Rider Mentality

Home
Rider Mentality

“Helping Equestrians Build Confidence & Resilience Through Coaching & Online Courses. Specializing in Neurodiverse Riders.

With 15+ years of experience and a Master’s in Equine Science, I help riders overcome mental barriers and achieve results.

31/12/2025

💜🎆 Happy New Year’s Eve — With Gratitude and Hope

As we reach the final hours of 2025, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of Rider Mentality this year —
whether you joined a course, attended a webinar, booked a session, shared a post, or quietly followed along.
Your support, your curiosity, and your willingness to grow have meant more than you know.

Tonight is a moment to pause.
To honour how far we’ve come.
To notice the lessons, the progress, the softness, the courage —
in ourselves, our horses, and our partnerships.

A new year doesn’t need a new version of you.
It just asks for more of what already matters:
✨ presence
✨ kindness
✨ clarity
✨ connection
✨ and the courage to take the next small step

I’m excited for everything 2026 will bring — the learning, the conversations, the opportunities to support horses and humans in better, gentler ways.

But for now, I’m simply grateful.
For this community.
For this work.
And for the shared belief that change is possible when we lead with understanding.

Wishing you, your families, and your horses a peaceful New Year’s Eve and a hopeful, heart-led start to 2026.
Happy New Year. 💜🐴✨

29/12/2025

💜✨ A Moment of Reflection — and Pride

As the year draws to a close, I’ve found myself looking back at how far Rider Mentality has come… and honestly, it feels a little overwhelming in the best possible way.

What started as a hope — a belief that education, mindset, and welfare could come together to make a real difference — has grown into something I’m truly proud of.

This year brought:
✨ new courses, workshops, and webinars
✨ incredible clients, riders, coaches, and professionals
✨ opportunities I never imagined
✨ moments where I could see confidence grow, understanding deepen, and horses benefit
✨ a community that continues to surprise me with its kindness and curiosity

And woven through all of it was a sense of purpose:
that what we’re building matters — to horses, to humans, to the future of our industry.

I’m proud of the work.
I’m proud of the progress.
But I’m also proud of the courage it took to keep going, keep learning, and keep showing up — even on the days it felt hard.

If Rider Mentality has supported you in any way this year, please know how grateful I am.
Your trust, your messages, your reflections, your growth — they’re at the heart of this whole journey.

And as I look ahead, I feel excited.
There is so much more I want to create, share, and support.
But for now, I’m simply sitting with this feeling:
We’ve come a long way. And it’s something worth celebrating. 💜🐴✨

27/12/2025

💜✨ A Gentle 27th December Reminder — You Don’t Need to Plan Yet

The days after Christmas have a strange kind of quiet.
Not quite the old year, not yet the new one.
Just a soft space in between.

And in that space, it’s easy to feel like you should be planning…
setting goals…
sorting your life out…
getting ready to “start strong” in January.

But here’s the truth:
You don’t have to rush into clarity.
You don’t have to map out the whole of next year today.
You’re allowed to simply be.

Today is for noticing, not pushing.
✨ Noticing what felt good in 2025
✨ Noticing what you’re proud of (big or small)
✨ Noticing how far you and your horse have come
✨ Noticing what you’d quietly like more of
— without turning any of it into pressure

Horses teach us this better than anyone:
Clarity comes from calm.
Connection comes from softness.
Next steps appear when we’re not forcing them.

So let this quiet Saturday do its work.
Rest. Reflect. Breathe.
Your direction for 2026 will come in its own time — and you’ll recognise it when it does. 💜🐴✨

24/12/2025

💜🎄 Merry Christmas Eve — With Gratitude

On Christmas Eve, I always find myself slowing down and noticing just how much there is to be grateful for.

This year, I’m especially grateful for:
✨ the wonderful people and horses I get to work with
✨ the conversations, learning, and small wins we’ve shared
✨ the kindness and community that makes this work feel so meaningful

And of course…
Finley’s absolute excitement about Christmas has filled our home with so much joy. His wonder, his giggles, his pure belief in magic — it’s the loveliest reminder of what this season is really about. ✨

Thank you for being part of Rider Mentality this year.
Whether we’ve worked together in person, online, or you’ve simply followed along, I’m genuinely grateful for you.

Wishing you and your horses a peaceful, cosy, joy-filled Christmas.
May it be full of the small moments that matter most. 💜🐴🎄

22/12/2025

💜🎄 Festive Monday Mindset — What Horses Teach Us This Week

Horses don’t care that it’s the Monday before Christmas…
They don’t feel the rush, the lists, the last-minute everything.

