Happy rider, Healthy horse⎮dressage rider, dressage exercises, horse trigger point therapy, horse acupressure
Welcome to the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Podcast. In this podcast you will discover simple methods and techniques to achieve optimal dressage performance! Every episode will provide you with simple and effective solutions to get instant results in your riding. I bet this will improve your connection with your horse and reignite your passion and motivation! Do you often have unproductive rides because you lack inspiration or due to challenges with your horse being too strong, lazy, or unresponsive to your signals? Does your rides often lead to frustration and are you sometimes worried that your rides will result in injuries to your horse? Maybe this is impacting your motivation, your love of riding, and your relationship with your horse? My mission is to equip you to create a wholesome partnership with your horse and guide you to make every ride positive and fruitful through a patient positive mindset, simple training systems and maintaining the physical health of your horse with the right exercises and Masterson trigger point therapy. If you are ready to become a more creative rider and to build up and strengthen your connection, ready to learn non-invasive techniques to increase the mobility, comfort and longevity of your horse. If you are ready for you and your horse to be the best dance partners in crime - then you’re in the right place! Hi friend, I am Sarah, a twin mom, veterinarian, dressage rider and horse lover. All my riding life I have noticed so many young and adult riders get frustrated with their horses and I even did so myself. I felt bad and guilty afterwards because I knew the horse did not wake up that morning with a mission to go against me. I could feel so powerless when I was convinced I tried my best and my horse wouldn’t listen and do what I told him to. One day my personal trainer said something I will never forget; she reminded me that my horse did not have any ambitions, the ambitions were all on me, that my horse did not choose to be ridden, I chose to ride him and that actually my horse and the majority of all horses are people pleasers and they want to do anything for their rider. He would do anything for me if I just gave him correct simple signals and I then kept the patience for him to understand the signal and move his body to the right respond. From that day I created an intentional strategy for my riding and decided to always have a positive and patient mindset around my horse. I told myself, that I am obliged to always give the horse a chance to understand me. And now, I am so thrilled to share it all with you! If you feel ready to be the best rider and partner for your horse, to be a team and to find solutions that are simple and effective and get instant results in your riding, your connection and in your horse’s body health - This podcast is for you! Grab your helmet and get ready for a ride, tune in to exchange everything that hasn’t worked for a plan that will - Let’s go!
Episodes
Setting goals should give you direction and motivation — not pressure or guilt. When life is busy, many riders lose focus and slowly drift away from their dreams with their horse. In this episode, we talk about how to set realistic dressage goals that fit real life and support both rider wellbeing and horse welfare. You’ll learn how to find a meaningful “why”, create a clear structure for your training, and track progress in a way ...
Maintaining balance and rhythm can feel easy on a straight line, yet the moment we turn onto a circle or add bending, everything can shift. In this episode, we explore why horses often lose tempo, swing, or self-carriage on curved lines and how small rider patterns can accidentally make the problem bigger. You’ll learn simple exercises that help your horse organise their body, breathe, and move more freely, including the Snail Circ...
Title: The Rider’s Mind–Body Connection: Why Your Thoughts Affect Your Horse’s Performance
A busy mind creates tension in the body, and your horse feels it long before you do. In this episode, we explore how thoughts influence posture, breathing and micro-signals, and how these subtle changes shape your horse’s reactions. You’ll learn simple, practical tools to reset your nervous system, reconnect with your horse and create calm, c...
Episode 21: Fix Your Lateral Work: Improve Rhythm, Bend & Balance in Leg-Yield, Shoulder-In and Half-Pass
This episode explores why lateral work often falls apart — from rhythm loss and over-bending to mixed signals that make the horse pop into canter. We break down leg-yield, shoulder-in and half-pass into simple, kind steps you can use on your very next ride. You’ll learn how to keep rhythm, mainta...
Episode 20: Masterson & DORN Method Explained: 4 Gentle Bodywork Steps to Understand Your Horse’s Tension
In this episode, we explore how small changes in your horse’s behaviour, bend, rhythm, or reactions during grooming can reveal early signs of tension. You’ll learn how the Masterson Method and the DORN Method work together as gentle, non-invasive approaches to help the horse release muscular tightness and improve joint alig...
Keeping your horse sound and happy isn’t just about luck — it’s about awareness, consistency, and understanding what truly keeps our horses healthy from the inside out.
In this episode, Sarah dives into veterinarian-backed strategies for long-term soundness, shares science-based tips for everyday prevention, and opens up about her own journey with her horse — from dealing with a tendon sheath strain to finding t...
