Overthinking? Here's Why....

Hey You. Yes, You—the One Overthinking Every Stride. 

Sound familiar? You saddle up, take a deep breath, and then... boom. Your brain hijacks the ride. Or perhaps this happens before you even get on!

"What if he spooks?" 

"Why can’t I relax like everyone else?" 

"I used to love this—what’s wrong with me?" 

First off: Nothing’s wrong with you. Overthinking is your brain’s way of trying to protect you (thanks, brain… but maybe chill a bit?). 

The good news? You can quiet that noisy voice. No jargon, no judging—just real talk from one rider to another. 

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Why Your Brain Won’t Shut Off (And How to Hit Mute) 

1. Your Brain’s Stuck on ‘Protect Mode’ 

What’s happening: After a fall or scary moment, your brain learns that "this same situation could cause harm, so I must warn you against it....." every time you ride. It's learning all the time, including those bad moments.

What helps: After each ride, jot down one thing that went okay. Even "I didn’t die" counts. Over time, your brain learns: "Huh. Maybe this is safe." 

2. You’re Tension Feeds into Theirs 

Example: "What if he bucks when I ask to canter?" → You tense up → Horse feels it → Now you’re both stressed. 

Try this instead: "5-4-3-2-1" Trick: Name 5 things you see (that oak tree), 4 sounds (birds, your horse chewing), 3 feelings (reins in your hands, sun), 2 smells (leather, hay), 1 taste (your coffee earlier). Boom—you’re back here, not in worst-case-scenario land. 

3. Comparison Is Stealing Your Joy 

Instagram riders make it look easy. But here’s the truth: Everyone feels wobbly sometimes—they’re just not posting those moments. Trust me...... I've worked with some of them and they struggle just like you & me!

Mantra to steal: "I am the best rider for my horse." Say it every time you are on the mounting block. 

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3 Simple Tricks to Ride Positively 

Trick 1: The Pre-Ride Brain Dump 

Grab a scrap of paper. Scribble every fear (*"I’ll look stupid," "He’ll bolt"*). 

Now rip it up. Literally toss those thoughts away. Feels silly, works like magic. 

Trick 2: Listen to Your Inner Best Friend

Instead of: "Don’t screw up!" 

Try: Consider how your best friend would talk to you. "You’ve got this. Just breathe and go slow." 

Pro tip: Record a voice memo saying kind things to yourself. Listen while grooming. 

Trick 3: Hunt for Tiny Wins 

Examples: 

 "I noticed I had a great trot transition" 

 "I stayed calm when he side-eyed that plastic bag." 

Why it works: You’re training your brain to spot the good stuff. We aren't used to praising ourselves so we need to exercise this part of our brain with more effort.

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When to Consider a Little Extra Help 

If you’ve tried all this and still feel stuck, hypnotherapy might be your next step. When we have months or years of negative self talk, it can take time and work to unpick that, and that's where CBT & Hypnotherapy can work wonders.

What it’s like: 

- Super relaxed (think cozy daydream vibes). 

- We’ll work together to gently rewire those "I can’t" thoughts to "I can". 

- No weird stuff—just you, me, and practical tools tailored to your riding. 

I’m an everyday rider first, therapist second. No judgment, no ego—just help that actually works.

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Want to try it out? Check out my free Rider Relaxation 7 day challenge with a sample hypnotherapy audio included, here. We offer horse riding confidence hypnotherapy across the UK