The Horsewoman Project: An Equestrian Podcast

We are excited to have Nick Hartog on the podcast today to talk all about equine gut health and ulcers!

If you've ever been confused on what supplements to buy or how to manage your horse's ulcers, this is the podcast for you!

If you like this episode be sure to leave us a 5 star review and subscribe to learn more about rider health and fitness, horse training dos and don'ts and everything else that comes with living an equestrian lifestyle! More About Nick:

In 1994, Nick Hartog became an owner and President of Grand Meadows Equine Supplements, bringing his talents and extensive background in domestic and international equine sales and manufacturing. He has a reputation for plain speaking of the truth. In 1997, when the U.S. horse supplement market was something akin to the Wild West with a complete lack of standards, Nick personally tested 32 different horse joint supplements to see if they matched the label. Unsurprisingly, to him at least, only 2 products matched the label claim.

At that point, Nick decided to do something about the systemic fraud that permeated the horse supplement industry by starting an organization called the National Association of Equine Supplement Manufacturers (NAESM). Holding meetings at trade shows and trying to galvanize other manufacturers to take action was a frustrating process as most companies were happy to continue with the market as it was. Slowly, over a period of four years, companies finally started to take note culminating in the formation of the National Animal Supplement Council (www.nasc.cc) in 2001.

NASC is a voluntary membership that requires supplement manufactures to comply with state, federal and international feed regulations. Grand Meadows has earned the highest rating with NASC for compliance with rigorous manufacturing GMP or Good Manufacturing Practices, including strict raw material testing, independent lab tests on all finished products, ensuring pure formulas that are consistent from the first scoop to the last.

Nick is adamant in keeping our high-quality level of standards in every aspect of the business: particularly with formulations that are clinically researched from the world’s most respected nutritionists, biochemists, veterinarians, for optimal nutrition and supplementation.

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Are you struggling to find the balance between trust and connection with your horse while still maintaining a good skillset?

McKayla and Camri have been in the rabbit hole the last couple of years learning how to put our relationship with our horses first. 

It's been a rollercoaster of ah-ha moments and learning curves, but we've found that focusing too much on the relationship can sometimes put our horses at risk.

Join us in this episode of the Horsewoman Project Podcast where we talk through how we’ve navigated through this journey of connection and training!

If you like this episode be sure to leave us a 5 star review and subscribe to learn more about rider health and fitness, horse training dos and don'ts and everything else that comes with living an equestrian lifestyle!

This week McKayla and her husband, Eric, sit down to answer all the questions around how to navigate a relationship when one partner isn't a horse person and never wanted to be.

They talk about how they navigate conversations, finances, and worry when it comes to McKayla's riding and horse goals.

Today McKayla and Camri chat about how to have a good mindset going into a ride with your horse. Detours are not detrimental, they are simply a different path to our end goal. Changing the plan can be a wonderful thing!

In this episode, we delve into a common challenge faced by equestrians and individuals striving for their health goals: the dreaded motivation slump. 

We discuss times when we feel unmotivated to ride or explore our fitness goals and we offer practical strategies and encouragement for overcoming these hurdles, whether it's reigniting your passion for the saddle or refocusing on your wellness journey.

If you like this episode be sure to leave us a 5 star review and subscribe to learn more about rider health and fitness, horse training dos and don'ts and everything else that comes with living an equestrian lifestyle!

Today McKayla and Camri discuss the questions you should ask the previous owner of your horse, as well as the things you need to do after you finally purchase your unicorn!

This is part three of our "Buying Your First Horse" Series.

While the title may raise an eyebrow or two, rest assured, we're not here to talk about transforming our spouses into obedient subjects.

Instead, we explore how to empower ourselves to foster healthier dynamics within our partnerships and relationships.

There are so many parallels between our relationships with our partners and our work with our horses. The foundation of both is trust, understanding and connection. Without those, we don't have a leg to stand on.

If you like this episode be sure to leave us a 5 star review and subscribe to learn more about rider health and fitness, horse training dos and don'ts, and everything else that comes with living an equestrian lifestyle!

