Rider Confidence: 2 Unconscious Glitches (And How to Fix Them)

Rider Confidence: 2 Unconscious Glitches (And How to Fix Them)

Ever wondered why telling yourself “don’t tense up” or “don’t look at that corner” actually makes your horse spook? In this episode of Over the Oxer, we strip away the cheesy, vague advice and dive into the practical neuroscience and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) behind equestrian mindset and rider confidence. Discover the two specific ways your unconscious mind actively works against your riding goals without your permission—including the "Negation Trap" and how your brain's internal search engine filters out success.   Learn how your horse reads the micro-tonal muscle changes caused by these thoughts, and walk away with one highly actionable, zero-fluff strategy to instantly hijack your focus, drop your tension, and build a reliable feedback loop of calm, assertive horsemanship. Perfect for amateur and professional riders alike who want real, usable sports psychology for the saddle. Keywords: equestrian confidence, rider anxiety, horse riding mindset, sports psychology for equestrians, NLP for riders, over the oxer podcast, stopping horse spooking, equestrian performance coach, horse training psychology. Contact me  Info@traceycolenlp.com [Info@traceycolenlp.com] www.traceycolenlp.com [http://www.traceycolenlp.com/]   Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086 [https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086]   Let's be social! www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com] www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com]       Next NLP Master Practitioner Training:   NLP Only. Starts 17th June. Every Wednesday 1:30-5pm. Recordings made available. NLP Practitioner or Coach as pre-requisite. https://traceycolenlp.com/product/nlp-master-practitioner-coach/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/product/nlp-master-practitioner-coach/]   NLP Trainers Training:   1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/]   Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook:   https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref [https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref]

Decoding TBT – Why Alignment is More Than Just Bone Deep

In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of Tucker Biokinetic Technique (TBT). Have you ever felt like your horse’s performance was "just a little bit off"—like an old analogue radio with a bit of static? Join me as I explore how to fine-tune your horse’s health from a "usable" signal to a "crystal-clear" digital frequency. Drawing on a professional background in biochemistry, I bridge the gap between peer-reviewed science and the intangible, staggering results of energy work. We're moving beyond simple skeletal alignment to discuss the energetic motility of organs, fascia, nerves and blood vessels. In this episode, we discuss: * The "Achilles" Effect: How primary causes (like chemical burdens from wormers, vaccines, or fertilisers) create a ripple effect of compensations that lead to lameness or tension. * The Liver-Ligament Connection: Why a stressed detox organ might be the hidden reason your horse isn’t repairing soft tissue. * What Happens in a TBT Session: From "listening" to bioenergy frequencies to the subtle physical shifts you can expect to see in your horse. * The Confidence to Ride Forward: How knowing your horse is truly in alignment—not just "managed"—transforms your confidence in the saddle. Whether you are in the UK, the US, or listening from Singapore and Vietnam, this episode is a must-listen for any equestrian looking for the "primary cause" behind their horse's physical struggles. Key Keywords: Tucker Biokinetic Technique, TBT, Equine Bioenergy, Horse Alignment, Equine Biochemistry, Fascia Release, Horse Health, Holistic Equestrian, Equine Detox, Performance Horse Rehab. Enjoyed the show? Please leave a review and subscribe! If you have questions about TBT or want to share your horse's journey, drop us a message—I’d love to hear from you.   Contact me  Info@traceycolenlp.com [Info@traceycolenlp.com] www.traceycolenlp.com [http://www.traceycolenlp.com/]   Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086 [https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086]   Let's be social! www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com] www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com]   Next NLP Master Practitioner Training:   NLP Only. Starts 17th June. Every Wednesday 1:30-5pm. Recordings made available. NLP Practitioner or Coach as pre-requisite. https://traceycolenlp.com/product/nlp-master-practitioner-coach/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/product/nlp-master-practitioner-coach/]   NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/]   Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref [https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref]

The 6-Minute Reset: Why Reading is the Ultimate Equestrian Mindset Hack

How do you prepare your mind before you swing into the saddle? In this episode of Over the Oxer, host Tracey Cole looks into the fascinating neuroscience of relaxation. We explore a landmark study from the University of Sussex which reveals that just six minutes of reading can slash stress levels by a staggering 68%. Whether you're a competitive rider or a happy hacker, discover why "escapism" is actually a high-performance tool for better horse-and-rider communication.   What You’ll Learn: * The Sussex Study: Why reading outperforms music, walking, and even tea for stress reduction. * Physiological Syncing: How lowering your heart rate through reading prevents your horse from picking up on your "barn brain" tension. * The Boot Room Protocol: A practical 6-minute habit to transform your ride before you even tack up. Resources Mentioned: * The Study: Lewis, D. (2009). Galaxy Stress Research. Mindlab International, University of Sussex.   Contact me  Info@traceycolenlp.com [Info@traceycolenlp.com] www.traceycolenlp.com [http://www.traceycolenlp.com/]   Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086 [https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086]   Let's be social! www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com] www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com]     Next NLP Practitioner and NLP Coach Training: Starts 18th May. Every Monday 1:30-5pm UK time. No prior learning needed. Recordings made available. NLP only for Practitioner and 5 certifications for the NLP Coach (all internationally recognised, accredited and certified by professsional boards) https://traceycolenlp.com/product/empowered-equestrian-coach/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/product/empowered-equestrian-coach/]   Next NLP Master Practitioner Training: NLP Only. Starts June 2026. Every Wednesday 1:30-5pm. Recordings made available. NLP Practitioner or Coach as pre-requisite. https://traceycolenlp.com/product/nlp-master-practitioner-coach/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/product/nlp-master-practitioner-coach/]   NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/]   Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref [https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref]   Buy me a cup of coffee (tea!) Some kind people have suggested that my podcast is helping them with their riding and asked how they can help to defray the costs of making the podcast, (mostly editing software etc.). Many, many thanks, you can buy me a cup of tea here: www.buymeacoffee.com/?via=Ny2j49lgXB [http://www.buymeacoffee.com/?via=Ny2j49lgXB]

