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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17 June 2026

#211 “I Could Win at Home… Then I Entered the Show Pen” with MJ

"I could win everything at home... if they judged me there."

When MJ said that during our conversation, I knew exactly what she meant.

Because here's the thing: she wasn't lacking horse training. She wasn't lacking effort. She wasn't lacking a good horse or a good trainer. In fact, she had all of those things. But every time she rode through the gate at a horse show, everything changed. Her body tightened, her hand came up, her legs got stiff, and the rider she knew she was at home seemed to disappear.

This week's guest is MJ Anderson, an Air Force veteran, non-pro reined cow horse competitor, and one of the most determined horsewomen I've had the privilege of supporting through The Mental Gym for Equestrians. In this conversation, she shares how years of frustration in the show pen led her to build a real mental toolbox, develop a pre-run routine she can trust, and finally learn how to stay present when the pressure is on.

What I love about MJ's story is that it isn't about becoming fearless.

It's about learning how to stop abandoning yourself the moment pressure shows up.

And because of that, it's a story I think every Western rider needs to hear.

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 am curious to hear all about your experience.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Why MJ felt like two completely different riders at home versus horse shows

• What happened when her trainer finally told her, "You need a mental coach"

• How pressure was changing her horse's behavior before she even realized it

• The reason trying harder kept making the problem worse

• Why MJ decided to join Mental Gym for Equestrians after seeing results from Five Days to Confident Competitor

• The exact pre-ride routine she now uses before every ride

• How tapping, breathing, grounding, and nervous system regulation changed her confidence

• The surprising thing she did before entering the herd that led to one of her best runs ever

• How she cut all three cows clean after years of struggling in the herd work

• What helped her break into the 70s in the reining for the first time

• Why staying present became more important than riding perfectly

• How she learned to stop riding everyone else's ride and focus on her own

• The mindset shift that helped her stop putting so much pressure on herself

• Why she now says, "Be a dog" before important runs

• How journaling helped her recreate great rides instead of obsessing over mistakes

• What it means to train your brain the same way you train your horse

• Why her biggest win had nothing to do with scores, checks, or year-end awards

• The powerful lesson she learned about investing in herself

Questions We Answer:

• Why do you ride so much better at home than you do at horse shows?

• Why does your horse feel completely different in the show pen?

• What can you do when you start spiraling before a run?

• How do you stop overthinking during reining patterns and cow work?

• What should you focus on when nerves start taking over?

• How do you stay present when you’re competing?

• Why do you keep putting so much pressure on myself?

• How can you trust your horse more under pressure?

• What tools help regulate horse show nerves in the moment?

• How do you stop comparing yourself to other riders in your barn?

• What does it actually look like to train your mental game?

• How do you become the rider your horse needs you to be?

Links/Resources:

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02 June 2026

#210 Why Does My Horse Ride Better for My Trainer?

Seriously, what’s up with that?

Here’s a little barn reality no one likes to admit out loud…

Your horse didn’t suddenly become a saint when your trainer swung a leg over.

Same horse. Same saddle. Same arena.

And yet… everything looks smoother, lighter, easier.

That moment can mess with your head if you let it.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s actually happening when your horse goes better for your trainer—and why it’s not a reflection of your worth, your talent, or your future as a rider.

Because this isn’t about your horse “respecting them more.”

It’s about clarity, timing, energy… and the version of you that shows up in the saddle.

We’re going to take the emotion out of it, look at what’s really changing in the ride, and give you a clear, grounded way to start closing that gap—so your horse can find that same softness, responsiveness, and connection with you.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience.

Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help other riders discover the show and get the mental support they need in and out of the saddle.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why your horse working better for your trainer is not about favoritism, respect, or talent
  • The real reason timing, feel, and clarity change between riders
  • How emotional pressure quietly affects your cues, body, and communication with your horse
  • The difference between riding your horse… and riding your thoughts
  • Why “trying harder” often makes your horse feel heavier, not better
  • The hidden cost of over-riding, over-cueing, and micromanaging every stride
  • How consistency (not intensity) builds trust and relaxation in your horse
  • What your horse is actually telling you when things feel harder under you
  • The role your nervous system plays in your horse’s performance and responsiveness
  • How to shift from self-criticism to curiosity so you can actually improve
  • The one mistake riders make after watching their trainer ride—and what to do instead
  • Simple ways to start creating a clearer, quieter ride your horse can understand

Questions I Answer:

  • Why does your horse listen better to your trainer than you?
  • Does your horse respect your trainer more?
  • Are you doing something wrong… or are you just not good enough?
  • Why does everything feel heavier when you try to fix things?
  • How do you stop overthinking while you’re riding?
  • What should you actually focus on when you watch your trainer ride your horse?
  • How do you start closing the gap between how your horse feels for your trainer vs. yourself?
  • Is this a confidence issue, a timing issue, or something deeper?
  • How do you stay present instead of riding past mistakes or future problems?
  • What can you realistically change in your rides without trying to fix everything at once?

Links & Resources:

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19 May 2026

#209 Why Do Affirmations Work on Instagram but Not in the Warm-Up Pen?

