Happy rider, Healthy horse⎮dressage rider, dressage exercises, horse trigger point therapy, horse acupressure

EP 24 // From Dream to Daily Training: Setting Realistic Goals For the New Year, That Fit a Busy Family Life

Setting goals should give you direction and motivation — not pressure or guilt. When life is busy, many riders lose focus and slowly drift away from their dreams with their horse. In this episode, we talk about how to set realistic dressage goals that fit real life and support both rider wellbeing and horse welfare. You’ll learn how to find a meaningful “why”, create a clear structure for your training, and track progress in a way that builds patience instead of frustration. Even short, focused rides can move you forward when your goals are kind, clear, and realistic.
• Find a meaningful dream and a strong “why” you can feel, not just think• Decide your fundamental needs so you have energy and mental space to train• Break your big goal into four clear stepping stones with simple daily steps• Write your goals and progress down to make development visible and motivating
This week, write down your main goal for 2026 and your personal “why”. Break it into four stepping stones and focus only on the first one. Choose one clear training focus for your next ride and keep the session short and intentional.
“A clear goal doesn’t take time from your life — it gives direction to the time you already have.”
Try one or two steps on your next ride and notice what changes. Share your goal and stepping stones in the Happy Rider Healthy Horse Facebook group, and I’ll send you my Weekly Riding Planner Workbook for free. Small steps, done consistently, really do add up.
Set realistic dressage goals, stay motivated, and track progress with a simple plan that fits real life — for happy riders and healthy horses.
 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

EP 23 // Why Your Horse Falls Out of Balance on Bending Lines — And How to Restore Rhythm Easily

Maintaining balance and rhythm can feel easy on a straight line, yet the moment we turn onto a circle or add bending, everything can shift. In this episode, we explore why horses often lose tempo, swing, or self-carriage on curved lines and how small rider patterns can accidentally make the problem bigger. You’ll learn simple exercises that help your horse organise their body, breathe, and move more freely, including the Snail Circle, slow-tempo balance work, pole patterns, and essential body checks for both horse and rider. These tools support relaxation, natural bend, and a soft, honest connection — so your horse can carry themselves with confidence.
• Slow the tempo to help the horse find coordination and self-balance.• Notice your own alignment and how it affects the horse’s rhythm.• Check saddle balance to prevent the horse from compensating.• Ride the Snail Circle for natural bend, rhythm, and self-carriage.• Use polework to create automatic tempo and core activation.• Get your horse physically checked to restore symmetry and comfort.• Explore Masterson and DORN methods for soft, effective bodywork.• Allow the horse time to breathe, organise, and offer true rhythm.
This Week’s ExerciseGoal: Help your horse find natural rhythm and balance.
Start on a 20 m circle in a quiet, steady tempo.
Slowly spiral in, allowing the horse to adjust the rhythm on their own.
Hold the smallest circle for a few strides, then gently spiral out again.Feel-checks: Feel the back swing softly under you for several strides. Notice if the horse breathes regularly as the circle changes. Check that the bend appears without pulling.
“Give your horse room to find their balance, and they will always give you more than you expect.” — Sarah
Resources / Links• Contact me to learn more about Masterson and DORN bodywork.• Join the HRHH Facebook community.
Call to Action• Try one or two steps on your next ride and share what you felt.• Reach out with questions or for 1:1 help.• Join the HRHH Facebook community.• Leave a 5-star review if this episode supported your riding journey.
SEO snippetSimple dressage exercises to improve balance, rhythm, bend, and self-carriage with welfare-first training.

EP 22 // The Rider’s Mind–Body Connection: Why Your Thoughts Affect Your Horse’s Performance

