Heather Lehigh Horsemanship

03/25/2025

It's getting closer!! Get yourself signed up!!

03/12/2025

"Sometimes it's the most difficult horse that has the most to give you."

Most are surprised when I say my little Sheika is one of my biggest challenges in life. Her s***k, energy, emotional levels, athletic ability, sensitivities...they all have to be channeled just right. I'm learning to channel them...while I channel myself. Because of any horse I've ever worked or trained or loved, Sheika is my mirror. I've almost given up on her many times.
The past 2 weeks have been amazing. And if you look at this picture you'll see why. We've come to a new level of understanding and trust and she is THRIVING! She is happy. She loves seeing me again. She doesn't freak out when I add pressure. She really wants to work with me.
It's so rewarding! I'm so glad I didn't give up.
Thanks to everyone who has helped along the way. Who pushed me to keep trying.
I'm looking forward to many more years with Sheik. And more babies with her. Really looking forward to the one next year😊

03/07/2025

She's a darling😍 makes me want to dream a little bigger. Maybe set some higher goals for her. She has the athletic cattiness of the cutting horses, but graceful movement and control of the reiners. Can't wait to start riding her...

03/04/2025

Wow! Getting back into life after being at the expo so much over the weekend has me processing a lot!
I was soo looking forward to sitting in on the sessions and learning from the big tried and true trainers as well as exploring new and upcoming trainers...but to be honest...I came home disappointed.
Not disappointed in the trainers exactly, but because I didn't feel like there was much I came away with that I don't already apply and practice. I guess I went holding up those big trainers, thinking they are so accomplished and have it figured out. And I'm just...well me.
Sometimes, I truly just feel like a wanna be. And not an actual trainer. And I can see some of you rolling your eyes saying "Heather you know better!" And I do...my horses really are doing good. They are getting better, and my guys are happy with me. I have to keep reminding myself that they're the judge of a person's training abilities, not onlookers. But I just don't feel it all the time.
This is me being honest here. But...
Coming away from the expo I had to admit, I'm not giving myself enough credit. And I'm allowed to. I'm allowed to be proud of my horses. I'm allowed to be confident in my abilities. God gave me the desire to work with horses. He gave me the ability to notice the little things and to keep seeking better. He gave me the heart to pursue more and not accept mediocre horses.
Saying all this, I'm not looking for your applaud and encouragement. Y'all already do great with that!
What I need is to claim it. Tell myself until I believe it too. And listen to what Father does say over me, cuz really, He says I'm enough and that I'm doing good. I just don't always feel it and believe it.
You may come here to see my horses or laugh at my ramblings about equine connection...but today...my message is let Father speak over you and define you. Not your accomplishments or your approval ratings.
Let the one who created you be the one who defines you. And walk in that.
He says I'm enough. So I am.

03/03/2025

The 2025 PA HORSE EXPO with was such a great experience!
Our Thursday session had a nice little turnout, but on Saturday, the rounpen was packed with spectators! Gracie has such a way of captivating and drawing the audience in! I loved seeing the people really connect with what we were doing and showing😍
Sheika was soooo good at actively showing how horses respond to our energy, our posture, and our body language. Her sensitive nature lended beautifully for demonstrating, and we got so many people expressing how they could SEE the changes so well!
Our last 15 minutes of the Saturday session was very special. Sheika was sooo connected with me and I left her walk free, demonstrating part of our relationship with a tiny bit of liberty.
At the end, we were standing, just chilling in the middle. Sheika contentedly resting beside me when all the sudden she went on high alert. I looked to where she was looking expecting to see something in the crowd beyond the bleachers, but there was nothing. Then a woman started having a full blown seizure in the bleachers! Sheika sensed it before it happened!!!
I've heard stories like that, but it was so amazing actually whitenessing it in person! I was once again in awe of her sensitive nature and her in-tuneness to the energy around her.
I think God has downloaded more into these animals than we give them credit for. Which is why I'm hoping to work on my own in-tuneness.
Some people say I'm a horse whisperer. As flattered as I am, I don't want to be that. All I want to be is a listener.
The horse listener...HL Horsemanship...maybe time for a name change? Rebranding? I don't know, we'll see what Father leads me to.
This weekend will be one I remember and treasure for a long time. And HOPEFULLY one of many expo experiences I get the privilege of doing with Gracie🥰🥰

02/21/2025

Save the date! *April 19th*
New clinic in the works! Super excited to be doing this alongside Kevin and Gracie!

