How to have more confidence while riding?
When I was 8, I would get up at 2 or 3 am in the morning while it was still pitch black out.  I would put the bareback pad and bridle on my pony and we would head up into the mountains.  I would pause and watch the amazing sunrise from a mountain peak and just bask in how good the first sun rays feel.  Then I would turn for home and race home to get cleaned up and off to school. I go back to this memory a lot.  After my accident, I lost the confidence of this little girl and I had to get it back.  Whether you have had an accident, or just anxiety and fear creeping in with age, we don't have to stay there.  We can turn back the hands of time and become that fearless kid again.

Here are my first three tips for confidence when back in the saddle:

1. Practice, Practice, Practice. The more we repeat something, the more the anxiety and fear fade.  The first time will be the hardest as long as we focus on the success of doing the first time.  Just keep doing the little, small steps, over and over until they seem as easy as brushing your teeth.  Muscle memory helps with the mind too!

2. Work on the little things. Pick 5 or 6 things to play with for each ride.  Circle, figure eight, backing, move shoulders, move haunches, walk/halt/walk transitions, whatever it is for you, pick the easiest things first until they are really good.  

3. Practice Balance. When standing on the ground, you are solid.  Practice putting weight in your stirrups.  Move one slightly ahead of the other.  Please with your weight in the stirrups and just see how it feels. What if you have almost no weight in the stirrups.  What if you put all your weight in and stand in two point.  Play with it and develop the balance the works for you.  Think about a child on someone's shoulders.  If they lean they and the person carrying them are off balance.  You are the child on the horse as far as balance goes.  Really take some time and play with your balance and weight in your stirrups.  Alicia Dickenson says 80% of the weight in the stirrups at all times.  I can say that this is when I feel most balanced too.  I feel like I can ride anything that might happen.

Beat Your Anxiety!  
If you’re looking for extra support to face your riding anxiety head-on, my Courage Coaching Program is here for you. We’ll work on strategies to strengthen your mindset, embrace challenges, and turn setbacks into steppingstones. Whether you want to improve your riding performance or just build more confidence in everyday life, I’m here to help. 

Click HERE to learn more and join the program. Let’s tackle this journey together!




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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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