Confidence in the Mind, Confidence in the Saddle.

Mind in the Saddle exists to help equestrians understand and strengthen the mental side of riding.

The practice is designed for riders who are struggling with fear, anxiety, loss of confidence, performance pressure, perfectionism, burnout, difficult riding experiences, or the feeling that their mind is getting in the way of their riding.

Whether someone rides English or Western, competes or rides simply because they love it, the focus is on helping the rider—not the horse—work through the mental and emotional obstacles that can affect their riding and their life.

Mental Health & Performance Counseling for Equestrians

Individual Counseling

A space for you—both in and out of the saddle.

Individual counseling provides a private, supportive space to work through the things that may be weighing on you. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, stress, self-doubt, relationships, burnout, life changes, or simply feeling overwhelmed, you don't have to navigate it alone.

At Mind in the Saddle, counseling is tailored to you and your goals. As an equestrian-focused practice, we also understand how your mental health can intersect with your riding, your horse, your barn environment, and your identity as a rider.

Together, we can work toward:

  • Managing anxiety and overwhelming thoughts

  • Building self-confidence and self-esteem

  • Navigating stress, relationships, and life transitions

  • Understanding and regulating difficult emotions

  • Working through burnout and feeling overwhelmed

  • Strengthening coping skills and resilience

  • Exploring how mental health may be affecting your riding and everyday life

You don't have to be struggling in the saddle to belong here. Sometimes, taking care of your mind is the first step toward enjoying your life—and your ride—again.

Individual sessions: 53 minutes
Available via telehealth and barn-based counseling.

Group Workshops

The Mental Side of Riding Matters.

Riding is physical, but so much of the experience happens in your mind. Group workshops provide an opportunity for riders, trainers, and equestrian communities to explore the mental and emotional side of riding in a supportive, engaging environment.

Workshops are designed to be practical, relatable, and specific to the experiences riders face—from show nerves and fear after a fall to perfectionism, confidence, burnout, and getting stuck in your own head.

Workshop topics may include:

  • Why Am I Suddenly Afraid to Ride?

  • Getting Back in the Saddle After a Fall

  • The Mental Game of Showing

  • How to Stop Getting in Your Own Head

  • Building Confidence Without Chasing Perfection

  • Managing Show Nerves & Performance Anxiety

  • Rider Burnout & Finding Balance

  • Confidence Isn’t the Absence of Fear

Workshops can be offered for barns, riding clubs, trainers, teams, and equestrian organizations, with topics and formats tailored to each group.

Interested in bringing Mind in the Saddle to your barn or organization?