How far away can a horse hear you? (Or whispering has power!)
As I walked the course for my first time at 1.2M jumpers, I could feel the excitement but also the anxiety building fast. These jumps looked bigger than me. Was I ready? Could I do this? I was actually terrified. I felt okay warming up, and Atticus was jumping great. But as soon as I walked into the arena, the tension hit me hard. I felt tighter than a garage door spring.

I can't believe we made it over all the fences, but it wasn’t pretty. My horse jumped his heart out for me, and looking back, I was YELLING at him. I was so tense; I was holding the reins with a death grip. My legs were locked tight on his side. I was yelling through my own anxiety, giving off all the wrong signals. Reflecting on that ride, I learned a lot about myself, and most importantly, I learned that communication with horses doesn’t need to be loud. It can be done in a whisper.

Here are three tips to start connecting with your horse in a whisper:

1. Breathe: The most important thing to do when anxiety hits is to focus on your breath. Take deep, steady breaths to calm your body and mind. Horses are incredibly sensitive to their rider's emotions, so if you're calm, they will be too.  By letting go of your anxiety in your exhale, you can whisper confidence to your horse.

2. Soft Hands: Instead of gripping the reins, focus on maintaining a soft contact with your horse. A gentle hand will allow you to guide them without tension. Remember, a quiet hand speaks volumes.

3. Relax Your Body: Your horse feels every movement. By relaxing your legs, your seat, and your arms, you’re sending the message that you trust your horse. A relaxed body means a relaxed ride and whispering communication.

I learned the hard way that holding on tight only makes things worse. But with patience, breathing, and a calm connection, you and your horse can move through anything—quietly, confidently, and with trust.

If you would like a little help turning down your anxiety, let's have a quick chat and see if I can help you out!  CHAT NOW!




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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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