Raja Riding

23/02/2025

Gillian Vallis didn’t we just see some examples of this today?

12/10/2024

Great evening working with 2 of my favorite horses. Red as always tries to please and Grace and I had a great ride practicing our liberty under saddle - I didn’t have to pick up the reins once with her.

06/10/2024

Make Them Carry Their Saddle
A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.
Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)
When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.
When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.
Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.
When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.
After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.
Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.
Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.
So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.
I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.
Hannah Campbell Zapletal

07/07/2024

Grey horses go to great extremes to be any color other than grey but pooping in her water bucket and then soaking her tail in the green water takes it to a whole new level.

27/05/2024

26/04/2024

16/04/2024

Fire breathing dragon 🐉 in the clouds. Maeve saw it first.

06/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/KyJbDryTrp1mEk46/?mibextid=WC7FNe

02/04/2024

02/04/2024

Haflngers are so quiet! Such calm horses... have you met Tara? Someone stuffed a hot thoroughbred in this this little tank-like draft pony body. But don't let that fool you-this little mare is a liberty rockstar and healing hero. She may not yet be the kids horse I hoped for but she's rock solid on helping people heal and brining joy to those she meets.

02/04/2024

Remarkable Grace, or as we call her, simply Grace. She is patient and kind and always aware of the grief people carry. I am thankful for her patience, her grace with new riders and how she cares for those she works with. She is brave and teaches people who cross her path. She is a blessing and I am thankful to share her path.

02/04/2024

Red the not red but amazing equine teacher- this little horse is a marvelous teacher- from partnering with me on equine gestalt coaching to helping a new rider find their balance and confidence he is a master teacher. I am humbled by the horses who help me and their grace to meet people where they are at. And at the same time for me he is an upper level horse who can do walk canter transitions, tempe changes, and work cows. Or help someone learn to ride or help someone learn to find themself. I am blessed to share my life with these amazing horses.