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What happens when Cara's dancer’s instincts meet a sensitive horse on a training day that finally clicks? We start with a small miracle—hips and shoulders aligning, cues clearing up, and a horse who stops guessing and starts trusting—and follow that thread straight into the messier arena of aging, body image, and the weight we carry. The dance floor, the round pen, and the kitchen table all ask for the same thing: clarity.

We get candid about menopause, insulin resistance, and why “eat less, move more” can fail a body that’s fighting its own chemistry. Sandy took part in the Semaglutide human study and learned the real upsides and risks—significant weight loss, a quieter appetite, and the very real threat of dehydration when she didn't respect the basics. Cara navigated hypoglycemia and thyroid swings, discovering how hunger can drown out good intentions. Tools like Ozempic and tirzepatide can help, but they’re not magic; hydration  and realistic movement still matter. We also question the food system that stacks the deck against health while asking us to try harder anyway.

The heart of the episode discusses the nightmare of a young mustang mare who foundered after getting into sweet feed. We walk through months of care, fleeting hope, and a final decision rooted in compassion. It’s a hard story, but it sharpens the bigger lesson: quality of life is the metric that counts—for our horses and for us. From there, we let go of “the number” and choose capacity instead: ride the hills, enjoy the clothes that fit, keep the strength you need to live the life you love, and measure success by what your body and your horse can do together.

If you’re navigating weight loss medications, metabolic puzzles, or a tough call with a beloved horse, this ride is for you. Tap follow us on Saddle Talk with Sandy and Cara, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more riders find the show. What capacity are you building for the life you want?