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Horsemanship has been on a positive trend of more kindness toward horses and more ethical practices. This is a very good trend! However, some folks have gotten to a point where they are a pushover with their horse and don't know how to say no or set boundaries.

Saying no and having boundaries with our horses is a wonderful thing that helps both parties feel safe and understood. McKayla and I chat with you in this episode about how to set these boundaries and what it means to use all of the quadrants of operant conditioning.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

Thanks for listening to the Horsewoman Project Podcast, where Camri and McKayla talk about things like horse training, rider fitness, horse-human connection, rider confidence, life skills, lessons learned, horse and rider nutrition, and so much more!

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Today McKayla shares with us about her first ever fall from her horse, Sandy. The last time she came off a horse was over 7 years ago. Sandy spooked at a culvert at the exact wrong moment that threw McKayla to the ground in an instant. We discuss some of the ways to manage spookiness, especially recurring spookiness to the same object.

Acceptance versus tolerance, shifting the perspective of what culverts mean, and managing the startle reflex are all tools we discuss to help any horse owner in a similar situation.

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

Thanks for listening to the Horsewoman Project Podcast, where Camri and McKayla talk about things like horse training, rider fitness, horse-human connection, rider confidence, life skills, lessons learned, horse and rider nutrition, and so much more!

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This week we discuss questions from our listeners!

1. Cat: "How to process and get over injuries? How can I get back to riding and not be so nervous?"
2. Callie: "I want to go to college and get an equine degree. What can you do with that degree?"

Today Camri hops on for a quick chat about heart coherence. Heart coherence is a state where you are in harmony physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and you are utilizing energy efficiently. It can be measured through heart rate variability (HRV).

By utilizing a technique called heart-focused breathing, you can bring more awareness to your heart, and to the present moment, while finding feelings of gratitude, love, and joy. Doing this technique will improve your heart coherence, and your ability to find peace and harmony within yourself.

I hope this is helpful!

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

Thanks for listening to the Horsewoman Project Podcast, where we talk about things like horse training, rider fitness, horse-human connection, rider confidence, life skills, lessons learned, horse and rider nutrition, and so much more!

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Does your horse struggle in their lope transition? Maybe your horse is lazy and when you finally get a lope transition, they kick out, pin their ears, or crow hop. Or maybe your horse bolts into their lope every time and can't relax at the lope. In today's episode, McKayla and Camri discuss ways to help a horse through their upward transitions, particularly the lope (or canter for any english folks out there ;)).

Stay tuned for our episode next week where we interview McKynzi Short about her first competition at the ApHa World Show in Texas!

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

Have you ever wondered how cold is too cold to ride or work your horse? McKayla and I go into what you should consider when riding in the cold, from warm up and cool down times, clipping, blanketing, temperatures that will keep you and your horse healthy, hoof considerations, and more!

Join us next week as we discuss training tips for upward transitions with your horse!

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

Thanks for listening to the Horsewoman Project Podcast, where we talk about things like horse training, rider fitness, horse-human connection, rider confidence, life skills, lessons learned, horse and rider nutrition, and so much more!

Links:

Today, McKayla and Camri discuss doing what is required versus doing what is easy to get the results you want. It is nearing the end of January, and many of us are starting to feel the wane in motivational energy. This is where dedication needs to happen to see the results you are ready for!

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Recently, Camri had a Facebook post go viral which had a photo of a sign that stated this:

NOTICE!

This property is a farm!

Farm animals:

Make noise, smell bad, and have sex outdoors.

Unless you can tolerate noise, odors, and outdoor sex,

Don't buy property next to a farm!

This post brought out a lot of animosity between farmers/livestock owners and city folks or non-livestock owners. McKayla and Camri discuss how to handle a situation where you either have livestock in the city, or if a development moves in near your farm/property. Much of what we discuss has to do with frontloading with kindness, establishing clear communication, educating and not vilifying, and more.

