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In my weekly blog, “Amateur Equestrian Confessions,” I share the passion and the pain of one of the most endearing pursuits in the world, horseback riding.
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Fearless Riding (Part II)
Be your own cheerleader It is possible to brain wave your way to improved riding. Neuroscience, which deals with the structure or...
JoAnn Shannon
Jun 4, 2025
Fearless Riding (Part I)
Equestrian sports come with an inherent danger so fear is something most riders must manage. But imagine if you could use science to help...
JoAnn Shannon
May 14, 2025
Sleep and Athletic Performance
Sleep is the cornerstone of recovery and performance. And according to Ifa Simmons , certified fitness performance coach for...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 30, 2025
Focus on Fiction
Going forward, my blog will be published every other week. With only so many hours in a day, I’ve fallen quite behind on my fictional...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 9, 2025
Riders and Horses
Do you think your horse would be able to pick you out of a crowd? Chances are he could do that quite readily. Maybe even blind-folded. ...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 2, 2025
Horses to Riders
Do I have to work out today? A horse greeting their owner is more cat-like than dog-like. You might get a nicker, but you don’t get...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 26, 2025
Horses Talking to Horses
Pinky is interested and relaxed. Horses are careful about announcing their presence. It wouldn’t be wise to let predators know where to...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 19, 2025
Micro Expressions
I think Captain is asking for another carrot. We may be able to read horses, but they can read us better. Recently I joined a webcast...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 12, 2025
Stirrups
Judy was like Arwen. Not all stirrups are created alike. This lesson was demonstrated several years ago when I was a novice rider. It...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 5, 2025
Rethinking Halters
No halter, no problem. Years ago, Joey shared a paddock with a horse named Taco. If Taco was a person, he would be a mild-mannered...
JoAnn Shannon
Feb 26, 2025
Vested Interest
To vest, or not to vest, that is the question. The Plaid Horse recently published an article entitled, "Protective Riding Vests,...
JoAnn Shannon
Feb 19, 2025
Helmet Head
Scientific helmets…because an injured brain does not heal like a broken bone. Did you know that horseback riding carries a higher injury...
JoAnn Shannon
Feb 12, 2025
Cheval magazine
A dear friend recently visited Paris and picked up a copy of the marvelous Cheval magazine for me. There was a feature story on dressage...
JoAnn Shannon
Feb 5, 2025
Young Rider - Winter Edition
The winter edition includes a dressage lesson. In the January/February issue of Young Rider magazine, journalist Laura Boynton Johnson ...
JoAnn Shannon
Jan 29, 2025
Equus Magazine - Winter Issue
Since 1977, Equus has offered the most accurate information available to horse lovers who wish to give their animals the best care. Equus...
JoAnn Shannon
Jan 22, 2025
Horse Illustrated - Winter Edition
Do you know your back plays a pivotal role in ensuring a balanced, strong and effective seat? The winter edition of Horse Illustrated ,...
JoAnn Shannon
Jan 15, 2025
Peaceful England
It rains a lot in London Most of the research I did on English police departments and their equestrian partners seemed to focus on the...
JoAnn Shannon
Jan 8, 2025
France's Republican Guard
If you have an opportunity to visit Paris, and you should, you may see gendarmes on horses roaming the streets. They are the officers of...
JoAnn Shannon
Jan 1, 2025
Peacekeeping in Germany
In her Horse Wellness Blog , Stefanie Reinhold, offers helpful insights under the intriguing sub-title, “Information for the Thinking...
JoAnn Shannon
Dec 25, 2024
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, aka R.C.M.P. Since 1873, horses have shared a rich history in policing in Canada. The Royal Canadian...
JoAnn Shannon
Dec 18, 2024
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