Kerstyn Cornelsen Equestrian Services

23/01/2024

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed creating the Favorite Finds blog, it has allowed me to connect with so many people and learn new things on a weekly basis. As much as I would like to continue in the format that I’ve been doing, I am excited about some new aspects of my business that are on the horizon that will require more of my time. I will still continue to share interesting articles, videos and products but not on a scheduled structured basis.

Keep an eye on my page, I’ll be sharing what’s coming for my business very soon!

22/01/2024

Many people have set goals or intentions for the new year but as we approach the end of the first month, how are you feeling about your intentions?

Do you need help revising goals? Do you need help making a plan? Or maybe you need some feedback on where you’re at in training.

I can help you via phone call or a virtual lesson to discuss whatever your goals or intentions are for the year and how you can navigate the upcoming months.

Facebook message or email me at
[email protected]

20/01/2024

Wisdom on how we sit on the horse – correctly…
“For the horse, the training is identical irrespective of whether the horse is asked to clear a fence easily, to move with poise and grace on the dressage arena or to be a nice pleasure horse. When a horse uses himself well, he carries a rider well in all disciplines.”
“In the same way, a well coordinated rider will move with poise and grace with a horse, and in every day activities; walking, running, dancing and even mucking out a box.”
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/07/the-posture-does-the-riding-with-susanne-miesner-and-richard-weis/

31/12/2023

Check out this week’s Favorite Finds! 👇

www.kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

18/12/2023

New Favorite Finds!! Featuring: Gabi Neurohr - Understanding Horses No Matter The Weather program, a blanketing tip to keep your horse safe and my favorite anti-inflammatory hot cocoa using Mike and Jen's Cocoa mix.
👇
www.kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

10/12/2023

This week’s favorite finds are up on the website! Featuring, JShorsemanship how to take off a rope halter under a bridle, Kytin recovery socks and an article on hunter’s bumps.

www.kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

03/12/2023

Favorite Finds 61 is up on the website! This week features DIY edible gingerbread wreath from Snaks 5th Avenchew, Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel, Dressage Training Function of Horse and Rider Course and Bit Bank Australia- For Horse Bits videos.

click the link below to read more!
www.kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

01/12/2023

Arrival fallacy: the false idea that once we achieve a certain goal that we will feel fulfilled and happy.

Goals are important but many riders have the idea that working towards a goal will be a linear upward progression and once they achieve the goal, they will be happy with their riding, their horse and themselves. They become fixated on the goal, tunnel vision sets in and ultimately cripples the joy of learning and growth.

It’s a balancing act. Growth requires work and dedication but if you lose your ability to enjoy the every day process with your horse, arriving at that goal will not fulfill you.

Whether you’re a professional who needs help balancing your own goals and your students goals or you’re an adult amateur who needs help setting appropriate goals, I can help you navigate the rollercoaster of progress in your riding.

29/11/2023

28/11/2023

Great advice!

SLOOOOOW DOWN!

SLOW your walking down to 1 step per second with and without your horse next to you.
SLOW your hand movements down as you touch or do things.
SLOW your talking down.
SLOW your breathing down.
SLOW your pulls and pushes down on the leadrope.

SLOW to FLOW!

Humans are WAAAAY to fast for horses and this is one of the leading causes of reactivity and opposition reflex in horses.

Speed = stress.

Let me teach you what speed does...

When the brain perceives a threat, it causes the body to release the stress response hormone cortisol. Cortisol levels and speed go hand in hand.
Cortisol provides the body with the fuel it needs to flee a scary situation or fight against it.

The thing with the mind-body relationship is that the brain feels an emotion such as fear, which create a physical response in the body, but the body can also move at a certain speed or in a particular way and create an emotion in the brain. It can be reverse engineered.

This is how special the intimate relationship is between the brain and body.

The other thing to remember is that, collectively as a social animal, when speed is noticed by another mammal (no matter the species), it alerts the unconscious brain to threat.

Speed is an alarm system in a social system (consciously and unconsciously).

If you walked down a road and everyone started running, you'd find it hard not to run even if you didn't know what the cause was. You are noticing that others are running and in a direction, so you mirror them to increase your chances of survival. You don't need the reasoning part of your brain for this. You just activated your primal (survival) part of the brain.

One other thing to remember: HORSES CAN SMELL CORTISOL. So not only does your speed act as a visual alarm system to your horse, it also acts as an olfactory one!

Would you want to interact with someone who caused you to feel constantly on alert?

These little things are the beginnings of what ripples into chronic stress in both humans and horses.
You spend enough time around someone who is fast in their movement, your nervous system will condition itself to being on high alert.
HELLO 👋 CHRONIC STRESS!!!

Slow your movement down = slow your thoughts down.
Slow your movement down = lower your cortisol.
Slow your movement down = feel connected with yourself, the world and others in it.
Slow your movement down = slow your alarm systems down and eventually they'll turn off.

