Claim OwnershipThe Soundness Check
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Description
Equestrian sport performance isn’t just about the horse—or the rider. It’s about both.
And it takes a team to support them as athletes.
Hosted by Dr. Michelle Correia, a horse and human rehab specialist, and Dr. Rachel Buchholz, an equine sports medicine veterinarian, The Soundness Check delivers straight-talk conversations at the intersection of veterinary care, rider health, and sports performance.
Each episode explores a different side of equestrian and equine sports medicine. Topics range from conditioning and injury prevention to biomechanics, rehab strategies, and balancing competitive equestrian life. With stories from the barn and the clinic, plus a touch of humor, this podcast blends science with real-world experience—making performance insights approachable and directly useful for riders, trainers, and equine professionals.
Because when horse and rider are supported as athletes - both feel better and perform better.
👉 Subscribe now and join us for a smarter, stronger ride.
9 Episodes
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Not every performance problem in the ring comes from a musculoskeletal issue!In the Season 1 finale of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia (horse + human physio) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine vet) dig into the hidden factors that quietly impact performance — from GI dysfunction and respiratory limitations to neurological or systemic muscle issues. They discuss how these subtle signs can show up as small performance changes, why they’re easy to miss, and how to start investigating what’s really going on beneath the surface.Because understanding performance means looking beyond the obvious — and sometimes, what you can’t see is what matters most.If you have any follow up questions OR an episode topic request for next season- let us know! You can contact us here: Dr. Michelle Correia and Dr. Rachel Buchholz
Just because a horse is aging doesn’t mean their athletic career is over. But keeping senior athletes performing well takes a different approach.In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia (horse + human physio) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine vet) talk about what it takes to keep aging horses sound, strong, and happy in their work. From managing joint health and medical histories- to adjusting conditioning programs and expectations- they share insights on how to support horses through each stage of their athletic lifespan.Because aging is inevitable—but decline doesn’t have to be.
In today's world there’s no shortage of tools marketed to help horses recover and perform better. But what does the science actually say?In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia (horse + human physio) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine vet) unpack the complex world of at-home and owner-accessible modalities. They discuss why equine research can be challenging, what evidence we do have, and how to think critically about when and how to use different options.It’s not about dismissing any tools—it’s about understanding where they fit, what they can (and can’t) do, and how to make informed choices for both horse and rider.
Rest isn’t the absence of work—it’s a vital part of performance management.In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia (horse + human physio) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine vet) dive into what intentional rest really means for both horse and rider. We talk about how to strategically fit recovery into training, what rest really looks like for the competitive sport horse, and how to use downtime to build stronger, more resilient athletes on both sides of the partnership.From recognizing early signs of overtraining to finding balance between effort and recovery, this episode helps you understand the importance of rest for both horse and human.
Rehabilitation isn’t just about rest—it’s about rebuilding strength, resilience, and confidence in a way that lasts.In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia (horse + human physio) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine vet) break down what real rehabilitation should look like for both horses and riders. (spoiler: it should be PROGRESSIVE!) We dig into recovery timelines, how to safely progress after injury, and what to do when setbacks happen along the way.Whether you’re bringing a horse back from lameness or recovering from your own injury, this episode gives you practical insights on how to navigate the rehab process without losing sight of long-term performance goals.
Soreness and weakness can look the same—but the way you respond to them should be very different.In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia (horse + human physio) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine vet) explore how to tell the difference between weakness that requires targeted training and soreness that won’t improve by pushing through. We share how these issues show up in both horses and riders, why they’re often confused, and the best ways to decide when it’s time to pause and recover—or build resilience with the right work.Because knowing the difference is key to long-term performance and soundness.
Most riders don’t have hours that they can spend in the gym—and that’s okay. But your strength, balance, and movement patterns still shape how your horse performs every single ride.In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia and Dr. Rachel Buchholz talk about why rider fitness is often overlooked, how it directly affects the horse, and simple, realistic ways to build strength and stability outside the saddle.Because supporting your horse starts with supporting yourself.
When we talk about a “sound” horse or rider, what do we actually mean? In this episode, Dr. Michelle Correia (horse + human physio) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine vet) break down the many layers of soundness—beyond just “not being lame.” From movement quality and performance capacity to recovery and resilience, we dig into how vets and physios define soundness differently, and why that matters for equestrians.You’ll hear:How soundness goes beyond a clean flexion testWhy horses and riders can be “not injured” but still not fully soundEarly red flags to watch for in both horse and riderHow supporting both athletes creates better performance and longevityBecause true soundness isn't determined just by one singular test - it is a thorough and continued assessment of horse movement and performance.
Welcome to The Soundness Check! In this introductory episode, hosts Dr. Michelle Correia (horse and human rehab specialist) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine veterinarian) share their backgrounds, why they started this podcast, and what you can expect from future episodes.We talk about our journeys in equestrian sports medicine, the gap we see between horse and rider care, and our shared goal of making performance science accessible, practical, and fun.To find Dr. Michelle Correia: Stable Body PT or on instagram as @stablebodyptTo find Dr. Rachel Buchholz: Northwest Equine Performance or on instagram @doctorrachelb
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