Confident Rider

Become a confident rider and learn to live your best Western horse life.

Is your horse resisting you, or defying you? Learn how to tell the difference, and what to do for each to become a more confident, effective rider.

Use an expert’s formula to create the emotional state that will make you a more confident, effective rider.

Learn how to connect your horse’s hind feet to your hands to become a more confident, effective rider.

Are you embarrassed by your fear in the saddle? Don’t be! Here’s how to turn that fear into a plan to build riding confidence that endures and grows.

Master precise transitions and you’ll become a more confident, effective rider.

Here’s how to practice and strategize your weakest areas before you walk through that horse-show in-gate.

Create a supportive vibe that feels good and makes you smile, and you’ll become a more confident, effective rider.

This simple, repetitive exercise improves your horse’s guidability and makes you a more confident, effective rider.

Learn eight ways to be more confident on your trail ride.

Don’t agonize over the details of cueing. Instead, use your mind to develop three core qualities of a confident, effective rider.

A pre-show ritual can do more than just cure your horse-show jitters; this one enables you to be focused, energized, and eager to perform.

Some things build your horseback-riding confidence; others make you feel less confident in the saddle. Take our Trivia Challenge to test your knowledge of which is which.

Learn to ride with impulsion and confidence as you encourage your horse to drive from behind at the lope.

This ‘passenger exercise’ trains your horse to maintain a relaxed lope as you learn how to trust him and ‘let go’ and be a confident rider.

This exercise challenges and promotes your in-saddle balance so you can begin to develop a truly independent seat.

This creative exercise is easy, fun, and guaranteed to get you focused on your riding—instead of your nerves.

When you’re buying a horse, don’t neglect this one key pre-purchase check that will tell you if you’ll be able to ride him with confidence.

If you get breathless and jittery at the lope, try this to substitute enjoyment for anxiety.

Practice the one-rein stop this way to maximize its effectiveness—and your safety.

Master this exercise, and your confidence in the saddle will reach a new level.

Get a handle on your riding related fears, with this 10-step self-help program from a sports psychologist.