Stepping into the show ring, knowing I had a chance at winning the class, I immediately felt myself tense up, like a stiff board riding my horse—and he let me know it, too, as he stiffened in response. The fluid rhythm we shared in the warm-up ring quickly evaporated into the dirt.
There’s so much that happens in our brain that influences the success of our rides—or the lack of success—but almost always, it traces back to our thoughts and decisions.
As riders, we can become better brain riders!
1. Active Focus vs. Relaxed State
- Active Focus: In certain moments, we must be fully engaged mentally, making split-second decisions. responding to our horse’s movements or navigating obstacles. This requires active focus, consciously putting attention to specific cues and actions.
- Relaxed State: However, the magic often happens when we are just completely relaxed in the moment, where we are no longer consciously thinking about each movement but instead allow ourselves to follow the rhythm. This deep connection with the horse and the environment often leads to the most fluid, harmonious rides.
2. Trusting Muscle Memory
- Muscle Memory: For most of us, many aspects of riding become automatic, such as maintaining posture or applying leg aids. Thinking less can be beneficial because muscle memory takes over, allowing us to just enjoy the experience.
- Overthinking: On the other hand, overthinking can disrupt the flow and create tension. We start focusing too much on the little details of the ride, creating unnecessary tension in us and the horse.
3. Balancing Awareness with Relaxation
- Mental Awareness: While riding, maintaining mental awareness of our body, the horse, and the surroundings is crucial. This includes staying alert to potential hazards or adjusting for terrain changes. I love playing games while doing this!
- Relaxation: Staying relaxed is just as important. Overthinking every stride or trying to control every aspect, causes unnecessary tension, both in your body and the horse. Relaxation helps maintain a natural, smooth connection.
Our brain plays a pivotal role in our success or struggle in the saddle. By becoming aware of how our thoughts and mental states affect our rides, we can harness the power of focus, relaxation, and muscle memory to improve our performance and deepen our connection with our horses.
If you would like help fixing up your brain, let's have a chat and see if I can help! Schedule a chat with me!
After my accident, it took a long time to regain the courage to ride the trails again.
As my courage grew, though, I noticed my motivation slipping away. I realized I had spent so much time focusing on my fear and anxiety that I had forgotten the pure joy of riding. The thrill, the connection with my horse, the freedom—it all seemed distant. The motivation just wasn’t there anymore.
When we bought our farm in Kentucky, it was a wake-up call. It was time to face my fear head-on and get my motivation back. I started rebuilding my courage by taking small steps each time I got on the horse—starting slow and building momentum. Motivation worked the same way—I just had to get out the door. That one step, no matter how small, made all the difference. It reminded me why I loved riding in the first place.
What about you? If you’ve lost your motivation, what’s the one thing you can do that will push you past that mental barrier and remind you how much you love riding?
Here are a few ideas:
1. Step outside—sometimes, just the act of stepping out the door is all it takes.
2. Get to the barn—being around the horses can reignite that spark.
3. Tack up the horse—when you’re in the routine, it can feel natural again.
4. Eat a snack that reminds you of riding—sometimes a familiar taste brings back great memories.
5. Put on your riding boots—there’s something about putting them on that can make you feel ready for anything.
If you've lost motivation, find that one thing that will reconnect you with the joy you once felt. Once you’ve started to remember that joy, you’ll be in the saddle, enjoying it all over again. Once you know what’s holding you back, make it a habit to push through that threshold every time.
There is a shortcut, the fast way. Find out how a hypnotherapy session can be the fast track to getting back your motivation! To see if this is right for you, Click Here!
That first day I jumped 1.2M was exhilarating and terrifying.
We had a small jump leading up to the big one, and just looking at it made my stomach do flip-flops. My horse had jumped much bigger fences before, but this was a first for me. I remember all the thoughts racing through my mind: I could just get off and say I have a headache or feel nauseous. I knew my trainer would see right through it and make me do it anyway, so I kept those thoughts to myself.
I did jump the fence, and it felt like flying. I learned a lot about anxiety, fear, and doing it anyway. I also learned the importance of preparation. We’ve all done something spur-of-the-moment and realized we weren’t quite as ready as we should have been. Overcoming anxiety in the saddle is no different.
Here are three things you can do before you ever put your butt in the saddle:
1. Have the right equipment. I had a saddle that wasn’t built for jumping 1.2M fences, and it was clear I needed a new one. Proper equipment for your safety and comfort can significantly reduce anxiety.
