.Owning, handling and riding horses brings joy into our lives. Sometimes an illness, injury, pain or accident can take the pleaure out, but it doesn't always take the determination to rediscover that joy we've lost because we have an enduring passion for horses
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Finding a Way
Reduce Pain whilst Riding Most of us, at some point in the course of life, injure ourselves, sometimes from tripping up over a step, unfortunately most equestrians can name not only one but often a list of accidents, minor or major injuries and several near misses. At some point either our body or mind or both start to let us know that we can no longer ride/handle horses in the way we've been doing because it hurts, our reactions arent quick enough for the horse we have, or that sneaky little emotion 'fear' has crept in. I know, I've been there. I also know that there are many ways through it, if we choose to keep riding, keep owning horses or still have a career in equestrianism. My exploration into how the human body and mind work in relation to teaching horsemanship had a fairly rude awakening after breaking my hip in 2006. Through 4 operations and a natural propensity to believe things work out, I have since been travelling a wonderful path discovering how, when, why and what I can do to find a way to ride pain-free again. Some of this has been to be fully appreciative of the natural horsemanship techniques I'd already learnt, which meant my horses were safe to be around and chilled about me clambering on and off in a varety of very creative ways. I also had to discover new far more subtle ways of handling and connecting with horses I didn't know, as I no longer had the dexterity, movement and strength to put previous knowledge into practice. I now faciltate horsemanship rather than instruct and use my own experiences and training and the knowledge of each student to explore how they can release tension and get back to riding as pain-free as possible. Influences include: Pilates, Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Hanna Somatics, TRE, Primal Movement, Neuroscience of Pain (esp Norman Doidge), Mindfulness, Trager, Jane Pike and my own intuition. Rebuild Confidence around Horses When we don't move as well or don't have the energy we used to have, being aroung horses can become daunting. My own experience includes years on crutches, very little dexterity and an inability to move at any speed, not being naturally feerless and despite this.....I decided to keep, earning a living working with horses. I have discovered a huge amount about the effect of our own emotions and intentions around horses and how to read, appreciate, use and change those emotions. Increasing our own body awareness and learning to feel when, where and how we hold emotion in our body means we can then start to release the less helpful emotions and return to a state of calm. There are also some really simple practical horsmanship techniques I share with students that give both owners and horses confidence and calmness so that trust and enjoyment can be restored. Finding Horse Time Despite Lack of Strength/Energy Sometimes students feel they can no longer be around horses because their illness or injury gives them less energy and/or strength. I enjoy enabling students to find a way to get more out of their horses with much less effort from themselves and helping them come up with creative solutions to find a way to still enjoy horses in some form. I am particularly interested in how people with limited energy learnt to be more aware of how much or little input they put in. For example, I've noticed that when a student feels they have little energy they often 'create' more energy to start with which creates tension, which means everything takes even more effort and exausts them quicker. By helping students become more aware of what they are doing with their energy and how they hold tension, I can enable them to find ways of being more effective and get more out of their time with horses. I teach horsemanship techniques which can dramatically reduce the amount of effort and strength needed to ride. lead or handle a horse. With a natural affinity with animals, a knack for facilitating people and joy for combining the two, let me help you rediscover a way of riding and being with horses that works for you! |
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Testimonials
Before finding Martha, I always felt that the traditional way I was taught to ride and handle horses never felt quite right. It always felt like there should be more to a fulfilling relationship with horses that didn’t involve squeezing, kicking, pulling and bracing in what felt like a continuous battle of will. I found that riding with brace to ‘help’ the horse in to an outline was aggravating a back issue that meant I could barely stand on dismounting. I took a break from riding to get my back fixed and I was looking forward to getting back in the saddle, but not to the possible return of pain from the traditional way of riding. I was lucky enough for Martha to reach out to me whilst I was searching for a new instructor. I was after a sympathetic person who understood injuries and could teach me a way to ride to avoid being in pain. Little did I know that I had stumbled across a truly honest, kind and passionate lady who has taught me how to ride again pain free and more importantly without brace! It is amazing to feel a horse move so well through being aware of your own body and feel. Being in to body work, as part of my rehab for my back, has made me much more aware of how my body, energy and feel impacts on our relationships with horses on the ground and ridden, and Martha’s knowledge of all of this is really taking me on a journey in a whole new way of being with horses and I love it! Thank you Martha!!
Danni
I experience a great deal of fatigue. I take daily medication to keep leukaemia in check. As a result, I am very careful about how I spend my energy.
Martha shows a huge amount of generosity towards learning with such physical constraints. With her insight, I have continued with lessons. This would not be possible in most other contexts.
Her interest in physical conditions combined with her extensive experience as a trainer, mean I still develop as a rider. She skilfully works within my capabilities; practically speaking I have twenty minute lessons, and at times this can be only once a month. Similarly, she finds methods that don't have repercussions health-wise.
Her horses are responsive to light cues. This means I ride in a minimal way, asking them to work with me, rather than imposing my will on them. I may even spend part of my time with her horses simply sitting with them, waiting for them to get interested in me.
Her Art of Feel approach, is therapuetic in a number of ways. It has fostered a huge change in my relationships with horses, I continue to develop, and I do I something I love without putting pressure on my health.
I suggest anyone who feels they can't ride due to a health condition to get in touch with Martha. I know she will willingly be able to suggest some options.
Gill Roughley
Martha shows a huge amount of generosity towards learning with such physical constraints. With her insight, I have continued with lessons. This would not be possible in most other contexts.
Her interest in physical conditions combined with her extensive experience as a trainer, mean I still develop as a rider. She skilfully works within my capabilities; practically speaking I have twenty minute lessons, and at times this can be only once a month. Similarly, she finds methods that don't have repercussions health-wise.
Her horses are responsive to light cues. This means I ride in a minimal way, asking them to work with me, rather than imposing my will on them. I may even spend part of my time with her horses simply sitting with them, waiting for them to get interested in me.
Her Art of Feel approach, is therapuetic in a number of ways. It has fostered a huge change in my relationships with horses, I continue to develop, and I do I something I love without putting pressure on my health.
I suggest anyone who feels they can't ride due to a health condition to get in touch with Martha. I know she will willingly be able to suggest some options.
Gill Roughley