Solid in the Saddle

In this episode I chat with Melanie South who is an accomplished horsewoman, Equine Instructor at the University of Montana Western, and a previous riding instructor at the Natural Horsemanship program offered through UMW. She credits her success in the equine world with getting to ride a variety of horses from an early age and learning how to train and season a difficult horse.

Melanie shares her story as well as how strength training helped her return to riding after she had her daughter. Melanie completed "6 Weeks to Solid in the Saddle" and returned to riding with unexpected ease after hearing about the postpartum changes in riding from friends who had had kids.

This episode is brought to you by "Getting Back in the Saddle After Baby" which was created after I had my own son for this very reason! You can learn more here: Getting Back in the Saddle After Baby 

Enjoy!

Dr. Aleisha

In this episode I get to chat with one of the best barrel racers in the country, Tayla Moeykens, and her mom Deena Moeykens.

In September Tayla had the horse world of Montana on the edge of our seats while she battled the bubble to the NFR, finishing 16th in the world in the WPRA barrel racing. Currently she's sitting 8th!

Here's a list of her recent accomplishments: 
❖ 2023 Montana Circuit Finals Average and Year End Champion, qualifying for the NFR Open
❖ 2024 Big Sky Region Barrel Racing Champion
❖ 2024 Reserve Women’s All-Around Champion
❖ 2024 Reserve College National Champion Barrel Racer
❖ 2024 Montana Circuit Finals Qualifier
❖ 2024 Pro Rodeo Season – Ended 16th in the World Standing for the WPRA

Tune in to hear from Tayla and her mom Deena as they discuss mental toughening in barrel racing and rodeo, the important of using a step-wise approach to building confidence, Tayla's solid foundation, and the amazing horses that have gotten her where she is today.

Deena and Tayla are incredible riders and trainers and even better people. I can't wait for you guys to get to hear from them!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or review for us!

Link to a FREE core strengthening workout for riders: www.solidinthesaddle.com/core

Link to Solid in the Saddle: COMPETE https://www.solidinthesaddle.com/pl/2148395280

This episode featured Dr. Ali Wolpern, PhD who discusses creatine supplements. Dr. Ali has a background in exercise science, exercise physiology, and nutrition. She covers the benefits of creatine, effects on muscle performance/growth and dosage recommendations for different demographics including women, pregnant individuals, and older adults.

The discussion also touched on the safety and potential benefits of creatine supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as its affordability and ease of use. If you have further questions you can reach out to Dr. Ali at [email protected].

This episode is brought to you by Ride Strong 101: Unstable to Unshakeable in 8 Weeks. You can learn more here: www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101 .

Do you struggle with nerves when riding? If so, grab our FREE guide "Overcoming Anxiety: A 7 Day Action Plan for Nervous Riders" at www.solidinthesaddle.com/actionplan .

Rachel Mottet, PhD is an expert in the field of equine nutrition. Listen as she shares what is worth spending money on when it comes to horse supplementation and what is NOT. She dives into ulcer management and the importance of quality forage. She also busts some myths- myths that I have always believed!

This episode is brought to you by Ride Strong 101: Unstable to Unshakeable in 8 Weeks. Check it out here: www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101

If you’re a rider who ever struggles with nerves, we’ve got the solution. Head to www.solidinthesaddle.com/actionplan to snag our free Action Plan called “Overcoming Riding Anxiety: A 7 Day Action Plan for Nervous Riders” . 

This guide will help you with breathing tips to bring your heart rate down, exercises to build core strength and stability, and other tips to help you reclaim your confidence and control. 

It only takes 15 minutes a day to transform your riding. Don’t wait—register now!

Annie Novotny Sorge is a mom, barrel racer, trainer, dental hygienist, and entrepreneur. She is a pro at wearing many hats and balancing them all! Listen as she shares the struggles and fun of raising kids while having horses. Annie's episode is so refreshing and real, and I hope you all enjoy it! This episode is brought to you by "Getting Back in the Saddle After Baby", our course for postpartum moms (whether it's been 2 months or 20 years since you've had kids!) Check it out here: https://www.solidinthesaddle.com/offers/HRyLRNoZ

Dr. Jared Sharp and Whitley Sharp are the owners of Sharp Sports Medicine, an equine focused veterinary practice that caters to the performance horse industry! Sharp Sports Medicine serves a majority of the Northwest from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.

