Catalyst Coaching - Equine & Rider

I couldn’t be more elated that through our lesson program girls come together who may not have otherwise met & become a supportive group of besties!

How do little girls put their love stamp on a pony?

Confidence is such a fickle thing: it takes mere seconds to destroy it and a lifetime to build it. Each good experience builds up your confidence just a little bit more. I could talk about confidence - and lack of it - for days. I know intimately what it’s like to lose confidence in yourself in all aspects of life, but particularly as it relates to horses. I was lucky enough to grow up on the back of a horse. I never knew a time where I didn’t have horses waiting for me at home and I am so, so grateful for that experience. I never had any formal lessons and everything I had was of the hand-me-down, this is how we’ve always done it variety. (There’s nothing wrong with that. Just setting the stage!) I had never known fear in relation to horses. I was completely comfortable with them, despite having been bitten, kicked, bucked off, etc. plenty of times. Then 2012 happened – my mom’s accident. While asking for the back, a sticky-footed horse reared up and fell over backwards on top of her, shattering her hips and pelvis. I watched it happen. And suddenly, I was very aware how dangerous horses were. And I was so lost. Horses had been such a huge part of my identity my entire life, and now I was afraid of a part of who I was. I was afraid of horses. And I was afraid of knowing a life without horses. I pushed through as best I could, attempting to continue to ride but struggling with extreme panic attacks whenever a horse took any kind of step I wasn’t anticipating or asking for. I couldn’t do more than walk around in the round pen, and even that had me shaking in my boots. There was no quick fix or easy answer. It took me years of ‘doing it scared’ before I started to enjoy myself with horses again. YEARS. There will be people who tell you not to ride when you’re afraid because the horse can feel it - ignore them. If you can shove that fear down for a few minutes to where you’re not clenching the reins or your legs, then you go for it! Build on those good experiences. All I know is if I hadn’t rode when I was afraid, I never would have rode again. And I would have missed so much.

Welcome Gemma!
13 yr old Dutch Harness/Percheron

Thanks for the referral Kendal!Welcome to the farm-ily Lydia!

Welcome to Catalyst Coaching Maggie!

Welcome to Catalyst Coaching Strait!
Good job Sadie!

Erin Winds Pony Club Center
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