Brain Training for Riders: Unlock Your Riding Potential with StressLess Techniques for Conquering Fear, Improving Performance, and Finding Focused Calm
Did you know there is an area of your brain known as the “Lizard Brain” that thinks only about the immediate moment and your means of survival? Yes, in certain circumstances, your “Rational Brain” can effectively “shut down” and you are at the mercy of a reptile ... dry-mouthed, sweating, queasy, unable to think clearly—even though you know better. When does the Lizard Brain run the show? It can happen in any number of unfamiliar, uncomfortable, challenging, or “stressful” riding situations. But here’s the thing: with the right kind of training, you can learn to manage the reptile within, which leads to greater confidence with horses, better riding performance, and ultimately, happiness at the barn, at shows, and everywhere in between.
Andrea Monsarrat Waldo teaches you how to: handle uncomfortable emotions, such as fear, anger, anxiety, and embarrassment; hone your mental game and focus your riding time to get the most out of your hours in the saddle; care for your emotional injuries the same way you would care for an injured horse; and produce a state of “Focused Calm” and tap into the skills you have (whether you know it or not!) to ensure an outstanding ride.
Reviews (169)
Incredible Book that really helps fear isues
I was skeptical when I purchased this book, fearing it would be like many other books on the same subject, telling one to breath deep, sing to relax the nerves, etc. with information that wasn't practical for me to use or didn't work for me. Boy, was I wrong! This book is incredible. It's written by an author that is both a horse trainer/instructor and is a therapist who treats people for various fears issues. Because of this author's experience including her own fear issues, the result is a book has information that is easy to implement, even if you don't ride every day, easy to understand and filled with information that is extremely helpful in calming nerves and chasing away fears about riding. The author even debunks other common advice and gives you practical ways to be confidant in the saddle. I have bought one other book on fear and it was just a waste of money. But this book is well worth the price. I was skeptical before I purchase but bought based on the positive reviews. Those reviews all proved true. This is a book that I wish I had read when I first started riding. It's helpful with advice you can use and that works. Very highly recommend this book if you have fear issues or just have trouble with nerves. The advice offered by the author is for every kind of rider, both English and Western This book should be on every rider's bookshelf. Very highly recommend this book. In sum, this book contains information easy to understand; exercises easy to use and ones that work to relieve your fear and give you confidence; and advice that one can easily put to use. Excellent book on fear issues with information that one an use no matter what discipline
It will change your riding life!
I suffered a very serious injury three years ago while riding and I have had confidence issues ever since. This book has literally change my life. I have read lots of stuff on "moving forward " after an injury but Chapter 7 described exactly my feeling, so much so that I became emotional as I read it. The first time I rode my horse after reading the book and I utilized the exercises and I was finally able to relax and enjoy the ride . I was on cloud 9 the rest of the day. Not surprisingly, my horse , who is a bit on the anxious side anyway, was able to relax as well. We have been making great progress ever since. I highly recommend this book.
This book has helped me SO VERY much!
Amazing book. Returning to riding as a mature adult, my riding fears have grown exponentially over the last 19 years as I've bought horse after horse, trying to find that magic one that can make me feel comfortable, confident and safe again. None of my horses were bad, but my fears became their fears and we were nervous, unhappy and frustrated. I did finally have a horse that I looked forward to riding and enjoyed riding, but old age has caught up to him and he is no longer sound enough to ride. So on to a new horse (again) and the resurrection of the fear demons in my brain. My brain is filled with fears and fearful thoughts that bounce around in my head and fill it up, even before I get on the horse. I've tried hypnotherapy and EFT over the years; Ms. Waldo's book is one of many that I've bought in the attempt to tame my demons. Her book, however, is the one that has helped me the most. Come to find out, I'm not just stupidly (and insanely) terrified, I'm actually pretty normal but my Lizard Brain is over-active/reactive and it completely takes over my rational thoughts as it tries to protect me. That was one of the first things I learned from her book. The second (and maybe the best) thing I've learned is to tell my Lizard Brain (LB) to go sit in the tack room while I ride. We are still working on that, as sometimes LB has a voice that can be heard across the property. I have found, though, that more and more LB just sits and sulks because I'm able to ignore her. And, the very best of all, I'm enjoying riding my new horse more often than ever before. Thank you, Ms. Waldo, for your wonderful book. Thank you for sharing your riding fears and how you overcame them, thank you for helping me to overcome mine.
