26/ MAY 2022 THE RIDER The Biggest Mistake Made By Anxious Horse Riders


By Anne Gage Are you trying to overcome


your riding anxiety by white- knuckling it? That’s what you are doing when you try to ride despite feeling anxious. This is one of the mistakes I see lots of anxious horse riders making. Unfortunately, doing that can actually make your anxiety worse and make it even harder to get your confidence back. Here is what to do instead. Do


only what you’re comfortable doing. Find your comfort zone - that place where you have ab- solutely no anxiety - and start there. That may mean that you


don’t ride for awhile and focus on groundwork. Or that you only walk in the arena for a while. Do what you’re comfortable doing so that you build positive experiences for yourself. Inside your comfort zone, you


are not stretching or pushing your- self. You are not learning anything new. You are not doing anything that you haven’t successfully done before. Your comfort zone is what you come back to when you need to calm down after becoming stressed. It is a safe place - men- tally and physically. The next step outside of your comfort zone is called the Learn-


Great Beginnings Karen Dallimore, OAC ‘85


Horse Basics is a coaching service for horses and their handlers based in Orton, Ontario. Call me to find out how I can help you with handling and husbandry, goal setting, Extreme Cowboy obstacle work, recreational riding or just plain enjoying your horse. For more infor-


mation visit my website at www.horsebackwriter.net/horse-basics or find me on FB at Horse Basics.


Sweet Grass Farm, Orton, Ontario


519-855-1127 • karen.dallimore@gmail.com www.horsebackwriter.net • @horsebackwriter


ing Zone. You have to go into the learning zone to learn anything new and try new experiences. You know you have entered this zone when you start to feel slightly worried. There might be some butterflies in your tummy or other mild physical symp- toms of fear. You might need to be reminded to exhale instead of hold- ing your breath. But, and this is im- portant, you can still think clearly and make good decisions. You are still able to focus mentally. Being in the learning zone takes


more mental and physical energy. So it’s important to go back into the comfort zone to recuperate. You gradually expand your comfort zone


by moving back and forth between it and the learning zone. When you go too far out of your


comfort zone or learning zone, you enter the anxiety zone. When this happens you feel overwhelmed. You mentally (and even physically) shut- down. You can’t think clearly or make good decisions. Your vision narrows. Your hearing doesn’t seem to work. Your body doesn’t do what you want it to do. And you can’t take in external information. Your brain has moved into the fight/flight/freeze program. It could escalate into panic if you don’t stop doing what you are doing. Once you have become over- whelmed, you need to go back to


Send all your news in for the next Rider. Deadline is May 25th


“I worked with Laurie Bishop of Brooks Feeds to create a


your comfort zone to allow your system to calm down completely. By riding scared, you


are reinforcing to your brain that riding is scary and un- safe. Because every time you do it, you are scared and feel unsafe. By only doing what


you’re comfortable doing, you take the pressure off


yourself. You can enjoy what you’re doing. And build positive experiences that prove to you and your brain that riding is fun! Give it a go - just for a


while. And notice what hap- pens.


(And by the way, this


same principle applies to your horse.)


Jones Feed Mills Heidelberg Linwood Wroxeter


perfect plan!” Jenna Webb


Jenna Webb is another customer who initially was introduced to Brooks via the interactive format at www.brooksfeeds.com. When it came time to seek advice regarding the nutritional health of her broodmare, she knew who to contact. The following in Jenna’s own words is an indication of why our customers are so loyal to Brooks. We don’t just sell feed, we offer experience, nutritional knowledge, and the same affinity for horses that our customers have.


“When I made the decision to breed my mare, my first focus was nutrition for before, during, and after pregnancy. My mare is an easy keeper, but with her age I wanted to be sure she was in perfect condition to carry a foal. I worked with Laurie Bishop from Brooks Feeds to create the perfect plan. Laurie was great to deal with, so informative and easy to reach, we connected multiple times throughout the pregnancy and after to adjust the diet for the mare and foal. My mare looked amaz- ing! She carried her weight perfectly, had an excellent, healthy pregnancy and delivery. She had a big strong filly, and an excellent milk supply for her. Thank you to Laurie and Brooks Feeds for your knowledge and great feed!”


Jenna


MB Country Living Canborough Fonthill Fulton


Niagara on the Lake Stevensville Wainfleet Waterford


North Wellington Co-op Durham Hanover Harriston Mt. Forest


Post Time Services Fenwick, Mohawk Fort Erie Race Track


Sharpe Farm Supply Desboro Espanola Fergus


Freelton Guelph Moffat


Port Perry St. George Shelburne Sudbury Uxbridge


B & L Farm Services, Chesley Budson’s Farm & Feed Co., Erin Davis Feed & Farm Supply, Caledon Dorchester Feeds, Dorchester Durham Farmers Co-op, Grafton Durham Farmers Co-op, Orono


Hillsburgh Feed & Supplies, Hillsburgh Nobleton Feed Mill, Nobleton


Skinkle’s Pet Supplies & More, Stirling Starfra Feed Service, Douro-Dummer


Jenna’s mare (left) was in excellent condition three days before her foaling date. On the right is the spunky filly with her mum, all ready to raise a healthy foal. Thank you, Jenna, for sharing your experience with Brooks and for the photos of your mare & foal.


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Stick N Stone Tack Shop & Feed,Sundridge 705-492-0174 The Split Rail Country Store, Stratford Tottenham Feeds, Tottenham Walters Falls Milling, Walters Falls Wilton Tack, Odessa


Wright’s Feeds ’N Needs, Blackstock


519-273-1881 905-936-4163 519-794-2747 613-386-3514 905-986-4201


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