CLINIC SPOTS FOR JUNE ARE SOLD OUT! ONLY AUDITING SPOTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME!
From Tension to Trust: A 2-Day Anxiety Clinic for Horse and Rider
Upcoming dates:
June 6-7, 2026 – Geitner’s Homestead, Sturgeon Bay, WI *Onsite horse camping available*
Do you feel confident in the arena, but tense, overwhelmed, or on edge when riding outside of it?
Have you had a fall, injury, or “scare” that changed the way you ride?
Do you love your horse but feel frustrated that anxiety keeps showing up?
From Tension to Trust is a 2-day clinic designed specifically for riders who want to feel safer, steadier, and more confident in the saddle, without being told to “just relax.”
This clinic focuses on the rider’s nervous system and how it impacts both confidence and the horse–rider relationship.
What to Expect from this Clinic
Day 1: Understanding & Regulating the Rider–Horse Nervous System
Day 1 is a low-pressure, education-based day with horses present.
We will cover:
- Why anxiety shows up in riders (and why it makes sense)
- How the nervous system responds to perceived threat
- How horses read and respond to human tension
- Why pushing through fear often backfires
- Practical regulation tools you can use on the ground and while mounted
This day includes short teaching segments, group discussion, and hands-on exercises with your horse from the ground. Riders do not need to ride on Day 1.
You will leave with:
- A clearer understanding of what’s happening in your body
- Tools to reduce anticipatory anxiety
- A plan for building safety before asking more of yourself or your horse
Lunch is provided.
Day 2: Individual Riding Sessions
Each rider will receive a private 1:1 session (approximately 60 minutes) focused on applying regulation skills while riding outside of the arena.
Sessions are tailored to your comfort level and goals. The focus is not on pushing through fear, it is on building confidence through nervous system awareness, pacing, and communication.
About the Facilitator
This clinic is led by Carissa Weber, MA, LPC, CSAC, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) licensed in the state of Wisconsin. Carissa has over a decade of experience helping people navigate anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation using evidence-based approaches rooted in neuroscience, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and nervous system education. She is trained to help people understand why anxiety shows up in the body and mind, how it affects behavior and performance, and how to build practical skills for regulation and confidence. Carissa’s work emphasizes strength-based support, experiential learning, and compassion, creating a judgment-free environment where riders can explore their relationship with anxiety and their horse as part of their personal learning process. She is an outdoor enthusiast and author who focuses on making mental health education accessible, practical, and applicable to everyday life and performance
Along with her professional experience, Carissa has been around horses her whole life and is an avid equestrian competing in endurance riding, obstacle course challenges, and recreational trail riding.
Important: This is not a riding instruction clinic. I am not functioning as a horse trainer during this event. The focus is on supporting the rider psychologically and emotionally while utilizing the existing relationship between horse and rider as part of the process.
You should have an established relationship with your horse and be able to safely walk/trot independently.
Who This Clinic Is For
This clinic is ideal for riders who:
- Feel stuck riding only in the arena
- Experience anxiety, tension, or loss of confidence
- Have had a fall or injury
- Avoid certain riding situations due to fear
- Want practical tools rooted in nervous system science
Investment
$185 for the full 2-day clinic
Includes:
- Full Day 1 group experience
- Day 2 private riding session
- Lunch on Day 1
Clinic is limited to 8 riders to maintain a supportive and individualized environment.
There are spots available to audit day 1 of the clinic. Audit cost is $75.
FAQ Section
❓ Do I have to ride on Day 1?
No. Day 1 is education and groundwork focused. Horses will be present, but mounted work is not required.
❓ What if I panic during my private session?
That is exactly what this clinic is designed to support. We work with your nervous system, not against it. There is no expectation to push through fear.
❓ Is this therapy?
This is an educational clinic with therapeutic principles woven in. It is not a substitute for individual psychotherapy. No diagnosis or formal therapy services are provided during the event.
❓ Is this a riding lesson?
No. This is not a horse training or riding instruction clinic. The focus is on the rider’s anxiety and nervous system regulation. You should be comfortable handling and riding your own horse independently.
❓ Can I attend Day 1 only?
Yes. Day 1-only spots may be available for $75 for riders who want the educational component without the private riding session.
❓ What discipline is this for?
All disciplines are welcome. Anxiety is not discipline-specific.
❓ What if my horse is reactive?
As long as you can safely handle and ride your horse at a walk/trot independently, you are welcome. However, this clinic does not replace professional training for significant behavioral issues.
❓ What do I need to bring to the clinic?
Since the clinic is hosted outside, sun protection is a must. Hats, sunscreen, and other protective gear may be needed. Please bring a chair to sit in during day 1.
❓ How will the private lessons on day-2 be set up?
A sign-up sheet will be available at the start of the clinic for the day-2 private lessons.
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