 Training from the Neck Up
A Practical Guide to Sport Psychology
by April Clay, M.Ed, Chartered Psychologist
Excerpt from the book:
"Most of you obviously know the importance of physical training.
Everyday you go out and practice, develop skills and set goals. The very word training implies there is some sort of preparation that is specific and focused. Not one of you will debate the fact that you
need to physically train you and your horse in order to be better at your sport. You also know that practice, commitment, and desire are essential to this undertaking.
But what about how you use your body from the neck up? Is it desirable to attain a greater level of emotional control, to learn to cope with competitive pressures, to problem solve effectively? And if
this is important to your riding goals, then do these tasks not take a certain amount of commitment and practice as well? Shouldn't you put effort into training mentally the way you train physically? If you
would like to become a complete rider, and have a considerable edge in competitive situations, the answer has to be yes. "
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