Horses in the Morning

Are you feeling anxious, cautious, or disconnected in the saddle? Whether you're returning to riding after having a baby, recovering from an injury, or simply dealing with unexplainable nerves, you aren't alone. In this episode, host Ashley sits down with Nicky Pennie, an empowerment and equestrian mindset coach behind Be Your Best Yet, to dive deep into rider fear, risk perception, and nervous system regulation.
While Ashley opens up about her personal struggle with heightened anxiety and jumping after welcoming her son, this conversation goes far beyond postpartum riding. This episode is for any rider—at any level or stage of life—who has ever felt their body freeze, their mind spiral, or their confidence slip away in the saddle.
Together, Ashley and Nicky walk through a live "hot-seat" coaching session where Nicky breaks down why the brain sets off internal alarm bells, how to get out of your head and back into your body, and practical strategies to rebuild true, lasting equestrian confidence.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The Root of Rider Fear: Why life changes, trauma, or subtle shifts in risk perception trigger fear smoke alarms in our mind.
Nervous System Regulation: How operating from "the chin up" causes overthinking, and how to reconnect with your physical body to stay present.
Live Somatic Coaching: A simple, real-time exercise to acknowledge anxiety without letting it take over your ride.
Redefining Success: How to shed perfectionism, set realistic goals, and give yourself grace so you can bring the fun back to horseback riding.

No matter what brought fear into your riding journey, this episode offers actionable mindset tools to help you find peace, presence, and pure joy in the saddle again.

Title Sponsor: WERM Flooring
Guest: Nicky Pennie - Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Use promo code HITM25 for 25% off Nicky's online mindset courses, Supercharge Your Riding Confidence and Uplevel Your Riding Mindset.

HITM: We continue our Breeds of the Alphabet with Kristen Vetter of Point Paradise Stables, chatting about Shires. A few training tips from Jamie, some horse history and a lot of Realli BAD Ads..
AUDITOR POST SHOW: A little bit of this, a little bit of that….
HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 4034 – Show Notes and Links:
Hosts: Jamie Jennings of Flyover Farm and Glenn the Geek
Jamie and Glenn's Amazon Store
Title Sponsor: Kentucky Performance Products
Pic Credit: Kristen Vetter
Guest: Kristen Vetter, Point Paradise Stables, LLC on Shires
Spalding Labs Fly Predators Coupon: HRN10 for 10% off your first order.
Additional support for this podcast provided by: RideTV, US Rider, My New Horse, Equine Network and Listeners Like You

Time Stamps:
05:10 - Daily Whinnies
10:30 - Kristen Vetter
29:30 - Training Tips
41:30 - Realli BAD Adz
60:30 - Auditor Post Show

Mary Kitzmiller answers listener a question about differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior, flying lead changes, and horses who won't pick up their feet over ground poles.
Episode 4033 Links
Image Credit: Mary Kitzmiller Horsemanship
Today’s Hosts: Mary Kitzmiller and Coach Jenn
Follow Mary Kitzmiller on Facebook, Mary Kitzmiller’s Store
Follow Horse Radio Network on Twitter or follow Horses In The Morning on Facebook
Visit our other sponsors! My New Horse, Bye Bye Insects by Spalding Labs
Advertise with Horse Radio Network
Additional support for this podcast provided by: Listeners Like You

Time Stamps
14:50 - differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior
28:36 - flying lead changes
44:37 - ground poles

We are talking polo today with Lee Evans, owner of Mrs. Momma Bear polo team, the first all American team since 1991. Plus, we get CareCredit to answer some questions on their program and some mighty Weird News. Listen in…
HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 4032– Show Notes and Links:
Hosts: Jamie Jennings of Flyover Farm and Glenn the Geek
Jamie and Glenn's Amazon Store
Title Sponsor: Chewy Equine
Pic Credit: Lee Evans and Jamie Jennings
Guest: Lee Evans of Mrs. Momma Bear Polo Team
Guest: Kate Hayes, Vice President of Equine Development at CareCredit
Sponsor: CareCredit
Sponsor: Spalding Labs Fly Predators Coupon: HRN10 for 10% off your first order.
Additional support for this podcast provided by: Equine Network and Listeners Like You

Time Stamps:
04:16 - Daily Whinnies
06:15 - Jamie's Choke Story
21:54 - Lee Evans
34:20 - CareCredit
42:00 - History
47:14 - Weird News

The American Horse Council highlights Fairplay, Colorado’s iconic Burro Days, featuring an interview with special events coordinator Kelsey Spryers about the history of pack burro racing, how the event has grown into a major small‑town festival, and the unique personalities and challenges of racing donkeys at altitude. Julie and Emily also explain why the 2026 midterm elections matter to the horse industry, outlining key federal issues the AHC is working on—from the Farm Bill and rural veterinary shortages to guest‑worker access, tax policy, disease preparedness, and public land/trail access—and share practical ways horse people can engage their elected officials and make their voices heard.
HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 4031 –Show Notes and Links:
Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse Council
Sponsors: Absorbine and Pyranha Fly Spray
Subscribe to the American Horse Council Podcast - Search American Horse Council Podcast on your podcast player.
Guest: Kelsey Spryers with Burro Race | Burro Days
Follow the American Horse Council on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)

Time Stamps:
06:00 - Kelsey with Burro Race | Burro Days
39:10 - Legislative Update