Amanda Morrick Horsemanship

04/16/2025

I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Charles de Kunffy. It was such an honor and privilege to host his clinic in 2021. Spending time with him was truly a gift. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to soak in some of his teaching in person because his passion for the horse was unwavering. To witness the transformation in horse and rider was so inspiring. It’s a memory and experience I hold dear to my heart. May he rest in peace

04/15/2025

Good banana, bad banana?

Many years ago, my mentor Jillian Kreinbring taught me to develop my eye for anatomy, posture and the longitudinal shape of the horse’s body. Is the horse’s back up, strong, and supporting the weight of the rider (good banana) OR is it hollow and weak (bad banana)?

Here’s another banana visual for lateral work! Right banana, left banana? Love it! I hope this helps you with bend and balance! Once you start seeing bananas you may never look at a horse the same again! 😂

BANANA BALLET

This is one of my favorite drills…

Changing the angle of travel without changing the bend, changing the bend without changing the angle of travel.

When you’re changing the angle of travel within the same bend, for instance, shoulder-in to haunches-in, that’s a great way to test their ability to balance front to back.

When you’re changing the bend within the same angle of travel, for instance, shoulder-in to haunches-out, that’s a great way to test their ability to balance side to side.

You can do this on a straight line, or on a circle.

When keeping the bend but changing the angle, I like to mobilize the shoulders rather than the hindquarters, in order to develop the diagonal/unilateral half-halt.

04/02/2025

Working with Red and his owner Mary Ann over the last year to show this high headed saddlebred potential for a different posture. Red’s sense of hearing is heightened due to his loss of sight in his right eye and often times contributes to his alertness and high headedness. With a dedicated owner and consistency, beautiful changes are happening. We use bodywork, in hand work, groundwork, and riding exercises for wellness…his body and movement are changing ❤️ see comments for video of work in hand with the caveson, playing with balance and bend without tension

03/29/2025

Beautifully stated…

There is this magical place between rider and horse. When the cues are given with softness, when the horse truly understands what is being asked, when horse and rider find balance - there is a certain stillness. The horse’s thoughts and the rider’s thoughts occupy the same space, their bodies move as one, whether on the ground or in the saddle.
When I teach, I strive for showing horse and rider this space. Where thoughts are calm and movement is balanced.
It’s not always possible - not all humans are open for this. But if I can, I will give it a try. Once riders feel this, it becomes a guiding light to their learning and working with horses.
Today marks my 10th anniversary in the academic art of riding. Ten years ago today, I packed my horse and drove to Denmark, to be a working student for Bent Branderup. Thought the academic art, I found that calm space between humans and horses, and I feel very privileged to be able to pass that on today.

03/26/2025

Feeling really proud of these two! Ella has been taking lessons with me on and off for the last few years. When she started she was timid but quickly came to sparkle in the presence of the horses! She’s an amazing kid, It’s been a joy to teach her and she has really been putting the pieces together nicely with Danny! Soon to be 20, he has some maintenance for his arthritis and navicular diagnosis, but with my frequent trimming, a good joint supplement, and regular rehabilitative riding he is getting along great as a schoolmaster for beginner and intermediate riders.

03/24/2025

Always ❤️

“Always be the girl who loves the horse more than the sport”

03/12/2025

A couple of beautiful grays today! Feeling incredibly blessed to get to work with such handsome boys ☺️

Gio, a young Andalusian, had a training session learning to soften and relax into the contact with the bit. Then we worked on his responsiveness to light leg pressure. Such a smart and willing boy!

Ducati, a young warmblood, had bodywork to help ease overall body soreness.

02/17/2025

Hanging out with my main man, Dan, in his pjs after a trailer trip to the vet for a navicular bursa injection. It’s a frigid day, but this horse is a rockstar. Hopped right in the trailer, no need for sedation, in and out of the vet in under a half hour. Just waiting for the nerve block to wear off so he can go back out with his friends. Worth his weight in gold ❤️

02/15/2025

Apollo learns to stand tied while Dan, the man, teaches kids halter and showmanship skills

02/05/2025

Guilty!

Hahaha we know it so well 😅
credits: tori.the.equestrian

02/01/2025

Trim day

01/31/2025

When it’s 50 degrees in January you spend all afternoon playing with your horses, ride outside till dusk, and then turn on the arena lights and keep riding!

01/17/2025

A great visual!

𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓: 𝑨 𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈

By understanding and practicing the concept of turning from the center, riders can significantly improve their horsemanship skills and build a stronger partnership with their horse.

01/16/2025

It’s so cold here 🥶🥶🥶🥶 I am giving the ponies time off to rest and eat. Winter is a time for hibernation and while I sit in the warmth of my home I find myself reflecting, planning, and finding inspiration for the warmer days. Finding some lovely quotes online lately…and if you need a good book to read, I highly recommend Wintering, by Katherine May. Yellowstone anyone?
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“All the "not readies," all the "I need time," are understandable, but only for a short while. The truth is that there is never a "completely ready," there is never a really "right time." ... there comes a time when one simply hopes for the best, pinches one's nose, and jumps into the abyss. If this were not so, we would not have needed to create the words heroine, hero, or courage.”

~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Art by Laura Makabresku

01/12/2025

Life (with or without horses) rarely follows the straight path we imagine. It’s filled with unexpected turns, highs and lows, moments of doubt, and moments of clarity. But it’s in these twists and turns that we find growth. Each detour teaches us something we might never have learned on a straight line. The ups fill us with joy and remind us of our strength, while the downs, though challenging, shape our resilience and deepen our wisdom. The path may not always make sense as you walk it, but trust that every step, every curve, is leading you to where you’re meant to be

Author unknown

Are you taking any steps down a new path this year?

01/06/2025

✨Happy New Year✨

Wishing you all a year of pursuing your passions and finding joy in your life!

I’ve been a bit quiet on social media these last few months….I’ve been “chopping wood” so to speak. Consistently teaching lessons, doing bodywork, and watching both human and horse clients improve has been SO rewarding! It’s been over a year since I started my business and I can’t thank you all enough for your support!

I managed to get away and fulfill my everlasting wanderlust on an epic trip to Sicily where I celebrated a birthday, explored the island, and learned about Greek and Italian history. I traversed above the clouds on Mt. Etna and overcame my fear of heights in order to travel in a cable car to get there, lol. So glad I did!

This year, I’m hoping for more of what makes YOU happy!

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support with your horses ❤️ My schedule allows for some growth this year 🤩 I can be available for one time sessions, bi monthly, or monthly scheduling. Contact me on messenger or email

[email protected]