No Bucks Given

Ok real talk: we know warming up is certainly not the most exciting part of your ride and more often than not, it gets glossed over because as equestrians, we are busy and often strapped for time BUT here's why it's integral that we make the warm-up a priority for our horse's sake... 

This week, we're back with dressage trainer and equine emotion specialist, Melissa Gallagher, with a few key tips on how to elevate your training routine. Whether you're prepping for a show or a regular ride, Melissa shares her expert insights to ensure your horse is physically AND mentally ready to perform at their best.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

There are a ton of nuanced strategies that can make or break your training routine but Melissa's expertise and practical advice are invaluable for anyone looking to build a consistent, effective warm-up routine that fits both you and your horse.

Tune in now to get your horse and yourself ready to conquer every ride with confidence!

In other news, we're offering a limited-time discount for my fan-favorite entry-level courses, Easy Equine Massage and Back in Balance when you buy them as a bundle! From now through the end of June, take over $30 off the full price PLUS use code NOBUCKS10 for an additional 10% off at checkout. Visit this link to learn more! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/offers/iGiATmDK

You can find Melissa @collectiverootsdressage on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

No Bucks Given Listeners! We're offering a limited-time discount for my signature massage course, Equine Massage 101 specifically for you! From now through June 8th, take $100 off the price of EM101. Use the code NBG100 or visit this link to learn more! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/offers/zpbZ3xQz?coupon_code=NBG100

Let's talk about the biggest problems riders face when it comes to elevating your riding...

Meet Jack LaTorre of Equibody Fitness. If you've ever wondered how the top riders in the world perfect their craft both in and out of the saddle, turn in this week on NO BUCKS GIVEN, as we sit down with the Jack, a Grand Prix dressage rider, fitness coach, and the founder of Equibody Fitness. Jack's journey, turning his own physical limitations into a groundbreaking fitness program, aims to revolutionize the equestrian world.

Jack shares his philosophy on using fitness to enhance riding, emphasizing that toned strength, mobility, and flexibility are key. "Dressage is like physical therapy for horses… We should be using the gym to do the same for ourselves," Jack explains. His unique "strength through length" method combines muscle building and stretching to improve proprioception, reduce stiffness, and ensure longevity in the sport.

Jack's passion for helping equestrians become better athletes is contagious, and his practical advice is something you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about how you can elevate your riding through fitness and join the Equibody community for a healthier, more effective riding experience at www.equibodyfitness.com

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

We're back this week with a bonus episode that is incredibly close to my heart. I'm honoring my heart horse, Westley, who passed away two years ago with one more solo episode and sharing the three most powerful things I learned from suddenly losing him; my riding partner for over seven years. 

Bodywork was integral to keeping Westley comfortable during his life and he is a huge part of why I do what I do today. Join me as we dive into this emotional retrospective on my heart horse who is truly the reason I have the career I have and am able to help so many other horses today. 

We're offering a limited-time discount for my signature massage course, Equine Massage 101 - from now through Sunday June 2nd, take $100 off the price of EM101. Use the code EM101SUMMER or visit this link to learn more! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/offers/zpbZ3xQz?coupon_code=EM101SUMMER

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

This week I'm honoring my heart horse, Westley, who passed away two years ago with a solo episode and sharing the top ten things I learned from him that changed my entire outlook on horsemanship. 

We're also offering a limited time discount for my signature massage course, EM101 - from now through Sunday June 2nd, take $100 off the price of EM101. Use the code EM101SUMMER or visit this link to learn more! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/offers/zpbZ3xQz?coupon_code=EM101SUMMER

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

Unpopular opinon: riding your horse is not always the answer to improving their physical well being. In fact, prioritizing your horse's muscular health and fitness is MORE important than your riding goals when it comes to your horse's overall health and longterm soundness - and sometimes that means taking a break from ridden work to focus on rebuilding muscles with, you guessed it, groundwork. Ok, we know this sounds boring but hear us out...

This week we're unpacking the foundational advantages of equine fitness with friend of the pod, Amanda Anderson of Saddle Fitting US and veterinarian Dr. Kate Workman of Denali Equine. 

Without a healthy back and musculature, the rest of the equation (saddlefit, proper riding, a balanced rider, etc) crumbles. Join us as Doctor Kate shares her journey from being a sports medicine practitioner to her current specialization in diagnosing and treating chronic body lameness. We'll get into why proactive intervention and prevention is so important when it comes to solving lameness issues, and well worth the time and effort as opposed to band-aid solutions. 

