Resilient Reiner

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Podcast by Nicole Burnett

Resilient Reiner

The Resilient Reiner with Nicole Burnett is your go-to podcast dedicated to mental performance coaching for reiners and western horse riders. Join us as we explore the power of the mind and how it can elevate your performance with your horse to new heights. Each episode uncovers invaluable strategies, techniques, and mindset shifts to help you overcome mental barriers, boost confidence, and achieve peak performance in the saddle. From managing competition nerves to cultivating focus and resilience, our podcast provides actionable insights and real-life stories that inspire and empower horse riders at all levels. Whether you're a passionate non-pro, rookie reiner, veteran competitor or seasoned pro, The Resilient Reiner is your go-to source for sharpening your mental edge and unlocking your equestrian potential & transforming your riding journey. Tune in, harness the power of your mind, and ride towards excellence.
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Latest episodes

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22 April 2025

#161 Have You Seen The Bird That Fakes A Broken Wing?

Here’s something wild: your brain is tricking you on purpose.

Yep, you read that right. And not because it’s broken or messed up—but because it’s doing its best to protect you.

In this episode, I share the story of a tiny bird with one of the strangest survival strategies in nature… and how that same pattern plays out in your brain every time you step into the show pen and feel your confidence disappear. If your nerves flare up and your focus gets hijacked—right when it matters most—this episode will shift the way you see it and give you tools to take your mental game back.

This one’s about way more than birds. It’s about understanding your stress patterns, rewiring your response to pressure, and becoming the kind of rider who can stay calm and connected no matter what.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I’d love to hear what your version of the “broken wing moment” looks like—and how this episode helped you move through it. Also, don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes to help other riders find the show!

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

  • What a killdeer is—and what the heck it has to do with your mental game as a rider
  • How your brain creates “decoy drama” right before high-pressure moments
  • The surprising truth about anxiety, overthinking, and second-guessing
  • Why your brain thinks it’s protecting you (even when it’s getting in your way)
  • A simple phrase that can flip your mindset instantly on show day
  • Why most riders ignore their mental patterns—and how that keeps them stuck
  • How to retrain your brain to stay grounded and focused, even when the pressure is high

Questions I Answer:

  • Why do you always feel anxious or scattered before you compete—even when you’re prepared?
  • How can you tell if what you're feeling is a real issue or just my brain freaking out?
  • What’s the fastest way to ground yourself before a run?
  • Is there a simple tool to help you stop spiraling when nerves hit hard?
  • How do you actually train your brain to stay calm under pressure?

🚀 Ready For Your Own Mental Breakthrough? Here’s How:

🎧 Now, hit play & let’s celebrate these incredible wins together!

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10:27

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15 April 2025

#160 What I Saw On Horseback Last Week Still Gives Me Goosebumps

Here’s a hot take: Confidence has nothing to do with ribbons or high scores.

Last week, I was riding through wide-open country, soaking up a scene that looked like it came straight out of an old western film—bison off the trail, a bald eagle overhead, and a sunset that nearly stopped me in my tracks. But what gave me goosebumps wasn't just the view. It was the feeling. Of being grounded. Present. At peace with my horse and myself.

In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind that ride and the powerful reminder it gave me: we’re not building confidence to impress anyone—we’re building it so we can live. If your brain’s been stuck in “what if” mode or talking you out of the rides you actually want to be on, this one’s for you.

If this episode resonated with you—or you know a rider who needs to hear this message—be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I love hearing how these episodes land for you. And don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes so other riders can discover the podcast too!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why confidence has to come before the ribbons, not after
  • What your brain is really doing when it talks you out of something
  • How fear can show up even when your horse is ready
  • The deeper reason we work on mindset—and how it fuels the rides of your dreams
  • To stop waiting until you “feel ready” to do the bold, badass things you’re dreaming of

Questions I Answer:

  • What does confidence actually look like outside the arena?
  • Why does your brain keep convincing you to play small—even when you’re ready?
  • How do you train your mind to stop second-guessing and start saying yes to your life on horseback?

🚀 Ready For Your Own Mental Breakthrough? Here’s How:

  • 🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy → The confidence to win so you ride like you belong. Sign up here! 
  • 🎯 Get Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips → Join my email list! Subscribe here

🎧 Now, hit play & let’s celebrate these incredible wins together!

You don’t have to earn the adventure. You just need to trust yourself enough to go live it.

See ya out there,

Nicole 🤠

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06:23

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08 April 2025

#159 Stop Worrying About Fear (Do This Instead)

If fear is still showing up before a run—even after the journaling, the breathwork, the visualization—you are not broken. And no, it doesn’t mean your mindset work isn’t working.

