5 Mental Skills Every Equestrian Should Master

Jenny Swanson, LICSW
Feb 24
2 min read

Updated: Feb 25

When people think about equestrian sports, they often focus on physical skills—balance, position, and rhythm. But riding is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Your mindset can be the difference between a confident, connected ride and one filled with frustration and self-doubt.

By: Jenny Swanson, EdD, LICSW, LCSW, CMPC

Here are 5 essential mental skills every equestrian athlete should master to perform at their best, both in and out of the saddle.

1. Focus

Staying present in the moment is critical when you’re riding. Distractions like thinking about past mistakes or worrying about what others think can throw off your timing and connection with your horse.

Quick Tip: Practice mindfulness techniques, like focusing on your breathing or the rhythm of your horse’s gait, to bring your attention back to the present moment.

2. Confidence

Confidence isn’t about never feeling nervous—it’s about trusting your abilities even when doubt creeps in. Riders who believe in themselves are more likely to take risks, recover from mistakes, and communicate clearly with their horses.

Quick Tip: Use positive self-talk. Instead of thinking, “I hope I don’t mess up,” try, “I’ve trained for this, and I’m ready.”

3. Emotional Regulation

Riding with emotions like frustration, fear, or anxiety can affect not only your performance but also your horse’s behavior. Learning to manage these emotions helps you stay calm and in control, even under pressure.

Quick Tip: Before a ride, take three slow, deep breaths to center yourself. This simple technique can help reduce tension and refocus your mind.

4. Goal Setting

Clear goals give your training purpose. Instead of vague objectives like “ride better,” set specific, measurable goals such as “improve my transitions by focusing on seat cues during every practice or training ride this week.”

Quick Tip: Break big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate progress, not just perfection.

5. Resilience

Every rider faces setbacks—falls, tough lessons, or disappointing show results. Resilience is your ability to bounce back from these challenges, learn from them, and keep going.

Quick Tip: After a tough ride, write down one thing that went well, one lesson learned, and one thing you’ll do differently next time.

Final Thoughts

Just like physical skills, mental skills can be trained and strengthened over time. The more you practice these techniques, the more natural they’ll feel when you need them most.