A workshop dedicated to Women Only.  A time to look at ourselves, to learn what leadership and partnership really is.  And you might be surprised at what you find out about yourself and your horse.

The horses are allowed freedom to “choose” their human partners.  An interesting exercise all by itself!  It is . . . → Read More: Heart & Soul Transformation]]>

A workshop dedicated to Women Only.  A time to look at ourselves, to learn what leadership and partnership really is.  And you might be surprised at what you find out about yourself and your horse.

The horses are allowed freedom to “choose” their human partners.  An interesting exercise all by itself!  It is always find out how the human’s story and the horse’s story are so similar. Spending some time in “session” prior to doing some “games” with the horses, helped us ladies see who we are and why we are “who we are”.  We found out that our idea of being “the leader” might not always be the horses’ idea and then we learn how we can make that partnership better.

Horses are amazing teachers! They reach into our hearts and soul and show us our “authentic” selves.  Not always who we thought we were, or who we want to be, but horses don’t lie and they are honest with us.  This workshop gives an opportunity to gain greater self-awareness, learn a new way of being and connecting in relationships and explore how our thoughts and feelings impact our daily lives. We experienced firsthand the rewards of the human and horse connection.

Next year’s dates will be set up soon. A great gift to yourself, ladies, or a fantastic unique gift for your favorite lady.  It is great for sisters, mother/daughter or good friends to attend together.  Watch for the dates.

Sponsored by HorseSense HorseManShip

My one huge love is my horses. I have had Champ’s Cuddles since she was 9 months old, and today she is 2o years old. . . . → Read More: Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse]]>

I have had polio since I was 16 month old. When I was around 35 yrs. post polio struck me. And I have increasing muscle weakness and fatigue.

My one huge love is my horses. I have had Champ’s Cuddles since she was 9 months old, and today she is 2o years old. She choose me as I stood in a field of horses. My little “black beauty”. Since that day 20 years ago, she has been my companioin, my comfortor and my strength. When I couldn’t ride her, I could talk to her. She always listened to me and never passed judgement on my hurts or sorrows.

I only ride occassionsly now. But Cuddles continues to give me strength and joy. Today she gives rides to children and adults with special needs. What a joy to see the smiles on the faces of those who enjoy her smooth comfortable gait and her gentle wonderful dispositon.

Horses -give wings to my feet and joy to my heart.

Visit our website to see our program for Special Ability HorseManShip.

Cuddles give a lesson to Clark, while Dennis coaches.

by Karen Schachter, LICSW, CHC

Who knew how much a horse could teach a person? As a long-time dog owner and animal lover, I was always aware of the powerful healing potential animals can have. I always knew instinctively – and now I know it to . . . → Read More: Straight From The Horse's Mouth]]>

Straight From The Horse’s Mouth

by Karen Schachter, LICSW, CHC

Who knew how much a horse could teach a person? As a long-time dog owner and animal lover, I was always aware of the powerful healing potential animals can have. I always knew instinctively – and now I know it to be true based on my knowledge of the brain – that mammals have an ability to feel, connect with and care for others.

What I didn’t realize was how much a horse could teach me about myself – and in such a short time!

After spending half a day today at Riding Far Farm with my friend and colleague, Paul Haefner and his partner, Elizabeth Siegert, I am awed by the incredible capacity a horse has to reflect back to me my own “stuff” – fears, limiting beliefs, ways of relating to others, and strengths. Horses are incredibly intuitive and therefore provide a non-judgmental mirror; and in that mirror, I was able to see patterns (some effective and some not so effective) that I use in my life.

In the first “exercise” (all of the exercises are done on the ground; no riding involved), we were instructed to introduce ourselves to each of the three horses in the ring. The first one was easy – I stretched my hand forward, used my high-pitched “it’s okay sweetie” voice and let the horse come to me. We bonded. The second horse was pretty much the same thing. (Paul wondered if this is how I usually get people to respond to me – sweetly rather than more assertively…hmmm, good question).

But the third – ah, not so easy. I saw that big horse with one missing eye who showed no interest whatsoever in me, who kept eating his grass when I used my tried-and-true techniques, and I was stuck. I felt the fear (“he’s dangerous”) rise up in me and after a minute or two of “trying,” I backed off.

