#200 Colts Will Test You. Here’s the Rule That Saves You

#200 Colts Will Test You. Here’s the Rule That Saves You

From Resilient Reiner by Nicole Burnett

March 4, 2026 · 12 min · Season 1 · Episode 200

About this episode

Nicole Burnett discusses a crucial rule for managing nerves while riding horses, emphasizing the importance of staying calm under pressure.

This will change how you handle spooks, bucks, bolts and show nerves. You know that split second before you lope off at a horse show — when your horse feels normal, the ground feels normal… but your brain is acting like you’re about to enter a survival situation? Yeah. That. One shadow at the in-gate and suddenly your mind is predicting a spook, a bolt, a missed lead change, a blown pattern, and a full existential crisis about your ability as a horse rider — all before your horse has even taken the first stride. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most riders don’t struggle in the show pen because their horse exploded. They struggle because they rode like it was about to happen. In this episode, I’m breaking down the rule I had to make non-negotiable while starting young horses and colts: Don’t panic until you need to panic. This one principle will change how you handle horse show nerves, young horse uncertainty, pattern anxiety, and those “I know how to ride… why can’t I ride right now?” moments. We’re talking nervous system science, survival wiring, and the difference between a real threat and your brain rehearsing disaster. If you ride horses — especially under pressure — this one…

People in this episode

Host: Nicole Burnett

Topics covered

  • horse riding
  • nervous system science
  • show nerves
  • young horses
  • pattern anxiety

Keywords

  • horse show
  • panic management
  • rider anxiety
  • survival wiring
  • spook handling

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