About Anna Bergenstrahle

Anna Bergenstrahle, MSc Exercise Science, MSc Equine Science

I help riders with stiffness, aches and pains go from “OW” to “WOW”.

Everybody knows the quote: “Show me your horse and I show you who you are.” We also often say that horses are like a mirror. While most of us refer to our inner being when it comes to these statements, of course the same is true for our bodies.

In riding horses we take on an immense responsibility to make sure that when we communicate with them, we are as clear and precise as possible, and when we are stiff, have movement restrictions, when we are guarding our back, when we are crooked, when we are asymmetrical... we are asking our horses to compensate for us, we are asking them to “put up with” our bodies being less than comfortable to carry.

Why do so many riders get stuck (literally) riding with stiffness, aches and pains? Because we seem to have forgotten that we have the power and ability to change... along with the responsibility to step up to that knowledge and act on it!

My goal is to empower as many riders as possible to know that they CAN (in fact) change and improve their stiff, crooked, asymmetrical bodies and that doing that is one of the best gifts they can give their horses!

Anna's 2024 Presentations

Why Core Strength Is Not Necessarily The Answer To Sit The Trot, Stick A Spook Or Feel Confident In The Saddle 
No one can dispute that it takes a certain amount of strength to ride! But since most riders/horse owners are no strangers to throwing around a 50 pound bale of hay... we can safely assume most riders are not lacking strength!

If you’ve already tried ‘core strength’ but are still not feeling totally balanced or stable in the saddle, are still struggling to sit the trot, and don’t trust your seat to stick a spook... this presentation is for you!

Easy Confidence To Sit The Trot, Stick a Spook and Feel Like One In The Saddle
Most riders believe their lack of confidence is all in their head.

And when your doubtful “What if I’m not good enough to get this…???” thoughts or “What if I can’t stick in the saddle???” thoughts are rampant and loud, it certainly seems that way. But there is a great quote by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, that perfectly nails the in futility of trying to ‘beat down’ or drown out your lack of confidence in the saddle: “Trying to control your thoughts with your thoughts... is like trying to catch fog.”

If you are tired of feeling like you are chasing fog, if you want to feel easy confidence in the saddle so you can focus on and connect with your horse, this is the presentation for you!

Where You Can Find Anna Bergenstrahle