Alys Culhane

Alys Culhane is a writer and Centered Riding instructor. She and her husband Pete live in Palmer, Alaska. They share their off-the-grid place with three Icelandic horses, two dogs, two chickens, and three goats. Alys has published articles in numerous outdoor magazines and horse journals. She’s the author of Raudi’s Story: An Icelandic Mare’s first four years of life. Alys and Pete have done two lengthy, unsupported long treks on their Icelandic horses, and hope in the future to do more rides. She writes daily dispatches which she posts on her website, www.alysculhane.com.

Soft Eyes

January 12, 2018November 1, 2017 by Alys Culhane

Centered Riding Basic Valuable in Emergency by Alys Culhane Centered Riding founder Sally Swift calls “soft eyes” one of four basics, along with breathing, alignment, and centering. To create soft eyes, the muscles around and behind the eyes are relaxed. Additionally, the cheeks, chin, jaw and tongue muscles are …

Centered Riding Basics

December 4, 2017September 1, 2017 by Alys Culhane

Centering by Alys Culhane In June I organized and participated in Centered Riding clinics that spanned two weekends. Centered Riding Level Four clinicians Peggy Brown and Susan Harris and five out-of-state riders were in attendance. My Icelandic mare Raudhetta prefers arenas with obstacles so I opted to attend Brown’s …

Centered Riding’s Building Blocks

November 11, 2017July 1, 2017 by Alys Culhane

Finding Alignment by Albs Culhane April was a significant month for me in terms of my Centered Riding training, both as an instructor and as a rider. I traveled to the East Coast and did a four-day Centered Riding clinic in Brattleboro, New York followed by a three-week Centered …

Breathe Anxiety Away

November 14, 2017May 1, 2017 by Alys Culhane

Controlled Breathing First Step in Centered Riding by Alys Culhane I’m a returning rider who acquired more than my share of fear-based baggage during my thirty-year riding hiatus. This metaphorical suitcase sprung open and spewed its contents ten years ago when I started riding my 4-year-old mare, Raudi. In …

Rider Wellness: Anatomy, Awareness, and Sally Swift’s Six Basics

October 6, 2017March 1, 2017 by Alys Culhane

An Introduction to Centered Riding By Alys Culhane One day as I was instructing a student I noted that her jaw was clenched, she had a death grip on the reins, and her legs were wrapped tightly around her horse’s middle. The young gelding appeared ready to explode. I …

Eating Crow

June 30, 2020February 1, 2017 by Alys Culhane

A Winter’s Lesson by Alys Culhane The phrase “to eat crow” brings to mind the image of an individual, fork and spoon in clenched fists, white napkin tucked under chin. Before him on a plate is a cooked crow, claws facing upwards. The phrase means to acknowledge a blunder. …