Equestrian Fitness for the Long Ride with The Sweaty Equestrian

With so many fitness options out there, it’s easy for riders to wonder: What is the best kind of exercise for equestrians? In this episode, endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger breaks down the benefits and shortcomings of yoga, Pilates, strength training, and cardio for riders. You’ll learn how each type of exercise can support your balance, stamina, body control, fat loss, longev...

Are GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound a good idea for equestrians? In this episode, endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger takes a balanced look at GLP-1s for riders: when they may be helpful, why they are not necessarily a “lazy way out,” how they can backfire...and how to get the benefits without negative consequences for your riding. Weekly Newsletter – D...

Are farm chores and riding no longer keeping you as strong, lean, and energetic as they used to? In this episode of Equestrian Fitness for the Long Ride , endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger talks about why active horsewomen can still lose muscle, gain body fat, and feel more fatigued despite being as active as ever. You’ll learn why familiar barn work stops challenging your body...

Is fatigue or brain fog interfering with your ability enjoy your horse time this summer? There may be a simple solution: Electrolytes. Active riders - especially those who eat a healthy diet - may need more sodium, potassium, and magnesium than they think. In this episode, endurance rider, personal trainer, and nutrition coach Tamara Baysinger of The Sweaty Equestrian shares how to use food and sm...

In this episode of Equestrian Fitness for the Long Ride , personal trainer and endurance rider Tamara Baysinger shares the story of her new horse’s first endurance ride — from the nerves and preparation to the surprises, lessons, and little wins that made the day memorable. Whether you’re curious about endurance riding, preparing for your own first endurance ride, or simply love real-life horse st...

We all know that horseback riding carries a serious risk of concussion and head trauma. But has anyone told you about an inexpensive, well-researched supplement that can mitigate the impact of TBI? Listen in as endurance rider, personal trainer, and nutrition coach Tamara Baysinger offers practical guidance for using creatine monohydrate safely and consistently. Weekly Newsletter – Don’t miss my f...

Can you really improve your riding in just 90 minutes a week? In this episode, personal trainer and endurance rider Tamara Baysinger of The Sweaty Equestrian breaks down how intentional, out-of-saddle rider fitness can help equestrians build better balance, strength, mobility, posture, and control without cutting into precious barn time. Learn why riding alone often isn’t enough, which physical ab...

Hot weather can affect your performance, focus, safety, and stamina at any equestrian event — not just your horse’s. In this episode of Equestrian Fitness for the Long Ride , endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger explains how heat acclimation helps riders better tolerate summer conditions, manage hydration and fatigue, and prepare their bodies for long days in the saddle, whether t...

Which phase of rider fitness are you in right now? In this episode of Equestrian Fitness for the Long Ride , endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger introduces the 5 phases of rider fitness — from “I don’t need that” to “this is part of who I am” — and helps you identify where you are without judgment. Whether you’re unsure how to start working out for riding, struggling to stay cons...

In this episode, endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger talks about why bone density matters so much for riders—especially women. Because equestrians face a higher risk of fractures from falls and other horse-related, protecting bone health is essential. Learn how strength training supported by appropriate nutrition can reverse bone loss and keep you in the saddle for years to come....

Everybody knows it's hard to stick to a fitness program, and equestrians are no different. But why? In this episode, endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger, aka The Sweaty Equestrian, shares the most common reason riders fall off the fitness wagon - and an immediate, actionable strategy you can apply to counteract it. Subscribe to The Sweaty Equestrian newsletter at TheSweatyEq...

Getting back into a rider fitness routine after a break can feel surprisingly hard, whether the disruption came from travel, horse events, injury, or everyday busyness. In this episode, personal trainer and endurance rider Tamara Baysinger explains what happens to your body when your equestrian fitness program gets interrupted and how to return to workouts in a way that is realistic, effective, an...

In this episode, endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger, aka The Sweaty Equestrian, shares a real-life look at what it means to redefine success when setbacks threaten our goals. With spring goals shifting for both her own training and Kokopelli’s first endurance season, she walks through three powerful questions that can help riders reframe setbacks, disappointment, and imperfect o...

