Horseback Rider Fear & Anxiety- What if I don't do "it" right?

What if I don't do it "right?"

Over the years of helping a variety of riders of all ages, backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences, I get asked this same question as they strive to improve their equine partnerships.
Horses have an incredible ability to recognize the human's intention whether a person is in close proximity or not.
The "story" of self-doubt in the rider/handler's head, diminishes their ability to stay present, and communicate in "real-time" with the horse.
Even if the aids are not totally clear, or the timing is slightly off, the clearer and more specific the intention, the greater chance the horse has to address what is being presented.
Experimenting, assessing, and refining understanding of the horse's response and communication is a continuously evolving journey.
Let go of the anticipation, distraction, and self-doubt. Replace it with short, specific, segmented communication with clear intent, and take time to assess the horse's feedback. This helps clarify what to address next to refine the Conversations and build trust in the equine.