How Understanding Brain Changes Can Help Us Overcome Fear and Improve Training Techniques

Fear often holds us back from reaching our full potential. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or fear of making mistakes, it can stop us from learning new skills or pushing ourselves in training. The same is true for our horses.

Recently, I watched an interesting video that explores how our brains change and why this matters for overcoming fear and improving how we train. While everything in the video is not necessisarily a proven fact, it offers a great starting point for thinking about how we can use brain science to grow beyond our and our horse's limits and fears.

How the Brain Changes Through Experience

Our brains are not fixed. They constantly change in response to what we do, a concept called neuroplasticity. When we learn something new or practice a skill, the connections between brain cells (neurons) strengthen or weaken. This rewiring helps us get better at tasks and adapt to new challenges.

For example, when someone practices playing the piano, the areas of the brain responsible for finger movement and hearing music become more connected. This change doesn’t happen overnight but builds gradually with consistent practice. The brain’s ability to change means that no matter your age or background, you can improve skills and overcome fears by training your brain in the right way.

Why Fear Is a Barrier to Learning

Fear triggers a survival response in the brain. Fear triggers the amygdala, a small part deep inside the brain, and signals danger. This can cause physical reactions like increased heart rate and freezing or bolting in our horses, but it also affects how they think. Fear narrows our focus and makes it harder to process new information or try new things. (BTW the click is processed in the amygdala so our training with R+ actually reaches this part of the brain.)

How Training Can Help Rewire Fear Responses

The good news is that training can change how the brain responds to fear. Repeated exposure to a feared situation in a controlled way can reduce the amygdala’s reaction. This process is called desensitization. Over time, the brain learns that the situation is not dangerous, and fear decreases.

There are some interesting chemical reactions presented in the video that would be great for us to delve deeper into if we wanted to. ( Maybe Dr Friedman can hook us up with a neuroscientist?)

For example, someone afraid of heights might start by looking at pictures of tall buildings, then gradually move to standing on a low balcony, and eventually to climbing a tall tower. Each step trains the brain to respond with less fear. This approach is used in therapies for anxiety and phobias, showing how brain changes can help us overcome fear. And we can use this same process with our horses (albeit distance is usually a better starting point with regards to something scary.)

Practical Tips for Using Brain Science in Training

Based on what I learned, here are some practical ways to use brain changes to improve training and overcome fear:

• Start small and build gradually

Break down skills or challenges into manageable steps. This helps the brain adapt without overwhelming the fear response. Both for us and our horses.

• Practice consistently

Regular practice strengthens neural connections. Even short daily sessions can make a big difference over time.

• Use positive reinforcement

Reward yourself and your horse for progress. We do that with the horse by using R+ and a primary reinforcer like food. Positive experiences help the brain associate learning with pleasure, reducing fear just like it does for our horses.

• Stay mindful and calm

Techniques like deep breathing or meditation can calm the amygdala, making it easier to focus and learn. Marking your horse for taking /releasing a deep breath can be helpful. I like to have them chewing for the majority of the training session in the beginning. Why? Well if they are chewing they have to breathe and if the stop chewing I can tell they are holding their breathe and try to redirect before what I know is going to happen happens.

Also if you are nervous your horse will be too.

• Visualize success

Imagining yourself succeeding activates similar brain areas as actual practice, helping build confidence.

Examples of Brain-Based Training in Action

You can help your horse to overcome fear of failure and fear of trying by creating a safe learning environment where mistakes are seen as information to the trainer. This encourages the brain to stay open to new information instead of shutting down due to fear.

Why This Matters Beyond Training

Understanding how the brain changes and how fear works can improve our relationship with our horses. It helps them and us become more resilient, take on new challenges, and keep learning throughout life. When we know that fear is a natural response that can be rewired, it becomes less of a barrier and more of a signal to approach growth carefully and patiently.

Link to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo5L27DqtIE