Paul T. Haefner, Ph.D.

Dr. Paul Haefner is a licensed clinical psychologist, sport psychology expert, and life-long equestrian with over 40 years of experience helping riders and instructors navigate emotions, learning differences, and performance challenges in the equestrian arena.

Throughout his career, Dr. Haefner has worked extensively with anxiety, fear, frustration, and emotional resilience, helping individuals develop the skills needed to perform under pressure. His expertise in affective neuroscience, emotional regulation, and learning psychology provides riding instructors with science-backed tools to support students who struggle with fear, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm in lessons and competition.

As the founder of Riding Far, LLC, Dr. Haefner has dedicated his work to bridging the gap between sport psychology and equestrian education, ensuring that instructors not only teach riding skills but also help students manage emotions that directly impact performance and learning. His research and hands-on experience highlight the critical connection between emotional regulation and the horse and rider relationship, showing that riders who can manage their emotions become more effective, confident, and connected with their horses.

In this course, Dr. Haefner will guide you through practical strategies to help students regulate emotions, de-escalate emotional reactions, and foster resilience, so you can create a more effective, supportive learning environment—ultimately leading to stronger riders, happier horses, and more rewarding lessons for everyone involved.