Do you work specifically with riders?
Yes. Alongside my clinical practice, I have an equestrian background and understand the psychological challenges riders face when confidence is affected.
Loss of confidence can occur after a fall, a difficult experience, injury, or simply a gradual build-up of tension. Sessions focus on helping you feel calm, balanced, and confident in the saddle again.
Is this similar to sports psychology?
There is some overlap. The work combines elements of performance psychology with clinical hypnotherapy.
The focus is on helping riders manage fear responses, improve focus, rebuild confidence, and restore trust in their riding so that their skills can come through naturally.
What kinds of riding confidence issues do you help with?
Riders seek support for a range of concerns, including:
• Loss of confidence after a fall
• Anxiety when riding or hacking out
• Fear around cantering, jumping, or riding forward
• Competition nerves
• Feeling tense or defensive in the saddle
• Loss of trust following a difficult experience with a horse
These issues are extremely common and affect riders at all levels.
How does hypnotherapy help rider confidence?
When confidence is affected, the mind can develop a protective response that triggers tension or fear. Hypnotherapy works with these underlying patterns, helping the mind and nervous system respond more calmly. This allows riders to regain composure, focus, and confidence.
Will I still be in control during hypnosis?
Yes. Hypnosis is simply a state of focused attention and relaxation. You remain aware and in control throughout. Many riders find it a calm and natural experience.
What is the aim of this work?
The aim is to help you return to riding with calm confidence and enjoyment. When the rider feels steadier and more relaxed, the horse often responds positively as well, allowing the partnership to feel balanced again.
Do you understand horses and riding?
Yes. I have an equestrian background and understand the realities of riding and working with horses. Confidence issues in riding are rarely just about technique. They often arise after a fall, a difficult experience with a horse, loss of trust, or simply the gradual build-up of tension over time. Because I understand both the psychology of fear and the practical realities of riding, sessions are grounded in the real experiences riders face. The aim is to help you feel calm, balanced, and quietly confident again so that you and your horse can work together comfortably.
Can this help after a fall?
Yes. Loss of confidence after a fall is one of the most common reasons riders seek support. Even when the body has recovered, the mind can remain alert and protective. Riders often describe feeling tense when mounting, hesitant to ride forward, or suddenly anxious in situations that previously felt comfortable. The aim of this work is to help the mind process the experience and restore a sense of calm control so that you can return to riding with greater confidence and ease.
Can this help if my horse is difficult or unpredictable?
Yes. Many riders experience anxiety when riding horses that are sharp, sensitive, or have developed challenging behaviours. While the horse may still need appropriate training or management, improving the rider’s confidence and emotional steadiness often has a significant effect on the partnership. Horses are highly responsive to tension and emotion. When the rider feels calmer and more confident, the horse often becomes more relaxed and cooperative as well.
Do you work with both leisure riders and competitors?
Yes. Confidence difficulties affect riders at every level, from those returning to riding after time away to experienced competitors. Some riders want to feel comfortable hacking out again, while others are preparing for competitions or aiming to regain their previous level of performance. Sessions are tailored to your individual goals and the type of riding you do.
Can this help with competition nerves?
Yes. Competition environments can create additional pressure that affects focus, timing, and confidence. Work in this area focuses on helping riders remain calm, focused, and mentally composed so that their training and experience can come through naturally in competition situations. The aim is to ride with quiet confidence rather than tension or overthinking.
Is it normal to lose confidence as a rider?
Yes. Loss of confidence is extremely common in riding and can happen to riders at any level. Even experienced riders can find their confidence affected after a fall, a difficult experience, or simply a period where tension and hesitation begin to build. Because riding involves working with a large, sensitive animal, the mind naturally becomes protective when it senses risk. This response is not a sign of weakness; it is simply the brain trying to keep you safe. With the right support, riders can rebuild trust in themselves, regain composure in the saddle, and return to enjoying their riding again.
How many sessions do riders usually need?
This varies depending on the situation and how long the confidence issue has been present.
Many riders notice meaningful changes within two to four sessions. For others, a few additional sessions may be helpful in consolidating confidence and performance.
Sessions are always tailored to your needs, and progress is reviewed as you go.
