LOSING YOUR CONFIDENCE RIDING (AND HOW TO GET THROUGH IT)

I hope this video will help anyone that may be struggling with their confidence riding right now! Thank you guys for watching!
Links to the books that I mentioned in this video:
Perfect Mind, Perfect Ride: Sport Psychology for Successful Riding a.co/d/0T8gy7s
Inside Your Ride: Mental Skills for Being Happy and Successful with Your Horse a.co/d/2vKq60B
Brain Training for Riders: Unlock Your Riding Potential with StressLess Techniques for Conquering Fear, Improving Performance, and Finding Focused Calm a.co/d/aCdk0Yo
Follow me on instagram:
@stephanieprinceee
@hiddencreekfarm_
Music in this video:
Keep Me by tubebackr / tubebackr
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[@StephaniePrince]

I hope you guys like this video and that it can help anyone who may be going through something similar! I’m considering making another video like this about burnout. Is that something you guys would like?

[@hiddengemequestrian]

Yes please! Currently struggling with burnout and any tips would be highly welcomed!

[@hi-by8ll]

Yes! Would love this

[@ZenaTheJumper2121]

Yes!!! Also I love your videos your my favourite KZbinr But also where is Rylie I miss her😢

[@cajane4979]

First of all, Stephanie thank you for this video and I would very much appreciate a video on burnout. I am bringing along a pretty green 17hh gelding. Second of all, to all of you asking about Riley, she is just not on KZbin. She is a child and owes none of us anything. That is none of any of our business.

[@ainsleyu]

Yes! also thank you. i just switched from a super chill lesson pony to a 16.2 green tb and he is really difficult.. i recently fell off and hurt my leg pretty bad but i’m riding on saturday and this really helped

[@aranara_song]

When I lost my confidence, I had trainers that honestly had no idea how to deal with that. They just pushed me onto harder horses that were energetic, also the kind that liked to test their riders. It was just horrid. Once they put me on this arab mare to galop, and they let me walk with her for 10 minutes alone hoping that that was gonna be the thing that would fix me. The entire time we walked, I was talking to her trying to calm myself down and the entire time I was scared shitless. After the 10 mins were up we started to galop, and I fell pretty much right away. I got disappointed looks, and looking back that was just a recipe for disaster honestly. Unfortunately there's a million trainers that just have that "get back on again" mentality. If your student is telling you that they feel uncomfortable, anxious and unsafe then make sure that they can at least ride horses that they feel comfortable in. Don't ignore it, don't force them to get on if they don't want to, because that'll only take away the joy and escape they find in horses.

[@DariaHarruff]

i tried horse riding lessons i didnt like it anymore i dropped out of last year i quit horseriding

[@sandracapobianco1983]

Thank you so much for telling your story, this helped me to realize a lot about myself in my current situation. You get to a place where just feel stuck , you dream of jumping again, doing things with less fear and it hurts , it hurts big time. A lot of people just don’t understand and it’s SO SO hard to explain. Getting over the mental fear is the worst, your brain can play so nasty tricks on you that’s for sure. Love all of your videos and really, thank you again for posting this, this is the message I need at this point in my riding ❤

[@Unidentified.flying.chimkin]

Thank you so much for this video 🙏 A few weeks ago I had my horse trip over and land on me (both me and the horse are fine) but it really took a blow to my confidence to the point where I refused to canter on the lead he tripped (I can now). I also have a horse that acts up when I take him competing, he bucks and bolts because he’s excited, it’s to the point where I am to scared to take him out and I love competing. My instructor got me to go to the pony club grounds with a friend of mine and she lead us in a lesson there, it was all to help me get my confidence back taking him out and he was a gem he didn’t step a foot wrong (though I still fear to take him out) ❤ it’s all about healing, you have to learn from it and move forward

[@mkshowproductions2055]

Really needed this. I went off in September for the first time in 5 years and I have been STUGGLING and doubting myself so much. Thank you for this

[@horse_girl_1001]

A few weeks ago I had a really scary incident (for me) that made me loose my confidence. I’ve also been comparing myself to the other people in my lessons as they get to ride twice a week and I only ride every other week. The other people are already jumping (that are my age) and I just walk around the arena with my instructor ahead of me. Even when I ride the chill and bombproof horses I just feel like I can’t do anything.

