…Why I ride horses

Midwest Horse Fair!

Categories: Why I Ride Horses | March 22nd, 2010 | by Anke | no comments

If you’re in the Midwest, and you’re ready for spring, and you love horses, then you know that the Midwest Horse Fair is coming!  MWHF for me marks the beginning of spring and the trail riding/horse camping season.  Frankly, there’s nothing better than a morning or afternoon with your horse.

So I invite you to come visit me at my booth 5010 at the Midwest Horse Fair, I’ll be in the Exhibition Hall right where the lecture halls and bathrooms are, you can’t miss me!

Plus of course, healthy snacks and a great place to just stop and sit for a spell:)This year besides the “Great Coaching Giveaway” we’ll also have coaching  demos, giveaways for both you and your horse, as well as folks on hand who have experienced coaching and success !first hand in the last year.

So come and visit us, you’ll be glad you did, and we’ll be happy to see you!

Cheers, Anke:)

Spring Fever

Categories: Why I Ride Horses | March 22nd, 2010 | by Anke | no comments

Hi Everyone,

Last Thursday, both Murphy and I had a serious case of spring fever!  We went for our first real trail ride through the woods and over the fields with some gal pals from the barn.

We weren’t sure if the footing would be good, but it turned out to be exceptionally well dried for this time of year!  So for 1.5 hours we were out reacquainting ourselves with Mother Nature, and frankly, it was heavenly!

Murphy was putting on his best race horse imitation by being very forward and needing to be in the lead at all times…although that didn’t happen.  Just because you WANT something, doesn’t mean you’re gonna get it;)

I did not expect to be cantering because of the footing, but after we tested out several areas we all went for a wonderful canter through our upper fields until we hit the woods edge.

By the time we went through the woods, up and down several hills, with Murphy sweating like a cat at a dog show, I fully expected him to slow down his pace, but it was not to be!  In fact, down the last stretch home, he picked it up a notch and we cantered ahead for a while thoroughly enjoying the view and the ride.

So if this is shades of things to come this summer with my boy, I have to say things are looking very bright!

I’ve been getting body work done for Murphy by Stefanie Reinhold a practitioner of the Masterson Method, and Murphy’s been responding very well.  So much so that last week Stefanie commented that she thought his summer would be the best ever…Stefanie, can you see into the future?!?!

So here’s to the start of a glorious spring, and an even better summer.  With warm weather, no bugs and great footing, who could ask for more right now?

Forward and Up!!!  Anke:)

Prancing through the snow!

Categories: Why I Ride Horses | February 19th, 2010 | by Anke | no comments

Oh, how I wish I would have had a camera!!!  My friend Deby and I went riding yesterday, not realizing that we were going to have a wonderful adventure with two other folks as well:)

It was gorgeous outside yesterday in WI, so we saddled up in the AM and started out.  It was interesting because as we climbed the hill where I had my trampling accident in the fall, I was somewhat surprised to feel apprehension creeping up.  I realized that this was the first ride back up the hill since the accident, because by the time I healed enough to ride, the weather had prevented me from doing outdoor riding.

So I used some familiar tools [deep breathing, singing, talking to Deby, letting Deby know that I was experiencing thresholds (and knowing she would support me), and going back to my visualizations that I had been practicing throughout the fall and winter.  I also made sure that I was the leader as Murphy was feeling my hesitation which of course made him nervous (”what’s wrong mom!” he was thinking!!).  I took note of my very tight butt (good in jeans, not on a horse), and the fact that I was leaning forward in an “I’m ready for disaster” position!

Good news was, that very quickly I was able to move through each threshold, honoring both Murphy and my needs and we made it up the hill with no problems.  Victory!

Deby and I then rode along the top ridge which was interesting.  Murphy and Phantom both were dragging their feet like they had thresholds, but when we turned around to go back, they miraculously found their energy 10 fold!  How interesting!

On our way back, our friends from the barn Jessica and Carlyse shouted over to us to join them on their ride in the woods, what fun!  We went through belly deep snow drifts, trotted and cantered where the footing was good, and enjoyed the beautiful sunny, windless 30 degree day!

Both Deby and I felt completely rejuvenated as we were walking back doen the hill towards the barn, and I know that Murphy was super happy to be out of an indoor!

Murphys new saddle was awesome too, I can’t wait to canter with “wings” in the fields in the spring time!

THIS is why I ride horses…especially my pal Murphy!!

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!!!

Categories: Why I Ride Horses | January 21st, 2010 | by Anke | 2 comments

Can you tell that I’m really excited that this  blog is finally off the ground and is live?!?!  Well I am!  It’s been a little over a year that I decided to focus my Health Coaching biz on folks just like myself, the busy professional and equestrian.  Because I’m not super tech savvy, having a blog has been on the back burner, but it’s also been a source of frustration because of the “fear of the unknown”!  So now that I’ve got my feet wet (just barely), I feel I can at least get this up and running to the point where we can have discussions and share our passion about horses with each other:)

I look forward to sharing my horsey endeavors with you this year.  Murphy and I will be sure to supply you with our “Horse-O’s” – those are super great times with your horse, like a fabulous canter through the fields on a fresh spring day – and also our progress as we explore more natural horsemanship, dressage and new this year Connected Riding and Groundwork!!!

Murphy and I promise to put our best feet forward, and we’d love to hear from you on what you’re doing with your equine partner, you great and not-so-great rides, as well as those magical times we spend together (like just listening to your horse eat at night when there are no other sounds).

So don’t be shy, please join Murphy and I on our always fun, never boring journey!

Forward and Up!!

Your pals, Anke and Murphy

About Natural Solutions by Anke

Categories: Natural Solutions by Anke | November 29th, 2009 | by Anke | no comments

Natural Solutions by Anke is Anke Johnson’s personal wellness coaching business to help people lose weight, gain confidence and manage their time!