The Resilient Reiner blog

Lately, I haven’t been riding as much as I want to. And I’m annoyed about it. Not because I’ve lost motivation. Not because I don’t care about my horses. Not because I suddenly decided my riding goals aren’t important to me. I genuinely want to ride. But right now, life is a lot. My husband […]

Ready for more speed+confidence in the saddle? If you want to ride your horse faster and with more confidence, the issue is not always your lazy horse or your “cowardly heart.” Most riders and trainers overlook the real problem: what happens in your brain and body when things start moving faster. If speed tends to […]

Why does your horse ride better for your trainer? Are you just doomed? You’re dedicated. You ride. You pour your heart and soul into your horse. You show up and you grind away. So why does your horse ride better for your trainer? The gap shouldn’t be that large… should it? There are few things […]

How to stay motivated to ride when you’re tired, busy, or just not feeling it? That’s the question. Alright, be honest with me for a second… Have you ever wanted the results — the smooth pattern, the clean stop, the confident run — but absolutely did not feel like doing the boring, unsexy thing that […]

He leaned back, arms crossed, and finally said it out loud. “Nicole, I want more. I want the buckle, the big runs, the shiny stuff that proves I did it. But honestly? It feels so far away I don’t even know what to do right now.” I nodded, because I’ve heard this before. And truthfully? […]

Comparison in riding doesn’t mean you’re jealous or failing. More often, it’s a clue pointing toward what matters most to you. I’ll never forget the first time I felt comparison in my body. Not as a thought. As a feeling. I was standing at the back gate watching another rider warm up. She looked so […]

Confidence with your horse isn’t built only in the show pen. Sometimes it’s built on one unforgettable ride that reminds you why you fell in love with horses in the first place. Ever have a ride that stops time? One of those holy, wild, goosebump moments where you remember exactly why you fell in love […]

Mental training for riders is not about adding one more huge thing to your already full schedule. It is about learning how to use the time, money, and training you are already investing more effectively. The real cost of skipping mental training for riders $50,000. Yep. That was the total one rider told me she […]

I can’t be the only one who thought adulthood would somehow come with more time to ride. Did anyone else think that becoming an adult meant you’d finally have all the time in the world? Yeah… Me too. Turns out adulthood is basically one giant juggling act. Between running a business, raising a family, taking […]

Halfway through the year is a funny place to be. Maybe you’re exactly where you hoped you’d be. Maybe you’re ahead. Or maybe you’re looking back thinking… “I thought I’d be farther along by now.” If that’s you, I want you to know something before we go any further: You’re not behind. You’re simply at […]