What if the behaviour we see in our horses is only the surface of what they are feeling?

In this episode, I’m joined by horse trainer Connie Colfox, who has spent around 40 years working with young horses and horses who have become anxious, reactive or shut down.

Connie shares how her own experiences with horses led her to question traditional training methods and develop a very different approach, one centred around understanding emotion, creating a safe-to-learn environment and giving horses genuine choice.

We talk about why emotion drives behaviour, how Connie works with horses without equipment in the early stages of training and the subtle signs that can tell us whether a horse is beginning to feel safe and curious.

We also discuss positive reinforcement, why food rewards need to be used thoughtfully, the importance of introducing equipment carefully and why bridleless riding does not necessarily mean an absence of pressure.

Connie shares some fascinating examples from her work, including horses who could not be touched, loaded, turned out or ridden, and explains why there is no universal timescale for changing a behaviour.

We also talk about the people behind the horses, why owners often need to learn a new way of looking at their horse and Connie’s Eohippus course, which brings together recorded lessons, live case studies and ongoing support.

A fascinating conversation about horses, training, emotions and what can happen when we stop focusing solely on the behaviour and start asking a different question:

How can we help this horse feel OK?

Contact Connie

https://conniecolfox.com/

https://www.instagram.com/?hl=en. https://www.youtube.com/@myyounghorses. https://www.facebook.com/?locale=en_GB

👉Contact me

Info@traceycolenlp.com

www.traceycolenlp.com

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com

🤗 Equestrian Mindset Bootcamp – Time to Stop the Fear, Guilt and Frustration! A 5-day fully supported course with me online, on Zoom. You have my full inbox contact throughout the week, plus 30-45 minute Camp Calls each evening (UK time, with recordings available). Plus an exclusive and highly PRACTICAL handout designed and carefully thought out by me! 12-16th October https://traceycolenlp.com/group-mindset-bootcamp-for-riders/

🎉NEW 🎉ONLINE SELF-PACED NLP PRACTITIONER /COACH WITH ZOOM PRACTICE DAYS Join me for the start of this fabulous hybrid of self-paced training + live practice on Zoom. Use the code PODCAST at checkout to receive a whopping 50% discount before the end of September 2026. Registration open now. Pres-study from 1st August and course starts 9th Novemeber. Join now – thousands of equestrians are just waiting to be helped! https://traceycolenlp.com/online-nlp-practitioner-training/

🎓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

Do busy yards leave you completely exhausted?

Not because you don't like people. Not because you're stand-offish. And not because you don't love being around horses.

Sometimes, there is simply too much information coming in at once.

Conversations, voices, body language, horses, children, cars, movement, noise, smells, unexpected things happening — and your brain is processing all of it.

In this episode, we explore what it's like for people who are particularly sensitive to sensory and social information, and why a busy yard can sometimes feel more like a circus than a sanctuary.

We talk about:

🐴 Why some riders need more quiet and processing time than others 🐴 Why being overwhelmed doesn't mean you're antisocial 🐴 The exhaustion that can come from constantly taking in sensory and social information 🐴 Why some people notice incredibly subtle changes in their horses 🐴 How sensitivity can become a genuine strength in horse-human communication 🐴 Why horses may respond particularly well to calm, observant communicators 🐴 Practical ways to make a busy yard more manageable

And perhaps most importantly, we explore the idea that the thing you sometimes see as a weakness may actually be one of your greatest strengths with horses.

Because horses don't always communicate loudly.

Sometimes they whisper.

And perhaps the people who are good at hearing whispers have something incredibly valuable to offer them.

If you'd like to work on the mental side of your riding, my 5-Day Group Mindset Bootcamp for Riders starts 12th October.

Five short, practical sessions, live on Zoom at 7pm UK time, with recordings available — so you can join from anywhere in the world.

There is also WhatsApp support and accountability throughout the week.

Find out more and book your place here:

https://traceycolenlp.com/group-mindset-bootcamp-for-riders/

👉Contact me

Info@traceycolenlp.com

www.traceycolenlp.com

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com

🎉NEW 🎉ONLINE SELF-PACED NLP PRACTITIONER /COACH WITH ZOOM PRACTICE DAYS Join me for the start of this fabulous hybrid of self-paced training + live practice on Zoom. Use the code PODCAST at checkout to receive a whopping 50% discount before the end of September 2026. Registration open now. Pres-study from 1st August and course starts 9th Novemeber. Join now – thousands of equestrians are just waiting to be helped! https://traceycolenlp.com/online-nlp-practitioner-training/

🎓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

#horseandrider #equestrian #equestrianlife #riderconfidence #ridermentality #equineconfidence #horsetraining #horsehumanrelationship #horsemanship #equinebehaviour #horselover #riderwellbeing #mindsetforriders #equestrianmindset #horsepodcast

What if some of the stories shaping your choices, relationships, confidence and sense of what’s possible aren’t actually your stories?

