How do you get your motivation for riding back?

Oh, it is horrible when those thoughts and feelings show up. I think a lot of us recognise what you are describing, so thank you for sharing it. We need to talk about how to handle thoughts and feelings like that, and to support each other. When they hit, they can feel so intense that you even start to feel worthless or like a failure.

When it feels that way, the wise first step is to let the feelings come and to accept them. They turn up because the horses and the riding matter to you, which is actually a good thing. Feelings often become harder to bear when we fight them, and it is okay to have difficult feelings sometimes.

Often, when something like this happens, it helps to find other things to identify with beyond the sport. If you feel worthless after a bad ride and feel that life is good after a good one, your self-image is usually built on how you perform in the saddle. Sadly, that is not a good foundation for feeling well in your riding.

In situations like this it usually does not help at all to keep analysing, to dwell on your goals, to change your tack or to try to be more positive. You have the riding knowledge, but it is not available to you when you are caught in this kind of stress. My advice is to spend time with friends, go to the cinema, take a sibling to their football match or whatever it may be. Yes, remind yourself of the other things in life that matter, and be kind to yourself. Nothing keeps motivation and joy in the sport at bay quite like the pressure of negative performance.

All the best to you ❣️