instant stress relief...!

we've all been there

something 'sets him off'

or 'winds him up'

and suddenly -

we're sat on an unexploded bomb

mounted on four pogo sticks..... ;-[

and if we're not careful 
that dread, negative spiral, 
of stress and tension 
encircles both of us

so...

what should we do
for instant stress relief...?

well

ride him forward 
obviously 
(- but I'll leave that for another post) 

and breathe and smile!!

BREATHE...

because holding our breath causes tension

(hold you breath now, for a count of ten 
- feel how your body grips up...

then start breathing normally again
- and feel the instant release of tension...)

SMILE...

because smiling releases endorphins into our body
which cause us to experience a feeling of 
well being, stress release and positivity
(go on, give it a go, now ....)

however, in the kind of circumstances described above 
even those of us most practiced in self talk
and the control of our 
always, ever-so-helpful (not), subconscious
can struggle to breathe and smile 'unaided'

I experienced such a situation this Sunday

- a close encounter with a wild boar

(not recommended)

thankfully my horse span

before he bolted....

otherwise we'd have been heading straight for the main road through the village!

once I had him back 'under control' 

I was faced with a very 'high octane' hack home 

- along aforementioned road -

on a TB

who was now convinced a boar 

lurked in every garden 

and down every side road...

self-talk alone just was not enough, on this occasion...

so time for a 'trick' 
that I know many other riders also employ...

at times like this

I would always

strongly encourage 

singing

• a 'happy' 
• rhythmical song
• out loud

(well loud enough to be audible to you and your horse, at least!) 

as you'll find that ...
when you sing a song 
in rhythm with your horse's stride:

• your horse will tune in, 
• find your voice reassuring (honest!) 
• AND will tend to keep his pace regulated to the song

but also...
it is IMPOSSIBLE to hold your breath whilst singing out loud...

and it needs to be a happy song 
as this adds the previously described, positive endorphins 
into the equation too...


suggestions for happy songs which fit virtually all horses' rhythm are:

'zipp a dee do dah' 

(note: this is chosen for it's lyrics and rhythm, 
not its - to some - controversial context)



or 'bear necessities' from The Jungle Book 



or even, good old 'singing in the rain'....


remember 
for instantaneous stress relief...

breathe

smile
and ...
sing !!!! 

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