We should also add, today we announce the winner of our GIVEAWAY! Stay tuned to hear who won an Amazon gift card!

Today, McKayla and I answer several listener questions that were sent in. Some of these questions deal with cinchy horses, how to build a strong core as a rider, how to deal with common low-back pain for riders, and so much more! Join us as we answer these questions for our listeners. And please, if you have a question you want answered in future Q&A episodes, send them to us!

Today, McKayla and I spend some time reflecting on what we learned with our intentions and focuses from 2023. McKayla focused on extreme ownership, while I focused on an African word, "Sawubona", which means "I see you." Each of us were able to learn things throughout the year that helped us in our daily lives.

Then we dive into our focuses for this year. Listen to this episode to hear about what we chose to focus on for 2024!

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲

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Merry Christmas from Camri and McKayla!

Today we talk about what a typical day looks like for each of us with horses. Mckayla covers what the life of a more typical horsewoman looks like caring for two horses and goes into exactly what she feeds, how long it takes, and how much it costs per day to have her horses.

Then Camri discusses the day in the life of a horse trainer with many more horses under her belt.

Biggest takeaway: the time, money, and energy it takes to care for horses will depend greatly on what you choose to do with them and the current setup you have.

Check the links below for resources to help you plan, and don't forget to share this episode with a friend!

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Today, McKayla and I dive into Libbie Zenger’s experiences with what she calls mid-life horsewomanship. She describes what it’s like dealing with the fear of trying something new, as she gentled and started her first horse at the age of 42. She shares so many golden nuggets of wisdom and how she hasn’t let victory or defeat define her. We hope you enjoy her story as much as we did!

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲

Libbie Zenger is a 52-year-old mother of two wild and wonderful young men, a raiser of sheep, trainer of horses, lover of the wild and facilitator of transformative equine glamping retreats.

In the past, she has worked as a licensed mediator, an HR manager for a fortune 50 company, an equine-assisted learning facilitator and a public school social/emotional learning instructor. She is merging all of these experiences into creating life-changing and rejuvenating equine-assisted retreats for women.

Contact information for Libbie:

This week we got a question from, Anna, asking for help in balancing out her workouts with her time in the saddle. Specifically, if she should skip training on the days she rides multiple horses.

McKayla takes the ball and gives a thorough answer to this question, enjoy!

We would love to answer your questions! Feel free to reach out to either Camri or McKayla via social media or email them!

Have you been wanting to adopt your first mustang, but don't know where to start? In today's episode, McKayla and I go over the requirements to adopt a mustang, as well as other considerations. We also go over some of the things to look for if you want to choose a mustang from a holding pen.

Enjoy this episode, and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and share this podcast with your friends!

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 Episodes you may want to pair with this one:

Welcome to the Horsewoman Project! This is a special Christmas Bonus Episode meant to help you get ideas on what to get for the special horsewomen in your life or to share with your significant other ;) 

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Losing weight is the easy part, but maintaining that loss is where most horsewomen fail.

In this episode, we talk about exactly how to handle your maintenance phase through phasing your goals, chancing your mindset around maintenance, and changing the way you look at the scale!

If you like this episode be sure to share it with a friend and leave us a 5-star review!

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In Episode #56 McKayla and I discussed items to have in our bags, ways to stay safe, apps that can help people track us, and so much more. This week, in episode#58, we dive into what it takes to prepare your horse to go out alone.

Horses are naturally a herd animal, and it is normal for them to want to be with other horses. There are so many ways to help our horses with separation anxiety and help them in their confidence, both in the arena and on the trail.

Join McKayla and I today for a great discussion!

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲

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The Holidays can be some of the most relaxing times of the year but they can also come with a lot of pressure to pretend like you're doing fine when you might not be.

So today we dive into how to no avoid toxic positivity, show authentic gratitude, and find neutrality in those times or things you might not want to enjoy.

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend!

Today McKayla and I discuss ways to prepare for riding out alone. We share everything from what to put in your backpack/bag, apps to use, precautions to take, and so much more!