They care about how you show up.

So today, let your horse set the tone for the week:
✨ Slow your breathing, like you would before a calm halt
✨ Let your shoulders soften under your winter coat
✨ Bring the kind of presence that steadies both of you
✨ Swap perfection for connection — it’s the best gift they could get

In a season where everything feels fast,
your horse invites you to go gently.

Start this festive week the way horses start everything:
present, curious, unhurried… and willing to notice the magic in small moments. 💜🐴🎄

20/12/2025

💜 A Finley Moment for the Saturday Before Christmas

The Saturday before Christmas always feels a little full —
lists, plans, wrapping, organising… all the grown-up things.

And then there’s Finley.

Finley, who will stop everything because he’s spotted a robin.
Finley, who makes a game out of putting baubles back on the tree.
Finley, who reminds me — without even trying —
that joy isn’t something we schedule.
It’s something we notice.

Horses are the same.
They don’t ask for a perfect version of us in December.
They ask for presence.
Warm hands. Soft voices. A moment where we actually see them.

So if today feels busy, here’s your gentle reminder:
Pause.
Breathe.
Notice something small and lovely — like Finley would.

Your horse won’t remember whether you were organised.
But they’ll absolutely feel it if you show up with a lighter heart. 💜🐴✨

18/12/2025

❄️💜 How Horses Learn in Winter — And How You Can Make the Most of It

Winter changes everything: the light, the temperature, our energy…
And yes — it changes how horses learn, too.

Shorter sessions, sharper weather, and fewer riding days can feel frustrating,
but winter is actually one of the best times to build the foundations that make spring riding smoother.

Here’s how to use winter to your advantage 👇

🐴✨ 1. Short, simple learning bursts work best

Cold muscles + cold brains = shorter learning windows.
Think 5–10 minutes of clarity rather than long sessions.
Your horse will retain more than you think.

🐴✨ 2. Groundwork becomes a superpower

Winter is perfect for:

leading with lightness

confidence building

body awareness exercises

desensitisation

practising “polite presence”
These tiny habits make your riding feel easier later.

🐴✨ 3. Focus on timing and feel, not volume

You don’t need to do a lot — you just need to do it well.
Good timing in winter equals better responsiveness in spring.

🐴✨ 4. Energy management is learning

If your horse feels fresh, that’s information, not misbehaviour.
Teach them how to settle, think, and come back to you — calmness is a learned skill.

🐴✨ 5. Your mindset sets the tone

Cold, tired, rushed?
They feel it.
Winter is the perfect time to practise being the grounded, steady human they can trust.

Winter doesn’t have to be a step backwards.
It can be a season of subtle progress — the kind that creates confident horses and calmer rides when the days get longer again. 💜🐴

What’s one small thing you’d love to help your horse learn this winter?

16/12/2025

💜 The Bravery of Being Silly — A Finley-Inspired Reflection

Watching Finley be silly is one of my favourite things.
He doesn’t overthink it; he just is — completely free, completely himself.

And it’s made me realise something:
Being silly is a form of bravery adults often forget about.

Because to be silly, we have to drop the mask.
We have to stop performing.
We have to let ourselves be seen — really seen.

And that softness?
That’s the energy our horses understand best.

When I follow Finley’s lead and allow a little silliness into the day, my whole body changes. My mindset shifts. My horse feels it immediately.

So here’s to the brave act of being silly.
To the kids who remind us.
And to the horses who reward it. 💜🐴

14/12/2025

🌼 Sunday Gratitude 🌼

This week has reminded me just how much there is to be grateful for.

Ozzie gave us a real fright with colic — one of those moments where everything feels a bit touch and go, and your heart sits in your throat until you know they’re safe again.
I’m so unbelievably thankful he’s on the mend. 💛🐴

But today, my gratitude stretches even wider…
to the people who helped care for him, checked in, supported us, and quietly held things together when I couldn’t be there in the way I once could.

Being a mum has changed how I show up for my horses.
Not the love — that’s the same.
But the shape of it.

Horse ownership looks different now:
more sharing, more teamwork, more trusting others, more balancing.
And while a part of me sometimes misses the old rhythm, the truth is…
it’s still wonderful.
Just different.

And that’s because of the incredible people around me.
I couldn’t do any of this without them — and I’m so grateful for their care, their kindness, and the way they love Ozzie alongside me.

Here’s to healing, to support systems, and to the horses who remind us what really matters.
Happy Sunday 🤍🌿

12/12/2025

💛 Reflections on Nadia’s Talk: The Hidden Emotional Load on Therapy Horses 💛

Nadia’s session at the conference really got me thinking — especially about the mental challenges horses face when working in therapeutic or RDA environments.

