MANY EQUESTRIANS FEEL as though they have to power through when it comes to a knock in confidence — and they will try to ride regardless of their fear or anxiety. While this is commendable, sometimes coming right, back to the basics can work wonders.
Focusing on groundwork when you have lost your nerve in the saddle might feel counterintuitive — like you're moving backwards instead of forward – but it could actually give your confidence such a boost that the nerves you once felt will be a thing of the past.
“When I'm working with a rider who is really nervous or who has lost their confidence, I always start by having them work the horse on the],” says. Western rider and trainer Emma Chapman. “They can do the body'control work with the horse from the ground so that they can see the reactions the horse will give them when they press the right buttons in the saddle.”
