This is Episode 21 of Season 3 and in it, Jec is back and interviewing Kristen Vliestra, who runs Saddlery Solutions in California. Jec and Kristen have talked before about saddle fit and in this episode, Jec asks some particular questions that have been bugging her for a while. As I found out while recruiting Kristen for the saddle fit elective at the Best Horse Practices Summit, she knows a lot. A lot about how people ride. A lot about horse anatomy. A lot about saddle construction and the consequences of an ill-fitting saddle. Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding. Lots to consider here in this interview, especially as it’s spring and a lot of us are starting back up with our equines, after a long time off. It’s good to remember that you can’t just jump on as if it were September. And it’s good to consider fitness – not just your horse’s but yours, too. Read articles on Rider Fitness. And what do you think about bareback riding? I ask because I spent several years when I was a girl just riding bareback. My pony was over 14 hands and I was about 120 pounds. She never got lame. Maybe I just got lucky? Maybe I was light and athletic enough so that my weight didn’t aggravate her back? Anyway, I credit all the time bareback riding for giving me a bit better balance and feel than I think I would have had. Let us know if you have any thoughts around bareback riding. And big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em. We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it. That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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