How to Overcome Burnout in Equestrian Sports

This article is from the February 2021 Horse Deals magazine.

Burnout is generally not something that we associate with our equestrian sport because horse riding is fun, and we love it.

However, burnout happens a lot, not only with our professional riders and competitors, but also with amateurs and recreational riders.

Why? Because the sport, just like others, brings with it its fair share of stress and pressure.

There is pressure to perform, pressure to fulfil and exceed expectations from the riders themselves, and from others like owners, selectors, coaches and friends.

Most riders start riding because they love horses. Then too often this love is replaced by a need/want to be better. Success is generally measured by the external feedback we receive, feedback from judges, other competitors, coaches, parents and friends.

All too often, what started out as pleasure turns into pressure. The pressure to be perfect.

I believe that burnout comes when we are trying to achieve the unachievable. As long as the rider judges their achievements by external feedback, they will automatically set themselves up for failure. The reason is that others will always give their opinions. These are not right or wrong, instead there are just different opinions.

Judges, for example, have to give a reason why they were not rewarding a perfect ten.

It is their job to tell the rider what they need to improve on. This in itself creates stress in many riders.

Coaches are there to get the best out of the rider and their horse, in what they think needs to improve. This also can be very stressful for riders who feel that they have to improve constantly, and it can be stressful for the coaches who feel that they have to provide results.

Burnout is when people are under constant stress, and most of the time the stress is unintentionally self-inflicted.

So, what can we do to change that?

Firstly, letting go of the need to be PERFECT, doing everything PERFECT, riding your horse in the PERFECT way and doing the right thing all the time, PERFECTLY.

There is no such thing as perfection.

Find the enjoyment again, find the love for the horse and take time to breathe out!

Do the best you can with what you have and with what you know. When you are open to learn, willing to listen and able to change, THEN YOU ARE PERFECT.

Always remember that you started riding because you love it. No matter if you are a professional rider, a full-time trainer, a coach or a recreational rider, you ride because you love horses. No matter how long you ride and how much experience you have, there will always be more to learn.

And please remember to reach out and speak up. You are not alone when you feel down and when it seems that everything is just too much, ask for help!

Problems seem only overwhelming when you look at them from your own perspective. Other people can see more than you can, and they will be able to help you find solutions. But you have to ask for help first. Burnout comes when we are tired, when we have focused on problems for too long and when we have stopped looking for solutions.

Change your focus and remember what it feels like to be happy, to feel calm and to be excited about the day that lies ahead. Bring back the joy.

Happy riding everyone.

Article by Tanja Mitton.

Need some of Tanja’s advice in your ears? You can find her podcast here: anchor.fm/tanja-mitton

Tanja Mitton - Australia’s No. 1 Equestrian Success and Mindset Coach.
Phone 0419 891 319, Email: admin@tanjamitton.com | www.tanjamitton.com

---

Sign up to our newsletter