2. Know your horse is ready. Is your horse calm while tacking up and at the mounting block? Are you calm? (If you’d like a copy of my pre-ride checklist for horse and rider, CLICK HERE!)
3. Have a plan for emergencies. Will you dismount or stay on? Are you prepared for a buck, rear, spook, or bolt? Know what you’ll do in each situation.
Here are four things you can do while riding:
1. Stay stable in the saddle. I love the 80/20 rule from Alicia Dickenson: 80% of your weight should be in the stirrup (like standing on the ground), with 20% in the rest of your legs and seat. Practice this as you ride.
2. Exhale. Exhaling helps release anxiety. Picture a Ferris wheel or waves at the beach as you breathe in and out. Holding your breath only increases tension, so focus on breathing through your anxiety.
3. Have a plan. Plans can change, but at least know what you want to do before you ride. The unknown can ramp up anxiety.
4. Focus 100 feet ahead. Don’t worry about what’s closer. Stay focused on where you're going so your horse knows the journey's direction.
If you would like to have some fun overcoming anxiety, saving up courage pennies is a fun way to do it. You can get my free eBook, The Ultimate Guide to Courage Pennies!
The sun was shining, and a chill in the air made the November morning feel invigorating. It was my first ride back after my accident, and I was filled with excitement. But as I prepared my horse, little doubts began to creep in. My breathing became shallow, and my palms grew sweaty. These feelings, which replaced my excitement, bothered me for many reasons. Upon reflection, I realized that not only did I lack a solid safety net, but I didn’t have one at all. Looking around at my riding friends, I noticed a similar trend—there wasn’t much in the way of safety nets. We often rode with a hope of staying safe rather than a plan to ensure it. In a sport that requires so little safety equipment, especially outside of competition, I wondered: why not build our own safety net?
Here are my three tips for creating a great safety net for riding:
1. Pre-Ride Checklists: I often felt scattered and lacked a systematic approach to ensure both my horse and I were ready to ride. Creating a checklist transformed my preparation routine. Now, I write down my plan and check off each item. This simple practice boosts my confidence, knowing I’ve covered all the essentials. (You can grab a copy of mine here!)
2. Know Your Response Plan: Anticipate your main fears—whether it’s rearing, bucking, bolting, or something else—and develop a clear plan for each. Practicing these responses until they feel second nature can significantly enhance your confidence and reduce anxiety.
3. Invest in Safety Gear: Wearing the right safety equipment is crucial. I always wear my helmet which I love, (check it out here), and either a life vest or riding vest, along with appropriate pants and boots. Recently, I added a double connect neck strap to help me feel more secure while riding. Discover what safety measures work for you, as everyone’s needs are different.
Your blog conveys a powerful and inspiring message! Here’s a revised version that enhances clarity and flow:
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There I was, in front of 60 people in an arena, with loose horses galloping around me. My task? Get one of these horses to stand still while I walked around them. It felt like pure chaos, and I couldn’t fathom how I would succeed. Sure enough, none of the horses managed to stand still.
The second assignment was to stand still myself while a horse walked around me. Doubts crept in, and I remembered Henry Ford’s quote: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” In that moment, everything shifted. I stood perfectly still, closed my eyes, and centered myself.
Then, I noticed a frightened gray Arabian mare. She paused, drawn to my calm presence amid the chaos. Visualizing her walking around me, I simply watched as she began to move. I imagined her changing directions, coming closer or stepping back, all while maintaining my stillness. In that moment, I realized I could do anything.
Like many of you, I’ve often been my own worst enemy, doubting my abilities. Thoughts like “I can’t earn more money” or “I can’t make my spouse happy” can be overwhelming. We often fall into the trap of “I can’t.”
But when we embrace the power of “I CAN,” everything changes. That beautiful gray mare reminded me of my own potential, and I encourage you to find your “gray mare”—that symbol or experience that affirms, “YOU CAN.”
There’s another side to this story. The mare was headed for a difficult fate because no one could connect with her. She was in the final stages of training, and if it didn’t work out, she would be lost. For 30 minutes, we danced together. When the trainer finally saw her calm and confident, he recognized her worth and placed her in an amazing home. That day, she learned that “SHE CAN!” too.
So, take small steps every day toward your dreams and goals. Start believing that you can achieve anything, and you will become the person you were always meant to be.
I talk more about calm power in my latest podcast which you can listen too here: "Turn Riding Fear Around"
