Dr. Paul Haefner

Jan 14, 2023

What is a Sport Psychologist and What Do They Offer Equestrians?

At first, it may seem obvious; sport psychologists help athletes optimize their performance in competition. Don’t they? Of course… this is the spirit behind the entire field of sport psychology. Yet, in over 25 years of assisting riders with their mental game, I have been surprised to discover that the vast majority of equestrians who seek my assistance want my help tackling core emotional concerns such as fear, anxiety, and trauma related to their riding.

Mar 29, 2022 Education

Becoming Unstuck with Sport Psychologist Dr. Paul Haefner

On every journey there are inevitable bumps in the road and detours along the way. Riding is no different. As you learn and grow as a rider, there will be times (and if you are like me, many of them) where you will feel stuck. Some of these stuck points come in the form of wilting motivation. Others may be difficulty learning, executing, and mastering a new skill. Still others might arrive in the form of fear, anxiety, and self-doubt.