Solid in the Saddle

Dr. Hilary Clayton is a veterinarian, researcher, and celebrated equestrian whose career spans more than 45 years advancing science in equine locomotor biomechanics, athletic conditioning, rehabilitation, and rider–horse interaction. She holds a BVMS from the University of Glasgow (1973) and a PhD in biomechanics (1978), and served as the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University from 1997 until her retirement in 2014. She has authored 7 books and over 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles, focusing on how rider position, saddle fit, and training protocols directly affect equine kinematics, gait symmetry, and performance outcomes. Dr. Clayton is a past president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, and is also an Honorary Fellow of the International Society for Equitation Science, and has been inducted into multiple halls of fame including the USDF Roemer Foundation and the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame. This episode is brought to you by 6 Weeks to Solid in the Saddle, our introductory rider fitness course that is appropriate for all levels of riding and fitness ability. This course will improve your core strength, back strength, and leg strength and strengthen the specific muscles Dr. Clayton discusses in this podcast interview. You can sign up here: www.solidinthesaddle.com/six and use code "JOURNEY" for 10% off. 

Lindsay Schulz is a standout barrel racer, trainer, and clinician from Moses Lake, WA. As a multiple time futurity champion and arena record holder, she’s earned accolades in regional and national competitions including the 2023 Xtreme Million Athlete of the Year. Lindsay owns the legendary Miss Eedie Stinson and carefully developed the mare into a true champion. Their partnership earned them headlines at the Xtreme Mini Million in Las Vegas, where Lindsay broke the arena record, winning over $6,000. With total earnings exceeding $142,000 in Xtreme Million events and over $200K in Miss Eedie’s career, Lindsay has proven herself at the highest level as both a trainer and competitor. Beyond the arena, Lindsay is a respected barrel racing clinician and coach who shares her training insights—emphasizing both horse and rider preparedness and fitness. This episode is brought to you by COMPETE, our in-season workout program for riding athletes who want to maximize their potential and compete at the highest level possible. Use code "LINDSAY" at checkout for 10% off! Head to www.solidinthesaddle.com/compete to access.

In this episode I get to chat with master clinician Paul Humphrey. Paul dives into what makes a rider and barrel racer successful, starting with a foundation of solid horsemanship. Paul discusses horse body control and common mistakes riders make. He discusses how rider strength, fitness, and balance play into being successful at his clinics; especially on day 3 if they are sore or not! He discusses foundational requirements for young horses including what they should know how to do before coming to one of his clinics. Paul also discusses how to handle hot horses at clinics and the "breakthroughs" that happen in 3 days no matter which level of horse or rider attend. This was a very informational episode and Paul's expertise shines with the discussion on laying the foundation for a successful barrel racing training program. This episode is brought to you by 6 Weeks to Solid in the Saddle, which is a great option for riders who are looking to build strength before going to one of Paul's clinics to withstand the physical requirements of 3 days of intense riding. You can learn more here: www.solidinthesaddle.com/six You can reach Paul at his website: https://breakingthemoldwithpaul.com/ Or through Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/paul.humphrey.18 

Here's the bottom line: Strong riders have better health, better performance, and have more fun on their horses. Want to ride better, safer, and with more confidence? In this quick-hit episode, I break down why having adequate muscle strength for the demands of riding is important. You'll learn why weaker, untrained riders struggle with frustration, injury, and lost confidence, and what they can do to reverse that and get back to riding like they used to. In this short episode I'll teach you: - Why you need to focus on lean mass as a woman rider + my tried and true tips to get there - The biomechanical differences between expert and novice riders - The muscles required of the rider when your horse rapidly slows down, speeds up, turns, or spooks - The forces and muscles required during a barrel racing straight run vs. turn and how to train them - The efficient way to prevent riding injuries - How to improve balance, strength, and control in just 15 minutes a day - The overlooked mindset shift that can make you a more confident, competitive rider If you're a female horseback rider who’s tired of feeling stuck, sore, or behind the competition, this episode is your guide to what steps you can take to change the narrative. Listen now and learn simple, effective strategies to transform your riding- without ever stepping foot in the gym. This course is brought to you by 6 Weeks to Solid in the Saddle. You can learn more at www.solidinthesaddle.com/six Resources mentioned in this episode include www.solidinthesaddle.com/backpain and www.solidinthesaddle.com/core I hope you enjoy today's episode! If you are enjoying these podcasts, please leave us a rating or review on Apple or Spotify. These reviews mean the world to us and help us spread the word to horseback riders everywhere!

