We’ve all been there—riding along when suddenly our horse spooks at something seemingly harmless: a gust of wind, a squirrel, a shadow. But what if the real trigger isn’t the environment… it’s us?
Horses are prey animals, wired to detect subtle shifts in energy and emotion. They don’t just respond to what’s around them—they respond to us. When we ride with fear, tension, or anticipation of something going wrong, our horse picks up on it. That nervous energy becomes part of the moment, and suddenly, the rustling leaves feel like a threat.
I used to think my horse was just “spooky.” But over time, I realized he was reacting to me. My tight grip, shallow breathing, and hyper-focus on potential dangers were sending signals that something was wrong—even when it wasn’t.
Here’s what I learned:
- Fear is contagious. Horses mirror our emotional state. If we’re anxious, they become alert. If we’re calm, they settle.
- Focus matters. When we fixate on what might spook our horse, we unintentionally amplify it. Instead, redirect your focus to what’s going well—your rhythm, your connection, your breath.
- Confidence is a skill. You don’t have to be fearless—you just need tools to manage fear. Grounding exercises, breathwork, and mindset shifts can help you ride with clarity instead of tension.
The truth is, most horses aren’t spooked by nature. They’re spooked by the energy we (or the herd) bring to it. Wind, wildlife, and weather are part of their world. But when we layer fear on top of those elements, we create a story they start to believe.
So next time your horse spooks, ask yourself: Was I already bracing for it? If the answer is yes, don’t beat yourself up—just get curious. Because the more we understand our own psychology, the better leaders we become in the saddle.
0 Comments