Resources to Support Your Journey with Horses
Bitless Bridles
Any bit is only as good as the hands that hold it. However, if you are learning, if your horse is in a Therapy or Lesson program, or if your horse shows resistance in the bridle then going “Bitless” may be the answer!
Bits will either cause relaxation or resistance. Resistance equates to the horse going behind or above the vertical, tossing his head, chomping, bracing, hanging his tongue out or getting it over. If any of this is familiar to you then your horse may be a good candidate for a Bitless Bridle.
Heidi specializes in the use of Bitless Bridles. Her students of every discipline from Dressage to Jumping to Obstacle Play and Trail Riding have had great success in creating quieter, calmer, more pleasurable rides on all levels and breeds of horses. Heidi offers evaluation sessions, bringing a variety of Bitless Bridle options to figure out what might work best. Please rule out mouth or body pain first and then contact heidi@heidipotter.com to set up an evaluation session.
Check out these resources for Bitless Bridles:
Linda Tellington-Jones Lindell Bitless Bridle
Centered Riding©
Centered Riding® was developed by founder Sally Swift as a way of connecting the mind, center and body in riding. It is based on philosophies learned in the Martial Arts and the Alexander Technique. Use of the CR basics helps all riders to use their bodies correctly and more effectively. Horses respond by becoming more responsive, better balanced and more relaxed, allowing them to perform with greater freedom of movement. The techniques of Centered Riding can be applied to any discipline, and will improve your overall comfort, confidence and communication with your horse. Heidi studied directly with Sally, who lived 10 minutes from her farm, along with several Level IV CR Clinicians before becoming a CR Clinician herself in 2003. She combines her many years of traditional Martial Arts training with her Centered Riding education, assisting riders of all disciplines and levels in becoming more balanced, comfortable, confident and connected.
Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)
CHA’s mission is to promote excellence in safety and education for the benefit of the entire horse industry. This is accomplished by certifying instructors, accrediting equine facilities and publishing educational resources. Heidi is a CHA Master Level Instructor and Clinic Instructor, helping to teach CHA Instructor Certification Clinics across the country.
Hay Chix®
These bags are Heidi’s favorite hay bags! She primarily uses the Half Bale Nets as ground feeders and prefers the 1 3/4″ Heavy Duty style. In wet weather the Free Up Feeders on the shelter walls are easy and quick to fill. These slow feed hay bags double the “grazing” time and reduce hay waste by 99%.
The Hay Chix team is fantastic to work with and they offer super customer service. Click on the link below and enjoy 20% off your purchase!
Hay Chix – Heidi Potter Referral
Horse Speak®
Horse Speak is what comes next in your horsemanship. Every horse owner and horse lover will benefit from the enlightening work of Sharon Wilsie, Friend, Mentor, and Author of the book Horse Speak, The Equine-Human Translation Guide. Learning Horse Speak will forever change the way you interact with horses, deepening understanding, creating enrichment and building rapport with every horse you meet.
Read some of Heidi’s inspirational personal Horse Speak Experiences
The International Horse Agility Club
This fun sport promotes improved partnerships, confidence and good communication between humans and horses. The goal is to eventually perform with the horse at liberty. Through their On Line Horse Agility events you can compete by downloading the monthly obstacle course and sending in a video of your performance.
Say Whoa-Horse Sense Solutions
Colic is the number one cause of death in horses. We all know that catching and treating it early can make the difference and help increase the chances of survival. I was introduced to the “SayWhoa” (previously known as StopColic) product a few years ago at a CHA International Conference at the Kentucky Horse Park. I visited the booth, learned about the product, listened to testimonials and decided it was worth the investment. Over the last few years I have successfully used this all natural product on multiple occasions, as have many of my clients. SayWhoa has a 5-year shelf life and is unaffected by the varying temperatures in an unheated barn. I keep a bottle in my barn and in my horse trailer. SayWhoa is available for purchase via my website, my facility and at most of my events. Learn more at Horse Sense Solutions and let’s increase our odds of successful colic outcomes!
Read Heidi’s personal SayWhoa success story >
E-Mail Heidi to Order: heidi@heidipotter.com