# Are You Bracing when Working with Your Horse?

An episode of [Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/756834048), 18 Feb 2026, 16 min.

Audio: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dailystridespodcast/1389_Bracing_and_What_To_Do_Instead.mp3?dest-id=1592996

What happens when you expect the worst in your riding? More often than not, you brace! And when you brace, your horse feels it. In this episode, I'm diving into what bracing when working with your horse really looks like (physically, mentally, and emotionally), why it quietly blocks connection and suppleness, and how it can accidentally teach your horse to anticipate tension before anything has even happened. If you've ever: • Gripped before asking for canter • Tightened your reins when another horse whinnied • Held your breath during transitions • Expected things to go wrong before they even started This episode is for you! We'll explore: • Why bracing becomes a habit • How horses learn to anticipate our anticipation • Why "just relax" isn't always the answer • The real opposite of bracing (and how to practice it) • Simple ways to shift from bracing to embracing in your next ride 📖 Read the Full Blog Post: Bracing When Working With Your Horse https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1389-guilty-of-bracing-when-working-with-your-horse 📥 Free Resource: Download the 15 Minutes or Less Workbook Simple, practical ideas to help you show up intentionally with your horse. 👉 https://www.stridesforsuccess.com/15 💛 Want More Support? Inside Connection, we work on exactly this — building softness, clarity, and confidence in your riding (without overthinking everything). Learn more here: 👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/join If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a fellow rider or leave a review; it helps more riders find the podcast. Happy Riding and chat soon Lorna

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