For me motor imagery is one of the most valuable yet underused psychological skills within equestrianism. The term imagery is often used interchangeably with the word visualization. However, imagery is largely considered the correct term due to the most effective imagery incorporating all of the senses not just sight. Imagery has a wide range of uses, it can motivate, energise, reduce anxiety. However, in this blog we will be focusing on the kind of imagery I find most exciting, the use of imagery in improving motor skills.  

Positive effects of imagery 

Studies show that when an individual vividly imagines themselves carrying out a motor skill the brain becomes activated in a similar way to when the skill is carried out for real, referred to as functional equivalence. This means that mental practice can help improve skill almost as effectively as physical practice due to a number of effects. Firstly, the activity in the brain triggered by imagery strengthens the neural pathways involved in movement execution, causing changes in the brain that allow the skill to be performed with more ease and fluency, a process that is referred to as neuroplasticity. Secondly, imagery helps develop mental representations. These mental representations are cognitive structures that provide information relating to the movements required to execute a skill. For example, you will have a mental representation around how to ride a canter transition or how to fold when going over a jump. Using imagery can provide an opportunity to rehearse running through a particular skill, paying attention to correcting elements of it. Helping to bring a motor skill closer to automation, where skill can be carried out with minimal conscious control.  

Studies show that when an individual vividly imagines themselves carrying out a motor skill the brain becomes activated in a similar way to when the skill is carried out for real

Why imagery is a must have tool in any rider’s tool kit 

There is a variety of reasons why I think imagery is a must have tool in any rider’s tool kit when it comes to improving rider technique. To start with imagery is an opportunity to clock up those all-important hours of practice. The majority of riders I work with have one horse and work full time. With the best will in the world the likelihood is they will be riding 5 maybe 6 times a week at most. Setting aside just 10-20 minutes to do some mental practice a few times a week can make a huge difference to a rider’s progress. Imagery also allows us to practice a movement over and over again. In a real-world situation practicing a movement over and over again is not just unfair on your horse, it can potentially lead to some horse’s minds being blown! Imagery allows us to repetitively practice key elements of a skill without subjecting our horses to repetitive movement. Finally, it allows riders to practice skills that are difficult to practice. Take for example riding a horse through a spook. I always say to riders, there’s a right way to ride a spook just like there’s a right way to ride a canter transition. However, it can be difficult to practice the correct technique. Firstly, it’s difficult to get a horse to spook on command. Secondly, spooking happens very quickly and can cause a stress response therefore it’s difficult to consciously think about what you need to do. Imagery allows you to rehearse riding a spook in a low-risk situation, allowing the rider to establish an automated response that can play out next time they are in a real-life situation.  

Setting aside just 10-20 minutes to do some mental practice a day can make a huge difference to a rider’s progress

PETTLEP Imagery, keeping it physical 

If you’ve ever read about studies that showed mental practice producing improvements almost as good as physical practice, chances are they used a particular type of imagery called PETTLEP. PETTLEP is an acronym standing for Physical, Emotional, Task, Timing, Learning, Environment and Perspective. The full details of PETTLEP are bit beyond this blog. However, the main point of PETTLEP is to keep imagery as physically close to the real experience as possible. In doing so increasing the activity in the brain that promotes brain plasticity.  

If you are interesting in learning more about how you could use psychological skills to improve your riding performance get in touch for a free no obligation consultation.