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 can either free your horse’s movement… or unintentionally block it.

You’ll hear:

• Why your posture, balance, and breathing influence how your horse carries themselves.

• A simple at-home test to spot your own stiffness or asymmetry (and how it shows up in the saddle).

• Quick warm-up exercises you can do before riding to free your shoulders, open your chest, and create 30% more mobility.

• How to check your balance using bathroom scales (yes, really!).

• A fun in-hand exercise to reveal where your horse might be stiff — and how your own body position plays a role.

• Why “warming up the rider” can sometimes matter more than “warming up the horse.”

When you ride with balance and softness in your own body, you create the space for your horse to lift through the shoulders and back, use their core, and carry you with ease. Small adjustments in your seat and posture can make a big difference in how your horse moves and feels under you.

🎧 Tune in now and discover how to stop blocking your horse — so you can both enjoy more freedom, balance, and connection.

• Your horse already carries 60% of their body weight on the forehand — don’t add more with your posture.

• A blocked rider creates a blocked horse.

• Small warm-up rituals for yourself = big improvements for your horse.

• Balance and alignment aren’t about being perfect, but about being aware and fair.

• Join the conversation in the Happy Rider Healthy Horse Facebook Group.

• Watch the videos of rider balance tests mentioned in this episode (posted in the group).

• Learn more about the Masterson Method for releasing tension in your horse’s body.

• Interested in body alignment? Look up a certified DORN therapist in your area.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to:

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a short written review.

• Share this episode in your Facebook story or send it to a friend who could use a reminder that position matters just as much as training.

• Let me know what happens when you try these little experiments with your horse — come share your wins (and challenges) in the Facebook group. You’re not alone on this journey.

Until next time, ride with balance, ride with kindness, and stay connected with your horse. 🐴💛

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’ll explore:

• Why it’s often not really about time, but motivation, clarity, and decisiveness.
• Common excuses riders make and how to overcome them.
• How your mindset directly affects your riding and your horse’s comfort.
• Practical strategies to plan your week using the 5-Block Time Management System.
• How to identify your fundamental needs to make riding non-negotiable in your life.
• Simple steps to ride intentionally and make even short sessions meaningful.

Whether you’re struggling to find motivation after a busy day, coming back from injury, or just want to make the most out of your weekly rides, this episode will give you tools and strategies to stop procrastinating and start riding with purpose.

Take control of your time, improve your riding, and enjoy every moment with your horse.

Key Takeaways:

• Time isn’t always the issue—motivation, clarity, and decisiveness matter just as much.
• Even 15–20 minutes of mindful riding can significantly impact your horse and your connection.
• The 5-Block Time Management System helps you organize your week and prioritize what matters most.
• Identifying and addressing your fundamental needs can free mental space for riding.
• Planning your session in advance—goal, focus, and success criteria—boosts motivation and improves performance.

Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Learn more about the 5-Block Time Management System by Chelsi Jo: https://open.spotify.com/show/4IPLLBMSkXwtacplRZonzc?si=7a61135965ad47ef
• Connect with me and share your wins in our Facebook Community "Happy Rider Healthy Horse": https://www.facebook.com/groups/4007067746246133/

Listen If You:

• Want to ride more consistently, even with a busy schedule.
• Struggle to find motivation to ride after work or on hectic days.
• Want practical strategies to improve your riding and connection with your horse.
• Are ready to take control of your time and enjoy every session.

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 you can use tomorrow.

We break the training scale into three phases:

Phase 1 – Familiarisation: Your horse’s “elementary school” of dressage. Here we focus on:

• Rhythm: Every step, in every gait, should be even and steady. Try forest rides, pole work, or slow arena trots to really feel your horse’s back.
• Looseness: A relaxed horse is a happy horse. Learn to recognize swinging backs, soft breathing, and elastic contact.
• Contact / Acceptance of the bit: True contact is soft, elastic, and forward, not a pulled head. Practice low-tempo gaits and steady hands to build trust.

Phase 2 – Developing Push / Thrust: Once rhythm, looseness, and contact are established, we focus on impulsion and straightness:

• Impulsion is energy traveling over the back into the reins — not rushing, but suspended power.
• Straightness helps your horse load both hind legs equally, setting the stage for carrying more weight behind.

Phase 3 – Developing Collection: The “holy grail” of dressage. Collection is not about pulling the head in — it’s the result of all previous steps working together: rhythm, looseness, contact, impulsion, and straightness. When done correctly, it feels like your horse is dancing with you — light, balanced, and powerful.

