It doesn’t always take a dramatic fall to shake your confidence. Sometimes it’s the little things — a coach’s harsh words, a spook you didn’t expect, or stress from outside the barn that follows you into the arena. Over time, those moments pile up until one day, you notice you’d rather lunge your horse than ride, or you feel comfortable only in the arena but not out on the trails. What once felt natural now feels heavy, or even frightening.
And your horse feels it, too. Riders and horses sync more than just movement — research shows that when your heart races or your muscles tighten, your horse’s stress levels can rise in response (Christensen et al., 2021; Kang et al., 2016). Inconsistent cues or tension from the rider can create more tension in the horse, feeding a subtle but powerful loop.
Jamie has been there — facing an unexpected wave of fear that nearly kept her out of the saddle. Learning how trauma, anxiety, and the nervous system interact made all the difference. Now she blends that knowledge with compassionate, evidence-based care to help riders find their way back to calm, confidence, and connection.
Why Fear in Riding Feels So Stubborn
One of the challenges in equestrian trauma is that fear isn’t always irrational. Horses really do spook. Accidents can happen. Unlike fears of spiders or public speaking, the “what if” thoughts in riding sometimes have a basis in reality. That’s why cognitive distortions — the mental patterns that drive anxiety — are harder to untangle in the barn.
The work isn’t about convincing yourself you’re perfectly safe. It’s about creating a plan for minimizing risks, building trust with your horse, and calming your nervous system so you’re not riding from a place of fear. And sometimes, recovery also means adjusting to new limitations or changes in ability after injury or trauma — finding new ways to connect with horses that feel safe, meaningful, and supportive of your wellbeing.
Since equestrian trauma and riding-related fear are layered experiences, true progress happens step by step. That’s why we use a Victory Ladder as part of the care planning process — breaking treatment goals down into safe, manageable steps so confidence can rebuild one rung at a time. Every rider’s journey looks different, which is why services are tailored to support a wide range of needs.
Who Jamie Works With
Rider challenges don’t discriminate by discipline or level. Jamie supports:
- Recreational riders looking to regain joy and ease in the saddle.
- English and Western riders across disciplines.
- Competitive riders rebuilding after falls, injuries, or preparing for high-pressure events.
Whether your goal is hacking out with friends, returning to the show ring, or simply feeling relaxed at the barn again, Jamie offers customized care that meets you where you are at.
What Support Looks Like
Finding your way back to confidence isn’t about one quick fix. It’s about combining the right tools, strategies, and support in a way that fits your unique journey. In this work, we focus on both the inner work of calming the mind and body, and the practical steps that make riding feel safe again.
Therapeutic Approaches Used
Jamie offers counselling and psychotherapy services with approaches like:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): To notice and shift unhelpful patterns while respecting real risks.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): To release the “stuck” fears that replay after falls, tense rides or cumulative stress.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): To help you stay grounded in the moment with your horse.
- Nervous-system calming strategies (polyvagal-informed): To help regulate your body so your horse feels your calm too. This shared process is called co-regulation.
Practical Strategies for Safer Rides
Safety planning involves working together on practical steps: tack checks, riding in supportive environments, having a trusted coach for skill development, and using grounding strategies in the moment. This isn’t about pretending risks don’t exist — it’s about feeling prepared, steady, and confident to handle them.
When Nerves Show Up in Competition
Fear doesn’t just appear after trauma — it can also surface in the show ring or during clinics. Competitors often face pressure that leaves them shaky and disconnected. Jamie integrates performance-focused anxiety management so you can steady your nerves, ride with clarity, and reconnect with the joy of competition.
Partnering with Your Coach
This isn’t a riding lesson — but when you’re open to it, Jamie collaborates with your coach. That way, your emotional regulation and confidence-building align with your riding instruction, creating consistent support on and off the horse.
Why Regaining Your Nerve Means Balancing Your Nervous System
Many riders talk about “getting their nerve back.” In reality, this isn’t about willpower or forcing yourself to “just ride through it.” It’s about retraining your nervous system to feel safe again. When your body settles, your thoughts become clearer, your cues steadier, and your partnership with your horse begins to flow again.
Building Confidence Step by Step
Progress in the saddle isn’t about forcing yourself to ‘push through’ — it’s about breaking goals down into safe, intentional steps that align with the rider’s skills and abilities. The “Victory Ladder” approach means each rung is a small, achievable success that builds confidence. Each step is repeated until both you and your horse feel steady. This gradual exposure retrains your nervous system to associate riding with safety and connection, not fear.
“Trauma and fear are not weaknesses — they are nervous system responses. With the right support, you can retrain your body to feel safe in the saddle again.”
FAQs
Is counselling for equestrian fear covered by insurance?
Yes. Most health benefits cover this under psychotherapy or counselling. Check that your plan covers services provided by a Registered Master’s level Social Worker.
What if my fear isn’t from a major accident?
That’s often the case — and it’s just as valid. Small, repeated stresses or outside pressures can erode confidence over time. Your fear is real, and so is the help.
Do I need to be riding right now to benefit?
No. Many riders begin while avoiding the barn. Support meets you exactly where you are.
Will this involve riding?
Only if it supports the goals outlined in your treatment plan. Counselling and psychotherapy are not riding lessons. That’s why coach involvement is encouraged — so your riding skills and emotional regulation can progress side by side.
We also offer trauma-informed horsemanship, based on the Equine Canada Learn to Ride program. This service is separate from counselling and psychotherapy, and it isn’t covered by health benefits. For clients already engaged in counselling, there are important professional guidelines about dual relationships and conflict of interest. If you’re interested in both services, we’ll review these boundaries together to make sure everything is clear, safe, and in line with professional standards.
Can you collaborate with my coach?
Yes — teamwork is encouraged if you’re open to it. Emotional stability and riding confidence go hand in hand.
Final Thought
Fear — big or small — doesn’t have to take the joy out of riding. With the right support, you can calm your body, reshape your thoughts, and take intentional steps back to confidence. Whether you’re a recreational rider, an English or Western rider, or a competitor recovering from injury or pressure — there’s a path forward.
You don’t have to face this journey alone. Book a free 15-minute discovery call to learn how trauma-informed equestrian counselling can help you find steadiness, restore joy, and get back in the saddle.
About the Author
Jamie McIntyre is a Masters-level Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist, and a proud member of the Manitoba Métis Federation (Red River Métis). Based near Wardsville, Ontario, she brings both lived and professional experience as a clinician, farmer, coach, frontline worker, and educator. Jamie is trained in Polyvagal-Informed Approaches, CBT, EMDR, ACT, and Narrative Therapy, and also integrates holistic and land-based methods into her work. A lifelong horse lover, she is dually certified through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) and is an Equine Canada Licensed Coach. She supports clients aged 12 and up, with a focus on anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, burnout, and life transitions.