Craving Control in Equestrian Sport

Losing control is one of the most prevalent fears we experience as humans. At the root of this fear is the belief that if we are not able to control the present and the future something terrible will happen. Those of us with a high need for certainty and control can live in a near constant state of stress. The stress stems from attempting to predict and control the future to protect themselves and others which is of course an impossible task. 
As riders we grapple with control more tangibly than most. Anyone who has been on a bolting or panicking horse has come facetoface with this difficult reality We do not have 100 percent control over our horses.

This can be a difficult reality to accept. Often after a traumatic experience such as a bolt or a bad fall part of our coping mechanism is to do everything we can to feel more in control in the saddle. Ironically however an overfocus on control while riding can steer things in an unhelpful possibly dangerous direction. This article will talk you through some mental strategies to develop a healthier relationship with control. Implementing these strategies will support you to develop confidence manage nerves and fear and help you create a stronger and more positive relationship with your horse.
Reframe Uncertainty
In a famous study researchers presented participants with two choices. Option one was to go into a room and receive a small electric shock slightly painful but not harmful and then go home. For the second option they would stay in another room for an unknown length of time and that something would happen but they wouldnt know ahead of time what that thing was. Which would you choose? Most people chose the electric shock which gives us some insight into how humans feel about uncertainty We do NOT like it! In general we prefer the known negative in this case getting an electric shock to the unknown.
This is because when faced with the unknown our brain usually jumps to the worstcasescenario due to our natural negativity bias. However this tendency can severely limit our thinking. In the study most people assumed option two would be worse than option one but the few participants who chose option two were simply given a cup of coffee and sent on their way after 10 minutes. When faced with the unknown we subconsciously assume uncertainty means