Confession: It’s Easy for Me to Rationalize the Things Holding Me Back. A few years ago I published a fun little book based on excuses equestrians. I had used many myself but it was fun to source them from others and have a little giggle. If I am being honest, and I always try to be honest, I make a lot of excuses to myself. I am slow as molasses when it comes to horse riding and stepping out of my comfort zone. So slow that even I get annoyed with myself. Case in point, I’ve been really wanting to get Delight off property and on the trails. I know…

Recently I sent out a poll to my Timid Riders Community on Facebook asking them what they were most afraid of. As I do, I take from my own life for examples and listed a number of things that have given me fear or nerves over the years. For example, I listed: Jamie from Horses in the Morning made a really good point- all of these can be tied to the fear of falling off. I just never really focused down or saw that fall off could be the result of the other things like riding a new horse or jumping. Confession: I’m not really afraid of falling. Is that…

Confession: Two rides, two mindsets, two vastly different experiences. I rode two horses when I traveled last in Mongolia. The first experience was disappointing and the second was exhilarating. The difference wasn’t the horse, it was my mindset. Most people think that I am scared or unable to ride when that could not be farther from the case. I love horses and most often find my time with them incredibly relaxing. However, periodically I experience periods of anxiety or even panic attacks. In these moments I may turn the smallest and most innocuous things into a big deal. I can handle a horse in most situations, however, I prefer to…

Obviously I identify as a timid rider. As such, I may have skill but I tend to over think things, expect the unexpected, and prefer a slow but steady approach to anything I do. The term I like to use is CAREFUL. Trail riding is my favorite pastime with horses. Of course, in my opinion it comes with the most risks of unanticipated consequences. Perhaps it’s ironic that a timid rider such as myself prefers such a risky past time. Psychologically I wonder if there are so many variables to consider that it overloads my brain and almost makes me more calm, because I realize I can’t control everything. There…

Confession: my husband and I just bought a dream home in Vermont with 10 acres. You can bet I’m planning to bring my horses. Since I was a little girl I dreamed of waking up to my horses grazing outside my window, their nickers greeting me for the day. It’s always been that, a dream. I bought my first pony when I was 41. A little later in life but totally worth the wait. For years my husband has teased about one day perhaps having a little property in New Jersey. Somewhere close where we could have a few horses and the kid’s can stay in our school district. We’d…

Confession: I like to be behind the camera but that isn’t the reason you won’t see me riding. My blog and social media are from my point of view. There are snippets of how I view the world, myself, and my life with horses. I’ve received feedback from a select few that I hide behind the camera. The truth is, I’m doing the opposite of hiding. It’s easy to fake a smile or make it look like life is perfect. The reality is far messier. Social media is a fickle beast. Many people show their highs or a snippet of their lives of how they want things to be. The…

Rachel Smith is an Equestrian Mindset coach from Rimbey Alberta Canada. She is a rider, trainer, and equine sports therapist with a passion for holistic health for equines and riders on body, mind and soul levels. From the time she was three years old and first met horses, she felt their magic on a soul level. Born with horses in her blood, even though her family was from the city, her grandma introduced her to horses. From a young age she had a way with horses and was exceptionally talented with them. She started taking lessons and learning to train horses and working in the horse industry in many facets.…

Alyssa Mathews is a lifelong equestrian and adventure addict, and in 2017, she set out on an adventure to ride every breed of horse in the world, in her quest: Discover the Horse. ... When finished, it will be the largest equine education project of its kind.

Confession: Depression, burn out, or severe anxiety…call it what you will but I’ve been experiencing it for months and it’s not pretty. I’ve been silently struggling lately. The demands I place on myself and by those around me have been so heavy. I’ve hidden away from friends, stopped writing, barely been to my sanctuary (the barn), and even stepped back from work. The truth is, I think I’m doing okay but then I realize that isn’t really true. All the things I use to cope with my ADHD and my anxiety, I’ve pushed to the side. Everything gets pushed to the side because it’s too overwhelming. It’s been a long…