Pause for thought
If you have to take a break from riding, Alison Buttery has ways to help you stay connected
Photos: Jon Stroud. Alison runs The Everyday Equestrian, theeverydayequestrian.co.uk
Our expert
Alison Buttery is a certified mindset and confidence coach, a BHS APC senior coach and an experienced rider, who specialises in helping riders overcome their nerves. She’s also the founder of The Everyday Equestrian.
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Whether your break from riding is by design or due to unforeseen circumstances, see it as a chance to strengthen your mindset and prime yourself to be ready for when you’re back in the saddle again.
“When you adjust your thoughts positively, you’re performing a halfhalt in your head and rebalancing your mindset”
When your riding has to take a back seat, it can feel as if your life has been put on hold. Whether it’s due to an injury, recovery following an illness, adverse weather or lack of facilities, if you find yourself grounded, it can be frustrating when all you want to do is get back on your horse and ride.
The good news is that there are various practical, manageable steps you can take to stay connected with your horse and your inner self. And, as an added bonus, they’ll also increase your confidence and resilience so that when the time comes, you can get back to riding at your best.