In this episode of Over the Oxer, we explore the unconscious myths we can carry around with us - beliefs and assumptions that can feel like facts simply because we’ve lived with them for so long.

The fascinating part? You may not even know they’re there.

This episode invites you to pause and question what sits underneath the surface level thinking:

What have you accepted as “just the way things are”? Whose voice is behind that belief? And what might change if you stopped treating an old story as truth?

You might recognise a myth you didn’t realise you were carrying.

Listen now — and then ask yourself: what belief have I never thought to question?

👉Contact me

Info@traceycolenlp.com

www.traceycolenlp.com

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com

🎉NEW 🎉ONLINE SELF-PACED NLP PRACTITIONER /COACH WITH ZOOM PRACTICE DAYS Join me for the start of this fabulous hybrid of self-paced training + live practice on Zoom. Registration open until 11th Jan 2027 -early birds get free access to an exclusive pre-study. Join now – thousands of equestrians are just waiting to be helped! https://traceycolenlp.com/online-nlp-practitioner-training/

🎓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

Overthinking is an exhausting habit. That constant internal chatter and negative running commentary do more than drain your mental energy; they spill directly into your physical riding, causing tension, doubt, and defensive riding in the saddle.

Your unconscious mind is always listening. Because it takes everything literally without a critical filter, feeding it panic-ridden words creates a vicious cycle of anxiety and nervous behavior. The good news is that overthinking is simply a habit, and you already hold the handbrake to stop it.

In this episode, Dr Tracey Cole breaks down why left-brain, logical riders (auditory digital types) are particularly prone to constant internal dialogue and why thoughts are merely stories with no more power than a thin cloud on a summer day. You will learn a simple, practical sensory technique to stretch out your internal speech, strip negative thoughts of their emotional charge, and regain instant control over your mind before you ride.

Resources & Training:

Ready to master the mind and gain an accredited qualification in NLP, Time Line Therapy®, and Hypnotherapy? Explore courses and(free) resources at www.traceycolenlp.com or email me at info@traceycolenlp.com and I'll point you in the right direction.

Confident Rider Mindset Book & Audiobook

Available on all Amazon sites (this is the UK site:)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Confident-Rider-Mindset-Riding-Success/dp/1797636545

Why do so many non-professional riders put themselves through competition anxiety week after week - when the best part often feels like the cheesy chips on the drive home? In this episode of Over the Oxer, I chat about the psychology of competing (and why these exact principles apply to everyday riding, too!). I unpack the mind’s reward-expectation-punishment cycle, how dopamine keeps us hooked on the challenge, and why your primitive "fight-or-flight" response doesn't need to be on high alert. Plus, you’ll learn practical NLP techniques, like the "Bubble Exercise" for controlling the controllables and running micro-coaching commentaries, to help you lower performance pressure, ditch the secondary anxiety and put the fun back into your riding. Grab a good cuppa, tune in, and let's turn those nerves into genuine enjoyment!

👉Contact me

Info@traceycolenlp.com

www.traceycolenlp.com

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com

🤗Next NLP Practitioner and NLP Coach Training: Starts 11th January 2027. 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/

🎉NEW 🎉ONLINE SELF-PACED NLP PRACTITIONER /COACH WITH ZOOM PRACTICE DAYS Join me for the start of this fabulous hybrid of self-paced training + practice days on Zoom. Use the code PODCAST at checkout to receive a whopping 50% discount before the end of October 2026. Registration open now. Pre-study from 1st October 2026, and self-paced part of the course opens 9th November. Bi-weekly Zoom chats; Practice sessions together on Zoom. Join now. https://traceycolenlp.com/online-nlp-practitioner-training/

🎓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 we create safe environments and help riders feel confident, supported and motivated?

In the latest episode of Over the Oxer, I am joined by the brilliant Randi Thompson, founder of the Equine Safety and Success Network™. With more than 45 years in the industry as a safety consultant, educator and expert witness, Randi offers a unique and highly practical perspective on running modern horse businesses.

