Heather Wallace's Blog, page 9
August 2, 2019
Standing the Summer
Confession: I realize it is an unpopular opinion but I really dislike the summer. I am a creature of habit and organization. Chaos, disorganization, and noise these all feed my anxiety as a Type-A personality and introvert. When the final school bell rings and my children are cheering for sweet release from their education for a few months, I cringe. It’s not that I don’t love my children. I LOVE my children. But I also love myself. I need quiet time. I need to ride my horse. I need to be abl...
July 8, 2019
Making Great Strides
Confidence can be a moving target but we are making great strides forward and really, isn't that all we can ask of ourselves?
The post Making Great Strides appeared first on The Timid Rider.
July 2, 2019
Girl Forward
A Tale of One Woman’s Unlikely Adventure in Mongolia I knew when I heard about the Gobi Desert Cup that I was taking a calculated risk. The adventure was not only worth it but it also taught me a lot about myself. I don’t like to set limitations and yet as the Timid Rider I often find myself doing just that in many aspects of my life. I battle with overcoming this inner monologue and stepping outside of my comfort zone. Mongolia was WAY out of my comfort zone. But is that what my motto #beBol...
June 17, 2019
The Tenets of Timidity: Do You Check Any Boxes?
Referring to myself as a timid rider results in a few different reactions. Certainly, admitting this to others leaves me open to comments, opinions, and rarely even derision. The most common reaction is others assuming I don’t know how to ride a horse, something which I find incredibly frustrating. I have ridden it all: spooks, bucks, rears, bolts, quick horses, slow and stubborn horses. I have the skills to ride. And yet when I refer to myself as timid the response is an assumption I’m afrai...
June 11, 2019
Headlight Harness for Horses
Horses aren’t walked in harnesses, unlike dogs, but to an ex-mounted police officer the Headlight Harness for dogs had a lot of equine potential. A chance meeting at a local pet event resulted in the Headlight Harness for Horses, a product perfect for the barn or the trail. Just imagine what it would mean for a police horse to be fitted with a lighted harness and keep their hands free to be able to move quickly protect themselves rather than holding a flashlight to see. So this retired police...
June 7, 2019
Stuck in a Rut: How Often Do You Change Your Horse’s Routine?
When I made the decision to move barns to a smaller, private facility I knew there would be an adjustment period. Perhaps, however, I underestimated just how used to a routine we had been.
The post Stuck in a Rut: How Often Do You Change Your Horse’s Routine? appeared first on The Timid Rider.
June 4, 2019
Finding Your Herd: Motivation, Inspiration, and Fun
Finding and spending time with your herd, a group of like-minded people, can keep you motivated and inspired. More, you can have fun!
The post Finding Your Herd: Motivation, Inspiration, and Fun appeared first on The Timid Rider.
May 17, 2019
Changing Barns: Out with the Old and in with the New
Confession: I’m moving barns at the end of the month. This was a terrifying decision to make. If I’m being honest, which let’s face it I always am, I love being at my current barn for many reasons. There are so many good things about an equestrian facility. There are 500 acres of trails, multiple barns, generously-sized paddocks, and I have a lot of friends there. However, I have been at Lancaster for eight years. I’ve been a newly returning rider, a working student, and a horse owner. In man...
May 10, 2019
The Great Nomadic Retreat
Confession: I’ve been a busy little bee. This year, since releasing The Timid Rider, has been a whirlwind of the best kind. While the blog is gaining in popularity and my brand is being recognized in different countries (no small feat and one I’m ridiculously excited about), the biggest pull is interacting with others who struggle with their own confidence in and out of the saddle. There are so many others, just like me, but choose instead to stay behind the scenes because they are unwil...
April 29, 2019
When Good Horses Become Turds
Confession: Not everyone is perfect, even my pony. It’s hard to admit. But sadly, Ferrous is not perfect. I know, it was shocking to me as well. Alas, it is true. Generally, my pony is an easygoing and forgiving companion. Full of personality and generally a confidence builder for me, he tells me what he is feeling and thinking. More, he knows the difference between interactions with me and with my young daughters. Sometimes he may make a mistake as he did recently breaking into a canter wit...
