The Signs Your Saddle Doesn't Fit (That Look Like Something Else) - Julia Alebrand

The Signs Your Saddle Doesn't Fit (That Look Like Something Else) - Julia Alebrand

That "training problem" might not be a training problem at all. In this episode, Samantha Baer sits down with Julia Alebrand, a certified equine and saddle ergonomist with Saddle Fit 4 Life, to unpack how saddle fit issues hide in plain sight — masquerading as behavioral quirks, performance plateaus, ulcers, or "just how my horse goes." Julia explains why saddle fit is never a one-time event (your horse's back changes with season, training, nutrition, and age), how to read the behavioral cues your horse is already giving you, and the self-checks every owner can do before they ride: wither clearance on top and the sides, the two-to-three finger rule, finding the 18th rib, saddle balance, billet alignment, and matching the tree to your horse's shoulder angle. We also get into the stuff riders argue about online — wool vs. foam flocking, treed vs. treeless, adjustable gullet plates and what they actually adjust — plus why the half pad is not the fix you think it is, and how to tell a qualified, brand-independent fitter from a rep who's there to sell a saddle. And because it's never just about the horse: Julia breaks down why a saddle has to fit you too, and how the wrong one can sabotage your position no matter how hard you work off the horse. If you've ever wondered whether it's the saddle, the training, the feet, or the ulcers — this one gives you the tools to find out. Enjoying The Elevated Equestrian? Subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode — and if this one helped, share it with a barnmate who needs to hear it.

The Neuroscience of a Calm Horse - Shawna Karrasch & Jessie Hillegas

In this episode, Sam sits down with Shawna Karrasch — who spent a decade as a marine mammal trainer at SeaWorld before bringing positive reinforcement to Grand Prix show jumping at Beezie and John Madden's barn — along with trainer Jessie, who made the leap from traditional methods after one dangerous horse changed everything. Together they break down the science most riders were never taught: why pressure-and-release lights up the fight-or-flight system while positive reinforcement activates the "seeking system," how to build relaxation and self-regulation into every behavior, and why autonomy and choice transform a fearful horse into a confident partner. You'll hear the story of Addie's trauma rehabilitation, how to introduce clicker training without going "all in," and practical ways to prepare a horse for the show ring so they actually enjoy competing. Whether you ride for fun or have serious competition goals, this conversation will change how you see what's happening inside your horse's brain — and you won't be able to unsee it.

Giving Horses Agency in Their Own Lives - Emmie Speckens

In this conversation, Samantha Baer and Emmie Speckens, co-founder of Equithink dig into learning theory and positive reinforcement training, puzzle design and environmental enrichment, and why agency and choice are quietly some of the most important pieces of equine welfare. They talk through the difference between compliance and a true yes, how curiosity transforms not just enrichment time but ridden work and confidence under saddle, why mares absolutely do play (despite what you've been told), and what it looks like to build a "smart stable" where horses can turn on their own lights or even their own nebulizer when they need it. They also get into the bigger question underneath it all: what happens to a thinking, problem-solving animal when we make every decision for them — and what becomes possible when we stop. Whether you're a competitive rider, a positive reinforcement curious horse owner, or someone rethinking traditional stable management and horse keeping, this episode will give you a new lens on the horses in your life. If this conversation resonates, follow The Elevated Equestrian Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen — new episodes drop weekly, and your follow helps more horse people find the show.

Why Do the Same Issue Keep Coming Back? - Elisse Miki

If your horse's back pain, lameness, or behavior issues keep coming back no matter what you try, this conversation is for you. Equine and human osteopath Elisse Miki of Equilibria Therapeutics joins Sam to unpack what osteopathy actually is — and why it's so much more than massage or fascial work. Elise breaks down why structure governs function, the science of spinal facilitation and how gut inflammation drives chronic back pain, why "tight" doesn't always mean "short," and why fluid flow is the foundation of healing. We also get into when to call an osteopath and the environmental shifts — track systems, free-flow hay, herd turnout — that can resolve issues no bodywork ever will. Follow The Elevated Equestrian so you never miss a conversation that helps you ride and train with more clarity, curiosity, and care.

Rethinking Balance, Function, and the Thoracic Sling - Tara Osborne

What if the way your horse stands in the cross-ties is telling you everything? What if the "good" horse in the show ring is actually the most dysfunctional one? Sam sits down with Tara Osborne of Long Drove Holistic Horse Training for a conversation that will change how you watch horses move. They cover Tara's assessment process for spotting compensation, the seesaw of front-to-back balance and why every horse she assesses has a balance problem, and why the thoracic sling is the linchpin connecting the back end to the front end. The conversation goes deep on hypermobility — the explosion of hyper-loose horses in modern sport, why they need Pilates-style stability work instead of more mobility, and how that instability is reshaping how riders are forced to ride. Tara also shares her go-to groundwork exercises (thoracic sling lifts, pole work, podiums, balance pads, incline work), how to recover a horse after a competition weekend, and what she'd push for if she could change one thing about how sport horses are produced today. If this episode hits, follow The Elevated Equestrian Podcast wherever you listen so you never miss a conversation — and share it with the rider in your life who's ready to start looking closer.