All 3 of us have different aspects to our personal horsemanship and training, but we've found our methods all intertwine in such a great way! We can't wait to help you further in your own horsemanship journey!

This clinic will be very hands on whether you bring a horse or are there just to watch and learn😀

"The Equestrian Collaboration"
A clinic to inspire and improve equestrian connections.

Connection is the foundation of all modalities in the equine industry. Three professionals have collaborated to create a clinic that demonstrates how connection can be fostered through unique horsemanship and body mechanics.

April 19th, 2025
The Drunken Spur Ranch- Grantville, PA
Participants: $300
Auditors: $80
Lunch Included!

If you would like to register please call or email Graceful Strides Office Manager, Jess!
717.446.6624
[email protected]

02/15/2025

In honor of Valentines day...here's my valentine😄🥰🥰 He's very kissable😉 and I must say, we do look rather good together.
We had a good ride at the indoor. Poor fellow though, I was really into what we were doing and didn't notice how sweated he was getting🙈🙈 he got to wear a blanket to bed...probably the first in his lifetime😆

01/30/2025

When I grow up, I wanna be just like you.😍
Little Miss Wrenly got to meet all the horses today😁

01/11/2025

We expect a lot of our horses, and for the most part they really try, when in all reality, most of them would be perfectly justified to buck us off.
What do I mean by that?
We ask them w/t/c on cue and FORCE it if they hesitate.
Do we stop to question: was the horse's body in the correct shape to make the move? Was my body in the correct place? Was I soft? Was my timing correct? Was my seat engaged? Was their correct foot planted to propel the correct motion?
A great injustice I've been seeing is people forcing their horses to continue on when they are saying very clearly that they are not ok to do it. We teach them that their physical comfort isn't even to be considered.
How then do we expect them to stay sensitive to our cues? Or to stay in alignment with our position when we are teaching them that we DONT care about how they feel?😖
When I'm riding, my spine needs to be aligned with my horse's. My seat bones applying even weight to their back and engaging their hips. My feet at equal levels and with equal weight.
If I am not there, if I am bouncing heavily, if my timing is off... I am expecting my horse to work out of balance with me and out of alignment.
I have ridden many cow/ranch horses that WILL continue on. I appreciate the mental fortitude they have. But I will guarantee they have worked through a lot of pain and discomfort in their lives.
Our sensitive/performance bred horses...they don't put up with that nearly as well. They let you know. And they get a rap for being OPINIONATED and SPICY.
I'm really learning to appreciate the ones who tell me I'm out of place. The ones that stop when my seat disengages, the ones that tighten up when I get tense, the ones that throw in a little hop or snap their head when my bad timing puts them in pain.
I WANT to show them I value their comfort. If I don't, there's an aspect they will never be able to trust me, and never be able to put it all out there for me.
I want to be a good partner that understands my horse. That's my goal. Not a horse that simply follows through from a cue.
But one that is connected and aligned and looking to stay there, because it's mentally and physically THE HAPPY PLACE FOR THEM.

01/03/2025

💔💔
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
― C.S. Lewis

I wasn't ready to say bye.
Not at just 3. I thought you'd be around to teach my kids to ride someday. I thought I'd get to use you to teach more clinics and raise some babies by you. To create a legacy of gentle, confident, and smart horses.
I wasn't prepared for this.
I named you Warrior because I thought you were a fighter with all you came through as a baby. But you really weren't. You never fought anything or anyone. You were peaceful, and gentle. Sometimes a bit of a lug, but always just an easygoing fellow.
I never had to worry with kids around you because there wasn't a mean bone in your body.
You were the smartest c**t I ever started. And I never got to finish and find out how far you could go.
You took things in stride, and I'm so thankful for the 3 years I did have you. It was way too short.
I don't understand it.
So many unfinished dreams and unmet goals.
In time I'll understand more.
For now I just miss you.
You taught me so much through your life, now even in your death I'm learning more.
To love deeper, even when you know it hurts.
To worship more intimately even vulnerably.
To rest when it feels chaotic.
To quit trying and let God.

I'm waiting for the day when I can see the picture more clearly. But for now I'm trusting Father's got a good plan.

Before he died, I renamed him Chazak. It was the Hebrew warcry of strength, a bolstering of spirit, a claiming of victory.
I didn't get to see what that looked like. And I don't see the victory in his death. So that's just something Father is gonna show me in time.