“Why Rest Days Matter: How to Plan Your Horse’s Week for Better Recovery, Strength, and Performance”
Your horse doesn’t get stronger during the workout — real progress happens afterwards, during recovery. 🐴
In this episode of The Happy Rider Healthy Horse Podcast, we dive into the science of rest and recovery and why your horse’s muscles — and mind — need downtime to perform their best. You’ll learn how muscle fibers...
Moving from Training Level to Prix St. Georges is one of the most exciting — and most challenging — transitions in a dressage rider’s journey.
In this episode, we explore what it really takes to progress step by step through the levels, with patience, understanding, and harmony as th...
🎙 EP 16 // No 5/5 of the From Nerves to Flow series: Improving Horse Relaxation at Home: Training Exercises to Reduce Tension Before Competitions
In this final episode of the From Nerves to Flow series, we turn our focus to your horse’s relaxation — and how small, consistent exercises at home can lead to a calmer, more confident partner in the competition arena.
You’ll lear...
🎧 Episode 4/5 – From Nerves to Flow
How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Riders and Focus on Your Own Dressage Journey
Description: Do you ever feel discouraged watching other riders progress faster than you? Or maybe you’re heading to a show, and just seeing the start list makes your stomach twist with nerves? You’re not alone!
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the ...
When the competition atmosphere heats up, it’s tempting to push harder — but often, patience is what truly wins the day. In this episode, we’re diving into The Power of Patience — how slowing down, listening, and feeling your horse can reduce tension, build trust, and help you both perform your best in the show ring.
This is the third episode in the From Nerves to Flow series.
-
In episode one, we explored w...
🎙️ Episode 13 — From Nerves to Flow Series (2/5)
How to Prepare for Your Next Dressage Competition: Visualization Techniques, Pre-Show Routines & Confidence Strategies
Welcome back to the From Nerves to Flow Series! 💛 If you listened to Episode 12, you’ll remember we explored why competition nerves show up, how they affect both you and your horse, and a few simple ways to begin shifti...
Dealing with Competition Nerves: How Dressage Riders Can Stay Calm, Focused, and Confident
Hey my horsies 🐴💛, welcome to the very first episode in my brand-new From Nerves to Flow Series! This is a 5-part journey where we’ll turn those pre-show butterflies into calm focus, steady confidence, and a stronger connection with your horse.
And we’re kicking things off with a big one: co...
Episode 11: Stop Blocking Your Horse: How to Carry Yourself So Your Horse Can Move Freely
Have you ever felt your horse heavy in your hands, stiff to one side, or just not moving as freely as you’d like? Before blaming your horse, it’s worth asking: Could it actually be me?
In this episode of The Happy Rider Healthy Horse Podcast, we’re exploring the rider’s position — how the way you sit, breathe, and carry yourself in the saddle ...
Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to ride? Between work, family, household chores, and life’s endless responsibilities, finding time to spend with your horse can feel impossible.
In this episode of The Happy Rider Healthy Horse Podcast, we dive deep into how busy riders can actually create quality time with their horses, without feeling overwhelmed or guilty.
We’...
From Rhythm to Collection: How to Use the Training Scale in Your Daily Dressage Training
Welcome back to the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Podcast! In this episode, we dive into one of the most important foundations for every dressage rider: the training scale. Don’t worry — this isn’t a lecture. We’ll explore the scale in a way that makes sense in the saddle, with real-life examples and practical exercises...
🎧 Episode Summary: In this empowering episode, we explore the mindset shifts that can transform your riding experience—from taking ownership of your cues to creating moments of presence in even the busiest of days. If you're a time-crunched rider juggling life, work, and horses, this one's for you.
You’ll learn how to reframe common thought patterns, deepen your connection with your horse, and build con...
Episode 7: "The Secret to Keep Your Horse Injury-Free: Why Varied Training is a Game Changer"
Most riders know the value of consistency, but did you know that too much repetition can actually harm your horse? One of the leading causes of lameness in horses is arthritis — often caused by overload and repetitive stress on the same joints. The good news? You can help prevent this with varied training.
Does your horse feel sluggish, unmotivated, or “lazy” under saddle? It’s easy to assume your horse is just being difficult — but more often, low energy is a sign that something is wrong physically, mentally, or emotionally.
In this episode of The Happy Rider Healthy Horse Podcast, I share my personal journey with my own horse, who went from being labeled a “lazy stallion” to moving with e...
What if the best thing you could do for your horse this week... wasn’t a training session?
In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the busy-ness so many of us feel—and how to still find time and presence for your horse, even when life is full. Whether you're juggling work, kids, or just the daily demands of modern life, this episode is fille...
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