We often talk about the good these horses do for people…
but we talk far less about what those environments ask of them.

Nadia reminded us that a horse’s nervous system is shaped by its surroundings, moment by moment.

✨ The energy of the humans around them
✨ The emotional intensity of sessions
✨ The unpredictability of movements or sounds
✨ The pressures of holding space for others

In therapy or RDA settings, horses are often absorbing more than we realise. They’re supporting humans with anxiety, trauma, dysregulation, or physical challenges — and they do so quietly, generously, without complaint.

And yet…
a dysregulated environment can easily become a dysregulated horse.

Nadia’s talk highlighted how important it is to create spaces where horses can stay grounded, calm, and supported — not just physically, but emotionally too.
Because their ability to regulate depends so much on:

🌿 Consistency
🌿 Predictability
🌿 Clear communication
🌿 Skilled handlers
🌿 Time to decompress
🌿 Thoughtful session design

It was a powerful reminder that therapy horses aren’t just “well-behaved” — they are emotionally working too.

And if we want these horses to keep supporting people safely and sustainably, we must protect their nervous systems with the same care we offer our clients.

Nadia’s insight was eye-opening… and something I’ll be exploring far more in my work going forward. 🐴💛✨

10/12/2025

🌿 Reflections on Tracey’s Talk: Understanding Ourselves, Understanding Each Other 🌿

Tracey’s session at the conference really made me stop and think. She spoke so beautifully about the importance of truly knowing ourselves — and those around us — if we want healthier relationships, better communication, and stronger teams in the equestrian world.

One idea that stood out was how differently we’re all motivated.

✨ Some of us move towards something — a goal, a vision, a positive outcome.
✨ Others move away from something — danger, pressure, discomfort, conflict.

Neither is “better” or “worse.” They’re just different.
But understanding these patterns explains so much:

Why some riders feel energised by targets…
Why others freeze under pressure…
Why some staff thrive with structure…
And why others need reassurance first.

When we take the time to understand what drives us — and what drives the people we work with — everything becomes clearer: our communication, our leadership, our welfare decisions, our partnerships with horses.

Tracey reminded us that deeper self-awareness isn’t just personal growth.
It’s a welfare tool.
It’s a leadership skill.
It’s how we create safer, calmer, more supportive equestrian spaces.

Her talk was powerful, grounding, and such a valuable reminder that change starts with understanding — of ourselves first, and each other next. 💛🐴✨

08/12/2025

🌟 Leadership, Culture & Change — Reflections on Lizzie’s Talk 🌟

I’m still thinking about Lizzie’s leadership session from the conference — it was inspiring, energising, and full of the kind of honesty our industry needs more of. Her passion for creating healthier cultures in the equestrian world came through in every word.

A few key messages really stuck with me:

🔄 Our industry’s leadership style has deep roots.
Lizzie explored how the military influence on traditional horsemanship has shaped a culture of top-down, fear-based instruction. It’s not personal — it’s inherited.
And unless we question it, we pass it on.

(She put it perfectly: your boss shouts at you → you become a boss who shouts too.)

🧠 Skill doesn’t automatically equal leadership.
Some of the most talented riders struggle to explain, guide, or support others — not because they’re unwilling, but because they’ve never been taught how.
There’s a real gap between the knowledge required and our access to that knowledge.

⚖️ Equestrians deserve good working conditions.
Safe, fair, respectful workplaces shouldn’t be rare or “lucky” — they should be the norm. Leadership is a welfare issue, for people and horses.

💛 Authenticity starts with self-leadership.
If you don’t show value in yourself, others won’t see it either. Self-awareness and self-respect are the foundations of leading others well.

🌍 We need to bring ideas in from outside the equine world.
Broader leadership models.
Better communication practices.
Collaborative cultures rather than competitive ones.
Seeing the whole picture instead of operating in tunnel vision.

🤝 A united front is where real change begins.
Less hierarchy.
More humility.
More learning from each other.
More courage to do things differently.

Lizzie’s talk was powerful, challenging, and full of hope — and I’m so glad it sparked as much thought for others as it did for me.

More reflections to come soon… this conversation is only getting started. 🌿🐴✨

Address

Telephone

+447445292680

Website

https://linktr.ee/rider_mentality

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rider Mentality posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Rider Mentality:

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Country:

City:

What I do in a nutshell :-)

Louise (Einchcomb) is an equine coach specialising in developing the correct rider mentality to build confidence and mental resilience using a combination of NLP, Hypnotherapy and Sports Psychology techniques.