Horse riding anxiety can be crippling.
Maybe you have anxiety around going on a trail ride, cantering or jumping. Or you’re afraid of your horse misbehaving. Maybe you’re afraid to get back on your horse after a traumatic fall.
If anxiety gets the better of you, you might be considering saying goodbye to riding forever. But before you give up, know this: fear doesn’t have to control your riding.
Why Does Horse Riding Fear Feel So Overwhelming?
If you looked into my mind’s control room a few years ago, you would have found my horse riding fear and anxiety controls on high alert with the word “danger!” flashing in large red letters and continuously scrolling across a screen.
After a fall from my young gelding, I became hyper-vigilant for danger about riding with a chorus of “what-ifs” singing in my mind despite the logical side of me knowing I wasn’t really in danger. And knowing that I was fully capable of riding my and my clients’ horses.
But my control room was out of whack and overruling my logical mind.
This part of your brain wants to keep you safe, but its overprotective approach can steal your joy and freeze your ability to think clearly, connect with your horse, and make good decisions.
How Anxiety Impacts Your Riding
A state of hyper-vigilance—like an overactive immune system—can cause more internal damage than the external problems it’s trying to prevent.
When you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode, expecting the worst, you can’t make good decisions or create positive outcomes.
You might find yourself:
- Hyper-focusing on perceived dangers. You can’t think of anything else, and your fear keeps escalating.
- Holding back when you ride. If you’re constantly worrying about falling off or making a mistake, you’ll ride hesitantly, creating tension in yourself and your horse.
- Building barriers to connection. Fear prevents you from being fully present with your horse, making missteps and misunderstandings more likely.
- Avoiding riding altogether. You may look for excuses to skip rides or even consider quitting.
This fear isn’t your fault—but it is something you can change.
You Are Not Broken
It’s important to understand that your fear is a perfectly natural and normal response.
It might have been caused by:
- A bad fall or near miss.
- Witnessing someone else’s traumatic experience.
- Stress or challenges in other parts of your life.
You don’t need to know the exact cause. What’s important is to stop beating yourself up. You are not broken.
Fear is just a signal that your control room needs a reset.
Reclaim Your Confidence: Resetting Your Control Room
Your control room is where you manage your emotions and reactions—and the best part? You have full access to it.
I take my clients through a simple but powerful exercise to explore their personal control room. It’s a mental space that represents how you process fear, confidence, and everything in between.
Visualise Your Control Room
Take a moment to imagine your control room. It might have sleek computer monitors, old-school dials and levers, or even voice-activated commands. This is your space—design it however you like.
Now, step inside and look around. What do you notice? Is there a dial labeled "Anxiety" turned way too high? Is the "Confidence" switch turned off?
Adjust Your Controls
This is your chance to make changes. Turn down the volume on fear until it’s just a whisper. Crank up the confidence knob until you feel energised and empowered. Maybe you add a new setting, like "Calm Focus" or "Joyful Anticipation."
The beauty of this exercise is its simplicity. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. Close your eyes, imagine making those changes, and feel the shift in your emotional state.
How This Reset Changes Your Ride
When you reset your control room, you’re no longer trapped by fear. Instead, you create a mental environment that supports calm, confident riding. These small adjustments can have a profound impact on how you approach your next ride.
Take a deep breath and remind yourself: you’re in control.
Are You Ready to Overcome Your Horse Riding Fear?
Are you ready to take control of your riding fear? I can help. Join the Horse Riding Confidence Solution program!
In just five weeks, you’ll transform your mindset, conquer your fears, and rediscover the joy of riding. Don’t let anxiety steal your dreams—take the first step toward confident riding today.
Click the BIG BLUE BUTTON Below to learn more and to register now.
