Introducing NLP and how it can help you and your horse

NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) is a set of insights, skills and techniques with which you can understand and manage your behaviour & emotions more effectively.

Originally a study into human excellence, based around the skill of modelling (identifying the key aspects of someone's behaviour and approach that leads them to be outstanding in their field), NLP has developed into a set of tools & techniques that helps us produce the results we want by changing the way we think, feel, communicate and behave.

Often, when riding or schooling our horses, our outward actions are not congruent with our inner thoughts, and this can lead to confusion and unease in the horse, as they pick up mixed messages from the non-verbal signals we give out.

Using NLP techniques to manage your negative emotions and develop an inner confidence will help relax and reassure your horse and allow you to create a relationship that encourages learning and enjoyment for you both…

What NLP techniques can help you and you horse?

Here are a couple of examples of where using NLP techniques can create a change in the way we behave or react to situations.

Beliefs and Self-talk:

Our negative self-talk and limiting beliefs can sometime create huge 'issues' out of small events. We create an emotional state that determines an action (or series of actions), which leads to an outcome - and often we find that we are repeating the same actions (or behaviours) over & over again and wondering why we keep getting the same outcome or result!

How often have you said to your self "I am useless at …." or "I never remember how to do …." or even "I am so scared of……" And how often so you get the same outcome - you are "scared" or you do "forget" or "get it wrong"

Here are some examples of 'reframing' negative self-talk statements into a more positive context (think how your mood would be after each statement...):

"I am NEVER going to be as good a rider as him/her"		"Hmmm, what can I learn from their approach or behaviour that will help me improve?"
"I am too anxious to join the others on the fast hack…"		"Great, I can have the indoor school to myself to practice our favourite schooling exercises..."

Changing the frame -> changes the emotion -> changes the action -> changes the outcome!

Anchoring useful emotional resources:

Wouldn't it be great to be able to feel 'confident' or 'positive' or 'calm' or 'happy' whenever you wanted to? The NLP anchoring technique is one of the most effective, yet simple ways of creating a particular state of mind and associating it with a specific stimulus (for example, clenching your fist).

This is something that we all do naturally and subconsciously when we associate a particular mood or feeling with a memory. This physical response can be triggered in a variety of ways (smell, sight, sound, touch, taste).

For example, the scent of Lavender takes me back to my childhood and happy, carefree summer days.

I find myself smiling, and I immediately 'feel' a childlike happiness again…

Try this exercise and see if you can capture a vivid, positive emotional state from your past and anchor it:

By using NLP techniques within our Equestrian Personal Coaching, we will help you;

• Set clear & positive goals for you and you horse
• Break through any negative barriers
• Get rid of unwanted behaviours (in you and your horse!)
• Create positive emotional states to facilitate success
• Develop exceptional communication skills to create an exceptional relationship between you and your horse

If you would like to find out more about Equisecrets please complete our Contact Form so we can discuss your specific requirements