Tracey and Randi discuss how coaches and equestrian professionals can integrate Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) principles to elevate their teaching and business practices.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Essential safety strategies for managing professional horse operations

• How equestrian coaches can use NLP rapport techniques to build deeper trust with clients

• Methods for helping riders seamlessly shift their perspective on safety protocols

• How to reframe rider evaluations from scary tests into celebratory benchmarks of progress

If you are a coach, yard owner or passionate rider looking to cultivate a more positive environment for both horses and humans, you will not want to miss this conversation!

Connect with Randi

Website https://www.randithompsonlive.com

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/randithompson/

Facebook – Equine Safety and Success Network™ (ESSN) Pilot Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/equinesafetyandsuccessnetwork

Email randi@randithompsonlive.com

For Horse Professionals

Horse professionals interested in joining the free Equine Safety and Success Network™ (ESSN) Facebook pilot group are invited to connect through the website, LinkedIn, Facebook group, or email to learn more about the pilot program and receive complimentary access to the Equine Safety and Success Guide™ toolkit series.

Connect with Tracey

www.traceycolenlp.com

info@traceycolenlp.com

https://www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp

https://instagram.com/traceycolenlp

Ever feel yourself holding your breath, or gripping or tightening the reins when your horse tenses up? In this episode of Over the Oxer, we explore Hakalau, an ancient Hawaiian vision technique that shifts your state in seconds.

By expanding your peripheral vision, you immediately signal your parasympathetic nervous system to take over. The result? You drop physical tension, gain incredible spatial awareness and cultivate a calm, present state that your horse will instantly feel.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What Hakalau is and why tunnel vision triggers panic in the saddle

• The simple step-by-step process to access peripheral vision on horse-back

• How activating your parasympathetic nervous system improves your timing and balance

• Practical ways to use Hakalau across all disciplines: hacking, trail riding, flatwork, dressage, and jumping

If you found this episode useful, please leave a comment or 5* review, they are really appreciated!

👉Contact me Info@traceycolenlp.com

www.traceycolenlp.com

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com

🤗Next NLP Practitioner and NLP Coach Training: Starts 7th September 2026. Every Monday 1:30-5pm UK time on Zoom. 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/

🎉NEW 🎉ONLINE SELF-PACED NLP PRACTITIONER /COACH WITH ZOOM PRACTICE DAYS Join me for the start of this fabulous hybrid of self-paced training + practice days on Zoom. Use the code PODCAST at checkout to receive a whopping 50% discount before the end of August 2026. Registration open now. Pres-study from 1st August and course starts 1st September. Join now. https://traceycolenlp.com/online-nlp-practitioner-training/

🎓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, I'm joined by Lisa Hansford, founder of ACE Adult Horse Camps and an experienced equestrian with more than 30 years in the saddle.

Lisa shares her inspiring riding journey, from competing at Royal Windsor and HOYS to the lessons she's learned from buying both the wrong horse and the right one. We explore how confidence develops over time, why every horse teaches us something, and what inspired her to co-create ACE Adult Horse Camps.

Known for their friendly, supportive atmosphere, the camps are designed to help adult riders enjoy their horses, learn without pressure and leave with renewed confidence and lasting friendships.

Whether you're returning to riding, building confidence, or simply love hearing authentic horse stories, you'll find plenty to enjoy in this conversation.

In this episode we discuss: • Lisa's riding journey and competition highlights • Buying the wrong horse—and finding the right one • Building confidence as an adult rider • Creating ACE Adult Horse Camps • Why a relaxed, welcoming environment helps riders flourish • The life lessons horses teach us

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with your fellow horse lovers.

👉Contact & Follow Lisa

ACE Horse Camps - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566675358686

Granny in the Saddle - www.youtube.com/@GrannyInTheSaddle2026

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585825269615

Somerford Park (where Lisa's camps take place)

Holmes Chapel Rd, Brereton Heath, Congleton, Cheshire. UK CW12 4SW

👉Contact Tracey

Info@traceycolenlp.com

www.traceycolenlp.com

www.facebook.com/traceycolenlp.com

www.instagram.com/traceycolenlp.com

🤗Next NLP Practitioner and NLP Coach Training: Starts 7th September 2026. 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/

🎉NEW 🎉ONLINE SELF-PACED NLP PRACTITIONER /COACH WITH ZOOM PRACTICE DAYS Join me for the start of this fabulous hybrid of self-paced training + practice days on Zoom. Use the code PODCAST at checkout to receive a whopping 50% discount before the end of August 2026. Registration open now. Pres-study from 1st August and course starts 1st September. Join now. https://traceycolenlp.com/online-nlp-practitioner-training/

🎓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