Riding out alone isn't an easy task. It can be risky if you don't have a horse you can trust, or even if you do. You always want to make sure you are prepared for having to stay alone a night on a mountain, and have supplies to help you and your horse if you get in a tight spot or have a medical emergency. Not to mention the prep that your horse needs, which we will dive into more in our next episode, where we will discuss dealing with separation anxiety and other things you need to work on with your horse BEFORE you ride out alone.

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲

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Setting boundaries, following boundaries, and exiting unhealthy relationships can be easier said than done, but are necessary and important parts of having healthy relationships. McKayla and I discuss some insights we have gleaned from our experiences we've had this year with certain relationships ending or evolving.

As a reminder, we absolutely love any and all reviews you have for us, as well as any feedback/comments/questions you have about specific episodes or topics. Click below to leave a voice message, send us an email, or give us a review!

~ 𝓜𝓬𝓚𝓪𝔂𝓵𝓪 & 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ~

Host Information:

It can seem daunting trying to find that unicorn you are on the hunt for when there are so many horses on the market! How do you find the right horse? McKayla and I have both helped clients with horse shopping, and we love to help people find the right fit at the right price. This episode covers many of the things we look for in horse advertisements, as well as some translations of common phrases or terms used in advertisements. We also go over the red flags to watch for that may indicate a scammer or dishonest seller, what questions to ask the seller, what to look for in videos, and more!

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲

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Description:

We go over why even though you're eating healthy you're still not losing weight.

This can be frustrating, and it's exactly what McKayla helps her clients with. She shares with you why this is happening and some tips to help you start seeing results, including the three pillars of her Metabolic Rebuild Method and some client examples that you can relate to.

Check the links below for FREE resources to help you get started on your journey!

~ 𝓜𝓬𝓚𝓪𝔂𝓵𝓪 & 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ~

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Today McKayla and I discuss how horses change with the weather, their herd situation, their type of feed, their exercise/turnout schedule, and more. As fall and winter approach, many of us see horses become more spooky, and might even see horse-kites on the end of our lead rope. We go over some of the why's behind the ways horses change, as well as how to make the change easier.

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ~

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We are excited to be here with McKayla's Grandfather Larry Rutherford this week. He is a lifelong lover of horses who got Mckayla started with her horse obsession before she could walk. Get ready for a ride as Larry shares his own tips and what he's learned with over 50 years in the saddle!

Please be patient with some audio difficulties on this episode.

Videos on horse trailering Larry mentions in the episode:

Join us for part two of our chat with Megan Bliss, creator of The Bliss Method and Handle Your Hormones programs. Today we dive deeper into the hormone side of the conversation. You won't want to miss this.

Today we chat with Megan Bliss, creator of The Bliss Method and Handle Your Hormones programs. She is a certified nurse practitioner, mother to three daughters, a loving wife, an entrepreneur, and a horsewoman. She grew up in rural Utah, and is now running her own women's hormonal health programs! Megan says, "I help driven women enjoy optimal energy, a vibrant appearance, and balanced moods by optimizing their hormones without unnecessary medications or radical surgery, so you can live a life you confidently love."

This episode is part one of her story. Subscribe and hit the bell icon to be notified when part two airs next week!

~ 𝓜𝓬𝓚𝓪𝔂𝓵𝓪 & 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ~

Megan Bliss's Information:

What does personal health and fitness coach, McKayla Lyman, do for you? Let me give you a hint, it's not just handing you a nutrition and workout program and saying, "Good luck!"

McKayla Lyman of MaK Athletes provides not only tailored nutrition and fitness programs for you that are designed to fit exactly into your lifestyle, but she also incorporates your horse into your programming. McKayla also provides stress-management support and helps you deal with the mental and emotional blocks that may have stopped you from succeeding in the past.

McKayla is a phenomenal coach! She works long and hard to give her clients everything they need, and more!

