The Imperfect First Ride Back!
I spent many hours, thinking about the first ride back after my accident.  The hindsight of knowing what went wrong added even more pressure to make sure everything was right for my first ride back.  That pressure felt like I was going to boil over and it held me back from just getting on and riding.

Getting back on isn't about perfect.  It is about being prepared, and then getting on the horse, riding a bit and figuring out what adjustments need to be made.  We can all dream about the perfect first ride back and let it hold us back from actually having that first ride.

Here are the keys to getting back on:

Knowledge: Know you and your horse are ready.  Know what you will do if you need to adjust for something unexpected.

Safety: Have your safety net in place.  Whether it be helmet and vest, grab strap or other safety equipment, have what works for you as your safety net in place.

Help: For me, I use essential oils, Thieves for courage and Stress Away for calm and I have them on my wrists so my olafactory senses can calm my brain or give me courage if I need it.  I make sure someone is close by in case I need help.  (I never have anyone hold the horse to keep them still because that tells me the horse isn't ready!),  I know some people love Rescue Remedy, a shot of alcoholic beverage, or CBD.  Whatever gives you the little bit of help you need for the first time back.

Most important to remember, imperfection leads to amazing joy because it takes the worry of perfection out of the equation.  Take the steps to mount up and ride your horse.  

I am here to help you take that first step to getting on again if you would like.  I have a 3 coaching session package tailored to take the steps to ride again.  Click here to see if it would be a great fit to get you back in the saddle!

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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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