Strong in the Saddle | Equestrian Fitness and Wellness

Trailing in the winter sucks. Between ice, snow, cold temperatures, and shortened daylight hours, it can be a challenge in more ways than one. In this week's episode, Katrina runs through a bunch of tips from years of experience trailering in the winter to ensure that you and your horse arrive at your destination safe and sound. Be sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast. This will help ens...

One of the top stallions in the barrel racing industry is Frenchmans Guy. He's sleek. He's smart He's blonde. He's fast. What else could a barrel racer want? In today's episode of the podcast, Katrina goes over all things Frenchmans Guy. From his upbringing to the disposition of his offspring, learn about it all here. Be sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast. This will help ensure that ot...

Between the frigid temperatures, the lack of daylight, and the snow and ice, it is an extremely difficult task keeping your horse in shape in the winter. As a born and bred Albertan Katrina knows a thing or two about contending with Mother Nature while also being bound and determined to keep her horses in shape. Tune into this week's episode to find out how you can keep your horse in shape - even...

Getting water for your horse in the winter can definitely be a struggle. From frozen waterers, frozen hoses, frozen hydrants... Needless to say, it can be a nightmare. Regardless of that fact, however, providing water for your horse in the winter is critical to your horse's health. Learn all about getting water for your horse in the winter in this episode of the podcast along with some tricks to m...

Struggling to keep weight on your hard gainer horse this winter? Worried about how they will make it through those cold winter nights? Tune into this week's episode as Katrina offers some helpful tips for getting your hard gaining horse through the winter in the best shape possible. Learn all about feeding, blanketing and other recommendations specifically for horses that tend to be on the skinny...

Do you wish you could improve your seat as a rider? Have you ever watched those videos of Stacey Westfall and wished that you could ride bareback like that? If that is the case, then you are in the right place. This week, we are finishing up a three part series on common rider problems. In this installment, we are going to discuss how to improve your seat.  Missed part I of the series? Check...

Many riders struggle with their riding because they are not using their legs effectively. This may be caused by a number of things including just having bad habits, as well as incorrect stirrup length. In this week's episode, Katrina continues with her common rider problems series by addressing common issues that riders have with their legs. Plus, if want to strengthen your legs so that you can be...

Another year is in the books and 2019 barrel racing did not disappoint! In this week's episodes, Katrina puts a bow on the year that was 2019. She first goes over some highlights from the year, including the controversy that was this year's Kentucky Derby, Emily Miller's amazing 4th of July run, Lisa Lockhart's win at the Calgary Stampede and much, much more! In the second part of the episode, Kat...

Whether you do barrel racing, cutting, dressage, jumping or trail riding, all of us should be striving to improve our riding skills. Many riders are completely oblivious that they are sending their horses confusing and contradictory signals. Because of that, I have decided to focus this episode on the most common rider problems that I see and how to fix them. I will go through issues with hands, l...

The 2019 National Finals Rodeo is in the books and it was quite the ten days of rodeo! This week, Katrina continues off where she left off last week by going through the barrel racing in rounds six through ten. Missed how it all ended up? Get all the nitty gritty details here. Learn who had the fastest time of the NFR, who placed in the most rounds, which horse made his 85th run in the Thomas and...

We've made it through five rounds of the 2019 NFR barrel racing. Five rounds down, five to go. This week on A Cowgirl and Her Horse, Katrina does a recap of the first half of the 2019 NFR. Who is still in contention for the world title? Who is excelling in the Thomas and Mack? Who is struggling? If you are a NFR barrel racing fan, you won't want to miss this episode! Be sure to subscribe, rate and...

There are certain fundamentals for barrel racing that a horse needs to be proficient in before they are ever introduced to the pattern. Many horses, unfortunately, are not given that basic training before they are put into barrel racing training. As such, the process becomes much more difficult and the horse may never live up to its potential. Fundamentals are key. They are like the ABCs. You need...