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

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Most of us horsefolk have seen or dealt with horses that hit the end of their lead rope and thrash, sometimes breaking trailers, halters, lead ropes, and/or themselves. Today, McKayla and I discuss some ways to help the horses that have learned this behavior, as well as how to prevent hanging back from ever happening in the first place.

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

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Today McKayla and I discuss connecting with ourselves before we can ask our horses to connect with us. We discuss the difference between mindfulness and intention, what looking inward looks like to us, and how to avoid the guilt and shame that can come with looking inward with disappointment and judgment instead of encouragement.

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

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"You need a bigger bit! That horse is way too pushy on the bit."

"Do this quick-fix and your horse will be fixed in a day!"

"Let the trainer ride your naughty horse. Horse trainers will ride anything!"

Have you ever heard any phrases like these? Today, McKayla and I bust a few myths about horse trainers and horse training. We hope this episode is helpful for those who want to know more about the realities of training, and that it isn't quite like the 3-day colt starting challenges you see on TV or social media.

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

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Today McKayla and I give a few life updates about our spouses, kids, horses, first tattoos, and more! Comment below with a highlight from your life, or what you related to most!

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

Host Information:

McKayla and I have many tips and tricks that we have learned over the years that we want to share with you. Everything from softening your horses feet before a trim, tack tips, and more!

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

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This week, McKayla and I discuss the ways that, as humans and horse owners, we can work against ourselves or our horses. We also counter that with ways to work with what we have: everything from simply changing the way we speak to ourselves, to finding our strengths, embracing our "weaknesses", and so much more!

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲

This week McKayla and Camri dive into their "Pre-Ride Checklists" and the things they watch out for in both themselves and their horses that could lead to sticky situations.

In today's episode, McKayla and I decide to dive into some "get-to-know-you" questions. McKayla and I know each other pretty well in some regards, but in others ways we are at a loss. We ask each other some fun questions to get to know more about our each other. We hope our listeners enjoy getting to know us with some of the "first-date" type questions we ask.

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ~

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McKayla and I discuss our upcoming Connected Horsewoman's Retreat near Fish Lake, Utah. Then we dive into how stress is inevitable in our lives, whether we choose it or not. Our views about stress, taking ownership in what we choose to struggle for, and using tools like meditation, breathwork, and physical activity are all ways to help us manage the stress we have in our lives and not let it overtake us and become unmanageable.

~ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ~

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In this episode, we discuss what it's like entering the horse industry as a professional. Our personal experiences lean into riding lesson instruction and horse training, but many things can be relatable to everything from equine photography, breeding, trail riding guides, veterinary school, etc. 

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Camri's 15 year old cousin Callie came for a visit, so McKayla and Camri decided to pick her brain about entering the horse industry, and what the shift was like for her getting into horses at the age of 11. We also discuss bits, halters, and hackamores, and we get updates from Camri about the two trailer-loading horses from Camri's recent Herriman Horsemanship Clinic.

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McKayla tells us all about what she has learned in her first 25 mile endurance ride with her mare, Sandy, as well as what she learned in her 50 mile ride on her friend’s horse. The endurance world has many amazing things to it, one big thing being how much they consider the welfare of the horse. 

Link to Riding Video we discussed

Camri tells us all about her clinic she held recently in Herriman, Utah. Many ah-ha moments were had, from ground-tying an entire group of horses, to trailer loading, allowing horses to get the answer wrong without us escalating, and changing the way we present things to our horses.

McKayla and I discuss how, for years, we believed that we needed to drive our heels down while riding. Recently, we have both began the process of undoing this in our riding. We discuss how, when we drive the heels down, it makes us brace our entire leg, and also takes the "spring" action out of our ankle joints. We also discuss the implications for our upper body position when we drive the heels down so hard.

༺ 𝓒𝓪𝓶𝓻𝓲 ༻

This is part 2 of our, "Buying your first horse" episode. In Part 1 we discussed budgeting, time commitments, exercise needs, and travel considerations. In this episode we discuss what to look for in your first horse: age, temperament, price, maintenance, experience, and more!

--McKayla and Camri

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