Mindfully Mounted & Fit

I am shocked. So sad to hear this.

Its ok. Truly. (And get a good giggle from the pic!)

Happy New Year!

Prepping for my interview tomorrow morning. Register so that you can hear AND support this amazing program! More to follow.....

Merry Christmas from Mindfully Mounted & Fit! May all of your Christmases be white! Photo Credit: Danielle Stillhoe

A repeat but well worth the read. It starts Jan 1!

In this time of gratitude, this hits the spot. I tell my mare almost every say how grateful I am to have her in my life.

Ah, this is the heart of it.

So many of you ask what you should be doing exercise wise. Along with what I show you, here are other options to keep you interested.

This may offend a few but understand it is a journey.

A heartfelt review..... When your getting a lesson and the light bulb goes on and bing it just comes together. Couldn't do without you Tanya Korutz Bevilacqua!! Your amazing anyone lucky enough to work with you is blessed!! Thank you so much. Nova thanks you too!!

I am grateful for all the support. Thank you to all of my clients. Your success is our success. Happy Thanksgiving!

As we prep for this season, remember, blankets arent always meant to be worn.

One if my favorite horses because he is so wise and caring. His latest message - adapt and find golden opportunities. It will challenge your habitual beliefs but so what. Keep them and get to them differently or learn something all together new. It does not matter as long as you do not get stuck.

Its called stiffening. Dont feel your rightness. Just now when it is right.

This is a nice explanation.

This thought alone will alter your relationship to yourself and any creature around you. None of us, 2 or 4 legged, is perfect.

This is astounding and smart. And long overdue.

I will be in Central PA November 13 - 15. Contact me if you would like a lesson, body work or horse help. Session times are limited.

I will be buying this book mentioned here. Horses so want to connect because they have wisdom to share with us. We provide logic for them. It is a symbiotic relationship.

This has been the theme lately in my clients’ lessons. Contact with the bit is not feeling the hands and the bIt. The bit is the doorknob that opens that end of the horse. The rider opens the door to the rest of the horse. Together, bit, reins and rider guide the horse and the horse guides the rider via the center points of gravity connected. Hence, take the horse by your waist.

I want to help make you great. Contact me to learn more.

SR just knows how to capture in pictures the feel of correctness. This is a series to digest.

Ooo. Good explanation. Check yourself when the horse is struggling.

Yes, this can be done. Holy Cow!

Sometimes this about sums it up! Haha! Happy Halloween!

Enough said. Book your session with me TODAY

ANNOUNCEMENT Big House Stables in Geneseo, NY is hosting a weekend of lessons and Alexander Technique sessions for riders November 7 & 8! It is already half full. There are 3 slots left!... $110 per session. There are overnight accomadations for an extra fee should you want to be there for 2 days. You may want to stay - the place and people are fabulous! Contact me to reserve you space!

Two fingers, People! Let me clarify - 2 VERTICAL fingers! If I see 2 flat finger fittings or less one more time, I will [blank!].

Nailed it. Wish I came up with this. MM&F philosophy in a nutshell.

Oh, God, no. ‘Tis the season. Enjoy this hilarious writeup.

Educate with explanation not fear to build trust.

(See my previous post) And backed by the great Ray Hunt.... My ways are often looked upon as soft. Some find it positively fine. Others find me too lenient. But I choose not to fight with the horse in all occasions. I want peace so that life can be saved. ... I educate and address the issues and reward the efforts. Its a whole lot better to do so.

I cannot verify the truth in this story but can wholeheartedly agree with his quote. Connect and create a two way conversation without dismissal. No matter what the species. The effort will create healing.

You are enough One unique thing about being human is that we can imagine a future. This makes us capable of complex planning carried out over time, which can ...lead to great achievements. But being able to imagine what is not here yet comes with a heavy burden a tendency to judge the present moment as being insufficient because we can compare it with an imaginary perfect state. We think of what we could be, and think that we are not enough. One of the hardest things to manage about horse training is striking a balance between a restless desire to improve, and being at peace with what is. Without that restlessness, you’d still be a beginner with a wobbly seat and barely any ability to steer or go. But you have to be careful that you’re not all dissatisfaction about the ‘now’. That’s not offering your poor horse any rest, comfort or certainty that he’s doing enough to please you. And never mind the horse if you are all dissatisfaction with the present, how are you ever going to enjoy your horse riding? It will all be about some future point that never arrives. The competition you can’t win yet, that lateral movement that is still faulty, the height you can’t jump, the piaffe that hasn’t arrived. It’s too hard for the horse, and it’s too hard for you to be in the constant state of are-we-there-yet? I write this as a serial offender in being dissatisfied with my current place in the training. On the one hand, this is an impetus that has seen me improve a lot. On the other hand, taken in too strong and sustained a dose it is not good for me or the horse. I know I’ve stressed horses out because I’ve spent too much time correcting them, continuing on when it’s not working yet, or finishing a lesson displeased because it wasn’t as good as the ride yesterday. They notice these things! Plus, this outlook cheats me of happiness that could be mine, if I just noticed all of the wonderful things that are here in the moment. If we are just logical and unemotional for a moment, cultivating your ability to be satisfied will allow you to notice improvements and to stop, praise the horse, and reward him for whatever he has just achieved, no matter how small. This will make him more likely to offer whatever it was that he was doing just before the break. If you’re not offering your horse peace, certainty and satisfaction, this will hinder your training efforts because these are things he will actively seek. Being satisfied goes beyond logic, too, and speaks to the enjoyment and quality of life that we want for ourselves, and to be able to offer the horse. All that you really have is the present. Possibly the greatest gift the horse can offer you is an invitation to join him where he lives: in the now. For his sake, and for yours, whenever you can, don’t forget to convey the message: You are enough. Here are some pictures of riders of the Ecole de Légèreté where I feel that the horse and human are content in the moment. Do you have a similar photo? If so, please add it in the comments.

