BOOSTING CONFIDENCE l HACKING CLINIC
After a few minutes Stephanie invites the attendees to share their goals and the ‘whys’ that have prompted them to come to the clinic.
“Knowing your ‘why’ for each goal is the most important thing as this is what will keep you going on the challenging days,” says Stephanie.
The reasons from those attending included…
“I have a young, green horse and I feel like it’s impacting my confidence, and that my mindset is holding us both back. I want to learn to focus on the positives, not the negatives,” says Jane.
“I had a big break from riding after having kids and when I got back into it I had an accident at the end of a seven-mile hack,” shares Jacqui.
“When I get nervous I tense up and hold onto the reins, which makes my horse frustrated and bouncy so I feel out of control.
I want to learn to feel relaxed and in control.”
“I spent 13 years on the same yard and knew all the hacking routes. Now that I’ve moved yards I’m struggling with hacking out in new places. I also rehabbed my horse, Allie, for five months after he was diagnosed with kissing spines, so he is now really fit and I feel a bit left behind,” confesses Laura. “I feel confident riding in the arena, and I want to feel as confident on a hack.”
“My dressage horse, Gio, is hot and spooky, and has had lots of time off because of an injury,” says Kathryn. “Now I can ride again I wanted to have the chance to hack somewhere new but safe and enclosed. I’m also a bit worried about hacking with other horses around or coming towards us, so I’d like to work on that.”
“I don’t think anything specific has happened to knock my confidence. Tiny is my first horse, and he used to race. I’ve owned him for six months now. He’s never done it, but I’m scared of riding on grass in case he takes off with me,” shares Emily. “I feel like I’m letting us both down because I’ve always wanted a horse, and now I have Tiny, but I’m too scared to ride him.”
“I lost my horse
