Send us a text

The desert trail gave us the perfect classroom: one anxious mare, one brave rider, and a clear case of how human tension becomes a horse’s worry. We set out to help our friend Susan prepare Emma for ponying and discovered the real fix wasn’t a harsher cue or a bigger bubble. It was quieter, softer hands, a breathing seat, and clear, repeatable steps turned “don’t go” energy into steady, confident movement.

Along the way, the trail threw us a test: Aspen went down in deep sand. No panic—just solid safety. Cara employed the illustrious emergency dismount by rolling off to the side and nearly getting stepped ob. Max tripped too, which opened a smart talk on gear choices and why a hackamore is Sandy's go to on the trail.

Under it all sits a bigger theme: leveling up without swapping horses. Some riders pursue ribbons and keep the sport visible. Others choose to grow with the horse they love, redefining success as partnership, patience, and consistent progress. Susan chose the second path, and we’re here for it. From body awareness to trail etiquette with bikes and dogs, from micro-cues to mindset, this ride is a field guide to staying calm, staying kind, and getting better together.

If this story helps you breathe deeper in the saddle, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs a nudge of trail courage. Tell us: what tiny change makes the biggest difference for your horse?

Support the show

Send us a text

What happens when Cara's dancer’s instincts meet a sensitive horse on a training day that finally clicks? We start with a small miracle—hips and shoulders aligning, cues clearing up, and a horse who stops guessing and starts trusting—and follow that thread straight into the messier arena of aging, body image, and the weight we carry. The dance floor, the round pen, and the kitchen table all ask for the same thing: clarity.

We get candid about menopause, insulin resistance, and why “eat less, move more” can fail a body that’s fighting its own chemistry. Sandy took part in the Semaglutide human study and learned the real upsides and risks—significant weight loss, a quieter appetite, and the very real threat of dehydration when she didn't respect the basics. Cara navigated hypoglycemia and thyroid swings, discovering how hunger can drown out good intentions. Tools like Ozempic and tirzepatide can help, but they’re not magic; hydration and realistic movement still matter. We also question the food system that stacks the deck against health while asking us to try harder anyway.

The heart of the episode discusses the nightmare of a young mustang mare who foundered after getting into sweet feed. We walk through months of care, fleeting hope, and a final decision rooted in compassion. It’s a hard story, but it sharpens the bigger lesson: quality of life is the metric that counts—for our horses and for us. From there, we let go of “the number” and choose capacity instead: ride the hills, enjoy the clothes that fit, keep the strength you need to live the life you love, and measure success by what your body and your horse can do together.

If you’re navigating weight loss medications, metabolic puzzles, or a tough call with a beloved horse, this ride is for you. Tap follow us on Saddle Talk with Sandy and Cara, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more riders find the show. What capacity are you building for the life you want?

Send us a text

This week on Saddle Talk with Sandy and Cara, we sit down with Darlene Harman. Darlene Harman has been riding, training, and teaching for over 35 years — a true horsewoman through and through. The heart and soul of Ride Your Horse Therapeutic Riding Program, where she’s helped countless riders find healing, confidence, and joy in the saddle. Her gift lies in matching each rider to the perfect horse, and her decades of wisdom reveal what it really takes to build trust — one hoofbeat at a time.

In 2015, Darlene Harman offered one of her therapeutic riding horses, Mr. Pibb, to be used for the Special Olympics World Games. His two athletes from the countries of Italy and Bahrain, both took home Gold, Silver and Bronze in the three events they entered — a proud moment that sums up a lifetime of heart, hard work, and horsemanship.

So saddle up and join us for “So You Think You Want a Horse,” where Darlene shares her wisdom on what to look for in a horse, what to expect once you’ve got one, and what it really means to earn a horse’s trust.