rider testimonial: breath, presence + partnership

Rider Insight: Jenn & Mr. Opus

I ride several horses, including Mr. Opus, my main partner, and I’d like to share how the breathwork I’ve been doing with Michelle has helped me with my riding.

The first thing I want to explain is this: if there’s one thing my trainer tells me every single lesson, it’s “Remember to breathe.”

When I find myself in a new situation, or I feel tension in my horse, the first thing I tend to do is hold my breath—and that is the exact opposite of what we should do. As you probably know, my work with Michelle has helped me tremendously in this regard.

Before I mount, I always check in with myself to make sure my breathing is controlled, it’s slow, and it connects with my heart rate. Typically, this happens for me during the grooming and saddling process. It’s a great time to reconnect with my buddy Opus.

I also gently breathe into his nostrils, because this is the way horses

say hello to each other. This helps us solidify our connection.

If you’ve never done this with your horse, go ahead and give it a try—but you may want to get some special advice or training before you do, because you don’t want your horse to be taken aback or for you to be injured in the process. Again, this will depend on your relationship with your horse.

When I mount, I take time with loose reins and no stirrups, and this creates a rhythm between my hip movement and my breath. I use this time to get settled, and I practice making sure my breath matches that of my horse.

Whenever possible, if I feel tension, I let a long breath out that’s really audible, and I find my horse is a great imitator. He often mimics me with a long, verbal breath of his own.

During our ride, and with Michelle’s expert guidance, I have focused on evening out my breath and breathing through my nostrils. As I do, I feel my horse relax beneath me. We’ve greatly improved our connection and our ability to perform, and—to tell you the truth—it’s just so much more fun to replace fear with fun.

Practicing breathwork while riding is a fantastic way to break the cycle of fear that can cause tension in the psoas. Breathwork can release the psoas muscle, and if your horse can feel a fly land on him, he can certainly feel the release of tension.

Please give Michelle a call and try concentrating on your breathwork. You’ll be glad you did—and your horse will too.

Thanks for now.

— jenny w., lifelong equestrian (with Mr. Opus)