A riding injury affects more than your body. It can shake confidence, bring up fear and frustration, and leave you feeling unlike yourself. In this episode, rider fitness coach Tamara Baysinger, aka The Sweaty Equestrian, explores the mental side of injury recovery, with practical guidance for riders who are currently injured and for those who want to be better prepared before injury ever happens....

A riding injury can make it feel like your progress, plans, and confidence are all on hold. But injured does not have to mean helpless! In this episode, rider fitness coach Tamara Baysinger, aka The Sweaty Equestrian, explores how riders can protect movement quality during the healing process and support a smoother return to riding. We'll talk about the difference between being medically heal...

What if "rider fitness" isn't the best way to build rider fitness? In this episode, endurance rider and personal trainer Tamara Baysinger - aka The Sweaty Equestrian - tackles a question many riders ask: Where should I start with rider fitness? If you feel overwhelmed by the options and don't want to waste your limited time on exercises that won't move the needle, this epi...

Have you been told your joints are showing wear and tear? Osteoarthritis - especially in the back, hips, and knees - is a daunting specter for riders. We need those joints to ride our horses well! Does a diagnosis of OA mean we should ease off workouts or horseback riding to minimize further wear and tear? In this episode, we look at what really causes arthritis, plus how we can prevent it or mini...

After 40, rider fitness really does change—but that doesn’t mean decline is inevitable. In this episode, we discuss how shifting hormones affect muscle, metabolism, stress, and weight gain, and why the “just ride and do barn chores” approach stops working. We break down the two levers that horsewomen can use to stay lean, strong, and confident in the saddle. You can join the 2026 Leaner Stronger R...

In this episode, we take an honest look at the physical capacity required to ride and care for horses into our later decades. Learn what it takes to change the trajectory of aging, protect your athleticism, and ride stronger at any stage of life. (Hint: If you're young, you have the most to gain by implementing these strategies now. If you're older, you have the most to lose by not imple...

Is it possible to condition your endurance horse while working full time? Explore proven strategies for conditioning your endurance horse while maintaining your 9 to 5. From smart conditioning schedules to nighttime training tips, discover how successful riders balance work and distance riding. Perfect for busy equestrians who refuse to choose between their career and their passion for endurance....

An endurance riding prospect needs even more specialized skills than the average horse. Host Tamara Baysinger walks through her training checklist for bringing a new horse into the sport of endurance riding prepared for success. FULL SHOW NOTES and FREE DOWNLOADABLE ENDURANCE HORSE PREPARATION CHECKLIST at  Want a raw, honest look at my daily life among the horses? Subscribe to Diary of an Enduran...

Are you new to endurance riding? Discover how you can get started in endurance, even if you don't have a horse. Host Tamara Baysinger shares best practices for volunteering, crewing, and catch riding. Learn how to start building a positive reputation in the tight-knit endurance community and discover valuable resources to accelerate your endurance riding journey. FULL SHOW NOTES at https://th...

Fear of trail riding alone is common, but it doesn’t need to be paralyzing. This episode will help you step back to better understand your experience of fear as the first step to overcoming it. Host Tamara Baysinger then covers practical and psychological strategies for overcoming your fear of conditioning your endurance horse alone so you are free to prepare and compete on your own. FULL SHOW NOT...

Transform your endurance riding off-season into an unfair advantage! In this episode, learn practical ways to maximize downtime through smart maintenance, targeted problem-solving, and creative approaches to horse training. Host Tamara Baysinger shares tips on cold-weather riding gear, night riding techniques, and how to build mental toughness so you can turn the off-season into your secret weapon...

When your biggest passion becomes your relationship's biggest challenge, what do you do? In this episode, host Tamara Baysinger tackles the delicate balance between endurance riding goals and harmony at home. Drawing from personal experience, she offers practical strategies for navigating relationship dynamics as a dedicated equestrian, from communicating effectively about your riding pursuit...