Practical Homework for This Week:

• Rhythm: Forest walks, straight-track trots, or riding over poles to find natural tempo. Try switching diagonals on a large circle to maintain even rhythm.
• Looseness: Ride four poles in a circle repeatedly to encourage correct bending and suppleness.
• Contact: Ride in low tempo, letting the horse stretch into your hand; try holding both reins in both hands briefly.
• Impulsion: Transitions between gaits and within gaits, including shoulder-in exercises on circles.
• Straightness: Ride slightly inside the arena track at slow walk to feel and correct drifting shoulders or hind legs.
• Collection: Walk transitions, sitting tall, engaging your core, and feeling your horse shift weight behind before softening and lengthening again.

Whether you’re aiming for your next dressage test or just want a stronger connection with your horse, this episode gives you practical, step-by-step guidance to apply the training scale in everyday riding.

🔗 Resources & Links: 👉 Join the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Facebook group for visuals of the exercises 👉 Connect with me to hear more about 1:1 online coaching or if you are situated in DK you can order a Masterson session. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

💡 Takeaway: Think of the training scale like building a house: you can’t start with the roof. Lay the foundation first, and when cracks appear, return to the basics. Step by step, your horse will become stronger, happier, and more balanced — and your riding will feel smoother and more connected.

🎧 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 confidence by celebrating small, consistent steps forward.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Why saying “he was good today” might be holding you back
• How to shift from horse-focused to team-focused language
• The impact of your presence in the saddle (and before you even mount)
• A simple 5-step presence ritual to use before or during any ride
• How to work with a busy mind, not against it
• Embracing growth through imperfection and small wins

🛠️ Try This Today: 5-Step Presence Exercise

1. Take a deep, calming breath
2. Notice your thoughts—and let them float by
3. Open your mind, just a little - maybe you will discover new dreams
4. Be fully in the moment with your horse
5. Reflect on how lucky you are to ride this horse

You can do this anywhere—no perfect setting required.

💡 Key Takeaway: Your horse’s performance is often a reflection of your clarity, energy, and focus. By taking responsibility, being present, and allowing yourself space to grow, you unlock not just better rides—but deeper joy in the partnership.

✨ Final Words: You don’t need more time or fancier gear to be a better rider. You just need to be here—with your horse, your breath, and your intention. Progress happens in presence.

So ride happy, ride healthy, and celebrate every small step forward. You’re doing better than you think.

📩 Want more? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow rider who could use a little mindset reset.

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.

In this episode of the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Podcast, I share why mixing up your horse’s routine is a game changer for their health, fitness, and happiness. I’ll tell you the story of my childhood pony Toni, and how I learned (the hard way) what happens when training becomes circles after circles after circles. More importantly, I’ll give you practical ideas you can start using today to keep your horse sound, motivated, and engaged.

Whether you’re a dressage rider, a pony parent, or just want to make your training sessions more enjoyable, this episode will inspire you to rethink your routine.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why varied training helps prevent arthritis and injuries in horses
• How repetitive routines create overload and resistance
• My personal story of Toni — the pony who taught me to listen more
• Simple cross-training ideas: hacks, hill work, poles, groundwork, and more
• How to spot the early signs your horse might be telling you they need a change
• The role of recovery, rest, and bodywork (like Masterson Method) in keeping horses healthy

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Join the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Facebook Group for extra tips + the video tutorial on Masterson Method leg checks https://www.facebook.com/groups/4007067746246133
• Want 1:1 online coaching to create a balanced, varied training plan for you and your horse? Send me a DM or email me dyrlaegesarahthor@gmail.com
• If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review — it helps other intentional riders find this podcast!

✨ Remember: When we mix it up, listen to our horses, and give them the recovery they need, we don’t just protect their joints — we protect their joy. And that’s what creates a true partnership: a happy rider and a healthy horse, moving forward together.

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 energy, softness, and joy — all by uncovering and addressing the real causes behind his lack of response.

We’ll explore the most common reasons horses can appear lazy, from saddle fit and body imbalances to pain, overpressure, and even learned helplessness. You’ll learn how to investigate what’s going on with your own horse, plus practical steps to help your horse feel better, move better, and enjoy your time together.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The hidden physical and mental causes of low energy in horses
• How to tell if your horse’s “laziness” is actually pain or discomfort
• Why pushing a sluggish horse forward can make things worse
• The role of saddle fit, rider balance, and training style in your horse’s motivation
• How slowing down can actually improve your horse’s movement and topline
• Signs of learned helplessness and how to rebuild your horse’s confidence

Key Points Covered:

• Common causes of low energy in horses: bad fitness, pain, mental overpressure, past training trauma, body asymmetries, poor saddle fit, and rider influence
• Investigation tips: tack checks, body assessments, observing patterns in your horse’s energy, reviewing training loads, and self-checking your riding
• Solutions: conditioning plans, bodywork, tack adjustments, mental resets, and exercises that encourage balance and curiosity

Listener Homework:

1. Spend one ride or groundwork session simply observing your horse’s responses without pushing for more.
2. Check your saddle and bridle for fit and comfort.
3. Try slowing your riding pace to see if your horse moves with more freedom.
4. Give your horse a “curiosity break” to explore without correction.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Connect with me in my Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4007067746246133
• Learn more about horse physical checks & bodywork send me an email at dyrlaegesarahthor@gmail.com or send a DM.