[@rileyygilmore]

Yess thank youu! I’ve been waiting for this video 💕

[@luciemarinov129]

Thank you so much for this video, and sharing your story. I used to jump ( in my 50’s) but as I got older , More worried, I do dressage now but now due to 2 hip replacements and knee replacement, I worry more, knowing my bones are more fragile. I’m 77 now and ride daily ( weather permitting) but stress if it’s windy.It’s a mind battle and I’m so grateful someone like u still had to rebuild confidence after a fall. Thank for sharing, it’s the first time I saw your video and will look for more.

[@randiwebb4771]

Love this video,you are such an inspiration to all of us out there XOXO

[@maria-haddock]

I have been having confidence problems since I started riding horses, I fell a lot because I was clueless and the horse got scared. If I had one day where I was confident, the rest of the days I was afraid of losing control and I was fine as long as I could control everything the horse did (I didn't canter and just trot). That frustrated me a lot because I knew the horses and I didn't know why but it seemed like I was riding them for the first time.

[@3ChestnutsandaBay]

I just got out of school and I’m so excited to watch this video!!!

[@LivingwithLucy1]

Thank you! I recently had a confidence drop so this is really helpful

[@emilys.jumping.ponies]

Thank you! This helped so much!

[@TaylorHaselton]

Thank you so much for this video. There isn't enough transparency and talk about things like this in the horse world!

[@junipersue]

Thank you so much!!! I had two bad accidents on 2 different horses within 3 years and I have a new horse that I have only ridden briefly for a few minutes 2 years ago. Apparently I’m doing the avoidance technique…. Now I’m older and fat and that messes with your confidence as well! I did break and displace 1 rib and hurt my shoulder and had a concussion on the first wreck and broke 4 ribs, hurt the other shoulder and had a similar injury to yours called a Morrel-LaValle Leision that was supposed to be drained except I didn’t go to a Doctor for 2 weeks and by the time I did it was during a solar eclipse that was in our town and they couldn’t get me in. SO PAINFUL! You give me hope I can get back in the saddle so thank you!!!🌺

[@rachel3591]

This video is amazing!! I had a bad fall a year and a half ago and it has taken out all of my confidence. I still ride and jump but I have barely any trust in new horses. Thanks for making me just feel like I’m not a wimp!

[@andreathompson4295]

I cannot thank you enough For this video I lost my confidence just over a year ago and it has taken me a long time to even go over a cross rail and canter again I felt like I was the only one having this big of a setback but seeing this video really helped thank you so much❤

[@horse_girl249]

Thank you so much this really helped me! Last October I had a really bad fall and needed surgery I started riding again and the horse spooked and like cro hopped I was terrified since then I haven’t gotten back on him but there’s another pony at the barn I feel way safer on I started cantering courses again and finally feel safe on pony’s again I wanna get back on the horse that spooked but I’m really scared to do so I’ve talked to family friends and trainers and they all told me I need to go at my speed and do what I feel comfortable thank you so much for making this video it helped me so much I love all your videos so much!

[@Kaia_Bolster]

I can’t thank you enough for making this video 🙌🏻 last year while riding an inexperienced pony I got bolted on, at the time I was confident and also very used to many things, I was used to any type of horse or pony because my job back then was schooling etc. the pony wouldn’t stop and ended in a nasty fall where I broke my back- 2 bones higher and I would have been paralysed. Since I haven’t ridden much (due to other unrelated equine injury also) and now I’m simply too scared, unmotivated and uninterested to even try especially because I’ve got a very enthusiastic tb mare and I simply can’t afford to go to a riding school and have no friends with a horse to ride. This video has helped so much and I’m really considering working on bringing my girl back into work slowly. Thank you ❤

[@puddinpuffequestrian]

Thanks so much for making this! I'm definitely in a funk after my gelding had to have 13 stitches in his leg from kicking a fence post, I've only ridden him 2 tomes in the 6 months of him being recovered. Now cold weather is setting in and it's feeling even harder to find time to ride

[@hiddengemequestrian]

Yesss I needed this video

[@fmcm7683]

Thank you so much for posting! It’s so hard to stay motivated and confident for me during the winter when the weather is crummy and the ponies are spicy!😂

[@alixgray6038]

I really appreciate this video. I went through a lot of fear after a fall that shocked and scared me. After taking it slow, building trust with my horse, and not giving up, I feel stronger and more confident than ever! Thank you so much!

