Over The Oxer

In this episode, host Tracey Cole sits down with Cat Carter, a Scottish equine sports massage therapist and the driving force behind Equine Qualifications UK (EQ UK). Cat shares her fascinating journey from buying a "secret horse" as a teenager to taking over the legacy of Lingfield Equine Distance Learning.   Tracey and Cat discuss why education is the ultimate tool for improving equine welfare,...

Ever felt like you are riding the 'ghost' of a past bad experience rather than the horse underneath you today? In this episode of Over the Oxer we are diving into the neuroscience of performance. It turns out your brain does not actually wait for sensory data to tell it what is happening in the saddle. Instead, it spends every millisecond predicting what is about to happen based on your past exper...

Step into a calmer kind of confidence before you ride. Over the Oxer is a guided visualisation/ mental rehearsal designed specifically for riders who want to build quiet self-belief, focus, and trust in their ability, without pressure, hype or overthinking. In this immersive experience, you’re gently led through a  journey of sensory imagery, where rhythm, breath and horse-and-rider connection bec...

Have you lost your riding mojo? Trying to get out to the yard or prepare for a competition feels like you're swimming through thick custard in heavy lead boots? In this episode of Over the Oxer, host Tracey Cole (Master NLP Trainer and Equestrian Mental Performance Coach) unpacks the hidden psychology behind why we lose our momentum, why standard "willpower" is a trap, and how to stop relying on f...

Ever wondered why telling yourself “don’t tense up” or “don’t look at that corner” actually makes your horse spook? In this episode of Over the Oxer, we strip away the cheesy, vague advice and dive into the practical neuroscience and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) behind equestrian mindset and rider confidence. Discover the two specific ways your unconscious mind actively works against your ri...

In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of Tucker Biokinetic Technique (TBT). Have you ever felt like your horse’s performance was "just a little bit off"—like an old analogue radio with a bit of static? Join me as I explore how to fine-tune your horse’s health from a "usable" signal to a "crystal-clear" digital frequency. Drawing on a professional background in biochemistry, I br...

How do you prepare your mind before you swing into the saddle? In this episode of Over the Oxer, host Tracey Cole looks into the fascinating neuroscience of relaxation. We explore a landmark study from the University of Sussex which reveals that just six minutes of reading can slash stress levels by a staggering 68%. Whether you're a competitive rider or a happy hacker, discover why "escapism" is...

This week on Over the Oxer, I’m joined by the brilliant Kristi Seymour. Kristi is a licensed clinical therapist with over 20 years’ experience, a lifelong equestrian (five decades in the saddle and counting!) and the founder of EquiMind. Kristi joined me from Alaska at a rather eye-watering 5:00 AM to dig into the science of why our performance often "breaks" under pressure. As a Master Trainer of...

There are certain phrases that stay with us, aren’t there? The ones we heard as children, sometimes said in jest, sometimes in frustration, that quietly shape how we deal with our emotions long after the moment has passed. In this episode of Over the Oxer, I share a couple that stayed with me growing up, including one involving the M6 motorway 🙈, and how those seemingly throwaway comments can tea...

Have you ever felt like two different people at once? One part of you desperately wants to do X (gallop, jump or compete), while the other part is screaming for you to do Y (stay safe on the ground)? You aren't "losing your nerve", you’re experiencing an internal conflict. And they're all too common. In this episode of Over the Oxer, Equestrian NLP expert Tracey Cole dives into the concept of "Par...

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost your "nerve," or that you can't ride like your younger self any more?   In this episode, we tackle the "invisible hurdle"—the self-talk that dictates our physical limits in the saddle. We look into a fascinating 1979 Harvard study where a group of men physically "de-aged" simply by changing their mental environment. If you’ve been telling yourself the "old man p...

Episode 187 of Over The Oxer sees Tracey Cole in conversation with equine behaviour expert Nadia Hernandez, exploring the powerful link between horse behaviour and rider mindset. Blending human psychology with equine science, Nadia explains why horses mirror our emotions, how prey animal instincts drive reactions like spooking and bolting, and what riders often misunderstand about their horse’s be...

