3 Tips to Boost Confidence in Horse Riding
As I was building my confidence back after my accident, I realized how much anxiety and confidence are intertwined.  I would get on and ride and feel so good and then my horse would spook at a deer, and I would have anxiety flood back in again.  The two danced back and forth like doing the Tango!  The one thing it forced me to realize is that I could not give up on gaining confidence.  I had to keep working through the anxiety to get the confidence back or I was going to lose my joy for riding, forever.

Here are my top three tips for playing with this balance and helping Confidence get the upper hand:

Self-Discovery - Recognize Your Unique Strengths

What makes you unique? Understand and embrace your strengths. It’s time to shine a spotlight on your skills.  Take a few moments and actually put pen to paper and write down your skills, the things about you that allow you to accomplish your goals and enjoy your life.  This will help you see where confidence plays a role in your life.

Mastery - The Path to Excellence

How did you become skilled? Reflect on your journey, the hours of practice, and the dedication that got you here. It didn't happen overnight.  It was a journey, a journey worth celebrating!  

Confidence - Thriving Beyond Doubt

Take steps even when anxiety is present.  It isn't always easy but it is extremely rewarding.  By taking a few steps, in spite of the anxiety, you are showing your mind that you are worthy of confidence.  The focus on taking the steps will help to bring more confidence along for the next time anxiety starts to creep in.  Embrace your fears, and let’s turn them into steppingstones towards your success.

Ready for a deeper dive into overcoming riding fears? Let's have a complimentary chat and see if a hypnotherapy session could help you gain confidence and shrink the anxiety much faster than traditional techniques!  



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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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