ANY ONE OF US IS JUST ONE FALL AWAY FROM NEVER RIDING AGAIN.

What do I mean by that? Nearly every day people lose their confidence to ride due to injury or near injury. Just today I read an email telling me how she got hurt, broke her nose and cracked some ribs. She's lost her confidence and she's asking me how she is going to get it back.

I spend a lot of time talking about recovery because I've had to make recoveries from injury and loss of confidence. I don't want anyone to go through what I've been through and that's why I want to set people up for success.

In case you have been through injury, just know, you're not alone. I'm here for you. I believe in you!

Confidence recovery is a fickle thing but it's also definitely possible to recover completely. In truth you will be more aware, more alert, more guarded but your confidence to go ahead and do what you love can return.

The safe scenario for most people is to avoid accidents altogether. In other words, don't go out and risk your life to ride a horse, motorcycle, subway, or scooter. Stay inside, stay safe. But of course this isn't really the best case scenario because there is no life in complete bubble wrapped safe rooms. Life happens outside, in the exact same places that death happens. There is no getting around risk, but there are certain steps one can do to avoid risk and in the event you can't avoid injury, you can learn to recover physically and emotionally.

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN AVOID RISK:
Set the stage for a safe ride by ensuring other horses aren't apt to jazz your horse up. Ride on days that won't be so spooky for your horse (such as windy days) and do the proper ground work to ensure your horse is connected. Because all injuries. ALL injuries stem from a momentary lapse in concentration either on the riders part or the horses. I'm not saying accidents can't happen. I'm saying you can minimize accidents happening when you have total awareness of the situation and every possible pitfall. Just like a pilot crossing the Atlantic, checking fuel gauges, maps, radar screens, and more, you must be vigilant about your horse's emotions, physical limitations, energy levels, concentration levels, etc.

In my book Leadership and Horses I talk in detail about setting the stage for safety and confidence. Pick it up today!

AND HERE IS HOW YOU CAN RECOVER FROM INJURY AND LOST CONFIDENCE:
Time heals all wounds, except injury related fear wounds. One hundred years can go by and you will still be afraid of injury and even more afraid because you're body isn't what it used to be. Therefore, the only way to recover from lost confidence or (fear wounds) is to rejoin the living.

Yes, the body needs to heal, a broken rib needs mending. And when it is healed, you must walk again, you must run again, you must ride again. You must find the inspiration to become whole again.

"If a horse bucks you off, what should you do?" 
Answer:
"Get back on again!"

You know who said that? Jim Craig in the famous "Man from Snow River" film.

This is one of the films that drew me to horse riding. I find if I stay connected to the inspiration, I recovery more quickly for riding again. I've had injuries, and I've recovered. So can you.

What inspires you? What do you want to remember about riding and horses? What will compel you to return? Find it, find the answer!

Let's start communicating about your confidence. Sign up for emails at the bottom of the page here and we'll send you regular inspiration.

To your success!

Don