Sit Back: Find Your Confidence Button!

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Concept by Danee Rudy of Rudy Horsemanship

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How to stay relaxed in the saddle!

We all have some fear when we are riding as horses are big and powerful animals and none of us want to get hurt. Fear is an instinct that we have to keep us safe and out of trouble. It’s extremely important when we ride to recognize when we have this fear and channel it into productive energy. Whenever you are riding, you are the leader and it’s extremely important that you are giving your horse confidence!

Here are some tips to help you when you get tense or nervous in the saddle:

Find your confidence button! Our instinct causes us to tip forward when we get tense. The psoas muscle, which connects your spine to your femur, automatically contracts when you get afraid and this causes you to tip forward. This is the worst thing you can do! When you feel your “fear muscle” start to contract, think about engaging your “confidence button.” Tuck your tailbone, rotate your pelvis under, engage your low abs, and lower your center of gravity. This will help you lower your center of gravity and stay with your horse! (Concept adapted from Rudy Horsemanship)
Sing a song- this helps you remember to breathe! We all hold our breath when we get nervous. Horses are extremely sensitive and they will notice you holding your breath and this will cause the horse to get even more tense and nervous! Instead, pick a song and start singing it! My husband does this all the time when he’s on a tricky young horse. He will start singing (quite loudly) “round the mountain, run boys run, devil’s in the house of the rising sun!” It gives him confidence and takes his mind off of the bad things that could happen.
Give your horse a job to do! Don’t just creep around!! When you are in the saddle, YOU ARE THE LEADER! If you are not giving your horse a job to do, they will come up with their own agenda, and usually that does not end up well for the rider. Whenever I feel my horse start to get distracted, I recommend lots of turns and bending lines - this helps to get the horse focusing on the inside of the arena and gets you directing the horses’ energy!

I wanted to share with you a poem that I wrote about the mindset that you need before you get on your horse. It’s important to psych yourself up and get in the right mindset before you put your foot in the stirrup so that you can be a good leader to your horse!


A promise to my horse!

I Promise to be present.
I am releasing my tension and stress and setting intention to have a productive and positive ride.
I promise to be confident and clear, for I am your leader.
I am strong and brave.
When you are fearful, I will take care of you and keep us safe.

I am the leader.
I am a good rider.
I have tools to direct your energy in any situation.
I trust you, and you will submit to my direction.

Today I am grateful for the privilege to ride you.
Today I bring confidence, positive energy, and a growth mindset.
Today I call the shots and you will willingly abide by my wishes.


Thank you for giving me your trust.
Thank you for releasing you body and mind to my direction.
Thank you for looking to me as your confident leader.
Thank you for being an honest and forgiving partner.