About
Hi, my name is Heather Wallace and this is my pony Ferrous. I am a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT) and Certified Canine Massage Therapist (CCMT). Many people wonder why I refer to myself as The Timid Rider. I’m not afraid to ride, usually, and seem really sure of myself.
Appearances can be deceiving. I’m extremely hard on myself. I think too much about what I’m doing wrong and whether I’m giving my horse what he needs. Sometimes I’m able to push through and focus on the connection with my horse. Other times I end up having a complete panic attack. The good news is that most days are good. But just like anything, I’m not perfect and I’m not afraid to talk about it and show that to the world.
While I am confident at work, I struggle with confidence in the saddle. I left riding as a teenager due to anxiety but returned as an adult after having my first child. This time around is a lot different. I’m older, I’m less flexible, and I’m a lot farther from the ground. Not to mention, I have three daughters at home depending on me. I still doubt myself but my determination to pursue my passion with horses is a constant struggle that I’m working on every day with my pony Ferrous. My advice to you? Never give up. Be bold and step outside your comfort zone. I’m speaking from experience and I hope that my journey will help you. If you can relate, please join my Timid Rider Community on Facebook.
I am perhaps best known for my best-selling book, Confessions of a Timid Rider, which won the 2018 Equus Film Festival WINNIE award for Best Non-Fiction. My newest book, Girl Forward won the non-fiction literary selection for the 2019 WINNIE awards and was a winner of the Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Award! I have also written for a number of publications including Horse Illustrated, Chrome Magazine, Holistic Horse Magazine, Sidelines Magazine, and Equine Info Exchange among others. View my portfolio for more information.
Are you a brand, marketing rep, or press member? Please view my Media page for more information.
Books
Heather Wallace writes about confidence, overcoming self-doubt and following her passion. She is the award-winning author of non-fiction titles Confessions of a Timid Rider, which details her insights about being an anxiety-ridden but passionate horse lover and Girl Forward: A Tale of One Woman’s Unlikely Adventure in Mongolia. Heather is also well known for her blog, The Timid Rider, chronicling her journey as a returning adult equestrian with a lot more curves and a lot more determination.
By day, Heather is a Certified Equine and Canine Sports Massage Therapist dedicated to helping animals holistically. In her spare time, of which she has little, she spends her time with her husband, three children, two dogs, and pony in the wilds of New Jersey. You can follow her on social media @timidrider or at timidrider.com.
Confessions of a Timid Rider
Confessions of a Timid Rider is the award-winning memoir detailing Heather Wallace’s insights about being an anxiety-ridden but passionate equestrian. After returning to riding as a mother, she is determined to follow her dreams in spite of the fear that she is somehow lacking in talent or ability. An in-depth look into the heart and head of a returning adult equestrian, this memoir is not limited to those people with horse experience. In fact, Confessions of a Timid Rider is the perfect book to read for anyone who questions their value and worth in their designated profession or life choice. Motivational and inspirational, this book will make you determined to pursue your dreams despite the inner voice that says you aren’t good enough.
Winner of the 2018 Equus Film Festival WINNIE award for Best Non-Fiction English, and #1 Hot New Release on Amazon. A bestseller in three Amazon categories.
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Adulting with Horses (Book Two of the Confessions Series)
Heather Wallace is a returning adult equestrian and mama writing about her own journey to be bold in the horse world and beyond. She started riding again after having her daughter, and things were a little different. Horses seemed higher up and she didn't bounce like she used to do either. Despite being less flexible and still overthinking everything, she finally buys a pony of her own. That's when the real confidence-building begins.
Adulting with Horses continues where Confessions of a Timid Rider leaves off. Heather finally gets a pony of her own and with that, the freedom to do things her way. If Confessions is "how it started", then Adulting With Horses is "how it's going". Don't miss how a timid rider steps out of her comfort zone and focuses on being just a little bit bold both in the saddle and out.
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Girl Forward: A Tale of One Woman’s Unlikely Adventure in Mongolia
Heather Wallace is an unlikely adventurer. A mother of three and a small business owner, she has little time to explore the world the way she did in her younger years. So when the opportunity arose to work for a horse race in the heart of Mongolia among the nomads, she took a risk learning about herself and changing her life forever.
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Body Conditioning for the Horse and Rider
RELEASE DATE MARCH 12, 2021.
Build the best foundation for long-term success with your horse with the help of and Heather Wallace, an Equine Sports Massage Therapist and Equine Ergonomist, Dr. Madi Rauch, a Human and Equine Chiropractor, and Dr. Danielle Shugard, a Human Physical Therapist focusing on equestrians. They bring together their specialties for horse and rider body conditioning whether you are prepping for show season, coming back from injury, or want to create a solid base for long-term health.
It’s a conditioning diary!
Learn what signs of pain to look for in your horse. Incorporate stretches into your daily routine. Find how to improve muscle tone and strength in your horse and the rider. Take notes and record your progress and your horse’s progress. Horse owners, amateurs, and professionals alike will benefit from this collaborative look at building a strong foundation for the whole body.
In this beautifully photographed book, you will learn:
* About the types of muscle and why they are essential.
* How to stretch your horse without harm to improve mobility.
* Exercises to build a solid foundation for your horse.
* How the skeletal system of the horse affects the biomechanics of movement.
* How the rider’s imbalance can create mirroring in the horse.
* Exercises for the rider to maintain strength and balance.
* A diary to track goals for both horse and rider.
* Suggested timeline and exercises.
Recent Blog Posts
- The Power of Mindset in Riding
- Safer on the Ground or In The Saddle? It Depends On The Horse Of Course
- Leveling Up the Equestrian Dream- Taking the Leap and Buying a Horse Property
- Equestrienne: Kathy Palm, PATH Intl.
- You Won’t See Me Riding in Videos
Our Community
Did you know that I have a private FB group called The Timid Riders? The world celebrates confident, extroverted people but is that “real” 100% of the time. I wanted to create a place where we can be honest with your highs and lows, stories, and setbacks. This is intended as a supportive group of like-minded people who aren’t perfect but try their best. So, if this sounds like something you would like, please join us! Plus, don’t forget my blog posts that you might find helpful and hopefully, a little inspirational. I know it helps me to write them.
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