Oh, rainy days!

   Compared to the rest of the United States, Southern California typically does not get a lot of rain. Unless you don't mind rain (I love it) or have access to a covered riding arena (I do not), precipitation--and mud--could ruin your riding plans for a while. But it doesn't have to keep you away from the barn, or your horse and horse-related activities.

•    Clean/condition tack: Whether you got your saddle second-hand or invested a small fortune to buy it, you want to keep it in good condition. Leather should be cleaned and oiled regularly; take advantage of the inclement weather to prepare your tack for your ride when the sun comes out.
•    Watch training videos/highlights from Grand Prix or Olympic competitions in your riding discipline: Invite some friends/your students from the barn to watch and discuss what you see. Take notes! What advice/corrections is the trainer providing to clinic participants? If you are watching a competition, what are the riders doing correctly--or incorrectly--during their ride? What could, would or should you do in situation "x"?
•    Curl up with a book: Read about riding or some aspect of training or horsemanship. It can be a favorite novel from your childhood, such as The Black Stallion, Misty of Chincoteague, Black Beauty, etc. Pick up a biography about your favorite equestrian or trainer. A couple of years ago, I invested in some coloring books about equine anatomy. I find working on these books very relaxing; and the physical act of "coloring" has really helped me to learn and remember parts of the equine anatomy. Whatever you read, it will enrich your experience of the horse. Check out my previous blog titled "Some of My Favorite Things" for more reading ideas.
•    Visualization/imagery exercises: Many professional athletes use these techniques to improve their sports performance. I employ a lot of visualization exercises to help equestrians achieve their best ride. Visualization can employ many senses; the more you can activate, the richer the exercise will be. Playing equestrian-themed video games (I have "Dressage Divas" and "Lucinda Greene's Equestrian Challenge") also let you "visualize" your ride.
•    Groom/hang out with your horse in the barn. In addition to cleaning off any mud that may have accumulated on his coat, use this time to check him for any unusual bumps or scratches. Remember, the quiet time you spend currying and brushing your horse is an opportunity to re-establish the bond you share with him. 

These are just a few ideas. Please share any additional suggestions you have. I look forward to hearing from you!



Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

Welcome: Some of my favorite things....

Welcome: Some of my favorite things....: "Information about horses, riding and horse-care come in all forms. In addition to regular riding lessons with my trainer, I also attend ridi..."

Some of my favorite things....

Information about horses, riding and horse-care come in all forms. In addition to regular riding lessons with my trainer, I also attend riding clinics and do a lot of reading. For example, I'm currently reading Ride With Your Mind Essentials, by Mary Wanless.

Following is a list of books that I have read and really liked. I'm always looking for more resources on these topics, and I will post references for other books as I find them. Happy reading.

Recommended Reading

General Reading for Equestrians: Equine Behavior

1. Albinson, Clare. In Harmony With Your Horse. 2003. Guilford, CT: The Lyons Press.
2. Fitzpatrick, Andrea. The Ultimate Guide to Horse Breeds. 2003. Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books, Inc.
3. Harris, Moira C. K.I.S.S. Guide to Caring for Your Horse. 2003. London: DK Publishing
4. Hayes DVM, Karen E.N. Hands on Horse Care from Horse & Rider. 1997. Harrisburg, PA: Horse & Rider, Inc.
5. Hill, Cherry. How to Think Like a Horse: The Essential Handbook for Understanding Why Horses Do What They Do. 2006. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
6. Hogg, Abigail. The Horse Behavior Handbook. 2003. Cincinnati, OH: F & W Publications.
7. Montague, Sarah and Dempsey, P.J. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Horses. 2003. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books.
8. Pavia, Audrey and Posnikoff DVM, Janice. Horses for Dummies. 2005. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Equine Health Care and Philosophy about Horses

1. Grandin, Temple and Johnson, Catherine. Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior. New York: Scribner.
2. Kainer, Robert A. and McCracken, Thomas O. Horse Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas, 2^nd Edition. Loveland, CO: Alpine Publications.
3. Kohanov, Linda. The Tao of Equus: A Woman’s Journey of Healing & Transformation Through the Way of the Horse. 2001. Novato, CA: New World Library.
4. Kohanov, Linda. Riding Between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential Through the Way of the Horse. 2003. Novato, CA: New World Library.
5. Tellington-Jones, Linda and Taylor, Sybil. Getting in TTouch: Understanding and Influencing Your Horse’s Personality. 1995. North Pomfret, VT:
   Trafalgar Square
   Publishing.
6. Wilde, Clare. Hands-On Energy Therapy for Horses and Riders. 1999. North Pomfret, VT:
   Trafalgar Square
   Publishing.

