What to check before riding a horse?
My accident happened when I didn't check anything before getting on.  I groomed the horse and didn't notice that he was in pain.  I tacked up the horse, not noticing that he was tense.  I got on the horse and when my butt hit the saddle, I knew I was in trouble.  In seconds, the horse flipped over backwards on top of me.  This was one hundred percent my fault.  At any point in the process getting on, I could have recognized that something was drastically wrong.  I was enjoying the campground, the great weather, the late afternoon sunshine.  I was enjoying the sounds of the woodpeckers in the trees.  I was completely absorbed in my surroundings and just didn't connect with and pay attention to my partner, the horse I was getting on.  It was almost like it was a couch was going to hang out on instead of a partner.

Let's rewind and see what could have been done different.

1. The horse had been bit by a black widow on the neck.  As I was grooming, if I had been paying attention to how the horse felt as I groomed, I would have noticed any and all issues.  Sore areas, bumps, bruises, ets.  The horse had just stepped off the trailer after hauling to the camp ground and he had been bit in the trailer.  He was in pain.  Significant pain.  Even subtle pain if I had been paying attention would have come to my attention before I put my butt in the saddle. (To hear a little about my story and what could have prevented, watch my video on this #1 key to prevention: Watch Here

2. As I was tacking up, I could have been observing the horses movements, his flexibility.  I walk them when I am doing up the cinch.  I do a little, walk, do a little more, walk.  At any point, I could have seen that he was short strided, that he wasn't relaxed and loose, that he was tense, in his whole body and especially his neck.

3. A pre-ride checklist, that I have now would have given me a checklist to run through for me and for the horse.  It would have made sure I saw the signs that the horse was in pain.  I created it from this moment in time where I didn't pay attention to me or to the horse and it almost cost me my life.  

Once I was on the horse, it was too late.  I had 30 minutes to prevent the 30 seconds that crushed me.  I learned a lot.  I also learned how to get over my fear.  

If you would like to learn my process for healing my fear, and getting my courage back, grab a copy of my best selling book, Rise from Fear to Courage!

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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.

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