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 filled with mindset shifts, practical strategies, and powerful reminders that connection doesn't require a saddle or a perfect plan—it just needs you, fully present.

You’ll learn:

• ✅ How to reframe what “productive” time with your horse looks like

• ✅ What it means to prioritize presence over performance

• ✅ How to reclaim 2–5 hours a day with one bold phone habit

• ✅ The 5-Block Method that helps you ride (and live) with intention

• ✅ Why small moments—like standing in silence—can transform your bond

Whether you're in a riding rut or just craving a deeper connection, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, simplify, and show up in a way that feels good to you and your horse.

🔹 Presence Over Performance A walk, a groom, or even a quiet shared breath can be more powerful than a “perfect” ride.

🔹 Reimagine Your Goal Make your next goal match your life season. Try a groundwork week, a walk in nature, or aim to get one good sigh or chew per session.

🔹 Time Is There—But It’s Getting Stolen Delete your social apps Friday, reinstall Monday. Sounds extreme? Try it—you might unlock 2–5 hours a day. And your horse will feel the difference in your energy.

🔹 Make Small Moments Count Watch your horse’s reactions: is he curious, shut down, or nervous? These micro-interactions tell you more than you think.

🔹 Don’t Wait for “Perfect” Connection doesn’t need ideal weather or a clear schedule. Ten intentional minutes can make your whole week.

🔹 Bonus: The 5-Block Time Method + Fundamental Needs This flexible system helps you protect your priorities and feel grounded—not overwhelmed. You'll learn how to structure your days around what truly matters, including riding, family time, and self-care.

1. Set a realistic, feel-good goal for this season—focus on connection, not just progress.

2. Track your phone’s screen time for 1 day—then trade 15 of those minutes for horse time.

3. Spend pressure-free time with your horse—a walk, a stretch, or just standing together in silence.

4. Pick 1–2 of your own Fundamental Needs and schedule them in this week.

5. Write down how it felt—notice what shifts when you choose presence over pressure.

"Your horse doesn’t need you to do more. He needs you to be more present."

If you’re ready to feel more calm, connected, and in control of your time again—this episode will get you started.

• 💬 Join the conversation: The Happy Rider Healthy Horse Community on Facebook

• 📆 Need help setting your seasonal goal? Book a 1:1 online coaching session here

• 🐴 Located in Sealand, Denmark? DM me to book a full Masterson Method session for your horse!

Thanks for tuning in—see you in the next episode!

🎙️ Episode 4 — Feel Like a Sack of Potatoes in the Saddle? How to Find Your Seat and Ride with Balance

✨ Episode Summary:

Do you ever feel like you're just bouncing around in the saddle, disconnected and unbalanced—like a floppy sack of potatoes? You're not alone, and you're not stuck there.

In this episode of the Happy Rider Healthy Horse podcast, we’re diving deep into how to improve your seat in the saddle—so you can ride in balance, feel, and flow. You'll learn how to shift from being a passive passenger to an active partner in the saddle using clear, practical tips you can try in your very next ride.

We’re talking about rider biomechanics, transitions, hip awareness, and even how a 7-minute core workout can dramatically improve your posture and connection. If you’ve been struggling with bouncing, gripping, or just feeling “off,” this episode is your roadmap to finding your seat again—with softness and clarity.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why "fixing" your seat with tension only backfires
• How your breath and alignment influence your horse’s movement
• The power of transitions to help you feel your hips and improve seat timing
• Key differences in biomechanics between trot and canter
• Why your core strength matters more than brute strength or stiffness
• How subtle changes in posture and position can unlock better performance
• Ways to create lightness, symmetry, and softness so your horse moves better under you
• How to give your horse space in the ribcage and spine to truly work with you

🧠 Rider Homework:

This week, pick one thing to explore:

• Try some intentional walk–trot transitions and notice your hip movement
• Focus on the shift in your seat between trot and canter
• Do a 7-minute core workout and notice how it affects your balance
• Write down what you notice in your ride—or share it with the community!

🔁 Let’s Keep Going:

✅ Want guidance and personal feedback? Book a 1:1 online coaching session with me and let’s take your riding to the next level—without guessing or going it alone. [Insert booking link]

✅ Join the Happy Rider Healthy Horse Facebook Community for support, tips, and shared progress: [Insert group link]