Have you lost your riding mojo? Trying to get out to the yard or prepare for a competition feels like you're swimming through thick custard in heavy lead boots?

In this episode of Over the Oxer, host Tracey Cole (Master NLP Trainer and Equestrian Mental Performance Coach) unpacks the hidden psychology behind why we lose our momentum, why standard "willpower" is a trap, and how to stop relying on fickle emotions to get in the saddle.

 You aren't lazy; your unconscious mind is operating an energy-saving defence mechanism.

What you’ll discover in this episode:

The 3 Culprits of Momentum Loss: How life overwhelm, subconscious fear blocks, and broken habits actively sabotage your consistency.

Motivation vs. Drive: Why "feeling-based" and "word-based" motivation inevitably fail you when you're exhausted or stressed.

The Power of Drive: How to cultivate a steady, internal, identity-level engine that gets you out the door effortlessly—no matter the weather or your mood.

NLP Tools for Performance: How to rewrite the neural patterns and fear blocks keeping you stuck.

Stop waiting for motivation to strike. Tune in to find your deep, unstoppable drive and drop the rider guilt for good!

Contact me 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

Watch on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086

Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com

Next NLP Practitioner and NLP Coach Training:

Coming soon - a hybrid online self-paced course + live practice/Q&A  sessions

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/

NLP Trainers Training:

1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook:

https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref

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 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

Watch on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086

Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

NLP Trainers Training:

1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook:

https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref

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.

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 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

Watch on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086

Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

NLP Trainers Training:

1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook:

https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref

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 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

Watch on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086

Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

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/

NLP Trainers Training:

1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook:

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  

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.

LAN64A6MKETX

Websites: equimind.net | theequestrianmind.com

The App: Search for EquiMind on the Apple App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/equimind/id6758806772) or Google Play.

Socials: Find her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/prinz7575/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/kristi.seymour).

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

👉Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

🎓 NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

📕 Confident Rider Mindse

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:

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 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

👉Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

🎓 NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

📕 Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref

Have you ever felt like two different people at once? One part of you desperately wants to do X (gallop, jump or compete), while the other part is screaming for you to do Y (stay safe on the ground)? You aren't "losing your nerve", you’re experiencing an internal conflict. And they're all too common.

In this episode of Over the Oxer, Equestrian NLP expert Tracey Cole dives into the concept of "Parts." Discover why your brain creates parts and why fighting your fear only makes it stronger. Tracey shares a powerful, hands-on NLP exercise to help you integrate these conflicting parts, turning your mental tug-of-war into a unified, confident partnership with your horse.

The "Positive Intent" of 'Negative' Parts: Why it is actually trying to help you (and how to negotiate with it).

The Achiever vs. The Protector: Identifying the two "Parts" that dominate your equestrian mindset.

The Visual Squash Exercise: A step-by-step NLP technique to stop the internal argument and find your focus.

Congruent Riding: How becoming a "unified rider" clarifies your aids and helps your horse feel more secure.

👉 Contact me 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

👉Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

🎓 NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

📕 Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost your "nerve," or that you can't ride like your younger self any more?

In this episode, we tackle the "invisible hurdle"—the self-talk that dictates our physical limits in the saddle. We look into a fascinating 1979 Harvard study where a group of men physically "de-aged" simply by changing their mental environment. If you’ve been telling yourself the "old man programme," it’s time for a software update.

Learn how to communicate with your cells, reclaim your bravery, and prove that your best riding years aren't behind you—they’re right now.

👉 Contact me 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

👉Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

🎓 NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

📕 Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref

Episode 187 of Over The Oxer sees Tracey Cole in conversation with equine behaviour expert Nadia Hernandez, exploring the powerful link between horse behaviour and rider mindset. Blending human psychology with equine science, Nadia explains why horses mirror our emotions, how prey animal instincts drive reactions like spooking and bolting, and what riders often misunderstand about their horse’s behaviour. Packed with practical insight, this episode shares simple but effective tools to improve confidence, regulate your nervous system and create a calmer, safer partnership with your horse through breathing, present moment awareness and gratitude. You’ll also learn how to rebuild trust after setbacks, manage fear and “what if” thinking, and develop a stronger, more balanced horse and rider partnership. Perfect for anyone interested in equestrian mindset, horse behaviour, confidence in the saddle and improving performance through better connection.

Connect with Nadia:

Contact me 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

Watch on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@traceycolenlp2086

Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

Next NLP Master Practitioner Training:

NLP Only. Starts 15th April. Every Wednesday 1:30-5pm. Recordings made available. NLP Practitioner or Coach as pre-requisite. 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/

Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook:

https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref

Buy me a cup of 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  

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

👉Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

🎓 NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

📕 Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref

This week on Over The Oxer, I’m joined by the wonderful Alex Fleming, someone I’ve known and admired for several years now. Alex helps horse riders train their brains for confidence, trust and enjoyment in the saddle, and in this conversation we go deep into the real psychology behind confidence, mindset and performance with horses.

Alex shares her journey into the horse world, from starting at a riding school with no horsey background, to working in racing, becoming an instructor and eventually moving into psychology, NLP and hypnotherapy after experiencing a profound loss that shook her own confidence and identity as a rider.

This is a powerful and honest conversation about confidence, nervous systems, kindness towards ourselves, and why mindset work is not a luxury in riding – it’s essential.

👉 Contact Alex

 www.coaching4confidence.co.uk  https://www.facebook.com/alex.fleming.9803/  https://www.instagram.com/coaching_for_confidence 

👉Join Alex's Free 5-Day Challenge (starts 13th April 2026) -

https://coaching4confidence.co.uk/challenge/

👉Get Alex's Free Nervous System Reset 

https://coaching4confidence.co.uk/nervous-system-reset/

👉 Contact me 

[email protected]

www.traceycolenlp.com

👉Let's be social!

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

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/

🎓 NLP Trainers Training: 1:1 Start any time. Pre-requisite: Master NLP Practitioner https://traceycolenlp.com/nlp-trainers-training-curious-to-know-more/

📕 Confident Rider Mindset Book/ Audiobook: https://tinyurl.com/ypjunref