Think Outside the Stall #equinemovement #humanmind equine performance Jul 31, 2020

The chestnut horse’s life changed so drastically, so wonderfully, that having the ability to pick up both leads easily is hardly worth mentioning.

Except that the story starts with a problem at the canter. And an upcoming horse show. A big one.

 

I was teaching a two-week Debono Moves equine work...

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Would Your Horse Know What to Do? #equinemind #horsehumanconnection horse horses Jul 22, 2020

 

Help me! Help me!

The man called out as he came lurching down the path, a rifle clutched against his chest.

Yikes!

 

I was hand walking my leopard Appaloosa, Spotzy, with a friend when we noticed the armed man coming towards us.

Quickly realizing that the man’s “rifle” was a realistic-lookin...

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Is your horse happy in his work? Are you? #humanmind equestrians mindset riders Jul 16, 2020

Have you ever wondered if your horse is happy in his work?

 

Does responding to your cues make your horse feel good? Or is he simply conditioned to respond to your aids?

 

In other words, what’s your horse’s motivation for working with you?

 

Many equestrians never ask these questions. And tha...

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A New Use For Polo Wraps #humanmovement equestrians exercises feldenkrais feldenkrais method humans Jun 23, 2020

Go grab two polo wraps, standing bandages or even a couple of hand towels out of your linen closet.

Then lie down on the floor and join Mary in a short, super effective exercise to activate your deep core muscles.

You'll learn how to both relax your back AND get stronger and more coordinated all a...

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A Surprise Benefit of Staying Home with Your Dog or Cat breathing canine cats dogs feline humans stress relief Apr 29, 2020

Some years ago, I walked into a sunlit, colorful living room in the coastal town of Laguna Nigel, California. The homeowner, a woman named Carol, was in her early 40’s and had shoulder-length, sandy-colored hair that was pulled back into a ponytail.  

I first met Carol a couple of weeks earlier whe...

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This Mindset Shift Can Help You be More Balanced on Your Horse #humanmovement balance feldenkrais humans riders Apr 18, 2020

Part 1 – The Rider’s Habits

 

There’s one tool that I’ve seen help equestrians more than any other. It can help riders successfully navigate challenging situations with their horses. It can also help equestrians achieve long-term goals such as: improving riding skill, enhancing equine athleticism ...

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Help Your Horse Bend Better #equinemovement bending dressage feldenkrais horses rib accordions Feb 12, 2020

This Simple Mindset Shift Can Transform A Stiff, Resistant Horse

Part 2:  The Horse's Habits 

 

In Part 1, I introduced you to Gina and her bay Arabian gelding, Piper. Gina was frustrated that Piper resisted bending, especially to the right.

Gina’s trainer had demanded that she use stronger, mor...

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The Secret to Helping Dogs with Back Stiffness or Hip/Knee Injuries acl canine canine back stiffness canine hip canine knee injury ccl cranial cruciate ligament dogs lumbar circle lumbar lift Feb 05, 2020

Let’s say you see a dog who’s hurting. Maybe he’s an older dog with a stiff, arthritic spine. Or perhaps she’s a younger dog with hip dysplasia or a torn knee ligament.

Don’t you wish you could instantly help such a dog feel better?  

 

I’d like to share a simple, hands-on technique that has help...

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A Surprising Use for Your Lead Rope #equinemovement #humanmovement equestrians exercises feldenkrais horse humans rib cage rib rope rider suspensory injury Jan 10, 2020

***Important note about the video: Please be gentle! Your pressure should be VERY LIGHT and the movements should be subtle "suggestions." Never use force. Keep your hands and shoulders soft and relaxed.***   

 

Don’t you love when something good comes out of something bad?   

 A number of years a...

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Improving a Horse’s Ability to Hold Up His Legs for Hoof Trimming #equinemovement equestrians hoof trimming horse Dec 08, 2019

“Damn it! Just give me your leg!” Hearing these harsh words, I snapped my head around. Just as I suspected, a farrier was holding onto the hind hoof of a horse who was trying to break free of the man’s grasp.

The farrier, Joe*, had been patient with the big chestnut Warmblood. But Joe’s patience – ...

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An Akita Overcomes Hip and Knee Pain – and Changes His Behavior Too acl injury agression canine canine behavior canine injury ccl injury cranial cruciate ligament dogs hip dysplasia Nov 28, 2019

 

I drove down the unfamiliar street, reading the house numbers. 2403… 2405… 2407… Bingo!

I parked on the street and was about to get out of my red Toyota Celica when a woman called out to me from the porch.

“Wait in your car while I bring Bruno into the house!”

I watched as she used a piece of...

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