RIDERS REFLECTIONS:

“ I think of all the lessons I have invested in to improve my riding, working with Leah and applying these methods, have been some of the most valuable. Horses have a level of sensitivity that most of us cant comprehend. To handle and ride horses and hope to be in harmony means we must work to increase our own awareness and sensitivity.this work is unique in that it considers the nervous system. It has allowed me to improve the use of my own body both on a conscious and subconscious level, allowing me to refine the way I communicate with my horses. From my eye/hand coordination, to my posting trot, to my balance, the proof has really been in the pudding with this work. I am so grateful to Leah for sharing this work with me and helping me develop as a rider.” - Terra Bortels

“I cannot express how grateful I am to be working with Leah.  She has been instrumental in helping me to overcome my fear after a riding accident, and decreasing health issues that I have developed as a result of carrying tension in my body.  The tools she has been trained to use are simple, yet powerful, often producing instant and measurable results.  Leah also brings patience, empathy and compassion to her work.  Most of all, she has given me hope and empowered me with tools to aide my healing. Tools that I have not found in searching many other treatment modalities.  I don’t want to even imagine going back to the time before I started working with Leah!  I will continue to learn from her for as long as possible!”  -Kristene Stewart

“I recently participated in a Rider Awareness clinic with Leah. One of the lessons focused on turning, and we explored ways to make turning more efficient and fluid. During the lesson we learned how to access, full body movement, when turning. For me, this brought an awareness of how to use my knee to help facilitate more precise turning when riding my horse. This lesson was performed while sitting in a chair. It was easy to do. I could not wait to experiment with this new movement when mounted. The next day, I explored this new way of turning with my horse. Much to my surprise, I did not have to use any rein pressure at all, even in my more difficult direction of turning left. My horse was much more relaxed and easier to ride overall. I usually experience some lower back stiffness after riding. I was so happy after my ride my back felt great! Leah sends handouts home of the lesson so you can practice them on and off the horse. I highly recommend participating in her clinics, your body and your horse will thank you!” -Susan Lafferty

“Leah is not only a talented body worker, she is also an amazing support system. Thanks to her intuition and willingness to help me with my goals, I was able to continue to advance my riding skills and enjoy my horses throughout my entire pregnancy. I believe the things I learned about my body helped labor and delivery go smoother and be less painful than if I didn't have the skills to be more in tune with my body than I have in the past. I'm now looking forward to getting back in the saddle and picking up where I left off!” -Erin Whalin, DVM

“Since working with Leah I haven't just improved my riding, but also my everyday comfort. As a farrier and trainer my body is expected to perform at its max all the time. After multiple falls, injuries, and chronic pain my body had just gotten used to being in threat status all the time. Working with Leah I have been able to move in ways I haven't been in years. My balance has improved in and out of the saddle. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Leah to become not just a better rider but overall better in my everyday movement." -Augusta Mae Wott

“Since attending the clinic last week, I’ve been practicing feeling my seat bones and working on keeping my right seat bone un stuck. The difference in my young horse in particular is pretty interesting. Our leg yields are coming so much easier already! And we had been having trouble going into our corners going to the right, those troubles disappeared immediately on my first ride with her after the clinic.” -Stephanie W.

 “Leah, thank you for a wonderful workshop. I’ve been to a lot of clinics and conferences throughout my career and found many presenters to be boring and often unclear about their topics. Your presentation had new information and clarity. I liked how everyone was actively involved.” -D.S.

Rebuilding Confidence Reflections:

“I attended leah’s online group working with overcoming fear and regaining confidence with horses and riding after a fall and specifically in my case after a concussion. My accident happened during a particularly stressful period and the concussion added to my disorientation and overwhelmed state. Leah led me through exercises which immediately reduced my anxiety and improved my sleep patterns. She provided a lot of clear information and guidance so that I could incorporate these exercises into my daily routine. They have become tools which provide relief when in challenging situations as well as gradually improving my vestibular and visual function. I have returned to writing and even completed a long distance riding holiday, able to enjoy long cancers and riding through challenging train with confidence. I feel the benefits and other aspects too, with improved night vision, concentration and dual tasking. I also found the courses very informative and understanding how the vestibular and visual system function and shaping nervous system, regulation, coordination, and capacity to dual task has been very beneficial. -Both for understanding and the potential to improve in these areas. I highly recommend working with Leah to benefit from this transformative training.” - Laura Waterhouse

“ This program was incredibly impactful for me after experiencing a traumatic injury involving my horse. I came in, feeling anxious and hypervigilant, and while I didn’t expect that fear to disappear, I was hoping for some relief. When I gained with so much more. The somatic tools, were especially grounding. Peripheral awareness, and the connection with the nervous system helped me feel more regulated and present situations that previously felt overwhelming. I now feel more confident, calm, and connected, not only around my horse, but also in other areas of my life. I would highly recommend this program to anyone navigating fear or rebuilding trust after a difficult experience. “ - Erica Miller

“ I love my horse, and I love to ride. But having a younger horse, combined with a new awareness of my own mortality, after turning 30, meant that fear and anxiety began to overshadow my love for my horse and riding. But I didn’t realize how bad my fear and anxiety had gotten until I took this course. I learned so much about my nervous system and how being around and riding horses can really challenge my nervous system. I learned that I wasn’t “fine until my horse got two forward or spooked”, My nervous system was kicked into overdrive before I even parked my car at the barn! Now I can use the practices and skills. Leah taught me to identify when I’m feeling fearful or anxious, and use them to help calm my nervous system. I don’t even have to be at the barn or in the saddle to practice! I practice at home, while I’m walking my dog, and when I’m taking a snack break from work. I would recommend this program to fellow riders!” - Gabriella Husley

“Working with Leah has been a game changer for my horsemanship journey and everyday life. Over the years, I found myself accumulating limitations in my mind and body that I hadn’t had before. I thought these limitations were something I had to accept, but it turns out that they were just signs my body and needed support and training to get back to being just as functional, if not better. I would 100% Recommend this work to another rider!” - Anonymous

“ Horseback riders are supposed to be fearless. We’re told that when you fall, you get right back on or you’ll never get back on. And for most of my life, that is exactly what I did. While there was a specific fall about two years ago that forced me to face the reality of the situation, the truth is, fear had crept into my writing many years prior to that fall. A few years after my daughter was born, my longtime horse passed away. I no longer trust in my balance and coordination in my post childbirth body. And I worried about the prospect of an injury like I never had before. I considered the impact on my daughter if I couldn’t care for her. Although I haven’t understanding of the nervous system and how it relates to trauma, I wasn’t aware of the applied neurology or Feldenkrais Method, And the powerful and unique way Leah combined the two to help equestrians who have experienced a loss of confidence. I was able to respond to my horse on the ground the way I wanted to as opposed to reacting with fear. When it came time to get back in the saddle, I had a plan with tangible exercises to manage anxiety. I was no longer at the mercy of my nervous system, trying to “control “something that can’t be controlled. Rather than try to push my anxiety aside and become frustrated when my body wouldn’t do what I wanted it to do, I acknowledge my fear and use the exercises I had practiced.

There was a time when I thought I would never truly enjoy riding again. Now I look forward to riding and know that fear isn’t something I need to ignore or push through. And while I started working with Leah to specifically address my fear with writing, improving my body awareness and vision and vestibular systems can’t help but trickle into all aspects of my life. Thank you, Leah for your passion, welcome knowledge, and support. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without you, and I look forward to what I’ll continue to achieve!” - Julie Lovely