Over The Oxer
All equestrians want to harness mindset know-how and learn the ease of successful riding. On this podcast, I’m demystifying the mind, delving into the best of mindset and debunking myths for equestrians and horse owners. Mindset is the key to solving a host of problems that manifest when we ride, including riding anxiety, self-doubt, limiting belief, imposter syndrome, overwhelm or perfectionism. As an accredited Trainer and Master Coach of NLP and Hypnotherapy, I’ll lead you through the solutions that work for me and my clients.
Episodes
Why do so many non-professional riders put themselves through competition anxiety week after week - when the best part often feels like the cheesy chips on the drive home? In this episode of Over the Oxer, I chat about the psychology of competing (and why these exact principles apply to everyday riding, too!). I unpack the mind’s reward-expectation-punishment cycle, how dopamine keeps us hooked on the challenge, and why your ...
Overthinking is an exhausting habit. That constant internal chatter and negative running commentary do more than drain your mental energy; they spill directly into your physical riding, causing tension, doubt, and defensive riding in the saddle.
Your unconscious mind is always listening. Because it takes everything literally without a critical filter, feeding it panic-ridden words creates a vicious cycle of anxiety and nervous beha...
How do we create safe environments and help riders feel confident, supported and motivated?
In the latest episode of Over the Oxer, I am joined by the brilliant Randi Thompson, founder of the Equine Safety and Success Network™. With more than 45 years in the industry as a safety consultant, educator and expert witness, Randi offers a unique and highly practical perspective on running modern horse businesses.
Tracey and Randi discus...
Ever feel yourself holding your breath, or gripping or tightening the reins when your horse tenses up? In this episode of Over the Oxer, we explore Hakalau, an ancient Hawaiian vision technique that shifts your state in seconds.
By expanding your peripheral vision, you immediately signal your parasympathetic nervous system to take over. The result? You drop physical tension, gain incredible spatial awareness and cultivate a c...
In this episode, I'm joined by Lisa Hansford, founder of ACE Adult Horse Camps and an experienced equestrian with more than 30 years in the saddle.
Lisa shares her inspiring riding journey, from competing at Royal Windsor and HOYS to the lessons she's learned from buying both the wrong horse and the right one. We explore how confidence develops over time, why every horse teaches us ...
You can be surrounded by horses and people and still feel completely alone.
In this episode of Over the Oxer, we explore what it's like when your yard simply isn't your community.
This episode was inspired by a listener who is finding her yard lonely. There are other people around her, but they don't feel like her sort of people. Moving yards isn't a reali...
In this episode of Over the Oxer, I sit down with Naomi Ainley, Head of Animal Management, Equine and Veterinary Nursing at Northumberland College's Kirkley Hall campus. Naomi's career has taken her from riding school pupil to groom, yard manager, biomedical scientist and equine educator, but it's her willingness to question long-held assumptions that makes this such a fascinating conversation.
We talk endlessly in riding about the seat, legs, hands, and core—but what if the most powerful, game-changing aid is the one you’re using right now without even thinking about it?
In this episode of Over the Oxer, host Tracey Cole sits down with Jane Randall—BD Level 4 Coach, MSc in Sports Coaching, Advanced Functional Breath Work Coach and founder of Signature Breath. Jane shares her fascinating journey from rid...
Traditional NLP and hypnotherapy courses can feel overwhelming—either crammed into intense, exhausting weekend marathons or packed with heavy academic jargon. That’s why I created a brand-new way to learn: Learn, Watch, Practise, Become. Master concepts through bite-sized 10–20 minute videos, see techniques used in real client sessions and build true confidence on live practice days. Plus, get four internationally...
Ever feel your stomach drop or your hands start to shake before you get in the saddle? In this episode, we’re diving into a brilliantly simple, instant brain hack to interrupt those riding nerves: the sour sweet trick. Tune in to find out exactly how distracting your tastebuds can completely reset your nervous system, override the panic button and get you back in the zone.
Don't forget to hit subscribe and leave a review if y...
Ever notice how a negative thought, a past fall or a fear of failure can sneak up on you? In this episode, Tracey explores the fascinating psychology of her horsefly metaphor. Discover how horses handle threats instantly and how you can use the precision of NLP to quickly zap the lingering after-effects of old mindset "bites" and so restore your confidence effortlessly.
👉 Contact me
In this episode, host Tracey Cole sits down with Cat Carter, a Scottish equine sports massage therapist and the driving force behind Equine Qualifications UK (EQ UK). Cat shares her fascinating journey from buying a "secret horse" as a teenager to taking over the legacy of Lingfield Equine Distance Learning.
Tracey and Cat discuss why education is the ultimate tool for improving equine welfare, the dangers of relying on AI and soc...
Ever felt like you are riding the 'ghost' of a past bad experience rather than the horse underneath you today? In this episode of Over the Oxer we are diving into the neuroscience of performance. It turns out your brain does not actually wait for sensory data to tell it what is happening in the saddle. Instead, it spends every millisecond predicting what is about to happen based on your past experiences, creating your reality out o...
Step into a calmer kind of confidence before you ride.
Over the Oxer is a guided visualisation/ mental rehearsal designed specifically for riders who want to build quiet self-belief, focus, and trust in their ability, without pressure, hype or overthinking.
In this immersive experience, you’re gently led through a journey of sensory imagery, where rhythm, breath and horse-and-rider connection become anchors for clarity ...
Have you lost your riding mojo? Trying to get out to the yard or prepare for a competition feels like you're swimming through thick custard in heavy lead boots?
In this episode of Over the Oxer, host Tracey Cole (Master NLP Trainer and Equestrian Mental Performance Coach) unpacks the hidden psychology behind why we lose our momentum, why standard "willpower" is a trap, and how to stop relying on fickle emotions to get in the saddle...
Ever wondered why telling yourself “don’t tense up” or “don’t look at that corner” actually makes your horse spook? In this episode of Over the Oxer, we strip away the cheesy, vague advice and dive into the practical neuroscience and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) behind equestrian mindset and rider confidence.
Discover the two specific ways your unconscious mind actively works against your r...
In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of Tucker Biokinetic Technique (TBT). Have you ever felt like your horse’s performance was "just a little bit off"—like an old analogue radio with a bit of static? Join me as I explore how to fine-tune your horse’s health from a "usable" signal to a "crystal-clear" digital frequency.
Drawing on a professional background in biochemistry, I bridge the gap betw...
How do you prepare your mind before you swing into the saddle? In this episode of Over the Oxer, host Tracey Cole looks into the fascinating neuroscience of relaxation. We explore a landmark study from the University of Sussex which reveals that just six minutes of reading can slash stress levels by a staggering 68%. Whether you're a competitive rider or a happy hacker, discover why "escapism" is ac...
This week on Over the Oxer, I’m joined by the brilliant Kristi Seymour. Kristi is a licensed clinical therapist with over 20 years’ experience, a lifelong equestrian (five decades in the saddle and counting!) and the founder of EquiMind.
Kristi joined me from Alaska at a rather eye-watering 5:00 AM to dig into the science of why our performance often "breaks" under pressure. As a Master Trainer of NLP, I found it fascin...
There are certain phrases that stay with us, aren’t there? The ones we heard as children, sometimes said in jest, sometimes in frustration, that quietly shape how we deal with our emotions long after the moment has passed.
In this episode of Over the Oxer, I share a couple that stayed with me growing up, including one involving the M6 motorway 🙈, and how those seemingly throw...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Mike Florio & Chris Simms discuss the biggest NFL stories with honesty, candor, and authenticity.