When anxiety or nerves creep in while you ride, your body knows it before your mind does. Shoulders tighten, breath shortens, and suddenly your horse feels that tension too. The harder you try to “push through,” the louder the fear seems to get.
That’s why I love the 3x3x3 Confidence Reset—a simple tool you can use anytime, anywhere, to calm your nervous system and bring your focus back. It’s quick, it’s practical, and it works even in the middle of a ride.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: 3 Breaths
Pause and take three slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Feel your shoulders drop a little lower each time. This step tells your body: “We’re safe.”
Pause and take three slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Feel your shoulders drop a little lower each time. This step tells your body: “We’re safe.”
Step 2: 3 Things You See
Look around and name three things you can see. The fence post. The saddle horn. Your horse’s ears. Naming them out loud helps your brain shift from “what-if” thoughts to what’s real, right here, right now.
Look around and name three things you can see. The fence post. The saddle horn. Your horse’s ears. Naming them out loud helps your brain shift from “what-if” thoughts to what’s real, right here, right now.
Step 3: 3 Things You Feel
Notice three things you can physically feel. The leather reins in your hands. Your seat in the saddle. Your feet pressing into the stirrups. Grounding through sensation reconnects you to your body and steadies your presence.
Notice three things you can physically feel. The leather reins in your hands. Your seat in the saddle. Your feet pressing into the stirrups. Grounding through sensation reconnects you to your body and steadies your presence.
In less than a minute, this reset interrupts the spiral of anxious thoughts and gives your horse a calmer, more confident rider. And here’s the best part: the more you practice it, the faster your nervous system learns to respond. Eventually, confidence becomes your default, not fear.
I know firsthand how quickly confidence can be hijacked and how long it can take to rebuild. My own journey took me nearly twenty years—but it doesn’t have to take that long for you. With the right tools, like this reset, you can fast-track your calm and reclaim the joy of riding.
If you’re ready to take the next step and discover the tools that work best for you and your horse, let’s talk. Book your free Calm-Ride Strategy Call today, and let’s start filling your ride with confidence instead of fear.
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