Zen equitation and SEER
An idea that I have had and held near and dear to my heart since SEER’s beginning is that of the holistic therapeutic value of horses—mind body, and spirit. My POV is based on having worked in sport horse stables while at the same time caring for my trail-riding horses in small barns that I would rent. I have had a very rich experience that I feel the majority of equestrians in the Hamptons are missing out on. I have spoken about this at length. However today I want to make it concise and will focus on what is to be gained from pleasure riding in the Hamptons. First, a couple of things.
You will not need a sports horse facility complete with an indoor arena and show jumps.
Eat dessert first. A two-horse trailer and SUV get you to the prettiest places quicker than riding there. I’ve done both. Riding from Springs to Montauk on trails takes 8 hours…
It’s in keeping with established zoning regulations for residents of Easthampton to keep horses on any amount of residential land, and in Southampton, there is a 3-horse limit. The catch is that you cannot board other people’s horses. But you can Stable your own. The first 20 years of my life I lived at home with my horses stabled in the backyard. Loved it.
The holistic value of trail riding: Hippotherapy
Often the day after a long trail ride I would be pleased to find myself lighter and toned. Everyone knows that English equitation is Physically demanding, but did you know that just sitting on a walking horse mimics the movement of your own body while walking? This is why horseback riding is a valuable exercise for people with paraplegia. Please see
Zen Equitaton for mind and soul…where: The beautiful trails and beaches of Easthampton
Places I never get tired of riding include The Northwest trail system stretching from beautiful Barcelonas Neck to the Grace Estate and Cedar Point Park. Springs Wood Block, The Osprey Trail, and Maidstone Beach. The Accabonic woods trail, The Stoney Hill woods trail (absolutely gorgeous in fall when beech trees are golden). The Paumonak trail through the promised land and Napegue. Hither Woods Bay beach and trails. Gin Beach on the North side of Montauk all the way to the point. Camp Hero. Montauk County Park. Alexander Beach and trails on the Ocean of Montauk. All Ocean beaches between there and Mecox.
Further up Island, an hour or so away are parks where there are facilities for people bringing horses in to ride. Horse trailer parking, water, small turnouts. Some favorites are Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, and Blydenburgh County Park.
Aside from amusement and physical benefits…
There will come a point in your ride where the magic becomes tangible. Once astride a horse, you become grounded as their shoes do not insulate them from the earth like ours do. In addition to that, the horses’ aura, their electromagnetic field is a sphere of approximately 25 feet that surrounds both them and you. There’s an old saying, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” Their heart rate pattern is naturally attuned to a relaxing vibe, and it will influence our own. That change facilitates a temporary heightened awareness and what I call a moving meditation.
Now instead of bumping into the fields of other stressed-out humans, you are mingling with the beauty of nature which has its own magic. It’s exciting that the energy medicine of the shamans of old is now scientifically credible and becoming mainstream. Therefore, as stated in the SEER’s mission, I continue to Persist “To promote the belief that a horse is of value for its being, nature, or "Medicine" as opposed to the popular belief that a horse’s value is equal to its ability to perform physically.”
