Can Forgiveness be Part of the Key to Getting Over Horse Riding Anxiety?

Feeling lost with your anxiety and fear is hard.  The feelings of not being good enough, not being able to ride, letting fear get in the way, and most importantly, knowing that your horse is feeling your anxiety, are the hardest feelings ever.

 

We forget what it felt like to ride in joy.  We forget the amazing feelings of the saddle and the motion of the horse.  The shaking, holding our breath, and just all the things that take over with anxiety feel like they possess us.  All of these feelings are natural and normal with fear and anxiety.

 

There is something we can do about it.  Forgiveness.  Take some time to forgive yourself.  This was so hard for me.  I kept going back to all the things I did wrong, not only with the accident, but also with letting my health go, my flexibility diminish, and the anxiety controlling me.  I had to forgive all of this. 

 

I made a list of all the things.  I hate to admit it, but there was a lot on the list I was carrying around on my shoulders.  I started at the top of the list and started forgiving myself for each thing on the list.  It didn't mean I was forgetting, it just felt good to know I had made mistakes, I was going to do better, and I could go to my heart and forgive me.

 

Forgiveness looks different for everyone but here is a sample of what I worked through and how I felt.

 

I missed the signs of a horse in pain before my accident.  I carried this heavy weight with me, it must have been terrifying for him.  I forgive myself.  I did not know he was in pain.  I forgive myself.  I did not mean to hurt him or cause him pain.  I forgive myself.  I learned and have a pre-ride checklist so it never happens again.  Feeling this forgiveness, was a weight lifted off my shoulders and with the checklist, it removes anxiety that it will happen again.

 

Do you have things you need to forgive yourself for?


If you would like to work on this further, click here for my free - Ghost of Anxiety - past, present, future.

0 Comments

Leave a Comment


Hey there! I’m Elise Hittinger—Fear Slayer, Confidence Creator, and your go-to Courage Coach.

 
Once upon a time, I was that fearless kid riding deep into Angeles National Forest without a second thought. Then bam—life threw me a plot twist. A horse flipped on me, pinning me beneath it, and fear crept in like an uninvited guest who wouldn’t leave.

That moment tested everything. But here’s the wild part—I walked away with only bruises and a divine reminder that I wasn’t done yet. Fear may have stolen my joy for a while, but it did not get the final say.

Fast forward to a move to Kentucky, where the trails were calling my name. I had two choices: let fear keep the reins or take them back. Spoiler alert—I took them back. Now, I help other riders (and, honestly, anyone sick of fear running their life) do the same.

I make fear pack its little bags and GTFO. Whether it’s through hypnotherapy, NLP, or a little well-placed humor, I help people trade anxiety for confidence, doubt for courage, and overthinking for action.

So, if you’re ready to kick fear to the curb and rediscover the joy you deserve—I’m here for it. Let’s do this.

Contact

Copyrights © 2025 held by respective copyright holders, including Elise Hittinger.