“Happy” hacking - Oxymoron or Living the Dream?

Freedom or Feardom?

I didn’t have my own horse growing up, or a regular pony to ride.

Like many I “worked” at the local riding school weekends, holidays, every opportunity. I had my weekly hour group lesson and the occasional “extra” ride for helping out. Pony mad Kate was happy just to be there.

At 16, I could escort hacks. I was so grateful for the extra riding. At the same time taking out groups, often on my own, felt a high level of responsibility. This was back in the days before mobiles. There weren’t any handy phone boxes around the farm.

I didn’t feel anxiety at this stage. But sometimes it felt just a bit too much.

I also had the chance to take out some of the non riding school ponies on my own. I adored this time. Just me and the horse. Heaven. A dream come true.

I think this is why I put so much value on being able to hack without worrying about other people, or “what if’s”. I’ve always envied those who could tack up and head off, either with others or especially those going solo without giving it a second thought.

Riding has so many variables, hacking opens up the world of possibilities. For so many people this means the idea of “happy” hacking is so far from the reality.

Internal chatter, the game of ‘spot the spook’ can you see the danger and prepare for it before your horse does?

In my darkest times of anxiety I held on to the dream of hacking, and being “happy” to do it.  

Self-efficacy is the belief that you can cope in any situation.  It might not be easy, it might be uncomfortable emotionally or physically.  Things can be outside of your control. You might not get the outcome you planned for or wanted. But in any given circumstance you have the faith in yourself that you will cope.

Working on this has given me back the feeling of being at ease.  I’ve had to retrain my brain and find my new normal.

Joy, peace, the feeling of freedom has returned. My personal challenge, hacking alone on the buckle. Whilst I love the company of others, there is nothing more special than just me and my girl.

Three things to help focus:

• Control what you can control – breathing is SO important. Triggering the para-sympathetic nervous system (rest and restore) is proven to help.  Breath in quickly through the nose for a count of 4, send down to the belly and hold for a count of 7. SLOW release through the mouth for 8.  Repeat, repeat, repeat.

• Singing – an oldie but a goodie. Again, this is a physiological switch to activate your para-sympathetic nervous system. There is a physical reason to do this. Chose positive, powerful lyrics, channel your inner Beyonce, Madonna, or Pavarotti (whatever’s your thing) and belt out your tunes loud and proud.

• Use mindfulness to help stay in the moment. As you go along use the 5/4/3/2 technique (but be POSITIVE)

  • What are 5 things you can see? Eg, your horses’ ears, the horse in front of you, clouds . . .

  • What are 4 things you can feel? Eg, feet resting in the stirrups, reins in your hands, seat in the saddle . . .

  • What are 3 things you can hear? Sound of hooves, birds chattering, leaves rustling . . .

  • What are 2 things you smell? Grass, rain, fresh air . . .

Want to work on the ‘what ifs’ and your self-efficacy? Addressing the specific anxiety triggers is a great place to start, let’s do it together.