Title: The Rider’s Mind–Body Connection: Why Your Thoughts Affect Your Horse’s Performance
A busy mind creates tension in the body, and your horse feels it long before you do. In this episode, we explore how thoughts influence posture, breathing and micro-signals, and how these subtle changes shape your horse’s reactions. You’ll learn simple, practical tools to reset your nervous system, reconnect with your horse and create calm, clear communication before you even mount. These steps help you ride with more presence, softness and confidence — and help your horse feel safe, understood and ready to work with you.
• How your thoughts influence your body — and your horse• Why presence changes your horse’s behaviour instantly• A simple “arrival ritual” to leave the day behind• The double-inhale breathing technique for quick resets• A grounding hand-on-the-neck exercise before mounting• How to create a success plan for each ride• When to choose Plan B without guilt
Goal: Arrive mentally before you begin riding.
Choose a point on your way to the stable where you decide to become present.
Practise the double-inhale breath until your body softens.
Stand next to your horse with a hand on his neck and breathe until he mirrors your calm.Feel-checks:• Notice when your shoulders drop and your breath deepens for 3–4 cycles.• Feel your horse’s neck soften or his head lower for a few seconds.• Check that your contact feels lighter and your rhythm more steady.
“Your horse can only follow the version of you that shows up — so arrive fully.”
• Join the Happy Rider Healthy Horse Facebook community.• DM for 1:1 online coaching worldwide or Masterson Method sessions in Denmark.• If this helped you, please leave a 5-star written review.
Being mentally present can transform your horse’s relaxation, confidence and willingness in just minutes.

EP 21 // Fix Your Lateral Work: Improve Rhythm, Bend & Balance in Leg-Yield, Shoulder-In and Half-Pass

Episode 21: Fix Your Lateral Work: Improve Rhythm, Bend & Balance in Leg-Yield, Shoulder-In and Half-Pass
This episode explores why lateral work often falls apart — from rhythm loss and over-bending to mixed signals that make the horse pop into canter. We break down leg-yield, shoulder-in and half-pass into simple, kind steps you can use on your very next ride. You’ll learn how to keep rhythm, maintain correct bend, and guide your horse without tension. The goal is clarity, softness and true cooperation, so both you and your horse feel more balanced, confident and connected.
• How to set up leg-yield for rhythm, clarity and even contact• Why walk–trot transitions inside lateral work improve balance• Shoulder-in on three tracks: what to feel, what to avoid• How to slow down the tempo so the horse stays round and organised• Half-pass made simple through shoulder control, not pushing quarters• What to do when the quarters lead or the horse wants to canter• How to “melt” shoulder-in into half-pass for better self-carriage• The importance of simple, non-contradicting aids
Goal: Ride one lateral exercise with clearer aids and steady rhythm.Steps:
Choose one exercise: leg-yield, shoulder-in or half-pass.
Focus on one aid at a time — inside flexion, then rhythm, then direction.
Add a walk–trot transition only when the horse feels soft and balanced.Feel-checks:• Feel the rhythm stay identical before and after the sideways steps.• Feel the inside flexion stay soft without the neck collapsing.• Feel your own breathing stay calm through the entire line.
“Simple aids create clear conversations — and clear conversations create better lateral work.” — Sarah
• HRHH Facebook Community• 1:1 guidance or questions: [your email]• Dressage resources and free tools coming soon
Try 1–2 steps on your next ride and tell us what you felt.Questions or 1:1 coaching: [your email]Join the HRHH community on Facebook.If this helped, please leave a 5-star written review.
Lateral work explained in clear, simple steps to improve rhythm, bend and balance in leg-yield, shoulder-in and half-pass.

EP 20 // Horse Bodywork for Riders: 4 Easy Steps with Masterson and DORN Method to Spot Tension Early

Episode 20: Masterson & DORN Method Explained: 4 Gentle Bodywork Steps to Understand Your Horse’s Tension
In this episode, we explore how small changes in your horse’s behaviour, bend, rhythm, or reactions during grooming can reveal early signs of tension. You’ll learn how the Masterson Method and the DORN Method work together as gentle, non-invasive approaches to help the horse release muscular tightness and improve joint alignment. I walk you through four simple steps you can use from the ground to observe your horse more clearly, understand where tension may be hiding, and support your horse’s comfort before you ride. These techniques build awareness, prevent frustration, and deepen your partnership through calm, mindful observation.
Key Takeaways• Notice subtle behaviour changes during grooming or saddling.• Understand how Masterson releases tension by engaging the nervous system.• Learn how DORN supports gentle joint alignment through movement.• Use a detailed ground-position test to spot where tension is held.• Check neck and shoulder symmetry with soft hands.• Re-test to observe even small shifts in stride, rhythm, and willingness.• Remember: you are observing patterns, not diagnosing or treating.• Small releases can create big changes in the way your horse moves.
This Week’s ExerciseGoal: Improve your awareness of your horse’s comfort before riding.Steps:
Perform the ground-position test in walk or trot and note where your horse hesitates.
Run the soft topline check and pause at any tension points.
Check neck and shoulder symmetry with both hands, then re-test the circle.
Write down one or two changes you observed.
Feel-checks:• Feel-check: Notice if the stride becomes softer or longer for 5–6 steps.• Feel-check: Observe if the breathing deepens or your horse blinks more when releasing.• Feel-check: Sense whether the bend improves slightly on the difficult rein.
Quote“Every small release tells a story about where your horse is holding tension—and how you can help.”
Resources / Links• Join the private HRHH Facebook community to connect with likeminded riders and to keep up with upcoming tips.• Contact for questions or 1:1 guidance: Send a DM or an email: dyrlaegesarahthor.
Call to Action• Try 1–2 steps before your next ride and note what changed.• Share your observations with us in the HRHH Facebook community.• Reach out for personalised help if you feel stuck.• If this episode supported you, please leave a 5-star written review.
Learn 4 gentle Masterson & DORN Method steps to spot tension early, improve your horse’s comfort, and deepen your partnership.