Chatting with Therapist Kristi Seymour: The Mindset Tool in Your Pocket

This week on Over the Oxer, I’m joined by the brilliant Kristi Seymour. Kristi is a licensed clinical therapist with over 20 years’ experience, a lifelong equestrian (five decades in the saddle and counting!) and the founder of EquiMind. Kristi joined me from Alaska at a rather eye-watering 5:00 AM to dig into the science of why our performance often "breaks" under pressure. As a Master Trainer of NLP, I found it fascinating to look at the "in-the-moment" physiology of riding. We discuss what to do in that moment when the adrenaline hits and how we can use our own nervous system to send clearer, calmer signals to our horses.   Kristi Seymour is a clinical therapist, author, and equestrian performance coach. She created EquiMind to give riders practical, "in-the-pocket" tools to manage anxiety and find their flow. Whether you’re a hack-out enthusiast or a professional with a string of five horses, Kristi’s approach is about making the time we spend in the saddle more joyful and effective. Enjoyed this? Please do subscribe and leave a review on Listen Notes or your chosen podcast platform—it really helps other riders find the show. Free (Limited Number) Access to EquiMind LAN64A6MKETX Connect with Kristi: * Websites: equimind.net [https://equimind.net/] | theequestrianmind.com [https://theequestrianmind.com/] * The App: Search for EquiMind on the Apple App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/equimind/id6758806772 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/equimind/id6758806772]) or Google Play. * Socials: Find her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/prinz7575/ [https://www.instagram.com/prinz7575/]) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/kristi.seymour [https://www.facebook.com/kristi.seymour]). Connect with Tracey:  Info@traceycolenlp.com [Info@traceycolenlp.com] www.traceycolenlp.com [http://www.traceycolenlp.com/]   👉Let's be social! www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com] www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com]   🧠Next NLP Practitioner and NLP Coach Training: Starts 18thMay. Every Monday 1:30-5pm UK time. No prior learning needed. Recordings made available. NLP only for Practitioner and 5 certifications for the NLP Coach (all internationally recognised, accredited and certified by professsional boards) https://traceycolenlp.com/product/empowered-equestrian-coach/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/product/empowered-equestrian-coach/]   🎓 NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/]   📕 Confident Rider Mindse

When When Quiet Isn’t Calm: Understanding Hidden Emotions in You and Your Horse

There are certain phrases that stay with us, aren’t there? The ones we heard as children, sometimes said in jest, sometimes in frustration, that quietly shape how we deal with our emotions long after the moment has passed. In this episode of Over the Oxer, I share a couple that stayed with me growing up, including one involving the M6 motorway 🙈, and how those seemingly throwaway comments can teach us to either brush things off or keep everything bottled up. Not everyone processes emotion in the same way. Some of us let things pass straight through. Others learn, often without realising, to hold it all in, to stay quiet, to stay “good”, to not make a fuss. Over time, that can build into something much bigger beneath the surface. If you have ever wondered why a calm, steady horse suddenly starts to spook, nap or react in ways you did not expect, we explore that too. What if that shift is not something going wrong, but something finally going right? What if it is a sign of trust? This episode gently connects the dots between our own emotional habits and what we see in our horses, especially those “quiet” types who may simply not have felt safe enough to express themselves before. Inside this episode: * How early messages can shape emotional patterns * Why bottling things up does not make them disappear * The parallels between human and horse behaviour * Simple, kind ways to release and process emotions * How Timeline Therapy® can help untangle emotions stored over time If you have ever felt like you should not feel something, or found yourself holding it all together on the outside, this conversation will resonate. If you enjoy Over the Oxer, I would be so grateful if you could follow, rate and leave a short review on Listen Notes or your favourite podcast platform. It really helps other riders find the show and means I can keep creating episodes to support you. Take a moment for yourself, have a listen, and remember you do not have to hold it all in. 💛   👉 Contact me  Info@traceycolenlp.com [Info@traceycolenlp.com] www.traceycolenlp.com [http://www.traceycolenlp.com/]   👉Let's be social! www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com] www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com [http://www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com]   🧠Next NLP Practitioner and NLP Coach Training: Starts 18thMay. Every Monday 1:30-5pm UK time. No prior learning needed. Recordings made available. NLP only for Practitioner and 5 certifications for the NLP Coach (all internationally recognised, accredited and certified by professsional boards) https://traceycolenlp.com/product/empowered-equestrian-coach/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/product/empowered-equestrian-coach/]   🎓 NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/ [https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/]   📕 Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref