Did your horse really spook, buck or bolt “out of nowhere”—or did both of your nervous systems miss the quieter signals leading up to it?
In this episode of The Thinking Horse and Rider, Anna explores how stress, information overload and a high baseline level of anxiety can limit a rider’s ability to feel what is happening in their own body and recognize subtle changes in their horse. You’ll learn why regulation does not mean being sleepy or emotionless, why a calm-looking horse may still be dysregulated, and how nervous-system state affects learning, confidence, safety and responsiveness.
Anna also challenges common ideas about getting a horse “forward.” Forward is not miles per hour—it is availability. A responsive horse can go, slow down, rebalance and remain mentally present without the rider constantly nagging or applying conflicting aids.
This week’s Ten-Minute Tuesday experiment will help you notice the first signs of tension, pause before either of you enters survival mode and practice returning to relaxation before trying again.
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Find me on social media as @equusenlightened.
You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube under Come Ride with Me Riding Videos. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/@equusenlightened
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Find out more about Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart
https://equusenlightened.com/reconnect-rebuild-horse-human-partnership
Email me at Anna@equusenlightened.com
Happy Riding!