EP 19 // How to prevent lameness: 7 Vet-Approved Tips to Keep Your Horse Sound, Strong, and Pain-Free

💬 Episode Overview
Keeping your horse sound and happy isn’t just about luck — it’s about awareness, consistency, and understanding what truly keeps our horses healthy from the inside out.
In this episode, Sarah dives into veterinarian-backed strategies for long-term soundness, shares science-based tips for everyday prevention, and opens up about her own journey with her horse — from dealing with a tendon sheath strain to finding the perfect connection through patience, technique, and trust.
You’ll walk away with practical steps you can use immediately to support your horse’s physical and mental wellbeing — and to ride with more mindfulness, purpose, and joy.
🐴 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✅ The most common injuries vets see in sport horses — and what often causes them✅ Why soundness is a lifestyle, not a one-time fix✅ The science behind proper warm-up, cool-down, and recovery routines✅ How shorter, more focused training sessions (around 30 minutes total) can actually improve your horse’s health and happiness✅ The importance of hoof balance, cross-training, and bodywork✅ How early signs of unevenness or stiffness can reveal much deeper issues✅ Sarah’s personal stories:
How her horse’s tendon sheath strain in the right front leg changed her approach to training and recovery
The moment she discovered her horse’s “too-loose” contact wasn’t just about connection — but about hidden hip imbalance and mechanical lameness, and how DORN and Masterson Method treatments helped him return to full soundness and harmony
🧠 Science-Backed Insights
📚 Studies show that:
45% of performance horse lameness stems from soft tissue injuries (Equine Veterinary Journal, 2022)
Early detection can reduce recovery time by up to 50% (Dyson, 2020)
Warm-up and cool-down routines significantly improve tendon elasticity and reduce microstrain (Clayton & Hobbs, 2017)
Regular turnout and mental relaxation lower stress hormones and help prevent lameness (Greene et al., 2019)
This episode blends research with real-life horsemanship — giving you simple, science-based habits that make a real difference in your horse’s long-term wellbeing.
💡 Key Takeaways
✨ Check your horse’s movement daily — subtle changes tell powerful stories.✨ Prioritize warm-up and cool-down — tendons need time to prepare and recover.✨ Keep training sessions focused, not long — quality over quantity.✨ Maintain balance: in hoofs, muscles, and mind.✨ Small, consistent care routines lead to big long-term soundness wins.
💬 Let’s Connect
“I know the equestrian world isn’t always one where we openly share and help each other — it can be quite individual and competitive. But I want to encourage you to dare to open up.Share your experiences, your worries, and your solutions with each other in our private Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Facebook community.Together, we can lift each other up and help our beloved horses stay healthy and happy for as long as possible — both physically and mentally.” — Sarah Martine
👉 Join the Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4007067746246133 📧 Email Sarah: dyrlaegesarahthor@gmail.com
💫 Support the Podcast
If this episode inspired you, please leave a 5-star review and share it with another rider who loves their horse as much as you do.Your reviews help this podcast reach more riders who want to create balance, connection, and longevity in their training.
🎧 Remember: Every ride is a chance to build trust, grow together, and move forward — one step at a time.

