The Mission

 

‘Mindful Union Through Horses.’

 

 

A Mindful Approach to Riding Horses:

Our horses live freely within the herd.  They are barefoot and have regular chiropractic therapy.  In between sessions (they work four mornings a week) the horses are given gentle work outs, training and have fun times in the park.

Katharine applies the concept of a friendly, trust based, two-way communication riding system.

A heart centered, holistic approach to horse wo’manship.  Learning to ride also includes catching your riding horse, grooming while consciously connecting with your horse.  Tacking up, working-in-hand as well as groundwork.

We learn riding two ways.  Firstly, experiencing the challenges that arise while on the trails in glorious parkland of approx. 1000 acres.  Secondly, learning to ride with and without tack in the 100 foot covered arena.  “Sally Swifts’ Centered Riding is, for me, a freeing and at the same time exacting riding system.“

Originally from Britain, now based in Austin Texas since 2000, Katharine provides a peaceful environment, focusing on riding solutions for all riders from all riding genres.  Learning to ride in saddle and bare back.  

Katharine is a professional animal psychic, artist, clinician and meditation teacher.

Thank you  Merlin Mays, my son – the first video of many:

* (Video transcript below).                                           approx. 1000 acres of wild parkland – 20 minutes from downtown Austin.

 

Sessions are 90 mins every two weeks.  Monthly fee of $400.

Austin Riding and Therapy Center / Conscious Rider offers one to one 90 minute sessions with Katharine that suit people who love horses, nature and riding.  Appreciating a mindful approach to all three.

A.R.T.C. / CR facilities include, a cool, shaded hundred foot covered arena.  Compost bathroom and changing room.  1000 acres of WILD Nature Preserve with approx. 8 miles of often shaded trails.

We specialize in:

• A mindful or concentrated approach to riding (as opposed to rushed, shouty or even fearful).
• Natural Horse wo’manship via Mia Lykke Neilson, Parrelli, Sally Swift and Monty Roberts.
• Beginner Dressage using the later Baucher system from the classical school of de la Guérinière.
• Equine Therapy as a Practitioner, PTSD, cPTSD, healing from addictions (i.e. fear).

We have:

• Covered Arena
• 1000 acres
• Tack room
• 8 miles of shaded trails
• Compost Bathroom
• Changing room

We cater for:

• Beginner Riders 6 years and up (5 if they have long enough legs)
•  Intermediate Riders 
•  All ages for Equine Therapeutic Sessions – with or without experience of horses

 

Austin Riding and Therapy Center:

Return To Love

1989 was the beginning of a long journey of sobriety and returning to Love.  Through inner consistent Sematic work and Vipassana meditation, Katharine has been in service to people transforming their trauma through horses, in Austin since 2000.  She has developed a powerful system and book (in process) for transforming triggers called ‘Return To Love’.  Clients may involve the horses or not, depending on their needs.  Her method includes tools to transform stress which is usually the result of believing we are separate from love (the unconditional kind) leading us into habitual patterns of living on the ‘fear cycle’ in anger, addiction, physical pain and depression.  In time, this simple regulating system Returns us to Peace, Stillness and Strength.

Tools:

•  Self Compassion through the horses – an honest reflection of who you are
•  Trauma recovery for both horse and human
• Re-claiming relationships with your wounded inner children
• Acknowledging conditioning so as to be willing to up grade it
• Upgrading said conditioning from ones childhood, dna, culture and even past life by:
• Returning To Love and flipping The Fear Cycle by joining the horses in Presence (non-dual work)
•  Psych-K
•  E.F.T.
• How horses dissolve anger and fear as a herd and how you can do it too
• Meditation, through connecting with the herd via ‘The Trust Technique’
• Healing energies from the herd to you
• Conflict resolution with the horses as our teacher
• Stillness by embodying fear and surrendering it to the body
• Integrating spiritual awakenings
• Recovery and grief
• Recovering from addiction via the 12 steps
• Unblocking energy releasing stress
• Death and dying
• Re-building confidence with horses
• Psychic and intuitive awareness
• Healing blocked trauma from past deaths
• addiction to fear/thinking craving, aversion or remaining ignorant/unconsciousness
• Diseases and ailments and their subconscious message to us
• “Connection with the horse, As Presence (pre’Sense) returns us to Love.”

Horses As Healers Weekend Retreat

Silent Day Retreat

Teacher Training Apprenticeship

Horse Training

 

2025 Apprenticeship Testimonial:

“During my time at Conscious Rider in Austin, Texas, I had the privilege of working with Katharine, an extraordinary guide who opened the door to a whole new world for me — the world of equine therapy.
Katharine didn’t just teach me how to work with horses. She taught me how to work with myself.

Through her gentle wisdom and intuitive guidance, I embarked on a profound inner journey. It wasn’t about techniques or control — it was about coming home to myself.
Only when I found true peace within, when my heart was still and my soul was present, did the horses respond and connect.

This experience was not just transformative — it was sacred.
I am deeply grateful for Katharine, the horses, and the invisible magic that happens when you dare to meet yourself at the deepest level.
Thank you, Conscious Rider, for helping me ride not just with horses, but with life itself.” – Sofie P

 

 

*VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Katharine –
‘OUR MISSION IS – MINDFUL, UNION, THROUGH HORSES.’

Merlin –
‘WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THIS PLACE?’

Katharine –
‘I LOVE THAT IT’S PEACEFUL, IT’S GROUNDED AND IT’S … REALLY GOOD FUN!’

Bette –
‘I THINK ANGEL IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE, SHE’S REALLY EASY TO RIDE.’

Gabi –
‘SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN OLYMPIC HORSE BUT SHE … ‘

Katharine – ‘
I LOVE THE COVERED ARENA, EVERY MORNING I SEE IT AND I JUST – aah – IT’S LIKE GOING TO THE BEACH FOR ME.’

 

Why is this a cell free ranch?

No cell phones are to be used on the ranch. The micro radiation excites the horses and stops deep Presence. There is cell service.  If you need to use your cell phone, do so in your car. If you want to take photos, please use it on ‘airplane’ mode then return it to the air stream or your car.