Liberated Equestrian

Epilogue: Forever Changed by Love & Loss

When the Liberated Equestrian Podcast launched in 2025, its path was intentionally open-handed—guided more by faith than by a fixed plan. As Season 1 came to a close, a clear pivot began to emerge. What followed was not simply a creative or professional shift, but a deeper realignment of calling. In this special episode, host Lisa Pulliam reflects on a season of profound transition—one that weaves together faith, neuropsychology, and the equestrian journey. Recorded in the midst of significant change, including the loss of her beloved Kodiak Jack, this episode serves as a tribute to the ways love, loss, and purpose shape us, even when the road forward feels uncertain. Through the rawness of Lisa's pain, you will find with her the courage to embrace unwanted endings while welcoming new beginnings, recognizing how suffering can refine calling when God meets us with presence and purpose. This episode marks both a closing and an opening—honoring what has been while stepping forward into what’s next. Listeners are invited to continue the journey beyond this chapter and into the evolving work of StableMinded, where faith-integrated healing, growth, and transformation continue moving toward belonging, breakthrough, and becoming—stableminded together. It is also a battle cry to Rally for Research and Awareness of Equine Neurological Disorders. Get involved here! [https://stableminded.us/equine-neurological-disorders/] Helpful Links * StableMinded On Demand [https://ondemand.stableminded.us/] * Thrive Toolbox [https://ondemand.stableminded.us/thrive-tool-box] * Restorative Retreats [https://stableminded.us/restorative-retreat/] * EMDR & Equine-Assisted Therapy Intensives [https://stableminded.us/therapy-intensive/] * StableMinded Equestrian Resources [https://stableminded.us/female-equestrian/] * Finding Calm Course [https://stableminded.us/finding-calm/] * Remembering Kodiak Jack, Part 11 [https://stableminded.us/2026/01/the-legacy-of-the-remarkable-kodiak-jack-part-11/] in The Remarkable Kodiak Jack Story [https://stableminded.us/2023/01/influence-of-a-dream/] * Support the Research of Equine Neurological Diseases by giving to Dr. Amy Johnson's Research Fund [https://stableminded.us/equine-neurological-disorders/] Thank you for listening to the Liberated Equestrian Podcast. For further encouragement and support, please visit StableMinded.us [https://stableminded.us/] and tune into the StableMinded Podcast with Lisa Pulliam [https://stableminded.us/podcast/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Unscripted & Surrendered

In this final episode of Season 1 of the Liberated Equestrian Podcast, I share a very personal update and reflections on the past few months. After a recent horseback riding fall, I’ve been processing the risks of riding, the reality of healing, and how the CALM framework (Connection, Awareness, Learning, Motivation) continues to guide me through challenges. This pause has given me a new perspective on listening to my body, leaning into God’s timing, and embracing the growth that comes through struggle. This episode is unscripted—raw, real, and from the heart. My hope is that you’ll find encouragement, belonging, and inspiration to keep moving toward the freedom and confidence you were created for. ☕ Grab a cup of tea and join me in this reflective conversation to close out Season 1. Helpful Links Stableminded Counseling [https://stableminded.us/therapy/] Stableminded Coaching for Equestrians [https://stableminded.us/coaching-equestrians/] Liberated Equestrian Membership [https://www.patreon.com/c/liberatedequestrian] Finding Calming Course [https://stableminded.us/finding-calm/] Thank you for listening to the Liberated Equestrian Podcast. For further encouragement and support, please visit StableMinded.us [https://stableminded.us/] and tune into the StableMinded Podcast with Lisa Pulliam [https://stableminded.us/podcast/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

A Trainer’s Take on Horse Rescue, Liberty, and Mental Health

What’s life really like behind the scenes of a horse rescue—and how does it impact both horses and people? In this episode of the Liberated Equestrian Podcast, I sit down with Leigha Schrader, horse trainer and business professional at Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR). Leigha specializes in liberty horsemanship, colt starting, and trick training, while also competing on the hunter/jumper circuit. Together we explore: ✨ The realities of rescue work—trust, healing, grief, burnout, and resilience ✨ How liberty horsemanship is about connection, not just freedom ✨ The balance of caring for horses while tending to your own mental health ✨ Why presence and compassion are at the heart of horsemanship Whether you’re an equestrian or simply navigating life’s challenges, this conversation will encourage you to honor your heart, set healthy boundaries, and discover hope through connection. For show notes and helpful links, head over to the blog at Stableminded. [https://stableminded.us/2025/08/horse-rescue-liberty-mental-health-leigha-schrader-015/] Thank you for listening to the Liberated Equestrian Podcast. For further encouragement and support, please visit StableMinded.us [https://stableminded.us/] and tune into the StableMinded Podcast with Lisa Pulliam [https://stableminded.us/podcast/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Finding Your Footing

