BUILD POSITIVE CONNOTATIONS

Visualisation is another powerful aid if used in the right way. It allows us to successfully imagine what we are trying to do, for example coping with a hack or jumping a ditch. By visualising doing something well, we build positive connotations with that situation and create new memories.

“Notice what picture you have in your head. If it is a negative picture you will get a negative outcome. Visualise what you want but make sure it has a positive outcome. For example, visualise ‘I want to enjoy my hack’, not ‘I don’t want to fall off on my hack’,” explains Jenni Winter-leach.

Jenni introduced Karla Butler to visualisation to help her regain her confidence and her trust after Hugo, her 12-year-old Danish warmblood, went through a period of difficult behaviour from which he was subsequently diagnosed with kissing spines.

“I know his behaviour was pain-related but after treatment and completing his rehab journey I was still scared of riding him, especially if it was windy or there was lots of noise, as I associated noise with Hugo’s behaviour,” says Karla.

“Sadly, Hugo did not recover and I started over with my new horse. I learnt to break everything down into simple steps and go right back to basics. Visualisation really helped — I would picture lying on a beach or riding up the gallops, which would take me away from those scary situations and into a happy, relaxed place.

“I am now back enjoying riding, confident and competing again, and I have learnt with Jenni the tools to help me progress and work through situations as they arise.”