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It’s Not All About Riding
I’ve worked with a lot of horse owners over the years in my bodywork business. Something I learned very quickly was that riding is the priority for only some of them. In reality, most people who own horses give less priority to saddling up than they do every day care, grooming, and horsemanship. So why the focus on riding we see everywhere on social media? There is nothing like the feeling of being on a horse, connected physically and mentally to make you feel alive. My husband is an extreme sports buff and loves the adrenaline rush of mountain biking, snowboarding and surfing. It might be an easy shift for…
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Addressing Toxic Positivity: Why Riding At Your Comfort Level Is Perfectly Acceptable
When it comes to performance, mindset is everything. There are a lot of memes out there and accounts perpetuating toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how dire or difficult a situation is, people should maintain a positive mindset. It’s a “good vibes only” approach to life. The trouble with that is, when you have anxiety, depression, or tend to be an overthinker, being positive is easier said than done. Sometimes you just can’t get out of your own way then feel like you are a failure because you think you should think positively. It’s a vicious circle. Truthfully, sometimes we feel nervous or we don’t want to…
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The Mental Aspect of Our Equestrian Sport
Many times others have questioned me, saying I don’t strike them as a timid person. In fact, I appear quite the opposite and for the most part there is truth to that. For me, I struggle with relinquishing control. For a person with trouble giving up control, it might seem ironic that I chose a sport where that is IMPERATIVE in order to succeed. Equestrianism is a partnership, a team event benefitted by the bond, communication, and trust between horse and rider. There must be a give and a take. In the last few years I’ve bloomed in confidence as I built my relationship with Ferrous. Owning my own horse…
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Heart Horse: The True Story of a Thoroughbred and a Timid Rider
Confession: I feel things very intensely, very deeply but often I hide it behind a smile. Most people won’t know when my heart is breaking, or completely full. That is, unless I openly admit it. The truth is, I have severe social anxiety. I have a fear of confrontation and I always secretly wonder if the things I say out loud are wrong or awkward. When The Timid Rider began in 2016 it was my secret diary of low self-esteem and struggle coming to terms with my baby weight, being a returning adult equestrian, and wanting to be better than I was. Riding a lesson horse once a week meant…
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Beyond Expectations
An Extraordinary Equestrian Journey from Deadly Diagnosis to the Paralympic Games by Sydney Collier and Heather Wallace Wow. I guess I’ve been pretty quiet on the blog over here. Sometimes I joke that I thrive in chaos. Perhaps, the busier I am the less I have to face the problems in my life. Of course, you probably won’t identify with that- wink wink. I’ve been working on a HUGE project behind the scenes and it’s finally coming to completion. My first traditionally-published book is now available for sale and I couldn’t be more proud! By Sydney Collier with Heather Wallace Shortly after Sydney Collier began riding at age seven, she was diagnosed…
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Can A Timid Rider Be Converted?
Yes! For me, being a timid rider is a personality trait. I’m careful, I’m overthinking, and prefer to take the slow, steady approach. My daughter was different. When she started riding at age 6, she was extremely timid. Unlike other children, she knew she could get hurt and was wary. Her first canter was an accident (like many others) and she panicked, resulting in her first fall. For a time, she needed to rebuild her confidence. She spoke up for her needs with her trainer, who agreed to go at her pace. She was supported and never made to feel “less than” because she was worried. Over the years, I’ve…
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Black Friday Blast: SMALL Business Give BIG Discounts
On this special episode of Adulting with Horses, Natalie and I want to highlight some friends of ours with amazing small, women-owned businesses! Even better, they have each offered a special promotional discount, between 15-25% depending on the brand, for our listeners. We are joined in person by several of these wonderful brands so listen in to hear about them in their own words! Below is a list of our participants and what they are offering. For each website site, enter promo code AWH23 to get big savings this November 24-December 1st (or use their site wide sale!). Don’t wait, you won’t find savings like this anywhere else! Ride IQ…
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Riding Different Horses Gives Me Confidence
I got on a horse that wasn’t mine today. It was a client’s horse that I had known and worked on for years. We had a little more time than expected so she asked, “Do you want to get on?” Now, I divide horses into two categories: ones that I would ride, and ones that I would never ride. Simple. This horse was one that I’ve always liked. So I figured, “Why not?” I donned her helmet and hopped on to do a little walk/trot around the arena. It felt great. As a timid rider that might seem strange, but I grew up catch riding and being assigned random horses…
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When Is It Time To Stop Riding? Part Two: The Rider
I’m a returning adult equestrian. I grew up riding, but decided to stop for a number of reasons. The latter was the final straw. I was a horse-obsessed child and for me to feel nothing but a pit in my stomach just before riding. Well- that wasn’t what I wanted in life. I stopped riding to focus on getting into college, going to school, starting a career in New York City, then getting married and starting a family of my own. When Is It Time to Start Riding Again? I dreamed of horses, waking in the morning, with the feeling of galloping through the woods on horseback and feeling the…
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When Is It Time to Stop Riding? Part One: The Horse
I always dreamed of having my own horse. I was an adult when I achieved that reality and knew from the beginning that any animal I had would be part of my forever family. No matter what. My experience as an equine bodyworker gave me certain advantages when I found out my little guy, Ferrous, had EPM previously and lived with anhidrosis (no sweat). I was able to work with colleagues in veterinary health to discuss supplements, boosting his immune system, and ways to reduce inflammation naturally. Then he was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease from tick bites and more recently, Cushing’s or PPID. The hits seemed to keep coming.…
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I’m An Outsider In An Insider Sport
When I was a teen there was a lot of pressure to fit in. Standing out made people a target. There was safety in following the crowd. I’ll be honest, that didn’t last long. I’ve always felt that being normal was a tad boring. Being myself meant embracing all the things that made me different and special. As I became an adult I gained more confidence to do my own thing, even if it didn’t fit the status quo.
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Keeping Your Horse Husband Happy- and other Impossible Tasks
Just kidding, horse husbands are the best! But we do want to keep them happy. After all, they can either make our hobbies possible or interfere. Are you the type of equestrian that yearns to share horses with your partner? I’m not. I think it is great to have a hobby to share. However, I am a pretty independent person and crave my alone time. For me, my self care involves going to the barn and grooming, spending time in the paddock, or riding. I don’t really want to do that with my husband. In fact, I’m happy to never do that with my husband. He drives me crazy. I…
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Is My Horse Spicy or Uncomfortable?
When your horse behaves badly under saddle, what do you assume is the reason? Is it better to push on and assume they are just being spicy or to take a step back and look for signs of pain? I know what I prefer.
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The Anti-Goal Setter
You Won’t Catch Me Setting a New Year’s Resolution My social media feed is filled with years in review and resolutions for the coming year. It’s rampant. And good for you if that’s your vibe. Honestly, most resolutions last two weeks and fade away into nothingness. Winter is not the time for new beginnings. For me, it’s a time of self care and self reflection. I refer to it as Hibernation Season. The winter season is a time when nature pauses and everything stills. Nature takes a break and pauses until spring. As such, we should take the hint and do the same. Rather than power through the holidays only…
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7 Grooming Items My Horses and I Can’t Live Without
I’m not a professional groom, but I do spend a lot of time doing this with my horses as a way to bond and relax together. If you’ve been following along by now you probably know that I have a shopping problem when it comes to horses. Combine that with the fact that my massage clients recommend different things that work for them AND I meet so many wonderful brands at events and conferences through my writing and podcast…well, you see how I could be somewhat of an expert. (Insert my husband’s eye roll here). I want to introduce you to the 8 must-have items in my grooming box. This…
Equestrian Fiction and Non-Fiction Author
