Ottolina

14/02/2025

Sharing a post I wrote in a group about training. Yes, the horse needs to be well trained. But the rider need to be balanced with an independent seat.

In my previous post I mentioned "So when teaching I focus on the training of building up a strong flexible horse. A horse that thinks and works with you. To be light in your hands while strong enough for collection".

Here a picture how "light in your hands" can look like. Djarra was traumatized (not ridable) when I bought him. It took 2 years to get him fysically healthy, mentally and emotionaly took a bit longer 😎. So if we could get here, riding bridle less you can too!
PS. I do not expect people to ride bitless, but in balance 😃so the horse can be in balance on his own accord!

24/01/2025

My journey with Molly started last summer. Molly had not been ridden in a while and is 30+, so we would need to take this slow following her pace. First building up strength and then work on balance.
In September I wrote how the training wheels were off, Molly no longer needed my support through reins and legs to stay up and straight.
We had a break due to losing molars, Xmas holiday and a period of frost.
This week Molly and I were back to riding. I got confirmed yet again you do not need to ride daily or weekly to make progress! Because after 2 months off she was better than before.

When I rode a halt, she stopped nice and balanced, no side stepping to regain balance.
Cherry on the cake: Going from A to C in a straight line with square halt, circle left and circle right. The proof is in the pudding watch the video.

06/12/2024

Last week I was in Donegal to work with two horses. This is Callum getting an explanation how to move through a Labyrinth. First I had to lead him every step of the way. But not by pulling on the lead rope! Just being close and in front so he could follow me. He loves to just follow and not think of anything 😃!

Then he got the idea of actually moving through and not just walking straight out over a pole! I am still in front, but with lots of room for him to think and navigate by himself.
Super proud of his work ethics 💚

06/10/2024

TIME-OUT The journey with Molly back into riding was going great. So why did she need a time-out? How did I come to that decision. What was going on? You can read all about it in my latest blogpost. https://www.lindavdhorst.com/blog-djarra-en/2024/molly-retraining-to-be-ridden-6/

12/09/2024

Congratulations to Molly, she graduated to the next level. She does no longer need training wheels and is balanced and stable on her own!

Blogpost: https://www.lindavdhorst.com/blog-djarra-en/2024/molly-retraining-to-be-ridden-5/

02/09/2024

A snippet from my newest blogpost: "Now she thinks she is ready to speed up, but she is not really. If she speeds up her legs can not quite keep up. This is where the balancing rein around her neck comes into play. By softly intermittently applying pressure, this helps her rebalance. Without me using the reins to hold her back, that would only invite her to hang into my hand. So the forward energy is more directed upwards. She is coming into a lovely balanced shape then."

https://www.lindavdhorst.com/blog-djarra-en/2024/molly-retraining-to-be-ridden-4/

07/08/2024

When you tag along with Equine Touch friends. . A day at the Ballyrusley Stables (Stable Minds Portaferry).
I was there in a supporting role during the day where horses got a well deserved Equine Touch session. At the end of the day I drummed for the horses in the field.
I love being out with like minded people!

31/07/2024

On the third ride with Molly she is already getting better balanced. Getting stronger and more stable is what we are working on. Molly is of age so this needs time and patience to get her there 😃💚 I have more videos on my YouTube channel - playlist "Riding Molly"

Third ride on Molly. She is getting better balanced when going straight.

15/07/2024

Little Molly, 30+ year old opinionated feisty thoroughbred mare is having the time of her life. I am starting her back into riding and she is loving it.
==> I would like to take you along for our first ride. My approach and reasoning and the "in the moment" decisions. (Link to my blog in the first comment.)

A lovely first session. The biggest problem will probably be to explain to her that she is not strong enough yet to do the things she wants to do.

01/07/2024

Yesterday was a brilliant day of teaching in Derry and Ballymena.

Now preparing for my trip to the Netherlands for a Centered Riding update for instructors. I have been an instructor for over 20 years and these updates are so valuable and fun. There is always more to learn and deep diving for 4 day is a must. And a great way to meet up with friends. Big change for me is not going with my own horse but getting a lovely horse to meet and ride.

24/06/2024

Now I am very excited about Centered Riding, but being a Centered Riding instructor for over 20 years would make that sort of obvious. So, I thought I would share some of the feedback I got from clients!

“With her experience she can help horses and riders in each discipline. She knows exactly how to put her finger on the sore spot. Sometimes literally because Linda is schooled in different body awareness techniques, as well for the horse as for the rider. She is thorough, really tunes in to the horse, has a great feeling to what a horse (and an owner) needs, she listens to what the owner wants and what his or her goals are and finds a way to get there.”

“Aiming for a more balanced and engaged ride. Linda gave me so much advice on helping my horse and I become more balanced. Helping me become much more aware of his body and how it’s working beneath me. I’m really looking forward to our next session but plenty to work on until then. “

“Can’t recommend Linda enough! George and I have benefited so much from our sessions both on the ground and in the saddle learning how to manage and work through both our anxieties and find a calm and healthy way to work and enjoy our time together!”

“I would like to recommend Linda as a great teacher in horse riding. In the Netherlands I met Linda years ago. She made a big impression on me. In her lessons she is very clear and she knows what the riders and the horses needs are. In a short time you can experience a big progress during the lesson and it is so clear you can use it as "homework" later. “

“Linda, she is my best sparring partner as I have to solve many issues with my special horse. She is always willing to listen to my questions and her view and clear answers are such a great help. No big changes in how to approach my horse as she understands the small steps we're taken but just her clear different ideas on how to solve a problem is what makes her a very good instructor. She is very good at taking everything away that is unnecessary and stands in your way and she shows and teach you to concentrate on the issue itself and has a clear bright strategy or answer that instantly gives result. “

On Sunday the 30th of June I will be near Derry!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1550232482195928/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

17/06/2024

If your horse does not do what you want, what do you do?

How about looking at yourself, how did you ask your horse to do something.
Are you aware of your body language, breathing, mindset, technique you use.
Because your horse takes in EVERYTHING: your body language, breathing, mindset, technique you use.
If you are just relying on the technique, but you are tense and stressed out, you horse is not going to be happy to do what you ask. It does not matter how you enforce your question.

This is where Centered Riding can help you. Help you to become more aware of all the information the horse is taking in from you.

I teach in county Down and Antrim. But will be near Derry on the 30th of June.

13/06/2024

On the road again:

Would you love to ride with a lighter contact, but more true connection? Would you like for your horse to be more responsive and a joy to ride? Then come and try out a Centered Riding lesson. Become more aware of how you influence your horse with your position, breathing, body tension and focus.

Jai Hunter of has invited me for another day of Centered Riding lessons.
This is near DERRY on Sunday 30th of June.
==> If you are interested please pm so I can book your spot.

23/04/2024

Last Saturday I was at a fundraiser for the RDA by Desertmartin Horse Agility. The main big arena had all sorts of obstacles people could explore with their horses. And in a smaller arena I would be giving “taster sessions" of Centered Riding to 2- 3 combinations at a time.

All for free and very well organised into a morning and afternoon session with 10 horses each. And everyone would have 30 minutes with me. Now here in Norther Ireland Centered Riding is a big unknown, so this was a great opportunity to show what it could mean for a rider.
On this day we had small ponies, a young horse, two polo ponies, cobs and big hunter type horses. On this day I had 3 kids, one autistic, adults of all ages and sizes and very experienced riders.

This day showed the power of Centered Riding! In that it does not matter what kind of horse, what kind of discipline, what kind of rider you are. I could give literally everybody a new awareness or insight.