Here’s the hard truth we don’t talk about enough in the horse world: Confidence isn’t the absence of fear. It’s what you choose to focus on in spite of it. This episode is your no-fluff reminder that waiting for every last doubt to disappear before you ride your best? That’s a one-way ticket to disappointment. We’re not here for Stepford-wives cowgirls who are cool as a cucumber 24/7—we’re here for real riders who feel the nerves, face the noise, and ride anyway.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway—especially if you’ve ever had a “nervous but still showed up” moment. And don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes to help more riders find this work and build unstoppable confidence in and out of the saddle. 🤠

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

  • Why fear is a normal part of the process (yes, even for high-level riders)
  • How to shift your focus without gaslighting yourself
  • The real goal of mental performance work (hint: it’s not deleting your feelings)
  • What actually makes you unstoppable in the saddle
  • The 4-step reset process I use when doubt creeps in right before a run

QUESTIONS YOU ANSWER:

  • “Why do you still get nervous even after doing all the mindset work?”
  • “Does feeling fear mean you’re not mentally strong?”
  • “What should you do when negative thoughts pop up right before you ride?”
  • “Can you still have confidence even if you feel doubt?”

🚀 Ready For Your Own Mental Breakthrough? Here’s How:

  • 🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy → The confidence to win so you ride like you belong. Sign up here! 
  • 🎯 Get Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips → Join my email list! Subscribe here

🎧 Now, hit play & let’s celebrate these incredible wins together!

00:00

11:53

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28 March 2025

#158 Not Another Trust Fall 🙄

You ever hear someone say, “You just need to build trust with your horse,” and want to scream, Cool, but HOW?!

Same.

Unless we’re about to do a full-on trust fall in the middle of the warm-up pen (hard pass), that advice can feel vague at best and frustrating at worst.

Here’s what no one tells you: trust doesn’t come from a perfect pattern or flawless cue. And it doesn’t come from just sitting in the middle of the field with your horse, either. It comes from what’s going on in your brain before your butt hits the saddle. It’s your mindset. Your energy. Your consistency. That’s what your horse is reading 24/7—and today, we’re talking about exactly how to clean that up so you can build the kind of bond that holds steady under pressure.

Because if your horse is hesitating, spooking, or shutting down... it’s not about training harder. It’s about becoming the rider they can actually count on.

Let’s dig into what trust really means, why it starts with you, and how to become the calm, confident leader your horse has been waiting for.

Welcome to Day 4 of this powerful (and yeah, maybe slightly uncomfortable) training series: How to Get Your Horse to Actually Listen to You.

Each day this week, you’ll get a short, practical episode that blends mindset work, neuroscience, and in-the-saddle strategy—because what’s going on in your brain directly impacts what’s happening under your seat.

Today’s Topic: Day 4 — Not Another Trust Fall: How to Build Unshakable Trust with Your Horse

Don’t forget to Join the Mental Gym for Equestrians! → Align your subconscious mind and nervous system with your biggest riding goals for better rides without more time in the saddle! Live high-touch group coaching. Limited Spots. Starting April 1st.

👉 Sign up here

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am so curious to hear all about your experience building trust with your horse—what’s working, what’s not, and what you’re changing after today’s talk.

Also, it means the world if you leave a quick review on iTunes to help other riders discover the show. 🤠💛

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

  • What trust actually means in a rider-horse partnership (hint: it’s not just about “bonding”)
  • Why your mental state is either building trust or eroding it—every time you ride
  • The 4 core mindset shifts that make you a more trustworthy leader in the saddle
  • Practical mental performance strategies that help you regulate your energy and build consistency
  • Why perfection is NOT the goal—and how to handle mistakes in a way that builds connection, not tension

QUESTIONS I ANSWER:

  • What does trust really look like in the saddle?
  • How do I stop second-guessing myself and show up more confidently for my horse?
  • What can I do to stay grounded, especially on high-pressure rides?
  • How do I handle mistakes without damaging the trust I’ve worked so hard to build?

🚀 Ready For Your Own Mental Breakthrough? Here’s How:

  • 🎯 Join the Mental Gym for Equestrians! → Align your subconscious mind and nervous system with your biggest riding goals for better rides without more time in the saddle! Live high-touch group coaching. Limited Spots. Starting April 1st. Sign up here!
  • 🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy → The confidence to win so you ride like you belong. Sign up here! 
  • 🎯 Get Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips → Join my email list! Subscribe here

🎧 Now, hit play & let’s celebrate these incredible wins together!

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14:48

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27 March 2025

#157 Your Horse Is Listening… Are You Being Clear?

You can have your heels down, shoulders back, and hands perfectly placed…

And your horse will still look at you like, “Girl… pick a lane.”

Let’s cut to the chase: your horse doesn’t care about how well you follow the textbook and how perfect your hip angle is if your energy is scattered and your cues are saying two different things. They’re not confused because they’re stubborn. They’re confused because you’re giving them mixed messages—and most of the time, you don’t even know you’re doing it.

This episode is for every rider who’s ever walked away from an arena wondering, “Why didn’t that go the way I planned?” The answer? It starts between your ears—not under your saddle.