Who's ready for some NFR barrel racing?! We are just days away from the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which means that it's time for a preview of the fifteen lucky ladies that will be running down the alleyway, starting on December 5th. Can Hailey Kinsel repeat the success that she had last year? Will one of the rookies surprise us all? Tune into this week's episode as Katrina discusses eac...

Whether we like it or not, fall is here and winter is fast approaching. That means that keeping our horses in shape and on a conditioning program can be difficult. Snow, wind, ice, and freezing temperatures all make riding inconvenient and sometimes dangerous. To ensure that you keep your horse in the best shape possible, Katrina (a seasoned pro when it comes to winter riding) goes over some tips...

Earlier this year, Katrina had to put her beloved pony, Paddy, down after suffering with Cushing's disease. It was heartbreaking for Katrina, who had no prior knowledge about Cushing's disease. As a way of ensuring that others are able to more readily detect the disease and give their horse's the best care to delay its effects, this episode is devoted entirely to Cushing's disease.  While this epi...

Have you ever felt like you don't belong somewhere? Have you every worried that you aren't supposed to be somewhere and that you are going to get called out at any moment? If so, you aren't alone and this is what is known as imposter syndrome. Whether you feel like this in regards to barrel racing, training young horses or in any other area of your life, there is a way to move past it. This week K...

Having strong legs for barrel racing is really important because it ensures that, not only can you stay on your horse as they navigate the barrel pattern, but it also helps in being able to give clear leg cues to your horse at the exact moment that you need to. If you are serious about your barrel racing, then you need to get serious about increasing your leg strength. This week, Katrina gives you...

Confused about divisional barrel races? You have come to the right place! In this week's episode, Katrina explains how the divisional system works at a barrel race. In addition, Katrina goes into detail about the different places that you can barrel race and who would be suitable for each kind of barrel race. If you are new to the sport and are wondering where you should start, then this episode i...

The regular 2019 professional rodeo season is now in the books! Who is heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the Canadian Finals Rodeo? Katrina lists off the lucky girls in this week's episode. Are your favorite barrel racers going to have a chance to win a gold buckle? Listen to this episode to find out. In addition to a pro rodeo update, Katrina gives some tips on attending your firs...

With the temperatures dropping you may be confused about when you need to blanket your horse. If you're in Alberta, for example, the temperatures can go up and down significantly from day to day and even within the same day. This episode will hopefully clear up any confusion around when to blanket your horse. Listen close and take notes. Be sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast. This will...

It may not be January 1st but October 1st works just as well for setting goals. Listen to this episode for step by step instructions on setting goals for your barrel racing. After going through this workshop and following each step you will increase your odds of achieving your barrel racing goals by over 50%. Yes, 50%! Get a pen and paper and press play.  Be sure to subscribe, rate and review...

Another week, another episode of A Cowgirl and Her Horse! In this episode, Katrina lays out some suggestions for barrel racers in the warm up pen. If you are a barrel racer, please listen to this podcast! A barrel racing warm up pen does not have to be a swirling sea of chaos. Be sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast. This will help ensure that others can hear the podcast and that the epi...

In episode 5 Katrina concludes her two part series on buying a barrel horse. Topics include how to search for a new horse, trying out prospective horses, getting a vet check done, things you should NOT do when buying a barrel horse and bringing your new horse home.  Be sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast. This will help ensure that others can hear the podcast and that episodes will...

In this week's episode, Katrina shares part one of her buying a barrel horse series. She discusses how to get clear on what kind of horse you are looking for, whether it be prospect or seasoned horse. In addition, Katrina describes ideal barrel horse conformation. You won't want to miss this episode if you are in the market for a horse or will be in the future. Stay tuned for next week's episode w...

In this week's episode, Katrina talks about what it is like getting into barrel racing when you aren't from a rodeo family. She also discusses her top tips if you aren't from a rodeo family and want to have success as a barrel racer. Rodeo Buddy video - search Rodeo Buddy never too late on Facebook to watch the video Katrina references in this episode. Be sure to subscribe, rate and review the pod...