[@abieq2574]

Thank you so much for this video!! I had a bad fall a few months back. I was riding a pony I was training, and she started to spook. I didn't know her that well because I had not had her for that long. She ended up rearing up and flipping over on top of me!! it definitely took me some time to get back on her, but I was fine riding other horses! But ever since then even if all my horse does is flip its head in the air I start to panic and all of the memories of her landing on me just come rushing back!! but I think this video will really help me!!

[@JustAnotherPandama]

Thank you for posting this, I just recently got clearance 2 weeks ago to go back to riding after fracturing my knee. I want to ride really bad but I feel like I'd never progress, I'm scared but not scared in a way. I miss riding, I miss the barn, I miss horses but I just don't think I'd ever be able to be comfortable or do any better then beginner in horse riding. Once again, thanks for the video, it provides a good bit of comfort!

[@natashakate5687]

Be far the truest video yet I’ve seen. You should make a video about dealing with disappointment when you have a lame horse or your not jumping as high as you want to be - I would love it you ever had the time to make one. Love your vids !!!

[@katherinestead708]

great tips!

[@mackenzieeventing]

Thankfully, I am one of the rare humans that is not afraid of anything

[@elainazemianek]

This video really helps thx

[@dahlialippmann8310]

So helpful

[@Feralprincessx]

Idk why but riding in the wind is always a mental struggle for me, so I feel that

[@TheSevenEquines]

Thank you so much! This helped me alot!yesterday,i was out at an arena hire.I was just warming up,i had sarted jumping and i was going for this double.My pony hasnt done doubles for a long time and they were just 60cm high.They had fillers underneath and he likes to look at things.Im not so good at keeping the pony at a good fast pace.I was gonna do the 70cm in the area showjumping this friday so we needed to get to a 70cm course.I was heading towards it and last minute he stopped to see if it wasnt going to eat him.I was nudging him with my heels,so he did a huge bunny hop over it,I landed on his neck and bashed my face then fell off onto my bum.I had cut both my lips and the inside of my mouth.There was loads of blood and now im really nervous to get back on today.But thank you for this!!❤❤

[@andystpierre6086]

Ouf i remember your hematoma after falling off Coors, it was painful just to look at it. A big injury is always scary; especially when you work with your body (you as a horse trainer or me as a nurse 😅). It took me at least 5 years to the knot in my stomach disappeared every time I cantered my horse. Thank you for making this video, I’m sure it’ll help at least one other rider to continue 🥰

[@Eq_Amberx]

I've recently had a really rough fall off my horse and I've completely lost my confidence in riding. I've been riding since I was three years old and I've loved it! Whenever I was at the stables or the pastures it makes me feel safe. It still does now but when I grab the halter and the lead rope I get flashbacks of the fall and I break down. And if that doesn't happen then I'm tacking Hope up and when I put my foot in the stirrup I can't do it no more. This sport is mentally so hard and people don't notice it. Whenever I'm on my horse I feel scared because I wonder what's going to happen. If I fall or if something bad happens... Thank you for this it really helped me out a lot!

[@The_SwagEquestrian.]

I recently fell off and broke my wrist and lost so much confidence. I had to stop riding for 3 weeks until my wrist healed then got back on and started crying because I was scared I would get bucked off again. I regained some confidence a few months later but then I got a new trainer which completely knocked all my confidence because she didn't teach very well. I used to ride this pony all the time before I fell off and now I've completely lost confidence on her (this isn't even the horse I fell off) I'm scared to trot on her (she is a naturally strong hors but this has never happened on her before) in fact she was the first horse I rode at my new barn and was my absolute favourite and I would beg to ride herall the time and it's all just over :/ Edit: I literally feel fine on any other horse except Tilly (the horse I lost confidence on even though I didn't fall off her) and Marco (the horse I fell off)

[@laureneq8508]

What I also found helpful is if you have a problem with one horse confidence wise. Take a ride or two break from that horse if you can.

[@Egan_Equestrian]

I know I'm late to watching this video, and I wish I watched it earlier. About 2 weeks ago I had my last lesson for the year and last lesson before my last show for the year. I was showjumping a beefy 80cm course with some wide oxers and I fell off twice. After my first jump I was unscathed and nothing was hurting, so I hopped back on again, went back over the rest of the course, and them took a break. I then went over the entire course again and fell off again at the last jump because I was jumped out the saddle as I was riding in a dressage saddle (his gp was in for reflocking and the only other saddle that fit him, was the dressage. So my back legs went tits up and I went over his shoulder and landed on my elbow. My reins snapped and my elbow was grazed a bit. I was doing a double lesson so I changed his bridle out asap and went out on a hack for my second ride on him. Then comes the show 2 days later, I was so scared and nervous, almost asking to withdraw. I'm so so glad my coach made me do it because it went amazingly because I trusted my riding ability and my horse. The first warmup + first round and warmup for the second round went horribly but in the second round I qualified for the jump off and then even placed third in it! If I hadn't done that show I would've created a mental block and it would be hard to break down.