EP 18 // Why Rest Days Matter: How to Plan Your Horse’s Week for Better Recovery, Strength, and Performance

“Why Rest Days Matter: How to Plan Your Horse’s Week for Better Recovery, Strength, and Performance”
Your horse doesn’t get stronger during the workout — real progress happens afterwards, during recovery. 🐴
In this episode of The Happy Rider Healthy Horse Podcast, we dive into the science of rest and recovery and why your horse’s muscles — and mind — need downtime to perform their best. You’ll learn how muscle fibers rebuild after training, why rest days help your horse absorb new lessons, and how to plan a balanced weekly training routine that supports long-term strength, soundness, and happiness.
Discover the difference between active recovery and full rest, how to prevent overtraining, and how giving your horse a day off can actually make them more supple, focused, and willing in the next ride.
💪 Build strength through smart recovery🧠 Let your horse’s mind process learning🌿 Plan a week with balance, not burnout
If you want a stronger, happier horse, this episode will help you train smarter — not harder.
Connect with us in the private Facebook Group: "Happy Rider Healthy Horse", we love to hear from you!
#HorseTraining #DressagePodcast #EquineWellness #RestDaysForHorses #HappyRiderHealthyHorse #HorseCareTips #DressageMindset #MastersonMethod

EP 17 // From Training Level to Prix St. Georges – How to Progress Step by Step in Dressage

🎙️ The Happy Rider Healthy Horse Podcast
Episode: From Training Level to Prix St. Georges – How to Progress Step by Step in Dressage
Episode Summary
Moving from Training Level to Prix St. Georges is one of the most exciting — and most challenging — transitions in a dressage rider’s journey.
In this episode, we explore what it really takes to progress step by step through the levels, with patience, understanding, and harmony as the guiding principles.
Your host shares her own personal story of bringing several horses successfully to Medium level, yet struggling to make that final leap to Prix St. Georges — and how, with time and reflection, she learned that the key wasn’t about pushing harder, but about slowing down and building stronger foundations.
Together, we’ll unpack the mindset, physical preparation, and exercises that help you and your horse develop the strength, balance, and confidence to move up the levels without losing the joy and flow of your partnership.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
💡 1. Why patience is your most powerful training tool– How rushing to the next level can hold you back in the long run.– Why allowing time for muscle memory, balance, and understanding leads to lasting progress.
💡 2. The importance of aligning your ambitions with your horse’s learning curve– How to recognize when your horse is ready for more — and when they need consolidation.– Building a partnership based on trust and timing, not pressure and deadlines.
💡 3. Key exercises to strengthen your horse’s body and mind– Canter-walk transitions two meters off the wall to improve collection and engagement.– Counter-canter with leg-yield for developing straightness, suppleness, and balance before flying changes.– Square canter exercises and transitions within the gait to build toward half pirouettes.
💡 4. How to prepare for flying changes and pirouettes the right way– What to master before you even ask for a change.– How to build the “pirouette canter” step by step without tension or resistance.
💡 5. The mindset of steady, joyful progress– Shifting your focus from achieving movements to achieving harmony.– Celebrating the small moments of connection that make big goals possible.
Key Quote from the Episode
“True, sustainable progress can only happen at a pace the horse can mentally and physically keep up with. It’s not about lowering your expectations — it’s about giving both yourself and your horse the time needed for the learning to settle into strength, balance, and trust.”
Your Homework for the Week
Pick one canter exercise — for example:
Canter–walk transitions, or
Counter-canter with leg-yields.
Work on making it smoother, more balanced, and more relaxed.Then reflect:📝 What improved?💭 What still needs work?
That small, mindful awareness is what builds long-term progress and connection.
If you loved this episode, please share it with a fellow rider or leave a review — it helps more riders find the podcast and build a happy, healthy partnership with their horses.

EP 16 // No 5/5 of the From Nerves to Flow series: Improving Horse Relaxation at Home: Training Exercises to Reduce Tension Before Competitions

🎙 EP 16 // No 5/5 of the From Nerves to Flow series: Improving Horse Relaxation at Home: Training Exercises to Reduce Tension Before Competitions
 
In this final episode of the From Nerves to Flow series, we turn our focus to your horse’s relaxation — and how small, consistent exercises at home can lead to a calmer, more confident partner in the competition arena.
You’ll learn simple, showground-friendly exercises to reduce tension and improve connection — both from the ground and from the saddle. We’ll also explore how using treats and positive reinforcement can help your horse relax, not just mentally but physiologically, by activating their parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system).
This episode ties everything together from the series — helping you and your horse find calm, confidence, and flow through mindful training habits that become second nature, even under competition pressure.
 