In the second exercise, we were asked to work as a team to put a harness around one of the horses. As the “leader” of my team, I, curiously, chose the “dangerous” horse. And each time we approached, he walked away, over to another patch of grass to continue his lunch. Again and again and again. I wanted to give up. (Same thing as earlier – who wants to be rejected over and over??!). I was “sure” that this horse would NEVER allow us to harness him. And, I feared, if we kept trying, he would certainly attack us.

Luckily, I recognized this fear as irrational. I recognized a pattern in myself of wanting to “give up” when the going gets too tough; when I am faced with something I decide is “too scary”; or when I’m afraid I’ll fail (or be rejected somehow). Having that awareness allowed me to say to my team, “let’s approach him with confidence. No more beating around the bush; no more giving him the message that we’re ambivalent and unsure of ourselves. Let’s let him know we mean business here!”

And guess what? On that turn, the horse responded. He let us put the harness on him and he even stood there for a while with us once it was on.

A huge lesson for me: My reaction to this horse represented some of my own reactions in life. When faced with opportunities or goals, it’s so important that I get clear about what I want and act with intention and purpose. When my thoughts and actions are in alignment, I am much more likely to achieve my goals and move toward my dreams.

So often, many of us go about life not acting in “alignment.” We may say we “really” want something (to lose weight, have a more fulfilling career, or spend more quality time with our kids), yet we don’t act with intention and with purpose. We don’t commit to it and we don’t go for it full-on. We go for it in a wishy-washy, maybe ‘this-will-happen-if-I’m-lucky sort of way. Our actions don’t reflect what we say we want. Our minds – with our fears, our ambivalence or our mental blocks – “trick” us into thinking that we can’t do it, or stop us from going for it for some reason.

I’m so grateful to this beautiful, one-eyed horse for teaching me – not just in my cognitive awareness but with a “body” experience – such an important lesson that will continue to instruct me as I move forward toward my hopes and dreams.

Karen Schachter, a psychotherapist and coach, is committed to helping girls and women find peace, nourishment and wellbeing with food and their bodies. To receive her FREE AUDIO CLASS on DISHING WITH YOUR DAUGHTER: 5 Ways to Nourish Her Self-Esteem and Help Her Feed Her Body and Her Soul with Delicious Self-Care go tohttp://www.healthybodieshappyminds.com

Contact the Author
Karen Schachter, LICSW, CHC
Health and Fitness
articles@karenschachtermsw.com

The cultural hub of South Africa’s Western Province, Cape Town offers the visitor an increasingly broad variety of exciting accommodation and activity choices. Sightseeing, safaris, ethnic experiences and much, much more await the keen traveler in the Mother City. Those who enjoy outdoor activities are in for a treat – Cape Town . . . → Read More: Horse Riding is Also Recognized as Having Outstanding Therapeutic Qualities]]> Author: pinks.dec2008

The cultural hub of South Africa’s Western Province, Cape Town offers the visitor an increasingly broad variety of exciting accommodation and activity choices. Sightseeing, safaris, ethnic experiences and much, much more await the keen traveler in the Mother City. Those who enjoy outdoor activities are in for a treat – Cape Town is situated in the midst of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a habitat so rare that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in order to better protect it. A beautifully fragile ecosystem consisting mainly of Fibs, a type of flora peculiar to this region, it has been identified as one of the world’s 18 biodiversity hotspots.

A variety of Cape Town tours and outdoor activity providers operate from this breathtaking setting and in recent years, for more details visit to www.divorce-rebuild-your-life.com horse riding has become an especially favored pastime of both locals and visitors alike. There is nothing like a relaxing stroll along the beach or a bracing cross-country outride to do away with the stress and cobwebs of daily life.

Horse riding has been proven to have a host of health benefits that range from cardiovascular fitness to muscle conditioning and improved balance. Add to this the simple pleasure of having the wind in your hair and the majestic feeling of establishing a connection with an animal much larger than yourself and you get an outdoor activity that is as healthy as it is fun.