I’m going to say something that might ruffle a few feathers…

If affirmations were enough, more riders would be winning in the show pen.

Not because you’re not saying the right things.

But because when your horse feels the pressure, your body is already telling a different story.

Picture this for a second—you're sitting on your horse, everything felt fine at home, you know your cues, you’ve practiced, you’ve even told yourself, “I’ve got this.”

And then you hit the warm-up pen.

Energy shifts. Eyes are on you. Someone next to you looks sharper, faster, more polished.

And suddenly… your brain gets loud, your body tightens, your timing feels off, and that confident version of you? Gone.

This episode is where we unpack why that happens—and more importantly, what actually helps you stay steady, clear, and connected to your horse when it matters most.

Because this isn’t about thinking better thoughts.

It’s about becoming a rider your horse can trust under pressure.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience. Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the show.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why affirmations can feel powerful at home—but fall apart in the warm-up pen
  • What’s actually happening in your nervous system when pressure hits
  • The difference between a thought problem and a state problem in riding
  • Why your horse responds to your internal state more than your intentions
  • How pressure changes your timing, cues, and decision-making in the saddle
  • The real reason one small mistake can spiral into a full breakdown
  • What effective self-talk actually needs to be under pressure (and why most riders get this wrong)
  • The three qualities your self-talk must have to actually work when it counts
  • Why trying to “be positive” can sometimes make things worse
  • What it looks like to come back to yourself mid-ride, even when your brain gets loud

Questions I Answer:

  • Why do affirmations work at home but not at horse shows?
  • What should you do when your brain starts spiraling in the warm-up pen?
  • Why do you feel confident one minute and completely off the next?
  • How do you stop overthinking when you’re about to go in the gate?
  • What’s actually happening when your horse starts to feel tense or disconnected?
  • How do you stay present and ride the horse youI have under pressure?
  • Why does one mistake turn into multiple mistakes during a run?
  • What kind of self-talk actually helps in high-pressure moments?

Links & Resources:

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12 May 2026

#208 Feeding Performance Horses: What Most Riders Get Wrong with Rachael Haar

Equine nutritionist Rachael Haar joins me to simplify what actually matters when feeding performance horses — from forage and hay quality to supplements, gut health, hydration, hauling, recovery, and the nutrition mistakes well-meaning horse owners often miss.

Because let’s be honest: horse nutrition can get confusing fast.

One person says your horse needs electrolytes.

Another says alfalfa makes horses hot.

Someone else swears beet pulp changed their horse’s life.

Then suddenly you’re standing there holding three supplements, questioning every feeding decision you’ve ever made while your horse licks the salt block and judges you.

So today, we’re simplifying all of it.

In this episode, I sat down with equine nutrition consultant Rachael Haar from BCS 5.0 Equine Nutrition, and we had such a good conversation about what actually matters when it comes to feeding western performance horses. We talk about hydration, gut health, hauling, showing, topline, supplements, forage, electrolytes, recovery, and how nutrition may be impacting horses that feel hot, dull, inconsistent, reactive, or flat under saddle.

This episode felt like sitting in the barn aisle having a really practical conversation with someone who actually understands horses, performance, and real life horse ownership. Rachael does an incredible job making nutrition feel way less overwhelming and way more doable.

And if you’ve ever wondered whether your horse actually needs all the things in your feed room right now… this episode is probably going to save you some stress (and maybe some money too).

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach @resilientreiner and @bcs5.0equinenutrition on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience.

Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help other riders discover the show!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why most horse owners are overcomplicating nutrition
  • What hay testing can tell you about your horse’s health and performance
  • How nutrition impacts recovery, energy, consistency, and topline
  • The truth about electrolytes, probiotics, calming supplements, omega-3s, and joint supplements
  • Why some horses feel hot, reactive, dull, or inconsistent under saddle
  • How hauling and showing affect hydration and digestion
  • Why gut health matters so much for western performance horses
  • The difference between feeding a lightly worked horse vs. a performance horse
  • Common feeding mistakes horse owners make without realizing it
  • Simple ways to support your horse’s health without buying every supplement on the market

Questions I Answer:

  • Does alfalfa actually make horses hot?
  • Are calming supplements worth it?
  • How do you know if your horse’s diet is balanced?
  • What causes horses to feel inconsistent at horse shows?
  • What supplements are actually useful for performance horses?
  • Why do some horses struggle with topline and recovery?
  • What role does hydration play in horse show performance?
  • How can owners support gut health and digestion during hauling and showing?
  • How much forage should horses really be getting?
  • What should owners look for when choosing supplements?

Connect with Rachael Haar + BCS 5.0 Equine Nutrition:

Rachael Haar is an independent equine nutrition consultant who helps horse owners build balanced, forage-first feeding programs that support long-term health, recovery, condition, and performance. Her approach is practical, science-backed, and incredibly easy to understand — especially for riders who feel overwhelmed by all the nutrition noise online.

