Welcome back, riders!
I’m Danielle Pooles from Dressage Plus, and in this week’s 98th Unstoppable Equestrian video blog, we explore how a Dressage Gratitude Habit can bring more calm, confidence, and presence to your riding.
This fifth habit in my 8-week Rider Habits series may feel unexpected—but it’s surprisingly powerful. Gratitude isn’t just for holidays—it’s a mindset tool you can use right before every ride.
Dressage Why Gratitude Matters as a Rider Habit
You can’t hold two intense emotions at once: when gratitude fills your mind, it naturally displaces fear, overwhelm, or anxiety. This makes gratitude one of the fastest ways to reset your state before mounting.
If you’ve ever felt shaky before getting on, frustrated mid-ride, or overwhelmed by expectations, gratitude helps you pause, breathe, and reconnect to why you wanted to ride in the first place.
The 1‑Step Gratitude Habit
This Dressage gratitude habit is simple—but gently effective:
- Before you ride (at the mounting block, brushing, or even driving to the paddock), tell your horse or yourself one thing you’re grateful for right now.
- It could be something small—like sunshine, a relaxed horse, or the privilege of being in the saddle again.
- Or something meaningful—perhaps returning to riding after an injury or feeling supported in your horse journey.
When to Practise It
Use this Dressage gratitude habit:
- At the start of every ride
- While grooming or preparing tack
- In moments of anxiety before or mid-ride
Over time, it becomes a cue to shift out of stress and into a mindset of trust and presence.
Real Examples in Equestrian Spaces
Many riders overlook gratitude, yet it’s fundamental to horsemanship. For inspiration, check out this article on five ways to practice gratitude with your horse from HorseHaus. These small daily gestures help deepen connection and enjoyment — both in and out of the saddle.
Deeper Science Behind Gratitude
Research in sports psychology confirms the power of gratitude to reduce athlete burnout and enhance well-being. One study with collegiate athletes found gratitude exercises significantly decreased stress and improved overall satisfaction in sport. Cultivating a gratitude habit anchors you into positivity, even during challenging rides or seasons.
Feel the Shift: What Gratitude Looks Like in Your Ride
This dressage gratitude habit assists you to:
- Let go of nerves at the mounting block
- Draw back into presence when tension builds mid-ride
- Ride with more emotional resilience—and enjoyment
If fear, frustration or tension starts creeping in, gratitude gives you a pause button and a positive reset.
Try This Thought: Before You Ride This Week
Your challenge: set a reminder or put a sticky note on your saddle or bridle bag that says “Gratitude”. Each ride this week, speak or think one genuine thing you’re grateful for in that moment—before mounting or during tack-up.
Notice how it shifts your energy, softens your body, and changes your experience in the saddle.
More Support & Internal Resources
If you’d like extra coaching or mindset tools, you can explore my free Competition Preparation Toolkit, phone-based mindset coaching, or my online courses at Dressage Plus.
Keep Building Your Mindset
The next video habit in this series is all about visualisation. Make sure you watch Video Blog #99: How to Build a 30‑Second Dressage Visualisation Habit for a powerful follow-on mindset practice.
Final Thoughts
Embracing a simple Dressage gratitude habit before you ride isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a practical switch that can shift your state in an instant. When you ride from appreciation, riding becomes clearer, calmer, and more connected.
If this resonates, please like, share, and pass on this tip to another rider. I’ll see you next week with the next Rider Habit. Happy riding!
