Ask An Expert: Horse Care and Riding Advice

Unlocking peak performance often comes down to mastering your mental game, yet understanding where to begin on that journey can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Natalie Hummel joins Jessa to break down the essential components of self-mastery, from nervous system regulation and ego work to emotional mastery, and explains how these areas directly impact riders in and out of the saddle. She shares the roadmap for ongoing personal growth, describes what separates high performers, and offers actionable practices for listeners ready to step into their full potential.  Episode Highlights:  13:00: How this work directly applies to riding and performance  33:45: Common roadblocks riders face during this process, and how to work through them  51:20: Personality types that tend to excel with this work, and which ones may find it more challenging  53:40: Practical advice for riders who want to start doing this type of work    Meet the Expert, Natalie Hummel  Natalie Hummel is a transformational life coach who helps equestrians and other athletes overcome mental and emotional barriers to elevate their competitive performance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Wellness from the University of Louisville, and she has served as head research assistant in the learning and performance lab during her time there. She has also earned a Wellcoaches certification and Mastery Coach certification, bringing evidence-based strategies and real-world perspective to her coaching work.  If you’d like to learn more about Natalie Hummel’s Limitless Academy, visit the link below. https://nataliehummelcoaching.com/limitless/  Equestrian Mastermind Season 3, Episode 1 drops January 22. Find it in the In Stride feed and follow the show so you don’t miss new episodes.  Brought to you by Ride iQ  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com.  Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Retraining an off-the-track Thoroughbred can be one of the most rewarding journeys, but navigating the first steps can leave even experienced riders searching for answers. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Aubrey Graham shares her expertise on retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), discussing key first steps in their transition, common misconceptions, and mistakes riders make. She also offers practical advice for sourcing OTTBs and highlights what makes Thoroughbreds special to work with. Episode Highlights: 13:40: Common misconceptions about OTTB’s and what it will take to shift perceptions in today’s market 18:00: The first steps Aubrey takes when transitioning an OTTB from the track to a successful show horse 37:20: How Aubrey sources OTTBs, including the key traits she looks for when evaluating a potential prospect 45:00: The most common mistakes riders make when working with OTTBs, and how to avoid them Meet the Expert, Aubrey Graham With more than 30 years of riding experience, Aubrey is known for her work with young, green, and challenging horses, with a particular passion for retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds. She is also an accomplished event rider, having competed through the Preliminary level of eventing. Aubrey is the founder of Thoroughbred Logic, an educational platform featuring weekly articles on Horse Nation, along with masterclasses and clinics held nationwide. She has also partnered with the Retired Racehorse Project to develop educational programs for the Ride iQ app. Brought to you by Ride iQ  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com.  Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Preventing injuries is essential for keeping performance horses healthy throughout their careers, but understanding what truly helps can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine surgeon and sports-medicine veterinarian Dr. Maureen Kelleher breaks down the most common discipline-specific injuries, why hoof balance and shoeing are core to soundness, and how owners can make informed decisions about warm-ups, footing, and useful (vs. unnecessary) therapies. Episode Highlights: 9:00: The most common injuries seen in dressage, eventing, and show jumping horses and whether certain issues are discipline-specific or shared across all three 13:30: The percentage of injuries that could be prevented through training, recovery routines, and daily care, plus key best practices for injury prevention 41:00: The risk-benefit tradeoffs of protective boots and standing wraps 53:50: Technologies Dr. Kelleher supports for maintenance and rehab, and which popular therapeutic treatments may not be worth the time or money Meet the Expert, Dr. Maureen Kelleher Dr. Maureen Kelleher earned her DVM from UC Davis in 2006, then completed an internship at Pioneer Equine Hospital. She spent several years in private equine practice in California, focusing on sports medicine, lameness, diagnostic imaging, and acupuncture. She became a certified veterinary acupuncturist in 2010 and earned Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. She joined the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA, where she worked with medicine, surgery, and therapeutic-farrier teams to provide advanced care for performance horses. Brought to you by Ride iQ  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com.  Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Staying on top of vaccinations is one of the most effective ways to protect your horse’s long-term health, but knowing what to give, when, and why can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine veterinarian Dr. Erica Lacher breaks down how to make confident, informed decisions about your horse’s vaccination plan. She explains how to assess risk, how environmental factors influence what’s needed, and what signs to watch for if your horse has an adverse reaction.    Episode Highlights:  3:00: Dr. Lacher’s overall approach to vaccinations and how owners can stay informed about what their horses need  15:30: Key environmental factors that influence which vaccines are necessary  25:45: How veterinarians choose between vaccine brands and why it matters  39:30: How vaccinations support herd health and reduce risk at shows and boarding barns  45:30: What to do if your horse experiences a reaction, plus warning signs of a more serious issue    Meet the Expert, Dr. Erica Lacher        A graduate of the University of Florida, Dr. Erica Lacher is the owner and lead veterinarian of Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. She has a particular interest in helping sport horses have long, successful careers and helping owners learn how to make that happen. When she's not at the clinic, Erica competes her own horses in the jumper ring and co-hosts the podcast Straight From The Horse Doctor's Mouth with Justin Long.  Brought to you by Ride iQ  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com.  Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Effective bit and bridle fitting supports not only communication but also your horse’s long-term comfort and performance. In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine physiotherapist and biomechanics specialist Kailyn Pupa breaks down what riders should know about bit and bridle fitting, how to recognize good (and poor) fit, and the small adjustments that can make a big difference in your horse’s way of going. Episode Highlights: 8:30: What to look for and prioritize when choosing a bit and bridle fitter 16:30: Clear signs your horse is in the right bit and bridle 36:00: Bridle styles and design features riders should generally avoid 38:00: Common signs of discomfort or poor bridle fit in older horses 48:00: How to determine the correct bit size and height for your horse Meet the Expert, Kailyn Pupa After completing her graduate degree in equine physiotherapy at Writtle University in the U.K., Kailyn Pupa founded Bullseye Equine to support sport horses and their riders through expert biomechanics work and independent bit and bridle fitting. She previously groomed and managed at the five-star level and now works between Wellington, Florida and Central New Jersey. Specializing in hunter/jumper, eventing, and dressage, Kailyn focuses on optimizing both performance and long-term comfort through precise, detail-oriented care. Brought to you by Ride iQ  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. For Black Friday, use code FRIDAY35 to get 35% off your first month or your first year. Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.