I'm thrilled to introduce you to Sandy Hart-Long, President and owner of FICS, a business that has been advising clients on arena construction, footing, and maintenance for over 20 years. Sandy’s experience ranges from working with backyard enthusiasts to Olympic champions. We delve into Sandy’s journey into the equestrian world, which started with her love for ponies as a little girl and evolved into her current unique business, primarily consulting and building arena footings. She shares how her father started the company over 30 years ago, initially focusing on fly spray systems before branching into arena services. As a former history major and teacher, Sandy found her true calling in helping equestrians achieve optimal footing, often bridging the communication gap between riders and contractors. Sandy emphasizes that good footing isn't about being fancy or expensive; it's about being safe and consistent. This episode, however, isn't simply about discussing the importance of arena footing maintenance because Sandy's work is truly a metaphor for the journey of transformation. Sandy describes the importance of "understanding that every arena is unique, and how a horse's happiness and performance are directly impacted by the quality of their footing" -- this is truly about so much more than material and construction. Finding your footing, so to speak, echoes my own experiences as a therapist, as I look for foundational issues affecting a client's mindset. Sandy diagnoses and addresses underlying problems in arenas to ensure a harmonious experience for horse and rider. And in my line of work, whether as a therapist or coach, I'm focused on exploring the underlying problems of the heart, mind, body, and soul that are contributing to a client's presenting symptoms so that we can collaboratively define a strategy for healing and growth. She also shares valuable lessons on navigating client relationships, building conviction in her expertise, and how her newer passion for surfing has provided a metaphor for embracing life’s challenges and uncertainties. This episode is packed with relatable wisdom for any horsewoman navigating her career and personal journey, with the bonus of discovering how to best support a horse's performance by paying attention to the footing. Helpful Links FICS with Sandy Hart-Long [https://www.urgobeauty.com/] Stableminded Counseling [https://stableminded.us/therapy/] Stableminded Coaching for Equestrians [https://stableminded.us/coaching-equestrians/] Liberated Equestrian Membership [https://www.patreon.com/c/liberatedequestrian] Thank you for listening to the Liberated Equestrian Podcast. For further encouragement and support, please visit StableMinded.us [https://stableminded.us/] and tune into the StableMinded Podcast with Lisa Pulliam [https://stableminded.us/podcast/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Busting Out of Burnout

Have you ever wondered what life might look like after burnout—when healing from trauma finally takes hold in ways you never expected? In this episode of The Liberated Equestrian Podcast, I’m sharing my personal story of moving from burnout to breakthrough to reclaim my life [https://stableminded.us/2025/07/burnout/]. I reflect on how undiagnosed ADHD, unresolved trauma, and chronic stress quietly fueled the end of my previous ministry—something I only recognize now that I've moved into this season of stabilizing and thriving. But as I've moved into deeper healing, exploring the impact of the traumatic experiences that shaped my view of self, others, and God, I've discovered that "being who others wanted me to be" was part of my survival strategy. It was a way to find belonging, believing that I would finally feel safe. Instead, "being all things to all people" resulted in internal turmoil that only exacerbated my burnout. Can you relate? Continue reading on the blog at Stableminded.us. [https://stableminded.us/2025/07/busting-out-of-burnout-healing-trauma-lisa-pulliam-013/] Helpful Links Trauma-Informed Horsemanship & Humanship, Liberated Equestrian Podcast, Episode 002 [https://stableminded.us/2025/02/trauma-informed-horsemanship/] Bust Out of Burnout to Reclaim Your Life [https://stableminded.us/2025/07/burnout/] Get the Busting Out of Burnout Workbook [https://stableminded.us/product/busting-out-of-burnout-workbook/] Meet the New You: A 21-Day Plan for Embracing Fresh Attitudes and Focused Habits for Real Life Change [https://amzn.to/40KysUL] Concordia Stables [https://www.concordiastables.com/] Natural Lifemanship [https://naturallifemanship.com/] Maybe It is Time to Quit [https://stableminded.us/2025/06/maybe-it-is-time-to-quit/] Stableminded Counseling [https://stableminded.us/therapy/] Stableminded Coaching for Equestrians [https://stableminded.us/coaching-equestrians/] Liberated Equestrian Membership [https://www.patreon.com/c/liberatedequestrian] Thank you for listening to the Liberated Equestrian Podcast. For further encouragement and support, please visit StableMinded.us [https://stableminded.us/] and tune into the StableMinded Podcast with Lisa Pulliam [https://stableminded.us/podcast/]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.