Happy rider, Healthy horse⎮dressage rider, dressage exercises, horse trigger point therapy, horse acupressure
Welcome to the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Podcast. In this podcast you will discover simple methods and techniques to achieve optimal dressage performance! Every episode will provide you with simple and effective solutions to get instant results in your riding. I bet this will improve your connection with your horse and reignite your passion and motivation! Do you often have unproductive rides because you lack inspiration or due to challenges with your horse being too strong, lazy, or unresponsive to your signals? Does your rides often lead to frustration and are you sometimes worried that your rides will result in injuries to your horse? Maybe this is impacting your motivation, your love of riding, and your relationship with your horse? My mission is to equip you to create a wholesome partnership with your horse and guide you to make every ride positive and fruitful through a patient positive mindset, simple training systems and maintaining the physical health of your horse with the right exercises and Masterson trigger point therapy. If you are ready to become a more creative rider and to build up and strengthen your connection, ready to learn non-invasive techniques to increase the mobility, comfort and longevity of your horse. If you are ready for you and your horse to be the best dance partners in crime - then you’re in the right place! Hi friend, I am Sarah, a twin mom, veterinarian, dressage rider and horse lover. All my riding life I have noticed so many young and adult riders get frustrated with their horses and I even did so myself. I felt bad and guilty afterwards because I knew the horse did not wake up that morning with a mission to go against me. I could feel so powerless when I was convinced I tried my best and my horse wouldn’t listen and do what I told him to. One day my personal trainer said something I will never forget; she reminded me that my horse did not have any ambitions, the ambitions were all on me, that my horse did not choose to be ridden, I chose to ride him and that actually my horse and the majority of all horses are people pleasers and they want to do anything for their rider. He would do anything for me if I just gave him correct simple signals and I then kept the patience for him to understand the signal and move his body to the right respond. From that day I created an intentional strategy for my riding and decided to always have a positive and patient mindset around my horse. I told myself, that I am obliged to always give the horse a chance to understand me. And now, I am so thrilled to share it all with you! If you feel ready to be the best rider and partner for your horse, to be a team and to find solutions that are simple and effective and get instant results in your riding, your connection and in your horse’s body health - This podcast is for you! Grab your helmet and get ready for a ride, tune in to exchange everything that hasn’t worked for a plan that will - Let’s go!
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
🎙️ Episode 4 — Feel Like a Sack of Potatoes in the Saddle? How to Find Your Seat and Ride with Balance
✨ Episode Summary:
Do you ever feel like you're just bouncing around in the saddle, disconnected and unbalanced—like a floppy sack of potatoes? You're not alone, and you're not stuck there.
In this episode of the Happy Rider Healthy Horse podcast, we’re diving deep into how to improve your seat in the saddle—so you can ride in balance, feel, and flow. You'll learn how to shift from being a passive passenger to an active partner in the saddle using clear, practical tips you can try in your very next ride.
We’re talking about rider biomechanics, transitions, hip awareness, and even how a 7-minute core workout can dramatically improve your posture and connection. If you’ve been struggling with bouncing, gripping, or just feeling “off,” this episode is your roadmap to finding your seat again—with softness and clarity.
🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why "fixing" your seat with tension only backfires
How your breath and alignment influence your horse’s movement
The power of transitions to help you feel your hips and improve seat timing
Key differences in biomechanics between trot and canter
Why your core strength matters more than brute strength or stiffness
How subtle changes in posture and position can unlock better performance
Ways to create lightness, symmetry, and softness so your horse moves better under you
How to give your horse space in the ribcage and spine to truly work with you
🧠 Rider Homework:
This week, pick one thing to explore:
Try some intentional walk–trot transitions and notice your hip movement
Focus on the shift in your seat between trot and canter
Do a 7-minute core workout and notice how it affects your balance
Write down what you notice in your ride—or share it with the community!
🔁 Let’s Keep Going:
✅ Want guidance and personal feedback?Book a 1:1 online coaching session with me and let’s take your riding to the next level—without guessing or going it alone. [Insert booking link]
✅ Join the Happy Rider Healthy Horse Facebook Communityfor support, tips, and shared progress: [Insert group link]
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
🎧 Episode 3: Is Dressage Cruel? The Truth About Ethical Riding and Horse Welfare in Modern Dressage
In this thought-provoking episode, we take an honest look at a question that’s stirring passionate debate around the world: Is dressage riding cruel?
With growing concern over animal welfare in equestrian sports, dressage—long celebrated as the art of harmony between horse and rider—is now under the spotlight. But does criticism of modern competition mean that dressage itself is inherently harmful? Or is there another way forward?
We explore:
What dressage actually is and its classical roots in cavalry training
Why this topic is so controversial right now, and what sparked the global discussion
Common misconceptions around cruelty in dressage and how to separate myth from fact
Why riders who love dressage shouldn’t feel ashamed or guilty
How dressage can be a beautiful, horse-centered practice when done with empathy and awareness
Signs that your horse is a willing partner—not just obedient
What it means to ride ethically, responsibly, and with heart
This episode is for riders who care deeply about their horses and want to make sure their training reflects that love. Whether you're questioning your current approach or seeking to reconnect with the art of dressage in a kinder way, this is a safe space for reflection and real growth.
