Riding anxiety with "what if" thoughts

It is lovely that you are sharing that you feel afraid. Many of us feel afraid in the sport from time to time, and it is completely natural. We often think we have to get rid of the fear in order to do what we want. This is a misconception. The more you try to push a feeling away, the harder it fights to be heard. The fear itself is rarely the problem. How we act on the fear is usually the problematic part.

Try to accept that the fear is there. Sometimes, when we have a lot of "what if" thoughts, we try to manage them by answering them, hoping to get rid of the fear. If we think "what if I fall off", we often try to handle it by thinking "no, of course it will go fine, you rode this horse last week too" or some other reassuring thought. We assume this is exactly the right way to deal with thoughts, by "thinking positively". The truth is that for many people this only fuels the fear, and along comes a new "what if" thought that we then have to "put out". This often creates a worry pattern, makes the fear bigger, and leaves us stuck in our own heads.

I know it can feel wrong, but try accepting your thoughts. They are only thoughts. Decide not to get drawn into arguing with them. Instead, put your focus on what you want to do in the saddle, and find tricks to stay present in your riding. The very best of luck 🌸