8 ways to overcome fear

Acting on instinct

Fear is the body’s way of protecting it from perceived danger. It’s an instinctive response designed to keep you safe, especially when you’re about to do something your unconscious mind considers risky.

For riders, it often kicks in because the mind craves certainty and sometimes (unhelpfully) goes into overdrive whenever there’s an element of unpredictability – common when dealing with horses! These fears are perfectly normal, but they can hold you back if they become too intense or out of proportion to the circumstances or situation.

The challenge with fear is that your mind can exaggerate dangers, so you feel nervous, anxious or scared. For example, you might have had a bad fall in the past and now your brain constantly reminds you of it, even if it’s very unlikely to happen again.

Top tips

Acknowledging that fear reactions are normal and that every rider experiences them to some degree is crucial to managing and overcoming your fears.

Physical reaction

Physically, fear triggers a range of reactions. You might notice your heart beating faster, your breathing might become shallow and rapid and you may start to sweat. In addition, your muscles might tense, especially in your hands, legs and shoulders, you may have a dry mouth and even feel a bit shaky. These physical symptoms are all part of your body’s fight or flight response, preparing you to deal with perceived danger.

Psychologically, fear can be just as overwhelming. Your mind may race with negative ‘what if’ thoughts and these can spiral, making you feel even more anxious. You might find it hard to focus on anything other than your fears, so riding then feels even more daunting.

Fear can also lead to avoidance behaviour, so you might start coming up with excuses not to ride, or only riding in very controlled, safe environments. While staying safe is important, avoiding riding altogether because of fear can prevent you from enjoying the sport and improving your skills.

Discover Alison Buttery’s top tips to overcoming your fears in October Horse&Rider – out now!