From identifying signs of lameness and body soreness to understanding how saddle fit plays a role in overall soundness, learn why a healthy back is the foundation for a happy, thriving equine athlete, and why even the most perfectly fitting saddle won't solve underlying issues.

Dr. Kate Workman started Denali Equine with the goal of helping equine athletes reach their full potential. She wanted a facility to cultivate a team approach where every case is surrounded by all the specialized professionals they need to be diagnosed, healed then maintained in their athletic career. Upon graduating from Virginia-Maryland Regional college of veterinary medicine she took an internship with a sports medicine exclusive practice. There she got the amazing opportunity to work with some of the nation’s top quarter horses. This experience helped her hone an eye for movement patterns.

After opening Denali, she knew we needed to do better at early injury diagnosis to prevent the chronic lameness and career ending injuries many horses were sustaining. There were a few cases, including one of her own horses that she didn’t feel like we had solved the whole puzzle.  With the help of collaboration with Dr. Audrey DeClue quickly learned that there needed to be a shift from focusing primarily on limb lameness to body soundness as a whole. That ‘conventional’ equine sports medicine was not giving enough answers for too many horses. This shift has allowed her to focus on conditions that go undiagnosed/untreated, focus on the small details of body injuries and compensation patterns which allows for the prevention of chronic limb conditions. Her goal is to always listen to, work with and recruit the owners and all equine professionals on a team approach to solve the unsolvable.

You can learn more about her practice at denaliequine.com

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

USE CODE NOBUCKS10 to get 10% off any of our online courses! This week we're featuring our entry-  level course, BACK IN BALANCE which you can learn more about here: 

This week I'm spilling my own tea on the BIGGEST mistakes I've made in the horse world (which ultimately cost me thousands of dollars) so you don't fall into the same patterns I did!!

In my first solo episode of NO BUCKS GIVEN, I'm getting real about buying horses that match you as a rider, how investing in a properly fitted saddle can transform your riding (in my case, literally overnight), and why listening to your horse's needs is absolutely integral to your partnership. 

I also go over common misconceptions about ulcers, talk through the pressures of showing, and even touch on some fashion advice for any budget-conscious equestrians.

Tune in and find out why educating yourself and advocating for your horse can be the most valuable tools when it comes to navigating the horse world - and it doesn't hurt that some of this will definitely save you a few $$$. 

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

USE CODE NOBUCKS10 to get 10% off any of our online courses! This week we're featuring our TMJ Masterclass which you can check out here: https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/offers/nXwzhqs3/checkout

DID YOU KNOW that nutritional deficiencies can impact a horse's physical performance and behavior? (As an added bonus, results of deficiencies in the diet can often be misconstrued as training issues...)

If you want to learn a few subtle signs that horses may display due to problems with their diet, and how a horse's food plays a pivotal role in addressing these underlying issues, come along with us for this episode on EQUINE NUTRITION FOR DUMMIES!

This week we dig into the world of equine nutrition alongside special guest Dr. Jyme Nichols, PHD and Head of Nutrition at Bluebonnet Feeds. Don't be scared, we break down the basics of equine nutrition for the every-day horse owner so you can take what you learn and apply it at home.

Here's a preview of what we covered in this episode: 

PLUS we mythbust our way through a couple of common misconceptions around equine supplements and the importance of hands-on horse knowledge when it comes to optimizing horse's health.

If you want practical advice on feeding your horses for success, check out this episode of No Bucks Given! 

Dr. Jyme Nichols is the Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health, and is an ARPAS certified Professional Animal Scientist (PAS) in the Equine discipline. She completed her Master of Science at Montana State University and Doctoral degree at Oklahoma State University. Her published research focused on managing blood glucose and insulin concentrations in horses with an oral psyllium supplement. Additional research interest has focused on supporting equine veterinarians' educational needs in equine nutrition. Dr. Nichols enjoys making the connection for horse owners between research data and real-world applications of unique nutritional ingredients which can support the intricate needs of a horse from the inside out. Dr. Nichols has been part of the team since 2011, and enjoys riding horses and spending time with her husband and two children.

You can find Dr. Jyme's hit podcast, FEED ROOM CHEMIST, anywhere you get your podcasts or at this link: https://strideanimalhealth.com/podcasts/

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

USE CODE NOBUCKS10 to get 10% off any of our online courses! This week we're featuring Equine Massage 101 which you can check out here: https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/offers/zpbZ3xQz/checkout

This week on No Bucks Given, we have special guest Maddie Houser from The Blonde and The Bay on to talk about her unique journey with her quarter horses in dressage.

