Turn Riding Fear Around

Have you ever noticed how creative you'll get to solve a problem for your horse... but not for yourself?   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share the story of my mare who used to stomp on my foot every time I bridled her—and how that simple memory reminded me that we're incredibly creative for our horses, but often accept aches, stiffness, and aging as "just the way it is."   If you'v...

In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I explain why your brain keeps sounding the alarm long after the danger has passed. It isn't trying to make you afraid. It's trying to make sure you never have to experience that pain again.   If you've been struggling with riding fear, riding anxiety, or a loss of confidence after a fall or scary experience, this episode is for you. Understanding why yo...

I thought I was protecting myself. Looking back... I was protecting my anxiety.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I explore the difference between healthy self-preservation and anxiety that keeps us stuck. Sometimes the hardest part isn't overcoming fear—it's recognizing whether your body is asking for help or your anxiety is asking to stay in charge.   If you've been struggling with r...

Have you ever thought about quitting riding after a scary experience, a loss of confidence, or one really hard day?   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share one of the biggest riding decisions I ever made—and why deciding not to make a decision changed everything.   If you've been struggling with riding fear, riding anxiety, loss of confidence, or wondering if it's time to give up rid...

You know you're safe. Your horse knows the trail. So why does your brain still act like a barn sour horse trying to get back to the barn?   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share one of my favorite horse metaphors for understanding riding anxiety. Sometimes the problem isn't that we're in danger—it's that our subconscious has practiced the same route for so long, it keeps trying to ta...

The mounting block used to feel like a brick wall. Today, it gives me knowledge.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share how the mounting block became one of the most valuable places to check in with myself and my horse before every ride.   If you've ever struggled with riding anxiety, lost confidence at the mounting block, or wondered why some days feel easy while others don't, this...

What if rider confidence has less to do with your horse... and more to do with your relationship with yourself?   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I explore the connection between self-trust, leadership, and rider confidence. Many riders spend years focusing on their relationship with their horse, while rarely stopping to consider the relationship they have with themselves.   If you've...

Have you ever felt like your riding confidence disappeared?   What if it isn't gone at all?   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share one of the biggest lessons from my own riding confidence journey: discovering that my confidence wasn't missing—it was hiding behind a danger folder that had gotten way too thick.   If you've been struggling with riding fear, riding anxiety, loss of conf...

For years, I didn't realize how much my health was affecting my confidence in the saddle. The worse I felt physically, the less I trusted myself riding. It happened so gradually that I barely noticed it—until one day I had to sit down to put my socks on.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I explore the connection between rider health, riding confidence, mobility, flexibility, strength,...

After my riding accident, it took me nearly 20 years before I truly felt comfortable riding outside the arena again. Along the way, I spent a lot of time, energy, and money trying things that didn't work.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share one of the biggest lessons I learned about overcoming riding fear, rebuilding confidence after an accident, and why confidence doesn't return...

Sometimes what feels like riding fear… actually starts with tension in the body.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share why riding can start feeling harder when our body gets tight, stiff, and resistant to movement—and how that tension can quietly affect our confidence, balance, comfort, and connection with our horse.   If you've ever felt like riding takes more effort than it used...

Sometimes our horses notice our tension and anxiety before we do.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share what zebras, lions, and herd instincts taught me about riding anxiety, horse behavior, and why horses are often reflecting our emotional state back to us.   If you've ever noticed your horse becoming tense, reactive, distracted, or unsettled when you're feeling nervous, anxious,...

Sometimes what feels like riding fear… actually starts with stiffness in the body.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share why rider flexibility affects riding confidence more than most riders realize—and how tight hips, stiff shoulders, a tight back, and restricted movement can quietly create tension, bracing, and loss of trust in the saddle.   If you’ve ever felt like you were losi...

Feeling physically unsteady in the saddle can quietly affect far more than just your balance—it can change your confidence, your reactions, and the trust between you and your horse.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share why rider balance affects riding confidence more than most of us realize, and how feeling physically unstable can make our nervous system louder, our reactions bigg...

The first 30 seconds after mounting your horse may be shaping far more than you realize.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share how the way I was taught to get on horses as a kid created habits I never even questioned… until I realized those first moments in the saddle were training my horse—and my brain.   If your horse fidgets at the mounting block, walks off before you settle in,...

After my riding accident, I created something that completely changed the way I prepare for every ride—and honestly, I wish I had done it years earlier.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share the pre-ride checklist I now use to help reduce riding anxiety, build trust, improve safety, and feel more prepared before ever getting in the saddle.   If you struggle with riding fear, loss o...

When our heart starts racing, our palms start sweating, and fear starts taking over, what do we say to our brain?   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share what happens when fear has been practiced so long that our subconscious stops waiting for our leadership… and starts making the decisions for us.   Maybe it happens when our horse spooks, moves quicker than expected, or something ca...

Maybe it happens at the mounting block, heading out on the trail, when your horse starts moving faster, or stepping into the show ring. Your heart starts racing, your palms start sweating, and suddenly your brain is telling you stories that aren’t helping.   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, I share how to talk to your brain when riding anxiety shows up—and how to train your mind and bod...

Riding didn’t stop being fun overnight… fear slowly squeezed the fun out of it.   ???? 1. Fear fills the space fun used to live in Fun didn’t disappear— it just got pushed out ???? 2. You don’t bring fun back by forcing it Trying to “have fun” usually creates more pressure ???? 3. Start adding fun back in—on purpose Fun isn’t something you wait for… it’s something you create   Bring the fun back....

It wasn’t the accident that changed everything… it was what came after—and how it slowly took my enthusiasm with it.     ???? 1. Reconnect with when it felt good When was the last time you felt real enthusiasm riding? ???? 2. Do you truly want that feeling back? Getting it back may mean letting go. Not sacrifice… just making space for something different ???? 3. Start before it feels natural You m...

Calm Isn’t Missing—It’s Just Buried   You’re not trying to create calm… you’re uncovering what’s already there.   ???? Calm is your natural state You were born knowing calm, it just got covered by experiences, thoughts, and reactions. ???? You don’t have to force calm Calm shows up when you stop looking for it and trust it is still there. ???? Clear away what’s covering it Instead of chasing calm,...

You’re Solving the Wrong Problem   You think the problem is the anxiety… but the real problem is how well you’ve practiced it.     ???? The Courageous YOU Remember a time when you felt fierce, confident, and completely in control. Write it down… or even better, say it out loud. ???? Practice Being THAT YOU Step into that version of yourself—on purpose. Walk like her. Think like her. Ride like her....

When Your Heart Starts Racing Before Riding   When your heart starts racing before you ride, your body is trying to take over—let’s bring it back to calm.   I'm Elise Hittinger, and I am the host for your journey to courage.   ???? Name It, don't fight It You’re not in danger—your body is just doing what it’s been trained to do. ???? Lengthen your exhale Long, slow, loud exhale let's your body kno...

How to Calm Anxiety Fast (When Your Body Won’t Settle)   When your body won’t settle, your brain can’t either… but here’s the good news—you can calm both at the same time.   I'm Elise Hittinger, and I am the host for your journey to courage.   Your body and your brain are like the chicken and the egg— they’re constantly talking to each other. So instead of trying to calm just your thoughts… we’re...

Just like a chick breaking out of its shell… sometimes we don’t need fixing—we need to break free.   If you’re ready to stop overthinking and start riding with calm confidence, you don’t have to figure it out alone—book your Calm-Ride Strategy Call here: ???? https://elisehittinger.com/scheduler/calm-ride-strategy   In this episode of Turn Riding Fear Around, Elise Hittinger shares a powerful way...