Horseshowtherapist

07/15/2025

As a rider with anxiety, I’ve learned a few things that changed the way I manage how I feel!

🐴🧠❤️

06/18/2025

Grief can come in lots of forms. It can be the loss of a horse by death, unexpected retirement, injury, or sale/lease. All can bring up a lot of different feelings and all of them are valid. Take your time. Grief is messy and complicated and it sucks but you can keep going💓

06/04/2025

Screen shot, copy, paste, repeat! Take note!!!📝📝📝

05/22/2025

‼️⚠️Safety!! Your brain is primed for survival and is going to do everything and anything to keep you safe. 🧠Can you stop that switch from flipping into survival mode? No. But you can tell your brain and body that it is safe and keep going. ✅ How?

1️⃣ Breathe. Learning how to calm your body down by actively slowing down your breath.

2️⃣ Positive self-talk. How you speak to yourself matters. Talk kindly and with intentionality.

05/13/2025

Performance anxiety, nerves, fear are all real valid when it comes to riding horses!

A few tips & tricks I’ve learned along the way that have helped me have success in the show ring:

🥇gratitude journal. sounds cheesy but it actually works!

🥇practicing mindfulness & learning how to breathe!!!

🥇positive self-talk. it took A LOT of practice and mantras to change that negative voice in my head to a positive one! you CAN do it! keep going!

🥇visualizing with my whole body what I want to feel when I ride and how I want my ride to go. visualization is a skill, using it can increase your performance and decrease anxiety!

Want more?📬 check out my blog where I post more tips and tricks for all things horses and sport psychology!

🔗jennyswansonlicsw.com (link in bio!)

04/23/2025

Stop getting discouraged when it comes to your riding goals and do better!

NEW on the blog this week….

Progress in equestrian sports isn’t always linear. Some days, everything clicks, and other days, it feels like you’ve taken five steps backward. It’s easy to get frustrated when improvement feels slow—but tracking your progress the right way can help you stay motivated and focused.

Read more here 🔗jennyswansonlicsw.com/blog

04/22/2025

Journaling! I encourage all of my clients to start a sport journal. Doesn’t have to be used everyday - can be done as needed. It’s a great skill to have! Check out these prompts and comment your favs📝🤓

04/17/2025

5 things you can do to help yourself after a tough or bad ride. Whether it was in the show ring or in a lesson, we’ve all been there! No judgement! It’s all about how you process it after, that changes your response in the future.

04/16/2025

NEW on the blog… 🤓

How to Develop Emotional Regulation Skills to Improve PerformanceBy: Dr. Jenny Swanson, EdD, LICSW, LCSW, CMPCThe Importance of Emotional Control in RidingRiding a horse isn’t just a physical challenge; it’s also an emotional one. Whether you’re preparing for a competition, training at home, o...

04/09/2025

Stop spooking yourself!

This week on the blog….🤓📚📝

Every equestrian has faced that heart-stopping moment when their horse spooks, tenses up, or reacts unpredictably. Whether it’s a sudden noise, a flapping banner, or an imaginary monster in the corner of the arena, spooky moments can shake even the most confident riders.

But here’s the good news: Your reaction can make all the difference. Horses are incredibly sensitive to rider emotions, meaning your ability to stay calm can help them relax, too.

So, how do you keep your cool when your horse is nervous? Here’s the secret…

🔗read more in my link in bio!

03/23/2025

As winter circuits begin to wrap up, here are a few reminders for you!

03/20/2025

Stuck in fight or flight mode?⤵️

By: Dr. Jenny Swanson, EdD, LICSW, LCSW, CMPCThe Rider’s Nervous System at WorkEvery equestrian knows that riding isn’t just a physical sport—it’s deeply mental. How you think and feel directly impacts your balance, reaction time, and communication with your horse. But there’s another key ...