the focused rider Blog
Thoughts, stories, and resources on how to become more successful in the saddle while building a deeper connection with your horse.
What to Expect When Your Horse Needs Rehab – Interview with Brooke Drassal
Image courtesy of Shelley Paulson Photography Horses hurt themselves. ALL THE TIME. For such enormous animals, they can be as fragile as china dolls. No matter how much you try to bubble wrap them, they will find a way to tweak, torque, or tear some part of their...
How a dirt sandwich turned into an equestrian planner and life lessons learned
The first week of owning my new gelding, he bucked me off. Looking back, I suspect there were a whole host of factors that contributed to his behavior - a perfect storm of sorts. He was still recovering from a trailer ride from Florida - the second leg of it from...
On Finding a Good Saddle Fitter, Better Riding, and Happier Horses – Interview with Debbie Witty
Image courtesy of Jessa Janes Photography with Paige Freeland Finding a good saddle fitter can be like searching for Prince Charming only to end up in a pond full of frogs. You keep hoping the next one will be better than the last but too often you’re left wading in...
Falling Off Your Horse Doesn’t Have to Be a Disaster – Interview with Danny Warrington
I remember the last time I fell off while riding. It was almost two years ago. And, it wasn’t pretty. My new horse of less than a week decided to buck, big. We’re still not entirely sure why. It was probably a perfect storm of poor saddle fit, underlying chronic pain...
From Mental Blocks to Large Fences, Equestrian Mental Skills Coach Tonya Johnston Talks Motivation, Mindset, and Success in the Ring
Image courtesy of Tonya Johnston Motivation. When things are going well with my horse, it can seem like there’s an endless supply. I don’t have to think about why I’m slogging through ankle-deep mud in biting cold temperatures to bring this giant, hairy beast inside...
What Happens When a Passion for Pilates and Riding Meet: Interview with Megan Smith Ray
Images courtesy of Megan Smith Ray and Emily Neville Fisher Photography More than 20 years ago a friend of mine convinced me to give Pilates a try. Never did I realize back then just how important to my riding (and my aging body) Pilates would be. Developed by Joseph...
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