Beyond the Crossties-An Equestrian Edge

Steps to Overcome Fear 

1. Identify Your Fear Clearly: Write down the exact situation that triggers your anxiety. The more specific you are, the easier it is to overcome.
2. Rate the Intensity: Rank your fears to determine which moments feel the scariest or hardest to ride through.
3. Visualize Success: Picture yourself navigating the difficult moment smoothly and confidently. Let your mind practice what your body will soon follow.
4. Pair Breath Work with Imagery: Use slow, controlled breathing while visualizing yourself riding through the “stuck” moment.
5. Pause and Reset in the Saddle: If fear hits during a ride, pull aside, breathe deeply, and give yourself positive, constructive self-talk before trying again.
6. Train Your Brain: Consistency rewires your response to fear. With repetition, you can genuinely transform how you react.
7. Consider EMDR for Extreme Anxiety: For deeper or persistent fear, EMDR with a trained therapist can help you process and move through scary, stuck moments.
8. Master Belly Breathing: Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth, and let your stomach not your chest, rise and fall.
9. Choose Breath Over Counting: In truly scary moments, focus on full belly breaths rather than multitasking with counting..
10. Imagine the Perfect Ride: As you breathe, create a vivid, confident image of how you want the moment to look and feel. Your vision becomes your blueprint.

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