Dr. Maria Katsamanis: Molecular Equitation

12/08/2024

By KELLY GIORDANO, Avenue Equestrian “There are many roads to Rome, but few riders or trainers are aware of the largely unexplored elements even more fundamental than simple postural awareness and fitness,” says Dr. Maria Katsamanis, a horse trainer with a formal background as a researcher curre...

08/30/2024

We are grateful to correspondent Jane Meggitt for this article review for Dr. Maria Katsamanis’s newest release “Riding In Dignity”. This book comes just in time after the recent backlash in the Olympic equestrian community around abuses in training practices that have resulted in disqualifications. This book offers insights to rectify the disconnect between modern dressage and timeless principles that elevate your riding regardless of discipline or breed.

Dr. Maria Katsamanis' new book, "Riding In Dignity," explores the spiritual and ethical connection between horse and rider, promoting compassionate and dignified equine training practices.

08/25/2024

Thank you to Jennifer Johnson and Arlo who sent this to our team. The photo says it all! :

Dr. Maria’s books and coursework always inspire me to be in that connected space/zone with my horse. I was reading ‘Riding In Dignity’ (while on fly duty, the bombers were out), I paused for a moment to envision/digest some of the gems in my reading when I felt something beside me, it was Arlo : )


Newly released Riding In Dignity: https://a.co/d/9CZDNYW

07/30/2024

Very grateful and honored to have been interviewed for this issue of GroundWork. Thank you to journalist Erena Russo for her accurate story about the horse Miss Mollys journey back to recovery. Thank you to New Jersey Virtual Herd and Christianna Capra for the commitment to this horse. I am privileged to be part of her wellness. Miss Molly is still looking for support. Consider reading more about this therapy horse in the link I attach below.

Also consider learning more about GroundWork and the organization behind this periodical, Equine Collaborative International. Great people moving mountains to usher positive change for equids around the world. Thank you to Barbara C. Moore and Phyllis Jensen 🙏

https://donorbox.org/help-miss-molly-return-to-work-she-saves-lives

07/22/2024

In the ancient Greek world, there were seven types of love, according to Greek philosophers: eros, philia, storge, agape, ludus, pragma, and philautia. In the modern world, we have narrowed all that range and variation down to a single word. We need to open ourselves back up to emotional depth and elevate nuance as sacred. The challenge is for us to notice the horse deeply, and to form a profound love for who he is. As we come asking those questions-what can I do for you? How can I make you comfortable? Are you happy?-we start to develop the ability to do that, as it is, in fact, a skill.

Constantine Cavafy wrote, in his poem "Ithaka," a profound insight into this journey, because it is not something you learn in a book and sit down and read. It comes as a result of interacting with horses, and learning about them, and desiring deeply to know them. This is an excerpt from his poem:

"Arriving there is what you are destined for.
But do not hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you are old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all that you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey."

I felt this poem captured the human experience. In fact, I included it in the foreword of my dissertation, many years ago. And I include in this text, because it continues to be applicable in all aspects of my life, and I hope it can be meaningful in yours.

~ Dr. Maria Katsamanis, excerpt from “Riding In Dignity”

07/06/2024

Riding In Dignity: A Philosophical Foundation to Finding the Ultimate Connection [HARDCOVER] https://a.co/d/0gxfWXFk

06/26/2024

Local to New Jersey or Pennsylvania? Dr. Maria is delighted to be hosted for a book signing Meet & Greet event in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. The flyer below from our hosts includes a phone contact for more inquiries if needed.

📚📖 Dr. Maria will be doing a reading, a Q&A session, followed by a simulated riding demonstration that will surely offer game changing insight.

She will be able to sign your copy of Riding In Dignity! ✍️

If you don’t have a copy but want one before the event you can order it directly from Amazon https://a.co/d/02Kzxgll

Or copies will be available at the event 💥

Can’t afford a copy ? Join us anyway! You might win a copy in our book signing Raffle giveaway !📚⭐️

06/07/2024

It just posted on Amazon 👇🌻🌟 🙏

Riding In Dignity: A Philosophical Foundation to Finding the Ultimate Connection [HARDCOVER]

Riding in Dignity - In this book, Dr. Maria Katsamanis opens a portal into the mind of a master horsewoman, and illuminates a mindset that has paved the way for a decades-long successful communion with horses. Do not be deceived by the almost childlike, “do-no-harm” simplicity of the content. Th...

06/01/2024

We are thrilled to share with you the release of Dr. Maria’s latest publication-RIDING IN DIGNITY. We promise that it is about so much more than “riding.” Whether you are new to horses, a seasoned equestrian, an animal lover or simply a lover of life you will enjoy this reading

It is also selling on Amazon-see attached information in the comment box to purchase sooner. If you want an autographed copy Dr. Maria would be delighted to send you one. Simply send us a PM

More information below in the comment box 👇👇👇

05/18/2024

Nearly 15 years ago, with the support of Dr. Anthony Tobia and the Department of Psychiatry, I pioneered an elective course to teach improved bedside manners to our medical students at Rutgers- RWJ Medical School.

With the help and continued support of the herd at Spring Reins of Hope and Christianna Capra we have been able to offer this course bi-annually to our medical students.

To maintain my academic title of Clinical Assistant Professor at Rutgers-RWJ Medical School, these days, I teach this course and lecture occasionally through the year on topics such as hypnosis for pain management. It is a refreshing recharge from my daily tasks as a horse trainer. I am grateful to have had the education and access to knowledge where cross-fertilization can enhance the lives of both horses and humans.

I am grateful for the coverage and visibility given to this type of course from Horse Illustrated. To read more grab the June issue