The People Behind The Horses
The People Behind The Horses
Podcast Description
The People Behind The Horses takes you behind the scenes of the equine world through in-depth interviews with the people shaping the industry. From trainers and veterinarians to breeders, riders, and entrepreneurs, discover their stories, expertise, and the unique roles they play in the lives of horses.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as equine performance, sports science, and veterinary care, featuring episodes like Dr. Tim Worden discussing the impact of biomechanics on horse training, the importance of nutrition in enhancing equine athleticism, and future trends like wearable technology in the equestrian sports world.
The People Behind The Horses takes you behind the scenes of the equine world through in-depth interviews with the people shaping the industry. From trainers and veterinarians to breeders, riders, and entrepreneurs, discover their stories, expertise, and the unique roles they play in the lives of horses.
Mad Barn is proud to present the next segment of our series, “The People Behind the Horses,” where we spotlight the individuals shaping the future of equine wellness and performance.
In this episode, we sit down with Laura Veenstra, a certified independent saddle fitter with over 15 years of experience working alongside veterinarians, trainers, and horse owners across Ontario. Laura shares her journey into saddle fitting, what it truly means to be independent in a field with varying standards, and why proper saddle fit is critical for both horse welfare and rider effectiveness.
🎙 What you’ll hear in this episode:
- Laura’s background in the horse industry and how it led her to saddle fitting
- What “independent saddle fitter” really means and why it matters
- How saddle fit directly affects biomechanics, comfort, and long-term soundness
- Common saddle fit issues she sees in the field and how they impact horses
- Why collaboration between fitters, veterinarians, and nutritionists is essential
Whether you’re a competitive rider, trainer, or dedicated horse owner, this episode offers invaluable insight into how saddle fit plays a foundational role in keeping horses comfortable, willing, and performing at their best.
⏱ Podcast Timeline
- 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
- 01:05 – Laura’s Background in the Horse Industry to Discovering Saddle Fitting
- 03:37 – What It Means to Be an Independent Saddle Fitter
- 07:22 – The Common Concerns and Practices of Saddle Fitting
- 11:14 – Signs Your Saddle Needs to be Adjusted and Industry Standards
- 14:14 – Myths in the Saddle Fitting Industry
- 17:12 – Western Saddle Fitting Vs English Saddle Fitting
- 22:06 – Riding Young Horses and It’s Impact on their Biomechanics
- 23:40 – The Process of Saddle Fitting for Horses with Kissing Spines
- 27:36 – The Future of Saddle Fitting
📚 Related Resources:
Want to evaluate your horse's diet? Follow this link to get connected with an equine nutritionist or explore our horse nutrition calculator: madbarn.com/analyze-diet
Mad Barn is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers, and practitioners through research, training, and education. Visit us to learn more at madbarn.com.
You can also find Mad Barn at:
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