Slow down so much that it is uncomfortable. It won't be uncomfortable for long, I promise 😉

Happy brain training 🧠
Charlotte 🙂

27/11/2023

Favorite Finds is up on the website! This week features DIY show ribbon ornaments, Georgina Bloomberg stable tour and an article about OCD lesions. Read on below! 👇
www.kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

25/11/2023

When you sit in your saddle you should feel confident, comfortable and poised. The Inspiration from County Saddlery - Saddles & Saddle Fitting makes me feel like a million bucks every time I sit in it.
Find your dream saddle from Safe and Sound Saddle Fit - Midwest Saddle, Bridle, & Bit Fitting Services or your nearest County Saddlery rep!

19/11/2023

This week features Equine Connection Academy with Dr Nadine Lindblom Can you spot the lameness reel, eventer horse insurance article from The Chronicle Of The Horse and heated seat cushions
www.kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

15/11/2023

The reel version of my most recent post ☺️

14/11/2023

I’ve recently audited a few different clinicians and I couldn’t help but notice some differences. One of the clinicians never smiled, never got excited for a rider to feel something, never motivated the rider…there was no joy.
It was such a shame.

Growth isn’t always easy and trying new things can be hard but it also should feel great and exciting to a rider when they find a new solution or make a discovery. Research shows that motivation, confidence and success are all linked; when a student feels confident they are more motivated the next day and also more successful at reaching goals.

So this is your reminder instructors, whether you’re at home teaching a client you’ve taught for years or someone you’ve never met at a clinic- smile, motivate and bring joy to the lesson!

*Picture of my motivational instructor Felicitas running beside me the whole way!!

12/11/2023

This week features: No Stupid Questions-How Can You Be Kinder to Yourself? podcast episode, my two favorite books for morning reading from Ryan Holiday and Oprah Winfrey as well as Declutter The Mind YouTube channel.
👇
www.Kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

05/11/2023

Favorite Finds is up on the website and this week is all about prepping for winter!
This week features: QHP Quality Horse Products fur lined field boots from The Distinguished Rider, 32 Degrees long coat, Cavalor Mash & Mix as well as some previous winter finds that you may have missed!
Check them all out in the link below! 👇
www.kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

03/11/2023

Calling all horse lovers! We are welcoming Lindsey Kahn of Safe and Sound Saddle Fit - Midwest Saddle, Bridle, & Bit Fitting Services in December for a clinic! Spots are very limited so register soon at bidpal.net/saddlefit

Details below!

01/11/2023

This course is fantastic and will give you new ways to improve your riding.

Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel, dressage, online course, symposium, dressage training, First Choice Farm, horses, training, courses, learning, equine, boarding, symposium, classical dressage, classical, dressage horses

29/10/2023

This week’s finds include The Tried Equestrian crisp whites video, Epona Products Queen’s brush and HorseBnB
www.kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

22/10/2023

New Favorite Finds is up on the website! This week features Noso Patches, fall equestrian decor and Equitopia Center podcast episode with Dr Alberto Rullan of Performance Equine Veterinary Services.

Favorite FindsAs a constant knowledge seeker, I want to share my discoveries with you. Every week I will share my favorite finds. From articles, podcast episodes, training tools, products and anything else that may contribute to enriching your equestrian life. Kerstyn Cornelsen 10/21/23 Kerstyn Corn...

22/10/2023

Good luck to my amazing farrier Bodie Trnka and the rest of the American Farrier Team!

16/10/2023

Most people have heard the saying “it takes a village.” And it’s true, whether you’re a professional or an amateur in the sport, it’s important to have people around you that can assist or advise you along your equestrian journey.

So I ask, whether you’re a professional or an amateur, do you have a board of directors?

The board looks different for different people but each person on your board should have a realm of expertise. This may include the typical professionals like vets or trainers but it also could include a mental skills coach or a spouse who knows what you need emotionally from the equestrian journey. For professionals, having a fellow professional that you can vent with and bounce ideas off of can be really beneficial.

Write down who is on your board of directors right now. Make sure you feel fulfilled by your board. Make changes and find the holes.

And if you need help with this, I’d love to assist you in developing your board of directors.

14/10/2023

This week features EQUIVA Deutschland spring girth tip, Connected Riding with Peggy Cummings' video on connection and contact and MelEe Creation tail ribbons
www.Kerstyncornelsen.com/favorite

09/10/2023

One of the great Buddhist principles is having intention without attachment.
That concept has been swirling around in my brain and it made me realize just how sticky some ideas can be in my mind when I’m with the horses. In general I think I am open minded, creative and so on but what I find is, I can become attached to the idea of helping.

For example, I can become fixated on getting a horse to relax, so much so, that I find myself trying to “make” the horse relax. And we all know how well it works when we’re feeling frustrated or distressed and someone says “just relax!”

It’s not wrong to have a desire or goal but if that desire or goal turns into something that you must accomplish by the end of the session or by a certain date, it can have an opposing effect. Sticky thoughts or ideas get you into trouble, they cloud you from being present and feeling the situation honestly.

If you are having trouble with something like this on your own journey with horses, let’s chat! Let me help you get out of the sticky thoughts and into your body while you ride!