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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