This week on Over The Oxer, I’m joined by the wonderful Alex Fleming, someone I’ve known and admired for several years now. Alex helps horse riders train their brains for confidence, trust and enjoyment in the saddle, and in this conversation we go deep into the real psychology behind confidence, mindset and performance with horses. Alex shares her journey into the horse world, from starting at a...

Have you ever entered the arena and suddenly forgotten your "C" from your "E"? Or couldn't remember whether your next jump was the red oxer or the yellow double? In this quirky episode of Over the Oxer Equestrian Mindset Podcast, we dive into a fascinating "brain hack" involving nothing more than your own two hands. We explore the 2013 research by Ruth Propper on hemispheric encoding and retrieval...

In this episode, I'm speaking with Louise Einchcomb, equestrian mindset coach and founder of Rider Mentality. Louise combines psychology, applied coaching and real-world equestrian experience to help riders, coaches and professionals build confidence, regulate their nervous systems and create healthier partnerships with horses. We explore how rider mindset impacts performance — and how improving h...

In this episode of Over the Oxer, I'm talking about something you’re already using -  whether you realise it or not. Anchors. In NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), an anchor is the link your brain creates between a stimulus and an emotional state. The sound of the competition bell. Walking into the warm-up arena. Even putting your boots on. Some anchors build confidence. Some trigger anxiety. And...

To win one of the Tuck 'N' Treats from Heica Feeders, answer this question:   What are the Tuck 'N' Treats made out of?   www.en.heicahorse.com Send your answers to info@traceycolenlp.com

In this episode of Over the Oxer, we travel (virtually!) to Finland to speak with Sonja and Katja, the founders of Heica Hay Feeders. Finland is at the forefront of equestrian welfare legislation, and my guests provide a fascinating look at how these new regulations are changing the landscape for horse owners. We dive deep into the philosophy of equine enrichment: moving beyond the idea of "slow f...

When things go wrong in the saddle, do you push harder… or shut down? This week I compare the powerful (and very different) thinking of Alfred Adler and Carl Jung—and how their ideas can transform the way you handle mistakes, pressure, and ambition in riding. Achievement or healing? Maybe the answer is both.   Mental Anchors Workshop https://traceycolenlp.com/product/mental-anchors-for-riding-perf...

Sue Hill is a Havening Techniques® Practitioner, trained in NLP, hypnosis and EFT, and she’s currently in the final stages of becoming a Havening Techniques Practitioner Trainer. She helps clients reduce anxiety, overwhelm and emotional triggers using gentle, effective techniques that calm the nervous system and create lasting change. Sue’s focus is simple: helping people feel better fast, giving...

In this episode of Over the Oxer, we explore how confidence changes as we get older and why riding can feel different than it did in your twenties. If you’re an older rider or adult horse rider, this episode is packed with insights on how your brain assesses risk, why adult confidence is selective and context dependent, and how trying to “ride like your younger self” can hold you back. Learn pract...

This week, I’m sharing a simple “toe curling” technique to help you reset your nervous system, release tension, and feel calmer—on your horse or anytime you need a quick mental reset. Plus, a little laugh about why some moments are just toe curling!   If you love the podcast, I’d be thrilled if you could nominate it in the Equestrian Media category at the Equestrian Business Awards: Info@traceycol...

On this episode, I’m joined by Maha Khallaf from Saudi Arabia, as she shares her inspiring journey back to horses as an adult rider and starting her own equestrian online shop. Maha opens up about stepping away from riding for many years, returning to the saddle during a challenging period in her life, and navigating the mindset struggles adult riders know so well — fear of falling, overthinking,...

In this episode of Over the Oxer, Tracey Cole is joined by Louise Tayler, an ADHD business coach who helps business owners, especially women, move from knowing what to do to actually doing it. Louise shares her personal journey of discovering her ADHD later in life and how understanding her neurodivergence transformed her mindset, motivation, and approach to work. They explore the different types...

In this episode, Tracey explores 1930s research by neuroscientist Harold Saxton Burr that suggests we are surrounded by a measurable energy field that guides the body. Learn how your thoughts, emotions and tension could affect your riding and your horse and why understanding this invisible blueprint could change the way you ride (and think) forever.   👉 Contact me  Info@traceycolenlp.com www.trac...