Another common problem that contributes to fear and worry is thinking ahead to what may happen. Many riders anticipate bad things happening, even if nothing has happened and this interferes with the development of their confidence and riding ability. Sometimes the worry is justified but the rider is stuck in how to figure out what to do. More often, the worry is an over reaction about a feared event happening, such as falling off when learning to canter.
What Eileen can do is help with overcoming the fear and worry riders have regarding past and future events. EMDR, a technique originally developed to process traumatic memories, can be used to process any anxiety producing past event, as well as fear of future events. EMDR is difficult to briefly explain, but helps a person process feared events more quickly then traditional therapy and to fully resolve them so past memories no longer have the emotional intensity they had prior to processing.
EMDR does not take away a reasonable fear. If you are riding a horse inappropriate for your skill level, EMDR is not going to take away the fear, because it is a rational fear. Further, if you have a fear of cantering, EMDR will not take away that fear if you are not physically capable of cantering or if you’re riding a horse that constantly stumbles at the canter.
Links to information about EMDR (copy and paste in your browser):
www.emdr.com/briefdes.htm
www.emdr.com/efficacy.htm
What to Expect:
The initial interview will take place in an office setting and begin with a brief personal history and your experience with horses. Eileen will help you clearly identify what memories, thoughts, or fears you want to process and give an estimate of how long this may take. Typically, in uncomplicated cases, this may take 3 to 5 sessions, each about an hour long. Often an additional longer session is needed for an onsite visit to work with the rider at his or her barn. Arrangements occasionally can be made to have this session with Eileen’s horse if that is more convenient. Charges per hour are 50.00, but considerations will be made for income and for 4H riders. Eileen is also open to barter and trade interactions. Do keep in mind that for some people, insurance may cover some of the sessions.
Equisearch, an online forum which is related to the following magazines, Horse & Rider, EQUUS, Practical Horseman, Dressage Today and Arabian Horse World, has an article about EMDR and horse riding. Here's the link (please copy and paste in your bowser): http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/training/general/trauma_fear_eye_041310/