💬 Let’s continue the conversation!Join our supportive Happy Rider Healthy Horse community of heart-led riders on Facebook
📩 Want to go deeper?Email me at dyrlaegesarahthor@gmail.com or DM me on Facebook Messenger to learn more about 1:1 coaching and how we can work together to create a more ethical, connected dressage practice that honors your horse every step of the way.
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
🎧 Episode 2: 5 Easy Ways to Feel Happier Before, During & After Your Ride
Do you ever show up at the stable feeling scattered, stressed, or disconnected—and then wonder why your ride didn’t feel great?
In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 simple and powerful tips you can use to create a positive mindset before, during, and after your ride. These techniques are easy to practice anywhere and will help you ride with more joy, focus, and connection.
As a twin mom, veterinarian, dressage rider, and horse lover, I know what it’s like to juggle a million things at once. I used to think I thrived on being busy—but what I learned is that what I really love is being efficient and focused without the hustle and stress. And once I applied this shift to my riding, everything changed—for me and my horse.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to reset your mind and body before you ride
The power of intentional breathing and visualization
Why gratitude and mindset can transform your partnership
How to set focused, achievable goals for every ride
What it really means to ride for quality over quantity
💬 Take a deep breath with me and let’s start building better rides—one mindful moment at a time.
🐴 Mentioned in this Episode:
My favorite deep breathing technique (4–8 breath)
Mental rehearsal tricks for equestrians
How to set one simple goal that guarantees success
The mindset shift that transformed my riding
💌 Want to Go Deeper?
If you’re ready for 1:1 online coaching tailored to your unique riding challenges and goals, I’d love to help you build a stronger connection with your horse and more joy in the saddle.
📩 Email me at dyrlaegesarahthor@gmail.com to learn more or DM me on Facebook Messenger
Join our free community of mindful riders in the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Facebook Group – I can’t wait to meet you there!
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
🎙️ Episode 6: 6 Simple Steps to Instantly Improve Focus, Connection & Ride Results
Welcome to the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Podcast!In this episode, Sarah shares her personal routine and the core principles that can help you feel more connected, confident, and intentional every time you ride.
Whether your horse feels tense, unmotivated, or you just want to create a stronger partnership — this episode is for you.
You’ll learn:
How to use Trigger Point Therapy (based on the Masterson Method) pre-ride
How to connect with your horse before mounting
A quick scan and rider posture reset once you're in the saddle
How to feel your horse's body and create a balanced frame
The importance of a patient and positive mindset
How to define success and celebrate small wins
Grab your notebook and get ready to transform your ride with these 6 simple, proven steps!
🐴 What You’ll Hear In This Episode:
1. Trigger Point Therapy Pre-Ride
Learn the basics of the Masterson Method
Release tension points with your fingertips
Help your horse start the ride relaxed and comfortable
2. Ground Connection Before Mounting
Build mental focus with your horse before you’re in the saddle
Practice body-language-based communication
3. Rider + Horse Body Awareness in the Saddle
Posture check for the rider
Visualization and sensing each step of your horse
Creating a consistent, comfortable frame
4. Choosing Patience
3 key mindset questions to keep your ride productive and kind
5. Defining Success
Learn how to recognize the right response from your horse
Praise and reward effectively
6. Celebrating the Ride
End every ride on a positive note
Build your horse’s motivation and confidence
🔗 Resources & Links:
💻 Watch the Topline Trigger Point Therapy video here
🐎 Illustration of the jaw joint release point
📩 Interested in 1:1 online coaching with Sarah? Email me at dyrlaegesarahthor@gmail.com or DM me on Facebook Messenger
👥 Join the Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Facebook Group to share your ride wins and connect with like-minded riders
📌 Don’t Forget:
If this episode helped you, please leave a 5-star written review — it means the world to me and helps other riders find this podcast!And most importantly, go out and practice one or two of the steps from today. Keep it simple, stay focused, and celebrate every small success with your horse.
🎧 Subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode on using your seat to improve your horse’s balance and rhythm!
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Welcome to The Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Podcast — the go-to show for dressage riders who want to ride with intention and build a positive, productive partnership with their horse.
I’m Sarah — a twin mom, veterinarian, dressage rider, and lifelong horse lover. I know how deeply you care about your horse and how much you want your rides to feel connected, kind, and purposeful. But when things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to feel frustrated or unsure.
I’ve been there — and that’s exactly why I created this podcast.
Each week, I’ll share compassionate, practical strategies to help you:
Cultivate a positive mindset and clear, kind communication with your horse
Use simple training systems and feel confident and prepared in the saddle
Support the physical health of your horse through thoughtful exercises and bodywork
Whether you’re new to riding or have years of experience, this podcast will help you grow into the rider your horse would choose.
Subscribe now and join our Happy Rider, Healthy Horse Facebook community — your most joyful and connected rides are just ahead.