Unwind your nervous system so you can enjoy riding your horse again
Â
“When you activate your stress hormones too often and too long, they can wreak havoc with your immune system, your memory, and your ability to feel at ease,"
Bessek Van Der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score
How I stopped feeling anxious about ridingÂ
I realized that more clinics, more lessons or avoiding certain triggers for my horse wasn't going to change one of our biggest problems: my nervous system.
I had developed a pattern of worrying, anticipating and reacting to even small signs that my horse might blow up or begin having behavior issues.
I had to take the time to deliberately unwind this subconscious pattern in order to have the relationship I wanted with my horse: one of trust and partnership.
By taking time to meditate, dismiss fearful or critical thoughts and let my mind imagine the rides I wanted to have, I was able to be the calm, confident rider my horse needed.
 “Horses feel everything we feel. If we are tense, they are tense. If we are calm, they are calm. The horse is a mirror to your soul.”
— Mark Rashid, Considering the Horse: Tales of Problems Solved and Lessons LearnedÂ
How 'Meditation For Equestrians' Can Help
Our bodies are always taking cues from our mind and either activating or calming our nervous system. When we think anxious or fearful thoughts, our heart rate speeds up, our breath becomes shallow, we may begin to sweat and have a "sick feeling" in our stomach.
Sometimes this response is automatic when we think about a triggering event, like riding our horse that we have been having challenges with. Our body can also start to tense up as soon as we get in the saddle. We draw in the reins and start gripping or shifting forward with our legs as we subconsciously prepare for the worst.Â
Your horse is downloading your fear and anxiety every time you are near him. As a prey species, this is how he survives--by internalizing the messages from his "herd mate" that is near him (you).
By practicing thinking calming and positive thoughts about riding we can rewire our subconscious, automatic response. Instead of having anxiety when we think of riding, our body can relax, our heartbeat will naturally slow and a smile can come to our face. We can radiate a calm confidence that our horse can connect with.
“The body is so objective that it does not know the difference between the real-life event that creates the emotion and the emotion you create by thought alone.”
— Joe Dispenza, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself
 What you get:
Â
This meditation series includes 5 meditations that will address common situations riders experience including:
*Balance in the Saddle meditation
*Partnership meditation
*Riding Through the Storm meditation
*Overcoming Fear meditation
*Confident Rider meditation
Each meditation is less than 15 minutes, so it's perfect for winding down at the end of the day. Each recording includes affirmations and audio prompts to help your body experience the ride you want to have.
Mediations for Equestrians
$8
(Normally $18, enjoy this special summer price!)
- Five equestrian focused meditations, including meditations on Overcoming Fear and becoming a Confident Rider
- Option to include a printable affirmation page for your tack room or trailer and  affirmation note cards to help you dial in your new feelings and thoughts about ridingÂ
Don't miss another day with your horse
Don't let your fear or anxiety about riding keep you away from the barn. You can be exactly the leader your horse needs, but you have to reset your nervous system that is currently projecting feelings of worry and concern to your horse. Rewire your body to hold calm confidence and look forward to being with your horse again.
Â
About me
I know that for most of us, the barn is our happy place. Our horse knows us better than anyone else and we hold a special connection with our equine partners that is hard to describe. But I also know how terrible it feels when that relationship isn't going smoothly, especially if we don't know how to fix it.
I have been there. My horse has had behavior problems come up out of seemingly nowhere and I tried every program, trainer, supplement and "trick" to try and fix things. But it wasn't until I started applying the principals I learned as a Certified Yoga Instructor and Life Coach that I really started to find solutions.
Horses are dynamic and complicated animals and often the work that needs done includes work on our thoughts and body language. It's hard for our horse to feel good when we don't feel good.
These meditations are just one tool to help you create, or rediscover, that magical relationship with your horse that signifies true connection and partnership.
FAQ:
Can I download and listen to the meditations, even if I'm not online?
Yes, you can download these meditations to your cellphone or laptop.
Working with my horse is very stressful for me right now, will these mediations really help?
Yes, absolutely. Repatterning your thoughts and feelings about being with your horse is the most important thing you can do to bring balance back to your relationship.
These meditations can compliment your exploration of any underlying issues with your horse that may require the help of trusted professionals like veterinarians, trainers or clinicians.Â
However, just addressing the physical component (lessons/vetwork etc.) won't improve the emotional energetic connection with your horse. If you are always feeling nervous and worried when you are with your horse, he can't help but react to those emotions. Working to change your own thoughts and feelings can help you create a place of calm and partnership with your trusted equine friend.
Â
