Why Force Fails and Feel Wins

Control might feel like safety, but in the saddle, it’s often one of the little things holding you—and your horse—back. In this episode of Come Ride With Me, Anna Fox of Equus Enlightened unpacks the sneaky ways force shows up in riding (hint: it’s not just harsh bits or whips). We’ll explore how perfectionism drives us to override instead of ride with, and why force—even when it’s subtle—creates resistance and anxiety.

Plus, you’ll get a feel-based riding experiment you can try today to shift from bracing into flow. Learn how to sync with your horse’s rhythm and soften the silent tension that’s blocking connection.

Because when you trade control for curiosity, you unlock a whole new kind of ride.

🎧 Ready to let go and ride with feel? Hit play.

🔗 Take the “Perfectionist Rider” quiz at: https://link.equusenlightened.com/widget/quiz/gSHHFApTgfne26EonbkF

Find me on social media as @equusenlightened.  Join our Facebook group titled Horse-First Dressage: Compassionate Training and Connection or join the community and the Dressage Naturally Video Classroom at www.patreon.com/equusenlightened.

You can also view videos of the riding episodes or listen to all of them on YouTube. My channel is Equus Enlightened.

https://linktr.ee/equusenlightened

Email me at anna@equusenlightened.net

Happy Riding!