Horse riding is also recognized as having outstanding therapeutic qualities. There are references to the benefits of therapeutic riding as far back as 600 BC, when Socrates wrote of the “riding’s healing rhythm” for both mental and physical improvement. Horses were also used in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers after World War II.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Hippo therapy are two types of psycho-physical treatment that make use of horse riding as part of rehabilitation regimens. Both are guided by a medical model but differ slightly in the way they are implemented.

In Equine Assisted Psychotherapy a certified medical professional utilizes the unique qualities of horseback riding in various ways for therapeutic benefit; whereas Hippo therapy (a name derived from the Greek word for horse, ‘hippo’) involves a certified therapist using the horse itself, as well as the relationship between the patient and the animal, as a therapeutic tool.

In both instances patients afflicted by conditions as diverse as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, for more details visit to www.100computertips.com Down syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis stand to benefit from riding therapy in a number of ways. The most easily recognizable benefits are physical. An extremely physical activity, horse riding can improve balance, joint movement and muscle tones in children and adults with physical disabilities and special needs. Furthermore, the complex nature of the sport and the multi-sensory tasks it involves provide cognitive and mental stimulation.

On an emotional level, bonding with an animal is beneficial for people with social and psychological disabilities. Riding indicates a direct connection between action and reaction and can go a long way in explaining the concept of cause and effect. Effective communication, trust and loyalty are further positive lessons to be learnt in the process of riding.

No matter which way you choose to look at it, horse riding is a very healthy leisure pursuit. So next time you visit Cape Town and are looking for things to do, why not arrange for a pleasant outing with an establishment that facilitates riding lessons and activities? You only stand to benefit and you’ll get to experience the Mother City from a whole different angle.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cricket-articles/horse-riding-is-also-recognized-as-having-outstanding-therapeutic-qualities-676601.html

About the Author: www.activities-little-fingers.com www.buy-a-car-with-no-credit.com

Beyond the sway of the physical, horseback riding empowers the mind with a relaxation and stirring at the same time. The valuable relationship connecting horse and rider has been known for a very long time.Both the mental and physical realms of handicapped individuals . . . → Read More: Riding for Therapy]]> Therapeutic Horseback Riding-Relief From A Disability

Author: David Lathan

Beyond the sway of the physical, horseback riding empowers the mind with a relaxation and stirring at the same time. The valuable relationship connecting horse and rider has been known for a very long time.Both the mental and physical realms of handicapped individuals are engaged with therapeutic horseback riding. This type of horseback riding engages both the mental and physical realms of handicapped individuals to equally form a sense of tranquillity and stimulate nerves, muscles and neurons in the brain in a very unique way.

Who Profits from Therapeutic Horseback Riding? People with any disability can benefit from any riding discipline. The most frequently employed technique of therapeutic riding lessons is western but English saddles are being used more and more for their more personal connection between rider and horse.

A few of the most general disabilities where therapeutic horseback riding is encouraged are:

Adults and Children with Learning Disabilities: Lacking the pressure to achieve mental abilities are sharpened and quite regularly awakened in individuals with learning difficulties with this therapy. Just the riding and even ground communication with horses engages the mind and creates a unique and distinctive environment for mental stimulation.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Communication between animal and human has established a truly important asset in bringing autistic children and adults out of their inner selves and given them a motive to communicate that regularly translates into other areas of their lives.

Those with ADHD: The soothing motion of therapeutic horseback riding and the concentration on balance and communication makes a great combination for calming adults and children with ADHD and teaching them in an enjoyable way to direct their dynamic nature into the moment at hand.

Persons Tormented with Depression: It is difficult to stay depressed while on the back of a horse. The old saying goes “‘there is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse” riding brings a smile to the darkest countenance and enlivens the spirit of the most drained soul.

Apparel For These Riding Sessions     Relaxed clothing is the best apparel for any rider and handicapped riders even more so. Maintanining a peaceful and comfortable environment begins with loose fitting clothing that allows for movement without restraint and yet is secure enough to not be caught up in gear. Hard shoes are a must for anyone when moving around horses; they guard the feet from accidental missteps by the animal on the ground and provide a solid platform in the stirrups. A hard custom-fit hard hat made particularly for riding is necessary for any rider in order to safeguard them in a fall as well.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/equestrian-articles/therapeutic-horseback-ridingrelief-from-a-disability-1152076.html

About the Author: Equestrian Blog