Riding Through Fear Clinic

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This clinic is designed for anyone who struggles with fear or anxiety in their relationship with their horse. It is for those who are aware that they are having difficulty progressing toward their riding goals and may feel ashamed to admit they are afraid. It speaks to individuals who aren’t sure where their anxiety is coming from, have been shamed for experiencing these feelings, or haven’t received the support they need to work through them.

Addressing fear among riders has traditionally been the domain of trainers and coaches. The challenge with this model is that fear, anxiety, and trauma are the domain of trained and experienced behavioral health professionals. We are beginning to recognize the importance of psychology—the rider’s and the horse’s so a collaborative approach is necessary.

All of this is complicated by the nature of the horse. Horses are prey animals with exquisitely attuned protective instincts. Fear and the ability to react faster than we can think have kept them alive for thousands of years. And, to complicate matters, horses and humans are afraid of different things! This often leads to a confusing cascade of anxiety without context or solution.

The Riding Through Fear Clinic is a journey designed to provide participants with multiple learning opportunities, both in and out of the saddle, to be used to slowly and successfully work through the experience of fear. This clinic is an invitation to a unique experience with your mind, your body, and, of course, your equine partner!

• Every morning will begin with a yoga class and meditation, both on and off our horses.
  Please bring a yoga mat and an exercise ball.
• We will study the pelvis and the ischial tuberosity (sitz bones) and develop our connection to them to truly develop a seat, which is the most important aid for riding in lightness.
• Attendees will gain an academic and experiential understanding of the psychology and physiology of fear and anxiety in humans and horses, as well as how negative spirals between horse and rider occur.
• Body awareness, mindfulness, breathwork, and visualization will be explored to better self-regulate and de-escalate when fear or anxiety arises.
• Positive Reinforcement (R+) will be taught in order to set you & your horse up for success! 
• Facilitated group discussions will foster a sense of shared experience and mutual support.
• Journaling and self-reflection will be encouraged throughout the clinic.

• Individual 1 hour session with Deborah with each horse-rider pair. We can build upon something addressed in the clinic or an issue that might benefit from privacy & confidentiality.

The clinic will be limited to eight participants to ensure maximum individual attention.