I wonder when the day will come when I’m not nervous about getting on my horse. This is a recent development in my riding journey. I used to get on all kinds of horses and never felt nervous unless the horse gave me a reason to be. But now, somehow, getting back into it with…
Wind in The Trees (And in Our Sails)
Riders with sensitive horses know there’s a certain kind of weather they don’t love: the chilly, blustery day. Especially when they have to ride in an outdoor arena. Especially when that outdoor arena is surrounded by all sorts of trees and rustling bushes and mare’s tail. Especially when that outdoor arena is surrounded by other…
I’m Allowed to Feel Things About My Rider Body
Warning: This is not a body positive post. It also mentions specific weight, so if that is triggering, please skip this one. Yesterday, I turned 42. We all had a great day at the barn, holding yet another successful “wine and ride” in which we typically have a little wine, ride a working equitation-style obstacle…
Balance, ‘Crazy’ Horses, and The Mind-Body Connection
I used to work in a toxic job situation. No matter how long I worked, teams I motivated, mountains I moved, or innovations I introduced, the only times I got recognized were when something went wrong. Figuratively, I walked on eggshells. Physically, though, that manifested in frequently waking up with a painful, stiff, and immobile…
Re-Riding Lessons
My friend and the owner of the stable where I board Kiss, Bevin, is a great student of life. She is always learning, seeking knowledge, looking to improve. Along with her groundwork and Straightness Training lessons from our mutual trainer, Deanna, she also started taking Dressage riding lessons to work on her equitation. And, of…
Slow and Steady
Speed and agility have never been my thing. Some people live for doing things fast, the adrenaline of it. Some folks love to leap out of bed at the absolute last second, throw themselves in the shower, and spill coffee on themselves flinging their still-soaked and recently clad bodies into their vehicles while they go…
The Story of How I Bought My Horse
A year ago, I was pretty miserable. Both my personal life and professional life weren’t going as I’d hoped they’d go and every day battered whatever was left of my flattened spirit. The one bright spot of my week was when I’d get to go spill my guts to my therapist and examine what was…
Starting Here
There was never a time in my life that I didn’t want to be known as a horse girl. Even when I hadn’t ridden in years, I still galloped over fields in my heart. I knew I’d get back to it eventually. I had to. Trying to define what being a horse girl is like…
Equicurious 