Today we’re talking about one of the most overlooked (but wildly powerful) truths in horsemanship: clear communication starts with a clear mind.

Welcome to Day 3 of this powerful (and yeah, maybe slightly uncomfortable) training series: How to Get Your Horse to Actually Listen to You.

Each day this week, you’ll get a short, practical episode that blends mindset work, neuroscience, and in-the-saddle strategy—because what’s going on in your brain directly impacts what’s happening under your seat.

Today’s Topic: Day 3 – The Key to Clear, Confident Communication

Don’t forget to Join the Mental Gym for Equestrians! → Align your subconscious mind and nervous system with your biggest riding goals for better rides without more time in the saddle! Live high-touch group coaching. Limited Spots. Starting April 1st.

👉 Sign up here!

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I’m genuinely curious to hear all about your experience—especially the moment you realized your horse was just reacting to your mental energy. And hey, don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes to help more riders discover the show!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

  • Why technically “doing it right” doesn’t always work
  • The hidden reason your horse seems confused or reactive
  • How mental clutter creates mixed signals under saddle
  • What it actually means to ride with leadership and clarity
  • The simple but powerful mindset shift that leads to better connection

QUESTIONS I ANSWER:

  • Why does my horse respond differently when I think I’m riding the same?
  • How do I know if I’m giving mixed cues?
  • What does my mindset have to do with my horse’s behavior?
  • How can I get grounded before I ride so I’m clear in the saddle?

🚀 Ready For Your Own Mental Breakthrough? Here’s How:

  • 🎯 Join the Mental Gym for Equestrians! → Align your subconscious mind and nervous system with your biggest riding goals for better rides without more time in the saddle! Live high-touch group coaching. Limited Spots. Starting April 1st. Sign up here!
  • 🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy → The confidence to win so you ride like you belong. Sign up here! 
  • 🎯 Get Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips → Join my email list! Subscribe here

🎧 Now, hit play & let’s celebrate these incredible wins together!

00:00

12:01

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26 March 2025

#156 The Weird Way Horses ‘Feel’ Your Emotions (and Why It Matters)

You storm into the barn after a rough day. Your brain’s still chewing on a conversation you had hours ago, your jaw’s tight, your shoulders are up around your ears… and the second you swing a leg over? Your horse is tense, distracted, maybe even downright cranky.

And we think they're the problem? Nah.

Sometimes your horse isn’t being a brat. They’re just mirroring YOU!

I know that’s a tough pill to swallow—but hang with me.

What if I told you there's actual neuroscience behind this? Not just woo-woo “energy” stuff—but hard, proven brain science that says your horse is literally mirroring your nervous system?

Today we’re breaking down how that invisible connection between your state and their behavior works—and more importantly, how to use it in your favor.

Welcome to Day 2 of this powerful (and yeah, maybe slightly uncomfortable) training series: How to Get Your Horse to Actually Listen to You.

Each day this week, you’re getting a short and practical episode that blends mindset work, neuroscience, and in-the-saddle strategy—because what’s going on in your brain shows up in your reins.

Today’s Topic: Day 2 —Magic Mirror On The Wall, Who’s The Best Horse of All? The Science of Mirror Neurons and How They Impact Your Horse’s Responses

Don’t forget to Join the Mental Gym for Equestrians! → Align your subconscious mind and nervous system with your biggest riding goals for better rides without more time in the saddle!

Live high-touch group coaching. Limited Spots. Starting April 1st.

👉 Sign up here

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your riding crew.

I’d love to hear how your horse responds when you check your energy first. Seriously—DM me your “ah-ha” moment or tag me in your barn stories!

And hey—don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes. It helps other riders find the show and join this wild and resilient community we’re building together. 🐴🤠

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

  • What mirror neurons are and why they matter in the barn
  • How your emotional state directly impacts your horse’s focus and behavior
  • The unexpected reason your horse might be “off” during a ride
  • Why “checking yourself” before a ride matters more than checking your tack
  • A simple, effective mindset shift you can use before every ride to reset your energy

QUESTIONS I ANSWER:

  • Why does my horse act differently when I’m stressed or upset?
  • Can my horse really sense my emotions—or is that just a myth?
  • What’s the fastest way to reset my energy before a ride?
  • How do I stop bringing outside stress into my time with my horse?
  • What does neuroscience say about horse and rider connection?

🚀 Ready For Your Own Mental Breakthrough? Here’s How:

  • 🎯 Join the Mental Gym for Equestrians! → Align your subconscious mind and nervous system with your biggest riding goals for better rides without more time in the saddle! Live high-touch group coaching. Limited Spots. Starting April 1st. Sign up here!
  • 🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy → The confidence to win so you ride like you belong. Sign up here! 
  • 🎯 Get Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips → Join my email list! Subscribe here

🎧 Now, hit play & let’s celebrate these incredible wins together!

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16:27

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