Tune in to hear Maddie share her story of transitioning from a seasoned purpose-bred dressage horse to embarking on a new path with untraditional breeds. She opens up about her experiences with her horses, including achieving milestones like earning her USDF silver medal and navigating the challenges of training her western pleasure reject and ex-roping quarter horses for dressage.

We delve into the realities of training untraditional breeds, the mental and emotional aspects of competition, and how we can use dressage as physical therapy for horses.

 Maddie began riding at the age of 3 and from the moment her foot slid into the stirrup, she never looked back... Her dressage career started in 2004 with her Welsh Pony, Brightwood. Since then, many things have changed, but one has remained the same: her fire for this sport. Maddie is a United States Dressage Federation Bronze and Silver Medalist with her mare, Ulfilia DG "Leah", a 22-year-old Dutch Warmblood. Leah is the true star of The Blonde & The Bay show.

As of December 2019, Leah fully retired from FEI competition and transitioned into living her most deserved best life without the rigors of a performance horse schedule. She'll be with Maddie until the end of time, and happily enjoys her days in the paddock underneath the Texas sun. Most recently, Maddie has been working with quarter horses and taking them up the levels of dressage. 

​

The Blonde & The Bay is Maddie's passion project where she shares her journey with transparency, honesty, and a look into what's next for her and her herd of sport horses. You can find Maddie on social media @theblondeandthebay and online at www.theblondeandthebay.com

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

USE CODE NOBUCKS10 to get 10% off any of our online courses!

Buying a well-fitting saddle for your horse and yourself is already hard enough but if you factor in not-so-ethical sellers, it becomes even tougher. Amanda and I are back this week to discuss slimy saddle sales tactics and how equestrians can be aware of red (and green) flags when it comes to selecting and buying a saddle.

This week, we're joined by special guest Amanda Anderson of Saddle Fitting US. Amanda is a saddle fitter who is well known for advocating for equine welfare and how it's affected by saddle fit.

Amanda has over 24 years of saddlefitting experience and participates in yearly continuing education with multiple brands in Germany and UK/Scotland. Since 2001, Amanda has attended over 20 US, German, and UK based independent and brand-sponsored saddle fitting courses/schools. Amanda has specifically trained on Passier, Euroriding, WOW™, Kieffer, Hennig, Courbette, Stubben, Cardanel, Schleese, Prestige, County, Bates/Wintec, Custom, JRD, Ainsley (Polo), and Laser. She also served as the director of Equine Necropsy and the Denali Equine Research & Rehabilitation Center, is a certified equine sports massage therapist, an acupuncture physician and doctor of oriental medicine, and a USDF bronze medalist.

You can find more about Amanda and Saddle Fitting US at https://www.saddlefitting.us/ or on Instagram and Facebook @saddlefitting.us

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

USE CODE NOBUCKS10 to get 10% off any of our online courses!

We're back to discuss the question: Is saddle fit an equine welfare issue? This week, we're joined by special guest Amanda Anderson of Saddle Fitting US. Amanda is a saddle fitter who is well known for advocating for equine welfare and how it's affected by saddle fit.

Amanda has over 24 years of saddlefitting experience and participates in yearly continuing education with multiple brands in Germany and UK/Scotland. Since 2001, Amanda has attended over 20 US, German, and UK based independent and brand-sponsored saddle fitting courses/schools. Amanda has specifically trained on Passier, Euroriding, WOW™, Kieffer, Hennig, Courbette, Stubben, Cardanel, Schleese, Prestige, County, Bates/Wintec, Custom, JRD, Ainsley (Polo), and Laser. She also served as the director of Equine Necropsy and the Denali Equine Research & Rehabilitation Center, is a certified equine sports massage therapist, an acupuncture physician and doctor of oriental medicine, and a USDF bronze medalist.

You can find more about Amanda and Saddle Fitting US at https://www.saddlefitting.us/ or on Instagram and Facebook @saddlefitting.us

For more graphics, video explanations, and behind-the-scenes bites, give us a follow @NoBucksGivenPodcast on Instagram.

This episode was executive-produced by Maija Liisa Luttinger and Allie Watson Bayne. Special thanks to our editor and sound mixer, David Dalton of Driftwork Sound.

This podcast is brought to you by Freely Forward Bodywork. Our mission at Freely Forward Bodywork is to make equine bodywork accessible to any horse, no matter where you are in the world. If you are interested in learning more about my online catalog of courses designed to help you bond with your horse through the art of massage, give me a follow on Instagram @freelyforwardbodywork or click this link to check them out yourself! https://freelyforwardbodywork.mykajabi.com/

USE CODE NOBUCKS10 to get 10% off any of our online courses!