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In this episode I get a chance to interview Coach Brandi of Cowgirl Confidence. She sheds light on SO many valuable tools you can use to maximize your mental game before, during, and outside of competitions. Coach Brandi is a force to be reckoned with in the horse world. Winning her first world championship at just 8 years old, she is no stranger to the pressures and stresses of competing with horses. You're going to want to play this one on your way to your next competition- or even before your next job interview! You can access the free GRIT worksheet here: www.solidinthesaddle.com/grit This episode is brought to you by Ride Strong 101: Unstable to Unshakeable in 8 Weeks. This is our signature course that combines both physical and mental strengthening over a period of 8 weeks to transform your riding. If you're ready to gain strength, confidence, and stability, sign up at www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101 . You can check out Brandi's FB page at: https://www.facebook.com/confidentcowgirl If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and/or review! These reviews truly help us reach more horseback riders who are interested in improving their health OR their horse's health!

Today’s guest is a very special one as she is the single most influential person in my barrel racing career. She has made such a positive impact on my life and I am truly blessed to call her a mentor. Judy Myllymaki is a National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier, Montana Circuit champion, futurity champion, lifelong horsewoman, and one of the most respected clinicians in the barrel racing world. With a career spanning over many decades, Judy has competed—and won—at the highest levels of the sport- and all on self-made horses. She made countless trips to the Montana circuit finals and her “tack room” is filled with trophy saddles from winning all over the country. Earning a spot at the NFR at 54 years old stands as a testament to her grit, precision, and unwavering dedication to horsemanship. Not only did she punch a ticket to compete at the NFR herself, she coached and trained other women to multiple NFR appearances including Raina Rice and Rachael Myllymaki. She’s personally trained many horses that have been at the NFR as well. Known for her ability to develop both horses and riders into confident, consistent performers, Judy brings a unique blend of competitive insight and quiet, powerful teaching. Judy’s clinics are renowned for being grounded in solid fundamentals, clear communication, and giving each horse/rider combination a chance to shine at the highest level they are capable at. I attended my first Judy clinic back in 2014 and have been learning from her ever since. I rode with her while attending Physical Therapy school at the University of Montana and those 3 years were a pivotal shift in my life as a horsewoman. I learned so many things about riding, horse care, barrel racing, hauling, training, and the physiological requirements of getting a horse in shape to run barrels, which is one of the reasons her “stations” will always be a staple of my program. Judy is truly the matriarch of barrel racing in the NorthWest. She is the definition of resilience and of healthy aging- she’s 80 years old and still getting out there and riding, training, coaching, and taking care of business. I hope you all enjoy this podcast episode as much as I loved recording it with her! This episode is brought to you by Ride Strong 101: Unstable to Unshakeable in 8 Weeks. Learn more at www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101 Sign up for our free Reach your Riding Goals Masterclass at www.solidinthesaddle.com/goalsreplay

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Courtney James of Heart and Sole therapy in Billings, MT.  We discuss all things pelvic health including incontinence, pain, prolapse, and how the pelvic floor changes during crucial points in a woman's life including pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.  In addition to extensive training in women’s health Dr. Courtney is a horseback rider and mom herself. Needless to say, she knows her stuff. The episode is filled with valuable tools, tips, and information that will have you going “ahhh that’s why…” and get you started on the path to resolving this pesky issue at any age. Hint: there are different factors that affect incontinence at different life stages!   Normalizing discussion in these areas is important to both Courtney and I and we both truly believe that women should be able to enjoy their horses at any stage of life.  You'll learn valuable tips from Courtney that you can start applying TODAY!  Incontinence is a HUGE issue for female horseback riders. But you don’t have to live with it! Head to www.solidinthesaddle.com/incontinence  to get our FREE PDF of incontinence exercises for horseback riders. You can find Courtney at Heart and Sole Therapy here: https://heartandsoletherapymt.com/  Or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/heartandsoletherapymt/  Or on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/heartandsoletherapymt/ 

