When Your Horse Mirrors What You Can't Name

Nika Vorster

Published on: 16/12/2025

Every trot step felt like someone was stabbing me in the chest. I was thirteen, in a dressage lesson during sitting trot. My face tightened with each stride, my breathing shortened, and my shoulders crept toward my ears. My pony felt it immediately and tightened under me, lifting his head, hollowing his back, and resisting every aid I gave.