🐴 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
Why breathing (yes, again!) is your secret weapon for relaxation — and how we all tend to hold our breath when our horses get tense.
Groundwork exercises to build trust and softness, like the Breathing & Stillness exercise and soft yield patterns.
How to use clicker training and treats effectively to reward calm behavior and trigger natural relaxation through chewing and saliva production.
Under-saddle relaxation tools, including the Mounting Stillness reward, Stretching Circle in Trot, and Smooth Transitions for softness and balance.
How to bring these same tools to the showgrounds — to help your horse find familiarity and calm, even in new environments.
Why practicing relaxation daily makes it easier to stay calm and connected when competition nerves or pressure start to build.
 
💡 Key Takeaways:
Relaxation begins with you — your breath, your energy, and your presence.
Treats can be powerful tools for relaxation — they not only reward calmness but also activate your horse’s natural relaxation response.
Consistency is key: the more you practice calm, connection-based work at home, the more automatic it becomes under pressure.
Flow isn’t about perfection or control — it’s about trust, patience, and presence between you and your horse.
 
🧩 From Nerves to Flow – Series Recap:
Episode 1: Dealing with Competition Nerves – How to Stay Calm, Focused & Confident
Episode 2: How to Prepare for Your Next Dressage Competition – Visualization & Pre-Show Routines
Episode 3: The Power of Patience – How to Feel and Support Your Horse During Competitions
Episode 4: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Riders and Focus on Your Own Journey
Episode 5: Improving Horse Relaxation at Home – Training Exercises to Reduce Tension Before Competitions
Together, these five episodes guide you from anxiety to awareness, from control to connection — helping both you and your horse find true flow in training and competition.
 
🧘‍♀️ Episode Quote:
“Flow doesn’t come from trying harder — it comes from being present, patient, and connected. Both you and your horse deserve to feel calm and confident, no matter where you ride.”
 
🐎 Resources & Mentions:
Positive reinforcement and clicker training principles
The Masterson Method (for physical relaxation support)
Groundwork and breathing routines for daily calm
Your previous From Nerves to Flow episodes
 
💬 Join the Conversation
What’s one small thing you can do this week to help your horse — and yourself — feel more relaxed and connected?Share your thoughts with me on [Instagram/Facebook handle] or via [your website]. I’d love to hear what’s been working for you!

EP 15 // No 4/5 of the From Nerves to Flow Series: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Riders and Focus on Your Own Dressage Journey

🎧 Episode 4/5 – From Nerves to Flow
How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Riders and Focus on Your Own Dressage Journey
Description:Do you ever feel discouraged watching other riders progress faster than you? Or maybe you’re heading to a show, and just seeing the start list makes your stomach twist with nerves? You’re not alone!
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the comparison trap that so many dressage riders fall into — and how to shift your mindset back to calm, confidence, and connection with your horse.
You’ll learn how to refocus your energy on what you can control, use mindfulness to stay present, and replace comparison with small, empowering actions that help you enjoy your own unique journey.
 
💡Key Takeaways:
Comparison is natural, but it’s also a trap that drains your energy and joy.
Shift focus from what you can’t control (other riders, scores, opinions) to what you can influence — your mindset, connection, and actions.
Mindfulness brings you back to the partnership that truly matters: you and your horse.
Before you compete, ground yourself with the mantra:“Just us. Just this moment. Calm confidence.”
 
📝 Try This:
Download the free companion worksheet for this episode!Inside, you’ll find reflection prompts, a mindfulness script, and simple exercises to help you refocus on your own progress and celebrate small wins.
👉 Grab it inside our Facebook Group: The Happy Rider Healthy Horse Community
 
💬 Let’s Connect!
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star written review — it helps other riders find the podcast and join our positive, mindful dressage community.
And I’d love to hear from you:What’s your number one challenge when it comes to mindset or competition nerves? Share it in the group or message me — it might even inspire a future episode!
Link to the private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4007067746246133 
 
🎙️ Next Episode (5/5):We’ll wrap up the From Nerves to Flow series by exploring what it really means to ride in flow — calm, connected, and confident, no matter what’s happening around you.
Until then, happy riding — and give your horse a pat from me! 🧡