How Chocolate Can Boost Your Riding Performance

If you’ve been looking for a neuroscience-backed excuse to enjoy some chocolate, consider this your official permission slip! But this isn’t just about indulgence, although who doesn’t love, love, love chocolate, I certainly do. And what I loive even more is that there is some fascinating neuroscience behind why chocolate – especially the dark, flavanoid-rich kind – could actually help you ride better, focus more deeply, and learn more effectively. It’s all to do with how chocolate influences gamma brain waves, and how equestrians can use this to our advantage in the saddle.

🍫 The Brain on Chocolate

Most people know chocolate contains compounds that make us feel good – like theobromine, phenylethylamine, and even a little caffeine. But there’s more going on beneath the surface. Research from neuroscience labs around the world has shown that high-quality dark chocolate, particularly those with 70%+ cocoa content, can increase gamma frequency brain waves – the fastest of all brainwave frequencies, ranging from 30 to 100 Hz.

Gamma waves are associated with:

• Heightened perception
• Improved focus and concentration
• Enhanced learning and memory
• Greater levels of insight and cognitive clarity
• Better sensory perception

When gamma activity is elevated, the brain is in a state of peak performance – think of this as the ideal flow state, where time seems to slow down and your reactions feel almost intuitive. For equestrians, this is golden. Imagine being more attuned to your horse’s subtle cues, processing information faster during a lesson or competition, and recalling new riding techniques with ease. That’s the potential power of chocolate-boosted brainwaves.

🧠 What the Science Says

In a study conducted by researchers at Loma Linda University, participants who consumed 48 grams of dark chocolate (70% cacao) showed significant increases in gamma brain activity just 30 minutes after eating it. Not only that, but they also demonstrated improved neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and form new neural connections.

This is especially relevant to riders who are working on improving their riding, refining their aids or overcoming performance anxiety. When the brain is in a gamma-dominant state, it is more open to learning, adapting, and integrating feedback – which is essentially what great riding is all about.

🐴 Why This Matters for Equestrians

Whether you’re schooling at home, prepping for a competition or trying to master a new dressage movement, equestrian performance is a delicate blend of physical coordination, mental focus, emotional regulation and communication with your equine partner. Gamma brain waves help synchronise these systems by promoting what’s known as neural synchrony – where different parts of the brain are firing together harmoniously.

This means:

• Sharper decision-making during fast-paced or technical rides
• Better emotional regulation (say goodbye to mid-ride frustration)
• More precise muscle control for subtle, elegant aids
• Faster learning integration – fewer repetitions, more retention

And yes, chocolate helps you get there!!

🌟 Your Step-by-Step Chocolate-Boosted Riding Ritual

To harness the brain-boosting benefits of chocolate, it’s not just about eating it at random times. Here’s a simple, equestrian-friendly protocol to help you enhance your focus and learning while enjoying that nice bit of choc.

Step 1: Choose Your Chocolate Wisely

Go for dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao content. The higher the cacao, the more flavanoids and theobromine it contains – the compounds linked to cognitive and neurovascular benefits. Avoid overly processed or sugary varieties; they won’t give you the same results and might spike your blood sugar instead.

Bonus tip: Some artisan brands also include adaptogens or magnesium, which can further support calm focus and muscle recovery.

Step 2: Time It Right

Eat your square (or two) of chocolate (e.g., the scicence says about 28g, which is about a quarter of a thin, rectangular slab of chocolate, about 30 minutes before you ride or have a lesson. This is when the gamma-enhancing effects are most potent. Use this as a mindful moment – savour the taste, smell the richness, and set a quiet intention for your ride.

Step 3: Pair With Breathwork or an NLP technique

After eating the chocolate, take 3–5 minutes to breathe slowly and deeply. Inhale for a count of 4, exhale for 6. This extends the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state, reducing cortisol and increasing receptivity to learning. You’re priming both brain and body for performance. (For NLP techniques, see Peripheral vision – the ideal state!, Mental toughness – 5 ways to get it fast! or https://equk.org/career-spotlight-tracey-cole-nlp-coach/)

Step 4: Visualise Your Ride

Before you get on your horse, spend 2–3 minutes mentally rehearsing your ride or exercise. Gamma waves are associated with mental clarity and visualisation – use them! Picture the canter transition, the jump line, or the perfect trot circle. Feel it as if it’s already happening. (If you struggle with this, see Can you envisage visualising?)

Step 5: Ride With Curiosity

As you ride, aim to stay curious and open – key attributes of gamma-dominant brains. Instead of over-correcting or over-thinking, stay aware of your horse, the environment, and your own body. Let the ride unfold naturally, trusting that your brain is doing the deep integration work in the background.

Step 6: Reflect and Reinforce

After your ride, take a moment to reflect. What felt easier? Where did you notice more focus or flow? Reinforcing the awareness of improvement helps the brain consolidate learning – and gives you even more reason to repeat your new chocolate ritual next time.

💬 Final Thoughts

As equestrians, we often talk about mindset, feel, timing, and connection – all things that thrive when the brain is in its optimal state. Gamma waves are your brain’s performance mode, and chocolate, wonderfully, is one of the tastiest ways to help access it.

So the next time you’re tacking up, don’t forget your hat, your boots… and your chocolate.

Here’s to the science that shows sharper focus and learning coupled with chocolate. What more could anyone want? 🍫🐎🧠