“Riding a horse is over 28 times more dangerous than taking ecstasy.”

Whether or not you agree with DJ Nutt’s controversial analysis, there can be no doubt that riding a horse is a dangerous activity. 

Competence, whilst essential, just isn’t enough to ride a horse safely. These large, powerful, and sensitive animals require their rider to be confident. This ingredient does the vital job of reassuring the horse that it is protected, which in turn stops the horse from reacting instinctively by spooking, spinning, and bolting, or worse, all actions that can result in the rider falling off and all the associated consequences of that.

Although riding confidence can be easily lost through a variety of reasons, some seemingly completely unconnected to the act of riding itself, it can be regained extremely fast with BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT), a revolutionary modality in treating all kinds of anxiety but which has a particular benefit for riders.

The importance of confidence in riding

Horses are prey animals, which means their survival instincts are deeply ingrained. At around 500kg in weight, they are powerful yet highly sensitive and reactive. A trivial event such as a rustling leaf, a bird, or even a wheelie bin can provoke an extreme reaction, often unseating their rider and creating a potentially dangerous situation.

Despite this risk, riding remains a huge pleasure for millions, not only because of its huge fitness quota and the thrill it gives, but also because it can be one of the most special and rewarding of relationships when a horse trusts its rider. In those times, a horse will override its automatic reaction to threat, waiting, before responding, for its rider to give it the guidance and reassurance it needs.

This bond brings satisfaction and greater safety for both horse and rider. With this trust, a horse will react to triggers by first listening to its rider and responding to its rider’s instruction, overriding its instinctive responses. And a delightful cycle is achieved. The more confident the rider, the more trusting the horse, the safer the rider, the more confident the rider, etc.

How confidence is lost

Confidence can disappear for many reasons. A fall or injury might be an obvious cause, but less obvious events, such as embarrassment during a competition, a betrayal in a personal relationship, or hormonal changes like menopause, can also undermine self-belief.

Once a rider has become anxious about riding, surprisingly perhaps to non-riders, they will usually continue to ride. Horses must be exercised, and riders may have a desire to not lose face, never mind holding the belief that they will regain their confidence by just continuing to “face their fear”. 

Without proper resources, a rider’s anxiety creates mental and physical tension, which worsens their riding mechanics and reduces their ability to handle their horse’s reactions to perceived threats. Sensitive creatures by nature, horses pick up on this anxiety – which is often described as the “brain to rein” connection – causing them to lose trust and confidence in their rider. This can lead to an increasingly dangerous cycle that is difficult to break with conventional therapies or coaching.

How BWRT restores rider confidence

BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT) is an extraordinary modality that uses the brain’s physical processes to make dramatic, permanent changes to responses to triggers. It’s a particularly sensible solution for horse riders who have lost their confidence for several reasons:

• Cost-effective. Confidence can often be restored in as little as one session. This is ideal for riders who may not have the resources for long-term therapy or ongoing lessons.
• Time efficient. Most problems are resolved in no more than a handful of sessions, meaning no time is wasted not being confident enough to ride.
• No coping mechanisms are required. All the therapeutic work is done without involving riding the horse. As riding requires concentration from the rider on what they are doing and how their horse is responding and leaves little or no room for employing coping mechanisms.
• Tailored to the individual. BWRT is rooted in modern neuroscience and adapts to how your brain works. It’s effective for riders of all levels and disciplines. 

Rediscovering the joy of riding

To fully enjoy horse riding and stay safe, a rider needs more than technical skill; they need confidence. This allows the horse to trust its rider, creating a bond that fosters safety, harmony, and enjoyment.

Although a rider’s confidence can be easily lost and seemingly without reason in some cases, it’s not easily restored with conventional routes such as talking therapy or continuing to ride while anxious.

BWRT’s unique methodology provides an elegant solution to the challenges of lost riding confidence, helping one of the most rewarding relationships – a rider and their horse – truly blossom.

Kate Osmaston is a lifelong horse enthusiast and former elite competitor. Now a BWRT Advanced Practitioner, she helps riders and individuals overcome challenges, rebuild confidence, and achieve their goals.