75. The Hardest Part of Riding | How to Stay Relaxed on Your Horse

In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, we're talking about something almost every rider experiences but few people know how to work through: fear and tension in the saddle.After an unexpected run-in with a wasp (and a horse standing nearby), I realized just how quickly our brains jump into survival mode—and how similar that feels to what many riders experience before they even get on their horse.We'll explore:Why staying relaxed is the hardest part of ridingThe difference between physical and mental relaxationThe four types of tension that affect riders and horsesWhy "just be confident" and "push through it" often make fear worseSimple exercises to build real balance, body awareness, and confidenceHow breathing, visualization, and nervous system regulation can improve your ridingWhy confidence is built through successful experiences—not by ignoring fearWhether you're nervous about cantering, worried about your horse spooking, struggling with self-doubt, or simply want to become a calmer, more connected rider, this episode will give you practical tools to help both you and your horse stay in a learning mindset instead of a survival mindset.Practice the standing exercise at the halt to improve your balance, body awareness, and confidence. Start with a helper if needed, focus on slow, controlled movement, and notice how learning to recover can change the way you ride.💛 Join The Happy Horse & Rider Lab for more conversations, experiments, and support from riders learning to think differently about their horses.If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with another horse person. It helps these conversations reach more riders who want a calmer, more connected partnership with their horses.This Week's 10-Minute Experiment