before and over the jump. any advice on how to be less nervous even over tiny jumps??

[@yangliu6433]

I am good when doing trotting, but when I encourage myself to try loping, I immediately become tension, I am afraid of fall off.

[@theoriginalmars]

For me, when I'm super focused and engaged with an activity (i.e. reading, watching a movie), I feel my body naturally relaxing and loose (like meditation) because you are in the moment but you said that with horse riding concentrating hard on something new can bring tension which contradicts everything I experience? Could you please explain?

[@AvaD-hr2oo]

Ive only taken one lesson with my new instructor and struggled a lot with getting tense but i think its nervousness from having a new instructor because when i was with my my last instructor i was relaxed and could do anything relaxed

[@iloveballs444]

I get very tense, and i can get angry when i ride, and i feel that once i start tensing my horse misbehaves, and than i get frustrated and its hard to think straight and keep my cool to start dealing with zeeta.

[@vvlxciraptrrr6747]

I start to tense up while i’m cantering which isn’t good because i let go of the reins and hold the saddle.

[@melindanehren5633]

Very helpful! But what about the lower back? :/

[@kaitywhite608]

My trainer taught me to breathe into your spine to straighten your whole back, keep your core engaged (not clenched like your about to do a BM), also recognize once you do this to relax your leg and glute muscles because those can tense once you think about straightening your spine. 😁

[@suziboban8660]

Hy. I am found of all your videos. They help me very much . Recently I have a problem with my horse. When I ride him in the arena he tends to stop and refuses to go. I use your method by a whip and it Works but I have to tip him pretty long. So I am wondering if I am doing well. May be you have some better advice for me.

[@alishafieian5268]

hi

[@g3tt3rM]

Hello! I have a question - I have been riding on and off for 15 years, I do have 1-2 year gaps there as well. But I notice myself getting tense and nervous every time I ride a new horse or go on to a trail ride even though I love it. I have fallen off many times but that's normal. I have broken my arm twice. But I don't think that affects me so much. If I know the horse and trust the horse I am alright but otherwise I tend to worry. Is this normal or am I just a scary cat? Is this something I must deal with or is this a common issue? Thank you and keep up the brilliant work :)

[@SelkaAndHorses]

I couldn't find the vieon on that topic- I've been riding for 8 years now and as I'm studying at the university for 2 years I can ride only during summer breaks/ holidays, and this year I really struggled to keep my back streight during higher jumps (over 70cm). I never had problems with being tense, I try to get ried of my habit of looking down to make sure weather I land on the proper leg etc. but the problem with c-shaped back is a still a great deal. Do you have any suggestions how can I work on that (on and off the horse, as I'm also warking on sitting streight in a hair as that is what I do most of the time)...

[@rradiosilencee]

Kasia G I can relate with u omg