#176 How to Sit the Sliding Stop (Without Bracing or Freaking Out)

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You don’t need to be stronger to sit the stop—you need to feel safer.

Sounds backwards, right? But that’s exactly what I see trip up even the most talented riders in the arena. They’re told to sit deep and stay soft—but no one talks about how to do that when your brain is screaming “Danger!” the moment your horse locks in for the slide.

In today’s episode, I’m answering a question straight from a rider in our community who asked, “Nicole, how the heck do I sit at the sliding stop without bracing or getting thrown forward?” And if you've ever felt like a sack of potatoes or a ragdoll flung around during your stops, trust me—you are not alone, and you are not broken. You're just dealing with a very normal, very human nervous system response.

This episode is all about showing you how to work with your body—not against it—so you can ride your stops with softness, clarity, and confidence. If you’ve been gripping with your thighs, holding your breath, or tensing up when the pressure’s on… this one’s for you.

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’m always curious to hear your stories, your takeaways, and your progress. And don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes—it helps more riders find the support they need. 🤠

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why your body braces during a sliding stop (even when you know what to do)
The surprising role your nervous system plays in seat softness
A clear, step-by-step breakdown of how to train your body to stay soft under pressure
What safety has to do with softness—and why “trying harder” doesn’t work
How to train your seat like you train your horse: with consistency, presence, and trust
The 3-part process I use with riders to help them stop spiraling and stay grounded

Questions I Answer:

“Why do I brace in the stop, even when I’ve practiced the right technique?”
“How do I keep from getting thrown forward or feeling like I freeze up?”
“What can I do before, during, and after a ride to stay more grounded in my body?”
“Is it really possible to retrain my nervous system to respond better in high-pressure moments?”

Links/Resources:

🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor. Stop ‘show nerves’ and saddle up with swagger! https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/
🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy → The confidence to win so you ride like you belong. Sign up here! https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy
🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians → Ride like a pro https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/
🎯 Get Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips → Join my email list! Subscribe here

Whether you’re working on sitting your stops, rebuilding after a tough ride, or just trying to get out of your own head—remember this: your horse doesn’t need perfection. They need presence.

And presence starts with safety.

Safety allows softness.

And softness? That’s the secret to a powerful, beautiful stop.

You’ve got this.

Let’s ride. 🤠

Nicole