Heather Wallace's Blog, page 10

The School of Hard Knocks

Confession: We’ve all bit knocked down from our pegs a time or two, hopefully, to get up again stronger.   My daughters all ride horses. All of them. I am both happy to share my passion with them and terrified because it can be all-consuming. More, I know firsthand how riding a horse both elevates me and also takes me down a few pegs. As a mother, I know this can only strengthen my children. Of course, it makes me cringe when I see them frustrated atop a stubborn pony or holding on for dear l...

Equestrienne: Sabine Schleese

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting and spending time with Sabine Schleese at the American Horse Publication conference in Hunt Valley, Maryland in 2018. Sabine is the woman behind Schleese Saddlery, which she runs with expert saddle-fitting husband Jochen. Together they moved to Canada from Germany and created a unique saddle company that was the first of its kind to identify a need between the female and male physiology in saddle fit, and also provide a course to teach others how to sadd...

Kids Struggle with Confidence Too

Confession: Today my normally confident daughter showed me her timid side.   My eldest daughter has been riding therapy horses since she was 4-years old. Now, six years later she is incredibly confident on a horse even going so far as to win ribbons at the Horse Park of New Jersey and brag about her blue ribbons. She is fearless. But therapy horses are special in many ways. They are forgiving of small mistakes, less reactive, and internalize everything.     Cameron asked me to ride Ferrous, w...

Too Nervous to Ride

Confession: For the first time I’m nervous to ride my pony.   Ferrous and I have a wonderful relationship and I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s predictable but challenging, something that makes a timid rider like me feel infinitely more comfortable. More, we’ve built a bond over the last year. In doing so, I can read him really well.   Last week he came down with a facial infection causing open sores, scabbing, and oozing all over his cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. The first day of onse...

Holistic Wellness is Not Just for the Horses

Fitness isn’t enough. I need to achieve balance with chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage, and nutrition. After all, I believe in holistic wellness for horses, why not for myself?   Being a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT) has its advantages. My own horse receives bodywork that includes chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and sports massage regularly and reaps the benefits. I joke that my horse has an amazing life. But the truth is, he isn’t the only one that need...

My Horse Suddenly Has a Skin Condition

Confession: I’m worried sick because pony has a skin infection.   Like many animal lovers, I am more comfortable being ill or injured than seeing my horse or dog in pain. There is something so heart-wrenching about watching your pet suffer and not feeling like you are doing enough.   I hadn’t seen Ferrous in three days when I went to get him in the paddock on Monday. I was looking forward to a beautiful week of spring weather and enjoying some quality time with my guy. Unfortunately, plans ch...

Equestrienne: Allison Malenfant

I met Allison and her partner Connie on Instagram and then IRL at the Jersey Fresh International 3-Day Event in 2018. We immediately hit it off and I found myself pausing while photographing the event to go and visit their vendor area. More, I couldn’t resist and had to try the Redingote outerwear for myself, preordering it right on the spot! I am a huge fan of their brand and these girls are making a difference in the equestrian market with many of their ambassadors and buyers big names in t...

If I Could Could Ride a Horse Like I Drive a Car…

Confession: If I rode a horse like a drove a car I’d be an eventer.   I’ve been referred to as an aggressive yet defensive driver. What does that mean? Well, it means I can drive in New York City like a taxi, and expect others to cut me off at any minute. So why am I comfortable there but on the back of a horse I question my every decision.   Are my shoulders too far forward? Am I properly balanced in my seat? Are people watching me, judging me? Am I good enough?   Notice, I never question my...

Life Lessons from Endurance Riders

Many of you might think this little Hunter/Jumper woman with occasional confidence issues would be a fish out of water at an endurance conference. But the opposite couldn’t be truer.   As a team member for The Gobi Desert Cup, the official endurance horse race of the Mongolian Horse and Nomad Foundation, my first foray into the world of long-distance riding was exceptional. Never in my life did I imagine a world where equestrians would travel 25, 50, or 100 miles in a day on horseback and hav...

Learning Freedom with Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle

I’m a believer in less is more, and using natural methods whenever possible for my horse. However, it is also difficult for me to let go of control. It wasn’t an easy decision to move to use of a bitless bridle, but this is my experience.   Many options are available for equestrians to choose bitless, whether halter, bosal, side-pull, hackamore, etc. It can very much cause confusion and not every option is necessarily right for your horse. I read many forums, articles, and then let Google dec...