Overcoming fear is something almost every equestrian face from time to time. Mules are large, potentially unpredictable and dangerous animals. But some riders, for a variety of reasons, struggle with fear and anxiety more than others. Few sports have as many dedicated participants who struggle with being afraid of their beloved, chosen equine partner. Fearful riders come in every age, gender, size and ability level. They include riders from every equestrian discipline and level of training.
I will put emphasis on the fact that equestrian sports are the number one rated in head injuries and death. Directly put, it is a dangerous sport and activity. To think that you will never encounter an injury during your riding career is not probable. Keep your risks to a minimum and think while your train to lower your chances of becoming injured. With that being said, you should realize the inherited risks involved with equestrian sports and take an active role in keeping fit while increasing your knowledge of the sport to minimize your risk.
Equestrian fears usually originate from two distinct sources: post-traumatic fear and generalized anxiety. Post-traumatic fear develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic incident or accident. Not every rider who is involved in or witnesses an equestrian accident will develop post-traumatic fear. Some riders seem to “bounce back” from devastating accidents with few long-term effects. More fearful, riders will struggle with crippling fears after a seemingly minor incident. I was raised in a family when after the fall, you got back on. Having that mindset, I developed horse and mule savvy skills that has brought a great amount of rewards to my life. If you are addicted to mules like I am, you will not be able to give it up.
How do we explain riders that have fears even though they have not been injured? Generalized anxiety develops in the “what if” section of the brain. No actual incident has occurred, but the fear is always of what might occur. What if my mule bolts and I cannot stop him? What if my mule spooks at a cow? What if a barking dog chases us on the trail? What if my mule bucks me off? The “what if” possibilities are endless and can be paralyzing.
Older adults have an increased awareness of their own mortality, and often must deal with stiffer, less flexible joints; bones that break more easily; increased body weight; decreased muscular strength; slower reflexes; a lower general level of fitness; and old or prior injuries. These physical realities may increase an already anxious rider’s fear level.
So, what is an anxious or fearful rider to do? First, be patient with yourself, learn to recognize and reward your progress. The steps to successfully overcoming fear are usually small and may feel painfully slow. There are no easy or simple answers to overcoming fear. But there is hope and success for those who are determined to conquer their fears.
It will be beneficial to enlist your Equestrian Support Team. Fearful and anxious riders will rarely overcome their fears alone. The more support a fearful rider gathers, the more likely he/she is to successfully overcome his/her fears. Possible members of an Equestrian Support Team include: a supportive riding instructor or trainer; a sports psychologist or psychotherapist; a physician or other medical professional; experienced, confident mule friends and riding partners; a supportive spouse, partner or good friend; and friendly mule riding clubs and organizations. Some well-meaning riding instructors add to the problem by refusing to allow their students to talk about their fears. This is not the style of riding instructor I would recommend for a fearful rider, who needs to be able to talk about and verbally process his/her fears. A little empathy and understanding can go a long, long way.
Fear can create these responses: dry mouth, sweating, “butterflies” in the stomach, nausea, “rubbery” legs, shaking or trembling, chest pressure or pain, eyes looking down or losing focus, shortness of breath, “racing” thoughts, inability to focus or concentrate, and the fear of losing control. Now let’s work on this.
Timid, novice and fearful riders should always wear a helmet. Every time, every ride. You never “forget” the girth, do you? Then there is no excuse for “forgetting” a helmet. No matter which equestrian discipline or activity you are participating in, a properly fitted, ASTM/SEI-approved equestrian helmet is the single most important piece of personal safety equipment available today. A helmet may save your life and your future in the event of a fall or serious accident. Knowing your wonderful, unique brain is well protected will give you one less thing to worry about when you ride.
Learn visualization and imaging techniques. Invest in CDs and DVDs that have information about mental imagery and visualization for equestrians. Listen to them when you drive to work or the barn to help you develop imaging skills that will minimize your fears. Visualization and imaging skills require time, practice and disciplined thinking, in order to be effective.
Improve your riding skills. Most fearful riders benefit tremendously from taking additional riding lessons on the basics of riding an older well trained mule. These lessons should be with a patient, caring instructor who enjoys working with timid adults. Lessons on the basic mechanics of riding and controlling a mule, balance, and understanding a mule’s movement will help a fearful rider to relax and feel more in control in the saddle. Ideally, these lessons should take place on a calm “schoolmaster” type mule.
Improve your fitness level. Start with abdominal strength. The abdominal and oblique muscles control your position in the saddle and help you to stay with your mule when he turns quickly. Strong abs make you a stronger rider. Increasing your over-all fitness, strength and flexibility will usually increase a rider’s self-confidence in the saddle.
Look and act like a confident rider, even if you do not feel like one. It is easier to act your way into a new way of feeling than to feel your way into a new way of acting. The physical positions of keeping your eyes up, chin up, and smiling send signals to your brain that you are in control and confident, even if you do not feel that way emotionally. Look and act like you are confident and eventually you will feel that way.
Evaluate the mule you own or usually ride. Are you a good match for each other? Many fearful riders are riding mules they should not be riding. They are over-mounted and intuitively know that, but do not know how to change the situation. If you are not sure whether you and your mule are a good match, enlist the aid of a knowledgeable equine professional to help you. A professional opinion may give you the courage to overcome your fears and work successfully with your current mount or the courage to say good-bye and find a more suitable mount to help you achieve your equestrian goals and find the fun again.
Make a plan. The most effective plans will usually involve regular riding lessons or instruction, sessions with a sports psychologist or psychotherapist who is experienced with equestrian issues, and mobilizing your entire Equestrian Support Team. Clinics specifically designed to help riders overcome fear issues can be particularly effective in helping fearful riders to get back on the “fun” track again.
In summary, there is hope and help available for anxious riders who want to overcome their fears. Successfully overcoming the fear of riding and becoming a confident rider most often occurs when a strong Equestrian Support Team is enlisted and utilized with a thoughtful, realistic plan is in place. Here’s to your future as a confident rider and a leader in your mule’s life!
