Heather Lehigh Horsemanship

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)

09/25/2024

Finally getting around to announcing the names of the new girls! After lots of great suggestions I've settled on
Red dun-Prairie Rose🌹 aka Prairie
Blue roan-Silver Mist 🩶 aka Syl
Loving these two little yearlings so much and finding out their individual personalities...which are completely opposite! Starting them in the spring should be interesting!
But yall know, I'm not waiting till next year to prep. That starts from day 1 and continues every day.
Both of them are complete sweethearts and lovely movers.
Sly has been very protective of her feet so far (and they are loooong) handling them is my priority right now. She was clipped and shaved though...makes me wonder what they had to do to her, to let them do that😖
Who's your favorite so far?

09/13/2024

Yesterday's Pine Grove Clinic was a blast! Thank you everyone who came out and made it possible!
But huge shout out to Gracie Graceful Strides Mobile Massage Therapy for all the time, energy, and insight you gave to each horse and participant!
I know everyone left with sooooo much info and a game plan to get their horse in a healthier and happier place.
Canoli the mechanical horse also was a huge hit and gave everyone position practice.

Definitely looking forward to doing it again!

08/08/2024

"The horse you got off is not the same one you got on. It's our duty to always leave the horse, a better horse."

Been having a lot of fun on this girl. We're at 77 day but not nearly that many rides. It's been a good journey so far...and it's not over! But Peaches is becoming a good working partner. Still takes about 15 minutes to get her dialed into the ride and focused but she's loving feeling good and being so much more free to move after dropping a bunch of weight/inflammation and getting a massage to get some stuff back in working order.
Main thing we're working on is her being able to really use her hindquarters and pick up the shoulders. Today I felt a lot of progress. So we're 2 happy partners right now.😁

08/05/2024

New client horse!
"Fearless Girl" aka Eqlipse is a 7 year old, 16.1hh ottb here for a restart. Out of 13 starts she placed in the money 9 times so, apparently we're dealing with some speed here.😅
She is an absolute sweetheart and fun fact, she's a great-great grand daughter of Secretariat.
Her current goal in life is to become a great riding horse and partner, that her owner can enjoy life with.
Looking forward to seeing how far we can go in 30 days!

07/18/2024

No matter if it's been a rough day, rough ride, rough spot in life, take time to love on your horse.
He doesn't understand what you're going through and you don't know what's been going on in the barn when you're not there. He's trying.
You're probably reading that and going "aww yeah, I need to."🥰🥰
Now translate that over to the people in your life...funny how it's easier to want to love on our horses and be understanding of them than on actual humans around us?
God gave us horses to help teach us connection and empathy...with our equine friends but then to take it and spread it to the into world.🩷🩷
The world needs more love. It needs more people giving love rather than just taking it. So we need to be connecting to the source of love (God) so then we can be the answer this world needs.

07/16/2024

Clinics are very under-rated.
I have lots of people message me for help and tips...and while I love giving advice...people need to get out there and invest in themselves rather than look for quick freebies.
(If you're one that messages me, I'm sorry🙈 I'm not meaning anyone imparticular. Just thinking outloud here)
Please quit trying this and that and asking this trainer and that trainer, getting such mixed results because you won't take the time to invest.
You're making your horse suffer and frustrating yourself. I get it that most people can't afford solid weekly lessons. So get out there and audit clinics that are going over the topics you need help with ESPECIALLY the ones about connecting and understanding rather than just learning maneuvers.
Auditing is very affordable. You get first hand experience along with the ability to ask a PROFESSIONAL questions, and get PROFESSIONAL answers.
Take it from me, I'm a self taught rider/instructor/trainer currently and all I want to do is go to clinics and eat up all the info I can!
The more I find out the more I realize how little I know.

Pics are from a clinic I recently helped with, we had such a fun educational time. Super happy for all the people that turned out for that and the horse and rider teams we got to work individually with.
Do you try to go to clinics?

07/07/2024

Soarin went home today🥹 gonna miss that sweet lil gentlemen. Can't wait to hear how he does and grows over the next several years. He's only 2 so there's a lot of mental and physical growth that's coming up for him.
Check out his body transformation starting from today and working back to when he first came a month ago.😊

07/07/2024

Today was good. Really hot but good. We went to a trail challenge. Last one I took Sheika to, she had baby Sully by her side. Today was very different as I had a fully present and attentive Sheika under me.
She was the bomb, the bees knees, the...she was great!😆🤩
So great, we ended up winning the open division! I knew it felt good enough to be top 3 but wasn't quite expecting first. Happy surprise!
The theme was Christmas in July, hence the tack setup and decorations Sheika was sporting. We jingled all the way with bells in her tail and on her breastcollar. It was so fun! I actually had more to add to her look, but dialed it back a bit since it seemed a little excessive compared to the rest of the competitors😂
Also I had quite the support today, with family, friends, and a few students showing up to cheer me on!🥹 thanks y'all for coming to watch and making me feel special today!