There was a time when I couldn't wait to ride.
Then there was a time when I couldn't stop thinking about everything that might go wrong.
Somewhere along the way, fear quietly stole something I didn't even realize I was losing.
The joy.
Looking back, I thought I needed to become fearless before I could enjoy riding again.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
🐴 1. Make Sure There Isn't a Physical Reason
My journey back to joy really began with a little Thoroughbred named Taika.
She came to me after a terrifying accident at the racetrack that left her with a fractured skull. She was also diagnosed with kissing spine, although we'll never know if that caused the accident or was the result of it.
Almost everyone thought I should put her down.
My heart told me otherwise.
For three years, we worked with veterinarians, chiropractors, and physical therapy exercises until she was finally declared sound.
That experience taught me something I'll never forget.
Before we assume fear is "all in our head," we need to make sure there isn't a physical reason.
For the horse.
For the rider.
For both.
Pain changes everything.
Comfort creates possibilities.
🐴 2. Build Knowledge
While Taika was healing, I was learning.
I studied horse behavior, communication, and training because I wanted to be ready when she was.
Knowledge gave me confidence.
Not because I suddenly knew everything.
But because every new skill gave my brain one less reason to panic.
Preparation has a funny way of calming fear.
The more we understand, the more choices we have.
And choices help us feel safe.
🐴 3. Calm Your Nervous System
This was the piece I had been missing.
For years I thought the answer was finding the perfect horse or becoming a better rider.
Those things helped.
But they weren't the whole picture.
The biggest breakthrough came when I started helping my own body and brain feel safe again.
When our nervous system is stuck in protection mode, it doesn't matter how well trained the horse is.
Our body still braces.
Our breathing changes.
Our mind starts scanning for danger.
Learning how to calm my body changed the way I experienced riding.
Not overnight.
But one ride at a time.
🐴 4. Take Tiny Steps
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that joy doesn't come back all at once.
Confidence doesn't either.
It comes back one day...
One ride...
One tiny step at a time.
Some days your victory might be grooming your horse.
Some days it might be standing quietly at the mounting block.
Some days it might be walking one relaxed lap around the arena.
Every tiny step becomes a victory.
Every tiny victory teaches your brain something new.
"I can do this."
🐴 Fear Doesn't Get the Final Say
I spent twenty years trying to get rid of fear.
What finally changed everything wasn't making fear disappear.
It was learning how to move forward with it.
Today I understand something I wish someone had told me years ago.
Fear gets a vote.
It just doesn't get to make the final decision.
Fear didn't steal my joy in one day...
...and I didn't get it back in one day either.
Joy comes back the same way confidence does.
One day.
One ride.
One step at a time.
And that's exactly why I do what I do today.
Because if I can help another rider find that joy in months instead of twenty years...
Every step of my journey was worth it.
👉 If fear has taken some of the joy out of your riding, you don't have to figure it out alone. Book a free Calm Ride Strategy Call, and together we'll create a plan to help you move forward with confidence and enjoy your horse again.
0 Comments