Mane Brain: The Science of Smarter Riding

Send us Fan Mail The pelvic floor is the foundation of a rider’s strength, stability, and confidence in the saddle — yet it’s one of the most overlooked areas of fitness. In this two-part series for the month of September, I sit down with Emily Suttor, PT, DPT, OCS from KORT Physical Therapy in Kentucky, to break down what every female equestrian should know about pelvic floor health. In Part 1 of...

Send us Fan Mail Your helmet is more than just gear — it’s your brain’s first line of defense. But how much do you really know about proper helmet fit, sizing, and care? In this follow-up to my last episode, I'll share my reflections from speaking with Deb Reardon, the manager at my local tack shop; I'll cover the basics of helmet fit and features and why getting the details right makes...

Send us Fan Mail Concussions are more common in equestrian sports than perhaps many riders realize—and yet, remain one of the more misunderstood injuries in our community. In this powerful and personal episode, I dive deep into the facts, statistics, and preventative strategies around concussions in our beloved sport. Join me on this episode as I share my professional journey into concussion manag...

Send us Fan Mail You've heard this riding advice before: "inside leg to outside rein." It's the holy grail of connection with your horse. But if you're like many adult amateur riders, you've probably found yourself wondering how to work toward improving your ability to coordinate your aids so you can build that harmony with your horse. Here’s the truth: learning to co...

Send us Fan Mail Ever watched a rider stay perfectly centered during a buck, spook, or stumble—and wondered how they pulled it off? What you witnessed was their reactive balance skills in action.  In this episode of Mane Brain, neurologic physical therapist and Rider Balance Coach Audrey Paslow pulls back the curtain on what really creates a “sticky seat.” Spoiler alert: it's not just strong...

Send us Fan Mail If you're an adult amateur dressage rider working to improve your position, stability, and harmony with your horse—this episode is for you. As a neurologic physical therapist and rider balance coach , I’m here to show you how your diaphragm —yes, a muscle that controls breathing—is actually a cornerstone of better riding. When trained properly, it enhances your balance, impro...

Send us Fan Mail You know the feeling — a little tight in the hips, stiff through the back, maybe even one-sided tension you can’t quite shake off. Naturally, you stretch… but what if stretching isn’t the whole answer? In this episode of Mane Brain , I'm taking a closer look at what “tight” really means in a rider’s body, and why stretching alone might not fix your issues in the tack. I walk...

Send us Fan Mail You don’t need to be in the tack to improve your ride. In this episode of Mane Brain , you’ll learn how to use motor imagery and visualization to sharpen your skills, improve body awareness, and mentally rehearse for better performance in the saddle. Visualization is more than positive thinking—it’s a proven tool that taps into your brain’s motor planning system. Let’s break down...

Send us Fan Mail Every rider wants to develop feel—that subtle, intuitive connection with your horse that makes it all click. And here’s the truth: feel isn’t magic. It’s not something you either have or don’t. It’s a skill—and you can train it. In this episode of Mane Brain , you’ll take the next step after setting your summer riding goals: figuring out exactly where you are right now in your rid...

Send us Fan Mail Set Smarter Riding Goals—Plan to Win from the Ground Up. Your dressage season doesn’t begin in the warm-up ring—it begins with a plan. In this episode of Mane Brain , you will learn about the goal-setting process that puts the rider at the center of a successful training plan. Whether you’re aiming to move up a level in your dressage tests or simply improve your balance and coordi...

Send us Fan Mail Want a better seat? You don’t have to be in the saddle to get there. In this episode of Mane Brain , I break down the Level Up Your Seat Blueprint —a sport-specific, unmounted training guide built on five key skills: breathing, flexibility, strength, balance & coordination, and timing. 🎁 Grab your free Breathing Tip Sheet and use the self-reflection questions to find your tra...

Send us Fan Mail In this initial episode, I share my story to building this podcast as a physical therapist and equestrian as well as reflection questions to help you evaluate your training program both in and out of the tack.  Mane Brain Podcast is part of Anchored Seat's mission to bring neuroscience to the saddle! Learn more about training programs and clinic opportunities at www.anchoreds...