Training

1. Edgett Ph.D., Janet Sasson. 1996. Heads Up! Practical Sports Psychology for Riders, Their Families & Their Trainers. New York: Doubleday.
2. Marks, Kelly. Teach your Horse Perfect Manners: How You Should Behave So Your Horse Does Too. 2003. North Pomfret, VT:
   Trafalgar Square
   Publishing.
3. Marks, Kelly (Ed.). Ride With Confidence! Practical and Inspirational Advice to Help You Deal With Your Fear and Enjoy Your Riding. 2004. Cincinnati, OH: David & Charles.
4. Marks, Kelly. Become Perfect Partners: How to Be the Owner Your Horse Would Choose for Himself. 2005. North Pomfret, VT:
   Trafalgar Square
   Publishing.
5. Marks, Kelly. Build Complete Confidence with Horses: Beat Fear and Excuses & Attain Your Riding Goals. 2007. North Pomfret, VT:
   Trafvalgar Square
   Books.
6. Savoie, Jane. That Winning Feeling! Program Your Mind for Peak Performance. 1992. North Pomfret, VT:
   Trafalgar Square
   Publishing.
7. Smith, Mike. Getting the Most From Riding Lessons. 1998. Canada: Storey Books.
8. Wanless, Mary. The Natural Rider. 1996. North Pomfret, VT:
   Trafalgar Square
   Publishing.
9. Wanless, Mary. Ride With Your Mind Essentials. 2002. North Pomfret, VT:
   Trafalgar Square
   Books.

Texts by Monty Roberts

1. Roberts, Monty. The Man Who Listens to Horses: The Story of a Real Life Horse Whisperer. New York: Ballantine Books.
2. Roberts, Monty. Shy Boy, The Horse that Came in From the Wild. 1999. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
3. Roberts, Monty. Horse Sense for People: Using the Gentle Wisdom of the Join-Up Technique to Enrich Our Relationships at Home and at Work. 2001. Toronto, Canada: Alfred A. Knopf, Canada.
4. Roberts, Monty. From My Hands to Yours: Lessons From a Lifetime of Training Championship Horses, Second Edition. 2007. Solvang, CA: Monty and Pat Roberts, Inc.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist who specializes in helping equestrians achieve their competition and riding goals. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

Living my dream

Welcome to Calminsense Hypnotherapy...and welcome to my blog!

My introduction to hypnosis and hypnotherapy was inspired by my horse. Really. I wanted a vocation where I could do what I have always believed I was meant to do: i.e., be a therapist. I already had a Bachelor's degree in psychology; I went on to earn a (research) Master's Degree in psychology, too. I just didn't know where to start building a practice. I also (finally) had my own horse. The idea of working with equestrians was, as it were, starting to bubble up from my subconscious to my conscious mind. I just didn't know how to make that happen.

When I started training to be a hypnotherapist at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, I was encouraged to find a "niche" for my practice,  I knew exactly what that would be. I would work with people who share my passion for riding and training/caring for these majestic animals. And so Calminsense Hypnotherapy was born.

Returning clients and and new guests who are visiting calminsensehypnotherapy.com will notice that I have updated the format of my Web-site. The biggest, most obvious addition to the site is the addition of this blog. Another new aspect of the site is the explicit emphasis on hypnotherapy for equestrians. And coming soon, I will be offering hypnotherapy sessions in the comfort of your own home, via Skype!

I hope you enjoy the changes to my Web-site, and welcome to Calminense Hypnotherapy!


Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist who specializes in helping equestrians achieve their competition and riding goals. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.