Sharp Sports Medicine has become a place for ELITE equine athletes to go to stay sharp. Based out of Caldwell Idaho and Aguila Arizona, they are able to provide their customers with the industry’s latest veterinary medicine and technology on the go. As competitors themselves, both Dr. Sharp and Whitley understand the dynamics of the industry, and how crucial it is to have these equine athletes performing at the best of their abilities. 

This episode dives into many of the performance enhancing interventions an elite competitor may consider using for their horse- everything from the various types of joint injections to nebulizing solutions for airway health. If you're a serious competitor, you're going to LOVE this episode! 

This episode is brought to you by our course for competitors, COMPETE. 

If you're ready to make this your year, start here. Begin this program at 4-8 weeks before your competition season starts and see your balance, agility, reaction time, and confidence soar. If you need that little edge over your competition, this is it. 

Learn more here: https://www.solidinthesaddle.com/pl/2148395280 

Contact information for Dr. Sharp: Sharp Sports Medicine Jared Sharp, DVM  208-565-0344 [email protected]

Aleisha and Mary discussed the physical requirements and benefits of dressage riding. Mary explained how a rider must balance their center of gravity over the horse's center of gravity, constantly adjusting and shifting their weight. She also shared her personal experience of regaining her balance and strength after a break from riding. Mary credited the Ride Strong program for improving her balance, aids, and overall riding ability. She also mentioned that the program helped alleviate her right hip pain, which was affecting her running and riding. Mary emphasized the importance of equal activation and relaxation of muscles in maintaining balance and strength. Mary emphasized the need to be in sync with the horse, neither behind nor in front, but rather right with it. Aleisha agreed, noting that this principle could be applied to barrel racing as well. Mary expressed her desire to remain active and avoid surgeries, opting for movement and movement patterns to maintain her health. Mary also discussed her past as a pharmacist, standing for long hours, and how this has affected her posture and balance. She advised others around her age to start a program like "Ride Strong" to improve their riding stability, emphasizing the importance of starting where one is at and gradually building strength and flexibility. Mary also highlighted the program's flexibility, allowing for modifications and progressions based on individual needs and abilities. The conversation concluded with the understanding that a strong core and balanced seat are crucial for effective horse riding, regardless of the specific riding style If you'd like to learn more about Ride Strong 101 you can do so here: www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101 For a free PDF of core exercises for horseback riders, visit www.solidinthesaddle.com/core.

Today on the podcast we have the Legendary Mark Bugni!

Mark is a 1.6 milion dollar rider, has been on the cover of Barrel Horse News 3 TIMES and has had countless successes in the futurity world. He rode JL Roc Lost a Soc to 11 Futurity titles in 2022 to finish with over $400,000 in winnings that year.

Mark shares his story of coming from humble beginnings and using his natural talent, desire, and passion to capitalize on his dream.

He shares

If you're ready to get started on your riding fitness journey, head to www.solidinthesaddle.com/core for a FREE PDF of core exercises to get your abs stronger to ride better. 

𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚? If so, this podcast episode is for you. Kendall Hitch does an amazing job explaining the nervous system, chronic stress, and ways you can improve your stress response to affect your horse in a positive way. If your horse is nervous, jumpy, anxious, spooky, etc. that’s a sign you may need to work on regulating your OWN nervous system to help them regulate ours. If you’d like to learn more from Kendall you can visit her website at https://www.healwithkendall.com She offers courses, 1:1 visits, & testing to bring your nervous system health to its optimal level.

Abby Knight is currently the #1 barrel racer in Montana in the WPRA AND NBHA. She's had success at every level and is a true competitor. She tells the story of the horses she currently has in the trailer as well as the horses that made her the jockey she is today. She discusses rodeo vs. jackpot horses, different types of rodeo ground, and how her current horses use themselves around the barrels to stay safe on bad ground. Abby tells some heartwarming stories about the grit and try of her horses. If you've been wondering about the difference between rodeo vs. jackpot barrel racing in Montana, be sure to tune into this episode!

This episode is brought to you by Ride Strong 101: Unstable to Unshakeable in 8 Weeks. You can learn more here: www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101

You can access the free core exercises for barrel racers at www.solidinthesaddle.com/core.