Managing anger when a ride goes badly

It is really good that you are raising this and asking for help. Managing your own emotions is not easy, and you are far from alone in this. The fact that you feel guilty shows that deep down you know better and do not want to hurt your horse.

Things to think about:

• What tends to make you angry? Is there something in particular that happens when you ride and brings on the frustration?
• How does it feel to be angry? Describe the feeling. What does being and feeling angry actually involve?
• How do other people respond to you when you get angry?

Accept that getting angry is completely normal, and accept that you will make mistakes, but think about why they happen and what you could do to stop them happening again.

When the anger comes, stop and take 5 to 10 deep breaths. Work out what is making you angry. If someone is with you while you ride, speak up and tell them the moment you feel frustration building. Try to explain why you feel the way you do. Having support from a person on the ground who you know can calm and help you when things get tough makes a real difference. 😊