You can connect with Rachael here:

Instagram: @bcs5.0nutrition

Facebook: BCS 5.0 Nutrition

TikTok: @bcs.5.0.nutrition

Join her Newsletter here: https://bcs-5-0.kit.com/subscription

Links & Resources:

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05 May 2026

#207 Stop Overspin Penalties for Good

Overspin penalty.

If you’ve ever shown reining—or any western discipline where precision maneuvers matter—you know that feeling. Because it didn’t feel like a disaster. The horse was turning. The maneuver had speed. There was shape. It felt like it might finally be the spin.

And then… you went just a little too far.

That moment is one of the most frustrating experiences in the show pen. Not because it was terrible—but because it was so close.

In this episode, I want to talk about something that a lot of riders misunderstand about spins, timing, and performance under pressure.

Because most riders assume overspin penalties mean one thing:

They need to practice spins more.

More drilling.

More control.

More trying to catch the stop earlier.

But after coaching a lot of western riders—reiners, ranch riders, cow horse competitors, and people riding patterns across different disciplines—I’ve noticed something important.

A lot of overspin penalties are not actually spin problems.

They’re pressure problems.

What happens is riders get mentally ahead of the maneuver. Instead of riding the spin they’re in, they start riding the stop they’re worried about missing.

And the moment your brain jumps ahead like that, timing gets messy. Your body tightens. Your cues change. Your horse feels it.

In this episode, I’m going to break down the mental pattern behind overspin penalties, why pressure causes riders to rush their timing, and what you can do to stay present enough in the maneuver to actually ride your horse instead of reacting to the mistake you’re afraid of.

If you’ve ever walked out of the show pen thinking, “I know I can ride better than that,” this episode is for you.

If this episode resonates with you, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share the episode with your horse friends or your barn crew.

I genuinely love seeing where riders are listening from and hearing what clicked for you. I’m always curious to hear how these ideas show up in your riding.

And if the podcast has been helpful for you, leaving a quick review on iTunes is one of the best ways to help more riders discover the show.

In This Episode You Will Learn

  • Why overspin penalties often start before the spin even begins
  • The mental pattern that causes riders to rush timing in spins
  • Why drilling maneuvers harder doesn’t always fix the problem
  • How pressure changes your nervous system in the saddle
  • The difference between riding the maneuver and riding the mistake you’re afraid of
  • Why anticipation is one of the biggest timing killers in western riding
  • The subtle ways riders tighten their bodies without realizing it
  • How staying present improves feel, precision, and communication with your horse
  • A simple mental cue that can help riders stay in the maneuver instead of rushing the finish
  • How one rider completely changed her spin scores by shifting her mindset

Questions I Answer

  • Why do you overspin even when the spin itself feels good?
  • Is overspinning a training issue or a mental timing issue?
  • Why does pressure in the show pen change the way you cue your horse?
  • What causes you to anticipate the stop during spins?
  • Why does trying harder to avoid a mistake often create the mistake?
  • How does tension affect your horse during a maneuver?
  • Why do you perform differently at home versus in the show pen?
  • What role does your nervous system play in timing and feel?
  • How can you stay mentally present during fast maneuvers?

Links & Resources:

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28 April 2026

#206 Why Do I Ride Better at Home Than I Do at Shows?

Hot take:

If you ride worse at horse shows than you do at home… It's probably not a training problem.

And I know—that’s not what most people want to hear.

Because it’s way easier to go home, work your horse harder, fix the spins, clean up the circles, and tell yourself you just need more reps.

But here’s what I see all the time as a mental coach for western riders:

You can school your horse at home and feel confident.

You can lope off, hit your marks, stay with the feel, and ride like you know how to ride.

Then you walk into the show pen…

and suddenly everything feels just a little off.

Not terrible.

Just enough to cost you the run.

And that’s the part that messes with riders the most.

Because it doesn’t feel like a total breakdown.

It feels like you’re almost yourself—but not quite.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why that happens, what pressure is actually doing to your riding, and why this gap between home and the show pen has nothing to do with whether you’re good enough.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach @resilientreiner and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience. Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the show.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why riding at home and riding at a horse show feel like two completely different experiences
  • The real reason pressure changes your timing, feel, and decision-making in the saddle
  • Why this is not a sign that you’re underprepared or not good enough
  • The difference between a skill problem vs. an access-to-skill-under-pressure problem
  • What actually happens in your body and mind when the stakes feel higher
  • How overthinking, micromanaging, and “trying harder” quietly hurt your performance
  • Why your horse can feel different—even when nothing about your training has changed
  • The subtle shift from riding the maneuver → to riding your fear of the mistake
  • Why your home rides are valid (and actually matter more than you think)
  • The perspective shift that helps riders stop spiraling after inconsistent show runs

Questions I Answer:

  • Why do you ride better at home than you do at horse shows?
  • Why does your horse feel different in the show pen?
  • Why do you overthink everything once you start competing?
  • Is this a confidence issue… or do you just need more practice?
  • Why can you know what to do but still not ride like myself when it counts?
  • Are you just not mentally tough enough for competition?
  • Why do you rush, hesitate, or second-guess things you normally do well at home?
  • Do your good rides at home even count if you can’t repeat them at shows?

Links & Resources:

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