*1/2/25 Warrior coliced and didn't make it through💔

12/19/2024

Gid says "I'm done for the day"😆
But isn't he a handsome fellow, sweat and all?

11/28/2024

Ms. Momo went home today!
(And contrary to the what it may look like on the photo, she loaded just fine)
Mo had a lot of physical and mental barriers when she came and I really wasn't sure how far we'd even be able to make it. The goal was to HOPEFULLY rehab her enough to be able to ride but there was no guarentee she would even be able to get back to full work.
After 2 months we successfully got to w/t/c, work obstacles, and do lots of trail riding thanks to a little patience, consistent work, and PEMF sessions.

I personally can't get over the physical change her body went through, from the first day (last pic) where her body looked good at first glance but was so tight and stiff, to today where she is shiny, round, and much more toned.

Looking forward to watching Mo's journey and seeing how she progresses at home 🩷🩷

11/06/2024

Awwww! Thanks!🥰🥰

Heather Lehigh of Heather Lehigh Horsemanship works hard on her farm to provide top notch training for her clients and their horses! While working with her a few weeks ago her sidekick fell asleep on her shoulder! Heather you work so hard, sometimes you need to take a rest and BREATHE! Graceful Strides is Honored to call you a friend and client!

10/25/2024

Such a good man!🐎🩷 He loves his kids. These two are so cute together🥰

Also, no, Gideon is not pregnant😆

10/20/2024

Little snippets from a fun show yesterday😁
I am so proud of my girls! Horse and human!
This was my 2 students first show and a very big experience for them. Over all they did great! I told them we were taking it nice and slow and concerned about good horsemanship and having a good time rather than trying to keep up with the others. And they did. We'll work up the speed eventually. Both of them got their first taste of galloping and dealing with horses in big environments.
Chexy is a bit of a handful because she knows what arenas are all about but Sienna worked through it beautifully!
Ecco was much chiller than I thought she'd be and gave Madison some lovely even runs.
Last minute I decided to take Sheika...and I'm sooo happy I did.
Didn't get to ride her at all the week before so I didn't know what I'd have to deal with. But I rode her like she was an experienced finished horse...and she behaved like she was. When I went in for runs...I turned her loose like I never have before, and she rose to the occasion. I found out Sheika could actually get into running barrels if I started working her into that.
So if you want to see the run that made me smile so big, swipe to the last video😁😁😁

10/18/2024

Never really got around to an introduction post about Mo and shes been here almost a month already! Better late than never!
Mo is here to get back under saddle. She was started several years ago but then started showing signs of past injuries and put out as a broodmare while they worked at figuring out what was going on.
I almost sent Mo home as I wasn't confident on pushing through some of the physical issues she had previously...BUT... we did continue, and today...I saddled and rode Mo around the arena🥳🥳🥳
I think it's been a couple years since anyone was on her back so it was a big moment that she took in stride beautifully!
I've been learning a lot about conditioning and working through horse's physical issues this year😅
And that's one reason I love training. It always pushes me to be better and do better.
So, as long as Mo holds up with conditioning and strengthening work, y'all should see more of me riding her!

10/14/2024

"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall."
~Oscar Wilde

🧡🤎💛

I do believe it's the most beautiful time of the year.

Today I did something I don't normally do. I rode on Sunday. Normally it's a day to take a break from my normal horse-filled week and relax...away from horses. But Gideon was a pleasure to work with, so it didn't feel like work today. I could have fun and enjoy it.
Don't get me wrong, I do love the horses and riding and training but...like any job it can become monotonous. So today was great being able to step away from the trainer mentality (somewhat) and just ride to ride.

Pc
>>>

10/02/2024

Say hello to "SMOKIN RED GUY" a 2022 AQHA red roan stud c**t here to be started under saddle.
I have one past experience with this guy. I used him for a roundpenning demonstration back late spring/early summer (can't remember exactly when🙈)
Other than that, he's really had nothing, training wise.
In that demo, he challenged my every concept of roundpenning and made me scrap ALL my steps and methods that defined roundpenning in my mind.
Don't we love those types?😅
I actually do love him all the more for it.
He's still a challenge.
Today, I found out that even though he shows he remembers a lot of what we did that day, he still avoids me... until something switches (I have no idea what??🤯) and then he comes right in like we've been lifelong buddies.
I hope to figure out what facilitates the change. But I do love that he makes me once again realize that no two c**ts are the same or can be treated as such. They are all unique and make c**t starting fun rather than monotonous.
(And as far as I know, he'll be standing at stud next spring)