For many of us, riding and caring for our horses can be the best parts of our day, and the feeling of finally getting an amazing transition or winning a competition can make us feel like we’re on cloud-nine! These are the moments that we strive for. But when we eventually have a "bad ride", it can feel like we’ve just thrown all our hard work out the window. We need to remember, mistakes are an essential part of growth, and learning how to handle these setbacks is key to becoming a better rider. 

1. Allow yourself to feel all the emotions!

Bad rides, whether at home or at a competition, often stir up a mix of emotions—disappointment, frustration, self-doubt, and even fear. It is important that we don’t ignore these feelings and instead accept how we feel. Give yourself time to come to terms with this, and don't forget to remind yourself of why you love this sport and just how far you have come. Not every ride will go according to plan, and embracing setbacks and growing from them will help you progress as a rider. 

2. Take a step back

Once all the emotions have settled, it’s now time to take a step back and assess the situation objectively, without assigning any blame to you or your horse. Was it a mistake with your technique, a miscommunication with your horse, or was there something going on outside the arena that might have spooked them? Breaking down what happened objectively will help you avoid an unproductive cycle of negative self-criticism. Talking to a coach or a trusted friend can also help you understand what happened. 

3. Look at why it happened

Now that you understand objectively what happened, it is time to reflect on why this happened. Was it a lack of preparation, or did you lose focus, did your horse respond differently to an aid than you expected? Once you understand why it happened, you can make a plan for your next ride or show.

4. Develop a plan 

Once you’ve reflected, create a plan for your next ride or competition. Focus on small, actionable steps that will help you address the issues from your last ride. Avoid trying random techniques you’ve never used before. Instead, think back to your lessons and your coach’s advice—chances are, the solution is already in your toolkit! One bad ride doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with your training system, and often the worst thing for our horse's training is to change away from a system that they already understand.

 Now that you’ve made your plan, it's time to move on - your only job now is to put your plan into action!

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Feel free to get in contact if you have any questions about how our products could help you!