Amazing book, is helping me tremendously!
I had a bad fall while jumping my horse. I knew I needed to get back on and jump that fence again. I was lucky enough to find this book during my month and 1/2 recovery. The author sprinkled the book with humor, the exercises in the book, like a lot of life lessons, can be attributed to the way we respond, interact with our horses. I have PTSD, so my anxiety level my first day back was high, i used her tools, acknowledged the fear in my "lizard brain" aka amygdala, went to my rational brain, i did better than i hoped. This is what the author refers to as dont let the lizard hijack your ride. Its a great book, i think some trainers would do well to incorporate some of these exercises to "calm" an anxious rider as well. The bottom line, for whatever reason we ride, pleasure, therapudic, competitive, no matter tge discipline, the common denominator is we love these regal, majestic, sensitive creatures. Riding its just something we need to do, it offers our soul something wonderful. Read this book, you will enjoy it, your mount will appreciate it as well.
EXCELLENT Book
This is THE most thoughtful, informative and practical book ever written on the subject of overcoming fear issues during riding. I've been struggling for years to get over a very bad crash and while I'm not 100% yet, I am making gains by leaps and bounds. If you are having fear issues stemming from moving up in rank or if you're quivering in your boots post-accident, this book is something you MUST read. It's not optional! Also, if you have a trainer that is sympathetic, but not necessarily understanding of your fears, buy a copy for them as well. There is an entire chapter directed to instructors!
It is easy to read
Every rider/trainer/parent of a rider/ should read this. I have been struggling with fear issues for 2 years after taking a fall from a horse I had had for 7 years at the time. So thankful that Andrea Monsarrat Waldo took the time & energy to write this! It is easy to read, makes sense, has the right amount of humor & exercises, & is helping me overcome & give myself permission to do or not do! Highly recommend.
This has been helpful for my child who was thrown ...
This has been helpful for my child who was thrown from a horse and had difficulty getting over that fear. She had been thrown before and was able to get back on and continue to ride. Something about this one incident caused her to freeze up. This book helped her to move through that fear and return to riding.
Fantastic Book for those Recovering from Trauma
I had a nasty riding accident that landed me in the hospital for a while that had given me a case of PTSD. I am normally so skeptical about books and things like this as they normally just recommend "breathe and think happy thoughts, etc" This book is not like that. The author speaks to you in a conversational way and helps breakdown where the fear comes from and helps you find coping strategies that genuinely can help reprogram your brain. I am not even finished with reading it and it has given me skills that have seriously helped me in my quest to overcome some of the trauma. Before this book, I wanted so badly to just "be better" and to try my best to repress the feelings of PTSD. They aren't gone of course as that will take time but I am so much happier in the saddle and I swear to you after just reading part 1 of the book, I had the best barn day that I have had in a long time. If you are seriously struggling with PTSD, any sort of riding anxiety, or just serious show nerves, I can assure you that you will find at least one useful tool to help you overcome it. I promise you, I am an anxious person that has been this way even before the trauma of what I went through and I wish I had read this book sooner. It has changed my world and I am not even done reading it.
Will be a great book. 10 Could be too young.
Great granddaughter seemed happy to get this. She is 10.. I don’t think she fully understood yet what it would do for her. I feel though she will gradually understand more of it as she ages & will help her in so many ways. Especially confidence in her riding ability as it improves so will her riding skills & enjoyment. But enjoyment thankfully is already high up there for her. Glad I gave this book even though right now she may be too young this will be a keeper. She’s just getting into reading more & may get the points in the book right away. They can surprise you. I believe it will help in so many ways to think in a way to help her whole life not just riding.
Great advice, well delivered
This is the first book on dealing with fear of riding that has actually helped me. The concepts are clearly explained, scientifically based, with some good old fashioned humor thrown in. Highly recommend.
Comments
Post a Comment