[@Caitlynn_events]

Something like this happened to me about a year ago. I was at a show with my lease pony. He’d never been to a show and was scared, he threw me into the fence in warmup. A more expirenced ride got on him and he threw too. I had to ride a 17.2 hh ottb. He was terrified and reared up and ran me over. I could ride for months bc of leg was damaged, I couldn’t feel part of it and still can’t to thsi day. My fall happen while I was standing and doing my stirrups , so everytime after that doing the stirrups scared me bc I always had the fear of the horse rearing. My confidence is much better now tho. U can work thru it

[@md_eventing]

I had a fall and I'm scared to tell my instructor that I'm scared and want to take it back a few steps then next lesson she put me back on the pony I fell off of and had me jump 3'3 (the height I fell of from. I was terrified and fell again. I ended up getting so scared to go faster then a trot I could barely canter for more then 3 strides. I'm still trying to get through my confidence knock and this video definitely helps.

[@stephaniecuster8025]

Yes please do burnout. Just went through it. Not so much riding but just life

[@Mints_Equestrian]

❤❤

[@joanne0862]

I'm in a simular situation I had a bad fall in 2018 was on a hack and got bucked off the horse was bronco bucking and galloping at the same time I stayed on for 16 seconds but I was knocked unconscious and the next few years I thought I was okay to canter but since doing private lessons on my own as im used to doing group ones since doing the private ones I've found when I ask for canter I go into canter then my body and mind just want to go back into trot so I have to force myself to go into canter again , but I find im subconsciously wanting to rise and trot to ask and not sit to ask even though I now what to do its like i just dont want to canter so yesterday my instructor said think of something something or someone made you angry to make you frustrated to help your mindset distract you from the fear . Its so hard when I now I used to be so good at cantering when I was younger

[@elies1538]

I just really hope I get my confidence back.. I had a near death experience 2 times and now after 6 years started riding again with my mom. After a couple of months we bought a horse together which was sold as “super easy beginners horse” im definitely not a beginner but since I felt very scared every time I rode a horse again this would have been perfect for me and my mom who is also a bit scared to fall cause she is getting older. When we got her a perfect saddle and my mom rode on her the first time since we bought her our horse just took off to full speed and stopped all of a sudden.. my mom had to go to the emergency room (almost broke her back) and probably can never ride again. The next day I had to try and ride her again for the sake of it. Ended up falling 2 times in 30min.. seller won’t take her back even tho I found evidence she was sold 10 times already in the last 4 years cause of exactly this reason (she does this very often). Now I got a horse I’m way too scared to ride, lost all my money and my mom can probably never ride again cause of this horse that I chose for us.. I never felt this shit in my entire life 💔

[@lottesamyn7619]

after a real bad fall I stopped riding fore 2 and a haf years feeling really sad... Mostly bc i was scared of getting back on a horse. I slowly started to ride again but back frome the start and I feel so much better even though I'm just starting frome the begining. (sorry if my Englich isnt good I'm frome Belgium)

[@-Pearl-212]

Thank you this really helps I had a huge confidence nock today and I was crying and my mam asked when was filing and she said I was pathetic?tf

[@Jamie-qd5mo]

for the last question about getting back on the horse you lost confidence on, what if you have no other horses? and the horse needs a confident rider?

[@N12S10S]

I fell with my horse and since then I can not trust the horse when we jump because I don't belive in them that they will keep their balance if they jump too far off.. I can still jump but I don't enjoy it as much as I did before :)

[@Polopony20.]

If its been a long time since hte trauma (thats what falls and bad experiences are at the core) or you've had multiple traumas stacked on top of them (Like me) then *go back to the basics* find a lesson barn, explain that you've had a bad fall or a big scare and would like to start over again. For me, its going all the way back to the basics, back to getting my position at a walk before trotting, back to ground poles and properly riding. Even if you havea horse of your own! RESET. It's good for you!

[@NaunetteMartin]

Can how do I have convinced win ride my horse I don't have a nif convinced win I ride my horse I boke my hip thank you Nanette