In this episode I sit down with Casey French of Match Made Equine. We dive into what makes a good horse-rider match and what makes a bad one. This podcast goes there- it's not often discussed, and is honestly a little embarrassing to discuss when it goes wrong! But it doesn't have to be like that. 2 of the most common things she sees are 1) Green horse, green rider and 2) Riders who have lost muscle mass due to age or having kids (hint: this one can be fixed with the correct rider fitness program!) We also talk about bloodlines that are more forgiving vs. ones that aren't, the value in older horses, and how much the trainability and success of a young horse can depend on the success of the mare it's out of. I learned so much from Casey and I wish she had been around when I was young- it would've saved my parents and I a lot of heartbreak, time, tears, and money! Casey and I created a handy little "Horse-Rider Matrix" that you can use as a quick guide when determining which type of horse you should be looking at based on your goals, temperament, and fitness level. You can access the free Matrix here: https://www.solidinthesaddle.com/offers/3C5LxPWR This course is brought to you by Ride Strong 101: Unstable to Unshakeable in 8 Weeks. If you bought a horse before listening to this episode that is maybe a little too powerful for you, or a little too spooky, you'll be AMAZED at what 8 weeks of balance, strength, mobility, and agility training can do for your riding. Learn more at www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101  If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a rating or review! Thank you!  -Dr. Aleisha

In this episode I sit down with the amazing Maggie Poloncic who is a world-class barrel racing jockey. Maggie is one of the strongest and most athletic barrel racers I've ever seen, and it has paid off heavily for her in a sport of managing 1200 lb animals. Maggie discusses her background in dance and how that helped her develop precise proprioception and coordination in every joint in her body. She describes how strength training has given her confidence to compete at the highest level. Maggie tells the story of her famous horse "Ain't Seen Me Yet" or "Puff" who has LTE of over 600k. We discuss an injury that Puff sustained that Maggie successfully rehabilitated her from to return to the winner's circle. We also discuss another of Maggie's horses, "Ain't Seen Her Yet" or JJ, who has also had great success with Maggie in the saddle, though it wasn't always that easy for her! Hear about JJ's rough start being labeled "dangerous" and the plan that Maggie figured out to get around her. This course is brought to you by COMPETE, our course for high-level competitors that are looking to shave time off the clock by being more balanced, fit, and agile. You can learn more here: www.solidinthesaddle.com/compete . Looking for a free core workout to get you started toward riding like Maggie? (JK, but she did say having a strong core is a huge part!) Head to www.solidinthesaddle.com/core . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating or review. This helps us reach and empower other horseback riders!

If you compete with your horses, then you NEED to listen to this episode! Coach Katie Lovett of the nationally-ranked UMW Volleyball team drops valuable tips and advice for those looking to maximize their competitive potential. Coach Katie discusses mindset in high-stress situations, cultivating and maintaining a positive mindset, and the importance of physical AND mental readiness to compete. She discusses some of her favorite sports psychology resources that have helped her and her players. Whether or not you consider yourself in this way, horseback riders are ATHLETES. This episode will help you shift your mindset into preparing both yourself and your horse to compete at the highest level possible for you both. This course is brought to you by COMPETE, our online workout course designed specifically for high-level riders who compete in any high-speed event with their horse. You can sign up or learn more at www.solidinthesaddle.com/compete . To get your free core workout for horseback riders, head to www.solidinthesaddle.com/core . If you enjoyed this episode and would like to see more like it, please leave a review on iTunes or Spotify! Reviews and 5 star ratings help this podcast reach more people and allow us to continue to interview high-quality guests.

Dr. Aleisha discusses how to hack your brain to incorporate healthy habits into your life as a horseback rider to optimize performance and health. She gives a clear, 3-step process setting riding goals and creating a plan to reach them. She discusses the 4 laws of habit change from James Clear's book, "Atomic Habits," and dives into how each of these laws can be used in the busy life schedule of a horseback rider.  You can purchase Ride Strong 101 for 15% off with a discount code exclusive for podcast listeners: use code PODCAST at checkout. Sign up today at www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101 

In this episode I sit down and talk all things horse wellness and rehabilitation with Summer Nicole Terry of Superior Rehabilitation. Summer is an expert body worker who specializes in performance horses. We talk about useful tools for building a horse's strength including toppline, hind end, proprioception, and core. We discuss the pros and cons of swimming horses vs. using a modality like aquatred. Summer dives into why long trotting may NOT be good for conditioning barrel horses and some safer alternatives for your horse's stifles. She discusses how a rider's fitness or lack of fitness may lead to quicker degeneration of this joint. Speaking of stifles, Summer discusses some common stifle injuries and how she has rehabbed her own horses from stifle surgery. This episode is brought to you by Ride Strong 101: Unstable to Unshakeable in 8 Weeks, our signature physical and mental rider strengthening program. You can sign up or learn more at www.solidinthesaddle.com/rideconfident101 To get a FREE core workout for horseback riders, head to www.solidinthesaddle.com/core  If you liked this episode and want to see more like it, please leave a rating or review for us on iTunes or Spotify. We are so grateful for the listener support that helps our show grow to reach more riders!

