How do horses know you're nervous?
It was early dawn when I was 8, riding my pony into the mountains to watch the sunrise. I was enjoying the ride when I felt a sudden WHOOSH behind me. I caught a glimpse of a mountain lion landing on the back of my pony. My fear was immediate and real. I clung to my pony for dear life as she bolted home like the wind. She had a few deep scratches on her tail, but I was luckier to have a pony who not only sensed my fear but also took care of me all the way home. 

We all experience moments of fear around our horses. It’s important to be in tune with how our emotions affect them. 

If you’ve ever been nervous around a horse, you’ve probably noticed they seem to know exactly how you’re feeling—sometimes even before you do. It’s almost as if they can sense your anxiety in a way that's hard to explain. The truth is, horses are clairsentient beings, meaning they can pick up on subtle energy shifts and emotions through their intuition.

In my latest podcast episode, "The Gift of a Nudge", (Check it out here) I explore how we can use our own intuition to guide our life and riding. Just as we feel those “nudges,” our horses have an incredible ability to tune into our energy and respond accordingly. They don’t rely on words or traditional body language; they read our energy fields, our emotions, and the vibrations we give off.

When we feel nervous or anxious, our bodies release stress hormones like adrenaline, and our minds become focused on perceived danger. Horses can sense this shift in energy, even before we consciously recognize it. That’s why your horse might react before you even realize why you’re feeling off. 

This ability is a gift—they’re offering us a nudge. By tuning into their instincts, they help us become more aware of how our energy affects our surroundings. In return, we can learn to better regulate our emotions, creating a more harmonious, balanced connection with them.

Ready to Calm Your Anxiety and Help Your Horse Find Peace?

I’ve got practical techniques you can start using today to reset your energy and create a more balanced connection. If you're looking for deeper transformation, let’s chat about how hypnotherapy can help reduce anxiety and bring a sense of calm back to your relationship with your horse. Book a session with me here to start your journey toward a more peaceful partnership.


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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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