
06/29/2025
Cross training is not just for horses, and it's not purely physical. Most of us know the importance of cross training our horses, which means incorporating different types of activities into their routine to increase fitness, improve performance, and reduce chances of injury. Fewer of us cross train ourselves - pursuing physical activities outside of riding in order to improve our riding. Barn chores are certainly physical, so don't discount those, but non-horse-related activities are helpful and necessary too. Even fewer of us appreciate the necessity of cross training our brains and our nervous systems, and that is what I wanted to touch on in this post.
I have hyperfixated on horses for most of my life, especially on equine health care topics. Of course I've had other interests and hobbies, but they always took a backseat to my horsey pursuits, as it happens with most horse people. After I began training as an equine bodyworker, over a decade ago now, the intensity of my hyperfixation increased considerably. There have been many years during which I exclusively focused on things that related directly to my bodywork career. I only read books, watched videos, took courses, and listened to podcasts that were about equine anatomy/physiology/bodywork - even in my off hours. Most of my friendships were with colleagues, and horses and our work dominated our conversations. I was fully immersed in the world, and had very little time or interest for much else.
I learned a lot during those years, there is no doubt. I am very grateful for the knowledge and skills that I developed during that time. But it wasn't until I experienced burnout from that hyperfixation, and began cross training my brain, that I really started to experience the level of success that I was seeking. Now, a disclaimer - my idea of success may look different than yours. I did not feel like I was succeeding when I was booked out 5-6 days per week, 6-8 weeks in advance, like I was during that phase. I feel much more successful now that I see fewer clients, work fewer days, and spend a lot of time doing things that have nothing to do with horses. I feel more successful because:
- I have the capacity to connect so much more deeply with both my equine clients and their human partners.
- I have the time to support my clients beyond their appointments, and in ways that go beyond bodywork.
- I have the flexibility and resilience in my nervous system to ground and co-regulate easily and consistently.
- I have intention and mindset around support, care, and empathy, not fixing or agendas.
- I attract clients who align with this way of thinking and being with their horses.
- I have developed my ability to zoom out, to see the bigger picture, to connect the dots, in ways that I never could when I hyperfixated.
These are markers of success to me, much more so than the bursting schedule and the constant intake of information and external validation. And so I will continue to cross train. I leave intentional time in my schedule for time spent by the sea, for tidepooling, for reading fiction (so, so much reading), for playing with watercolours, for creating with clay, for reading about marine mammals and intertidal creatures, for oracle and tarot cards, for photography, for learning about mushrooms and native wildflowers, for gardening. For doing whatever I feel like doing, even if it's sometimes nothing at all.
And even better - all of those activities are cheap or free.
Thank you Two Strides Forward Equestrian for the photo! 😍