In this episode (Part 2/2) I sit down with world-renowned barrel racing trainer Shannon Kerr to continue our conversation on making the absolute best barrel horses in the world. She discusses the recent world-record breaking run on a standard pattern set by Anderson Carreira and Black Cat Lider. We discuss all of the questions that were asked in our polls leading up to this episode, so if you submitted a question, tune in to hear Shannon's answer! She graciously took the time to answer each question thoroughly and completely. And she totally shifted my perspective on exhibitioning! This episode is brought to you by our fitness course for competitors, COMPETE. You can learn more at www.solidinthesaddle.com/compete. If you'd like the free core workout for riders mentioned in this podcast, you can head to www.solidinthesaddle.com/core. You can reach Shannon Kerr on Facebook and Instagram as well as view her products at www.skequine.com And if you enjoyed this podcast, please rate and leave a review to help us reach more riders!

In this episode I sit down with the legendary Shannon Kerr. Shannon Kerr is a world-renowned barrel racing trainer who currently resides in Brazil. She got her start on racehorses, dabbled in jumping and dressage, and found her passion in barrel racing where she had success and trained for Judd Little. She’s trained horses in the United States, Italy, and now Brazil. Her natural talent and drive to succeed has resulted in a successful transition into the world’s toughest barrel racing scene, where the horses are frequently running low 16’s on a standard pattern.   This episode is chock-full of information including how to prevent horses from tying up, building up fitness and strength in a young horse, the differences in training American barrel horses vs. Brazilian barrel horses, and her horse fitness routine since Brazilians cannot use medications like Lasix to run barrels. And YES- I ask about the leaning of the Brazilian riders! Her response may surprise you like it surprised me.  I can promise you're not going to want to miss this one. Shannon is an expert in horse care and she drops valuable nuggets of information throughout the episode for the listeners.  This episode is brought to you by COMPETE, our online performance training workout course for competitive riders. If you're looking to shave time off the clock, you need this course. Even Shannon herself works out despite riding horses every day- she says it's crucial to helping her ride well and not get behind in a run.  Check it out here at: www.solidinthesaddle.com/compete You can find Shannon on all social platforms at Shannon Kerr.  Her website is https://www.skequineproducts.com/ 

In this episode I sit down with Kalena Webb, founder of Women of the Wild West Horse Show. She discusses how the Sale came about as well as the events that are involved with it today. This is an ALL WOMEN event, so grab your girlfriends and come to Gooding, Idaho to see some high-quality horses consigned by women! Breakaway roping: Saturday, May 24 $25,000 added Barrel Race: Sunday, May 25 Horse Sale: Monday, May 26 Vendor booths throughout the weekend.  Stop by and see our Solid in the Saddle Trailer where you can get a massage, riding analysis, or run review with exercises to help you where you need it.  I'll also be there with the wonderful Montana Made Meats & Tallow! Check them out here: https://montanamademeats.com/  This episode is brought to you by Ride Strong 101: Unstable to Unshakeable in 8 Weeks. Transform your riding from nervous, timid, and weak to strong, confident, and enjoy your horse once again. Sign up today and get personalized help weekly from Dr. Aleisha. Join here: Ride Strong 101

In this episode I dive DEEP with Whitley Sharp into all things success-related. Both Whitley and I strongly believe that there is always a way to make your dreams come true and this episode is a peek through the keyhole of how to make that happen. She shares the experiences, work, time, and strategies she has used to get where she is today. Whitley is an extremely hard worker and she is getting to reap the fruits of her labor now after years of hustling and never giving up. She offers valuable nuggets of wisdom for riders who aren't currently where they want to be in terms of horsepower. I'll be listening to this episode for years to come and I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did! This episode is brought to you by our course for competitors, COMPETE. You can sign up at www.solidinthesaddle.com/compete . If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to hear more episodes!

In this episode I get a chance to sit down and hear Diana Morris's story of competing on many different horses over the years before barrel racing before the "D" system was in place. Diana shares her extensive background in rodeo and on a fun side note she discusses the TV Show "1923" being filmed at her ranch. Recently Diana has focused on physical fitness with Solid in the Saddle programs to improve her riding, knee pain, and back strength. She ends the episode by sharing a solid tip about the mental side of having success in the arena. This episode is brought to you by Six Weeks to Solid in the Saddle, our introductory course for riders looking to gain core, back, and leg strength to feel strong and confident on their horses. Learn more at www.solidinthesaddle.com/six.

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