Five quick things you can do to boost your confidence - before you put your foot in the stirrup!
Confidence isn’t something that magically appears once you’re in the saddle – it’s built in the moments before you ride.
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The way you breathe, think, and carry yourself sets the tone not only for you, but for your horse too.
By following this simple five-step routine, you’ll prime your mind and body so that by the time your foot hits the stirrup, you already feel calm, capable, and ready.
1 Breathing Reset
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Your breath is the quickest way to steady your nerves and show your horse that all is well.
Before you swing into the saddle, pause and do a simple breathing reset.
Inhale through your nose for a slow count of four, hold for four, then exhale through your mouth for six. Repeat this three times.
You’ll feel your heart rate settle, your shoulders soften, and your body loosen.
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A calm breath tells your nervous system you’re safe – and your horse will mirror that calmness.
It’s like a reset button you can press anytime, anywhere, to restore focus and ease.
2. Power Posture
Confidence shows in your body before it shows in your riding.
Stand tall, feet firmly on the ground, shoulders rolled back, chin lifted.
Take up space as if you already are the confident rider you want to be.
This simple change in posture alters your state of mind – you’ll feel more assured and grounded.
Horses are masters at reading body language, so when you radiate calm strength, they feel it too.
Think of this as slipping into your “rider uniform” – a physical reminder that you’re ready, capable, and steady.
Your body leads, and your mind follows.
3. Incantations
Incantations are affirmations with horsepower!
These are not just words in your head, but powerful statements you say out loud with energy and conviction.
Stand tall, breathe deeply, and speak with intention: “I ride with calm, focus, and confidence,” or “I am steady, strong, and connected to my horse.”
When you embody the words with your voice, posture, and breath, you lock that state into your physiology.
Horses respond to the energy you bring, so starting your ride in a peak state makes a huge difference. Think of it as warming up your mindset before you warm up your horse.
4. Visualisation
Visualisation, or mental rehearsal, is one of the most powerful tools for building confidence.
With your posture strong and your energy flowing, close your eyes and picture yourself riding exactly as you want to - calm, balanced and in control.
See the details; your breathing, your horses rhythm.
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Feel the confidence flowing through you.
Imagine yourself handling challenges smoothly and finishing the ride proud of what you achieved.
5. Micro Wins
Before mounting, remind yourself of three small wins from past rides.
They don’t have to be grand – maybe it was riding a smoother transition, calmly handling a spook, or just feeling more relaxed in the saddle.
By focusing on what has gone well, you prime your brain to expect success again.
This simple practice shifts your attention away from worry and towards progress.
Confidence isn’t built overnight – it’s layered, brick by brick, with these small victories.
Celebrating your micro wins strengthens your self-belief and sets the tone for another ride where good things are possible.
Enjoy the ride...
By the time you’ve worked through these five steps, you’ll have steadied your breath, grounded your body, powered up your mind, and reminded yourself of everything you can do.
That’s the version of you your horse needs in the saddle – calm, present, and confident.
The beauty of this routine is that it only takes a few minutes, yet it can completely shift your state.
Repeat it before every ride, and watch your confidence (and your horse’s trust in you) grow stronger with every session.
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Want to get more help?
Book a Discovery Call with me or take the NLP Mindset Quiz to discover if NLP will work for you.