Important to ponder.

Yes, yes, a thousand yeses!

Seriously. Well, technically, our whole bodies, but still...

Central PA Lessons I will be in Central PA teaching September 18-20, 2020 I specialize in helping people discover how easy riding can feel by discovering the subtle ways to speak through the rider’s body. ... PM me for your lesson time or for more information.

I am beyond thrilled that this study was done and by what was discovered. I talk of what has been discovered when I teach and try to help others discover it, too. Here is another way to learn contralateral, lateral and independence of muscle groups: Stand in front if a long mirror with minimal clothing. Ask various body areas to activate more than others. One, see it happen and, two, notice if you can do it without altering the rest of the body. ... Memorize the FEEL the experience so that you can apply it to saddle work or exercise. Or, PM me for independent help on the subject. I’m happy to explain. https://www.horsetalk.co.nz//sensors-key-differences-adv/

What a perfect setting for a perfect hunter pace with the most perfect people with the most perfect horses on a perfect day! Me and Miss J (far left) completed a 9 miler at @Jersey Maple Farms in Wylausing. Jen was, well, perfect. Ended it with a late lunch at Marie Antoinette Lookout.... I cant stress enough to tell all to get out and play with your horse pals! #endlessmountainhunterpace

Another review of a first time lesson. I am always a bit amazed that subconsciously in the mind but consciously in the body, info gets through and starts to take hold. If this sounds intriguing, contact me to understand more. ... Heather states - OMG!!! So I haven’t ridden in 2 weeks... rode for first time today - probably forgot lots but ride was INCREDIBLE!!! Maybe it was my imagination but Kayla was both forward but collected. My daughter remarked several times how good she looked!!! PLEASE let me know when you are doing a seminar near me!!

A couple of reviews came in this past week. Read this one and tell me if you can relate and want to know more: Lori writes- Thank you for another awesome lesson on Eric. Your ability to analyze both horse and rider and what needs to be better aligned has helped us achieve such improvement while supporting us to harmonize with Eric licking and chewing when he approves!Those moments of collection and lightness are priceless , but for us, only achieved through education, coaching and practice. There is always so much to think about, this time, it's about carrying briefcases! Looking forward to practicing till our next lesson, thanks again!

Central PA, the quarantine dust was removed from horses and riders! A super weekend of teaching and riding for me as the coach. Keep on riding and thinking. September dates forming!

The truth of the matter.

Philadelphia southeastern PA area followers: I am in need of a farm to host a clinic. To accommodate all weather, there needs to be an indoor arena. Please PM me to discuss details. Thank you.

Per usual, Mark Rashid nails it!

Who wants to rig one up with me AND ride this?! Actually looks like a good training tool!

Once again, Denny nails it. So often I hear it isnt right or I am not doing it right. Sure, it may be true so work at making it more correct. Keep at it, ask questions, try to figure it out and you are closer to the ideal. It is when you stop at the knowing it isnt right that you do not progress. That just sucks. ... As my friend Todd frequently states Just don’t suck!. I always love to hear that phrase (thank you, Todd).

Dang. That is a seriously amazing score.

Seriously, if the 5 year old can rock these moves, so can you.

Wow. Let this one roll around your thoughts for a bit!

Reserve your session today!

I will be in Central PA Aug. 28-30. I am booking riding lessons, horse training and Alexander Technique sessions for horses and riders. PM me for your session space. Slots are limited!

Nice details here but, then again, it is from de Kunffy.

I told Jen S if she could ride the trot of Miss Jennifer (the horse), she could ride any trot of any horse. Today, she took huge steps to post this huge trot and rode her on her own off lunge. Finding your confidence is not always easy. Jen has put her trust in biomechanics and learning about it in order to undo mind blanking fear and anxiety. She is embracing her process in and out if the saddle. Miss Jenny loves to work with people like Jen. You think you cant do somethi...ng? You can with guidance in filling in the gaps holding you back from your goal. Be like Jen. #riderbiomechanics #ridingandthealexandertechnique

This is simply the essential truth of a mare.

This is what I talk about in my lessons.