“Saddle up” started as a phrase I heard my whole life around horses.
A simple cue.
A moment of preparation before the ride.
But over time, it’s come to mean something much deeper to me. Something that reaches far beyond the barn.
To saddle up isn’t about rushing forward or forcing confidence. It’s about choosing to show up, even when you’re unsure, even when fear is present, even when your life looks different than everyone else’s.
The Pause Before the Ride
When you saddle up a horse, there’s intention in it.
You check your tack.
You slow down.
You make sure everything fits.
It’s the pause before movement. And I think we skip that pause far too often in life.
“Saddle up” reminds me to prepare my heart before I move forward. To breathe. To ground myself. To step into what’s next with awareness instead of anxiety.
Saddle Up as Courage
For a long time, fear dictated my choices.
Fear of being judged.
Fear of failing.
Fear of not being good enough.
Saddling up doesn’t mean fear disappears. It means I ride anyway.
Every time I saddle up, whether it’s with my horse, my creativity, or a new season of life, I’m reminding myself:
I am capable. I can trust myself. I don’t need to have everything figured out.
Saddle Up in Motherhood
Motherhood has taught me that some days you saddle up with energy and excitement — and some days you saddle up exhausted and uncertain.
But you still show up.
Saddling up as a mom looks like choosing patience, choosing presence, and choosing growth even when it feels uncomfortable. It’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about staying committed to love, connection, and growth.
Saddle Up With Your Horse
These days, saddling up looks slower for me.
More intentional.
Less about performance and more about connection.
It’s a reminder that I don’t need to prove anything.
I just need to listen — to my horse and to myself.
Saddle Up as Self-Trust
More than anything, “saddle up” has become a promise to myself.
A promise to trust my timing.
To honor my pace.
To listen to my intuition.
To try again, even after setbacks.
It’s not hustle.
It’s not pressure.
It’s gentle courage practiced daily.
An Invitation
So when I say “Saddle up” this is what I mean:
Take a breath.
Prepare your heart.
Trust yourself.
Trust God.
And climb on anyway.
You don’t need to ride fast.
You don’t need to ride like anyone else.
You just need to ride your ride.
If this message resonated with you, listen to the full podcast episode HERE where I share more about the heart behind “Saddle Up” — and join me in choosing courage, presence, and self-trust, one ride at a time.