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The article from Horse Illustrated focuses on ways to boost winter wellness for equestrians. It emphasizes the importance of staying warm, spending time outdoors, pampering oneself, stretching, staying hydrated, eating seasonally, and continuing to learn new skills during the colder months. The author, Cathy Woods, provides practical tips and insights to help equestrians maintain their physical and mental well-being throughout winter. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Horse Illustrated provides a guide to yoga postures specifically designed for riders. The author, Cathy Woods, emphasizes that yoga should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. She highlights three key physical traits that are important for equestrians: flexibility, strength, and balance. Woods recommends the Standing Forward Bend pose for flexibility, the Standing Goddess Pose for strength, and the Tree Pose for balance. She also offers general tips for practicing yoga, such as listening to your body and being gentle and accepting of yourself. The article includes photos demonstrating the poses and their benefits. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the concept of "groundwork for the human" in relation to horse training. The author explains that just as groundwork is important for horses, it can also be beneficial for humans. The article focuses on two aspects of personal groundwork: physical and mental. Through yoga and meditation, individuals can improve body awareness, alignment, and self-correction, as well as develop focus and mental clarity. The author provides exercises that can be practiced on a yoga mat or while mounted to enhance personal groundwork. Ultimately, the article emphasizes that when the body and mind are integrated, individuals become better companions for their horses. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Horse Illustrated discusses the concept of the "monkey mind" and how it can interfere with our ability to be present and focused when spending time with horses. The article provides several exercises and techniques to help improve mental focus, such as becoming an observer of the mind, using breath and bodily sensations, widening your gaze, and taking mini-meditations. The author also suggests practicing mindfulness in calm situations, working with a coach, and using programs specifically designed for equestrians' mental needs. The article emphasizes the importance of being gentle with ourselves and our minds as we work to harness the monkey mind and improve our connection with our horses. [Extracted from the article]

Yoga is an awareness practice; as we become more aware through yoga, we naturally begin to carry that heightened awareness off the mat and into our time with horses. MAKING THE TRANSFER By practicing authentic yoga on the mat, you will become more in tune with the fact that the teachings apply to both yoga and horsemanship. When I say yoga, I mean the whole of yoga, not just the postures, which is what most people think of when they think about yoga, but yoga principles as well. [Extracted from the article]

The article from Horse Illustrated discusses thoughtful gift ideas for horse lovers during the holiday season. It emphasizes the importance of giving practical and supportive gifts that horse owners may not buy for themselves due to their focus on equine expenses. Suggestions include gift cards to feed or tack stores, meal preparation, wellness gifts like massages or yoga classes, and personalized keepsakes. The article encourages readers to give from the heart within their budget and highlights the value of simple gestures that show care and consideration for their horsey friends. [Extracted from the article]

You practice groundwork with your horse, but here you'll learn how you can apply the same principles to yourself to become a more confident, effective rider in the saddle. When [...]

Columns The start of a new year is the perfect time to reassess our wellness regimens, as well as determine how we'd like our horsemanship to look in 2023. Breathing with horses at Cathy Woods' Body, Mind, Equine clinic. It can be easy to buy into the media- driven version of what fitness, wellness, and horsemanship should look like, but it's important and enriching to create your own experience by listening to your inner voice. [Extracted from the article]

Like everyone else, I have been grappling with the ways the pandemic has disrupted my life. Even where I live, amid the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, the realities [...]