.png)
How to Get the Most from Your Rider Confidence Audio Downloads
- Jun 5
- 5 min read
So you've downloaded your Rider Confidence Audio — brilliant. Taking that step already puts you ahead of most riders who quietly struggle and never ask for support.
But I want to make sure you're getting everything you possibly can from it.
Over the years, I've noticed that the riders who see the biggest shifts aren't necessarily the ones with the most time, the most motivation, or even the most pressing issues. They're the ones who approach the audios in a particular way. And once you know how, the results can be surprisingly fast.
Here's everything I'd tell you if we were sitting down together.
1. Give It Two Weeks Before You Judge It
Hypnotherapy works at the level of the subconscious mind — and that takes a little time to respond. Most riders notice something subtle within the first few listens: a slightly calmer feeling before they tack up, a thought they caught and let go of, a moment in the saddle that felt easier than usual.
But the real, lasting shift tends to happen around the two-week mark, when you've listened consistently and the new neural pathways have had time to form.
So if you've listened once or twice and you're not sure it's working — keep going. Commit to two weeks of daily listening before you decide anything.
2. Create a Ritual Around It
Your brain is a creature of habit. When you listen at the same time in the same place, your mind learns to associate that cue with calm and focus — and over time, it gets there faster.
The best times to listen are:
Before bed — your mind is naturally more receptive in a relaxed state, and the content continues to process overnight
In the car on the way to the yard — perfect for pre-ride nerves; you arrive already feeling grounded
After your morning coffee — a quiet, consistent window that sets the tone for the day
It doesn't need to be long. Most of my audios are between 15 and 25 minutes. A small, consistent habit beats an occasional long session every time.
3. Don't Try Too Hard
This is the one that surprises most people.
You don't need to concentrate hard, remember everything you hear, or feel anything dramatic happen. In fact, trying too hard is often what gets in the way.
Hypnotherapy works best when you simply allow your mind to drift with the audio. If your thoughts wander — that's fine. If you feel like you're half-asleep — even better. Your subconscious is doing the work whether your conscious mind is fully engaged or not.
The only rule: never listen while driving, operating machinery, or during any activity that requires your full attention.
4. Pair It with One Conscious Practice
The audios work powerfully on their own. But if you want to accelerate your progress, try pairing them with one small daily practice that reinforces the same message.
Some options:
A confidence mantra — one sentence you repeat before you get on. Something like: "I ride with calm and focus" or "My horse and I are a team."
A two-minute visualisation — close your eyes and picture one moment of confident, connected riding before you head to the yard
A quick journal note — at the end of each day, write down one thing that went well in your riding or your mindset, no matter how small
These tiny actions signal to your brain that change is happening — and they compound over time.
5. Notice the Small Shifts
One of the most common things I hear from clients is: "I'm not sure it's working" — followed by a list of subtle but significant changes they've noticed and immediately dismissed.
A slightly shorter recovery time after a mistake. Feeling less dread before a lesson. One canter transition that felt smoother than usual. Not spiralling when something went wrong.
These aren't small things. These are the thing.
Confidence doesn't arrive all at once. It builds in quiet, incremental moments that are easy to overlook. Start noticing them. Keep a note on your phone if it helps. Over a few weeks, that list becomes something worth reading.
6. Save and Re-Listen
Your audio isn't a one-and-done resource — it's a tool to come back to.
If you're heading into a busy competition season, start building it back into your routine a few weeks beforehand. If you've had a difficult ride or a setback, return to your audio that evening. If you feel like your progress has plateaued, a fresh two-week run of daily listening often breaks through it.
Think of it the same way you think about physical training: consistency over intensity, maintenance over peaks.
Want to Go Deeper?
The audio downloads are a brilliant starting point — and for many riders, they're all they need.
But if you find there's something more specific you want to work through — a fear that feels stuck, a past incident you can't shake, or a confidence block that seems to go deeper than general nerves — that's exactly the kind of thing 1:1 sessions are designed for.
In personalised CBT hypnotherapy sessions, we work directly with your specific history, thought patterns, and goals. Most riders notice a meaningful shift within 4 to 6 sessions — some within one or two.
I offer a free 15-minute discovery call for anyone considering 1:1 support. No obligation — just a relaxed chat to see if it's the right fit for you.
Explore the Full Audio Collection
If you've been working with one audio and you're curious about building out your toolkit, you can browse the full range of Rider Confidence downloads here:
Each session is designed to complement the others — so whether you want to tackle competition nerves, rebuild confidence after a fall, or simply feel more present and connected in the saddle, there's a session for where you are right now.
Has Your Audio Made a Difference?
If you've been using your downloads and you've noticed a shift — however small — I'd be so grateful if you'd share your experience.
Reviews from real riders make a genuine difference to other people who are quietly struggling and wondering if support like this even exists for them. Your words could be exactly the thing that helps someone take the first step.
Or if you'd prefer to share your experience privately, you're always welcome to hit reply to any of my emails — I read every single one.
Kerry Dawes is a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist specialising in equestrian mindset. She works with riders of all levels and disciplines online across the UK and the globe! To find out more, visit freshfocustherapy.com.
