This Equestrian Life

Episode 10 - Spring is finally here!: what it means for our horses

In the season finale, Miri and Rhi talk all things springtime. From changing grass, to worming and hoof care, we get into all the key things to think about at this time of year.
This Equestrian Life is brought to you by Miri Hackett (Hackett Equine) and Rhiannon Davies. Join our weekly chats where we discuss everything from training and mental health to our weekly horse-shaped mishaps - all from the perspective of a professional rider and hobby rider. 
Huge thanks to Premier Performance and Westgate Labs for sponsoring this podcast. 
Get your 4 FREE Premier Performance products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Use EQLIFE10 for 10% off Westgate Labs test kits and get results you can trust to protect your horse with access to their award winning expert advice.
NB - the discount above excludes EquiSal tapeworm kits and the subscription service.
Follow Miri on Instagram, TikTok and train with Hackett Equine 
Follow Rhi on Instagram, TikTok and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary  
Produced by Amy Long

Episode 9 - Competing Horses: Nerves, Niceness & Navigating Your Why

In this episode, Miri and Rhi discuss all things competition and horses. From nerves and preparation to navigating your purpose and how to show up as a good mentor for your horse and good fellow competitor, we break it all down.
Chapters
00:00 Miri’s week: Holistic Therapy 
05:26 Rhi’s week: Harley update: did the competition plan work? 
09:13 presence vs. nerves competing 
13:04 thoughts on top-level competition 
21:05 training to compete, or training to train? 
21:48 the financial pressure of competing 
25:02 the pressure we put on ourselves
26:10 finding a positive mindset 
27:43 competing against ‘yourself’
31:58 knowing your horse’s strengths and weaknesses
38:25 welfare at shows 
46:43 being a nice fellow competitor 
51:22 friends & food at shows 
58:28 process & preparation 
01:01:14 travelling & turnout 
01:10:22 Miri’s showing career 
01:14:16 Q&A: First-time owner finances
Huge thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode: Premier Performance and Champion Equestrian.
Get your 4 FREE Premier Performance products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20.
Sign up to be the first to hear about an exciting product drop from Champion on https://championhub.com/. 
Premier Performance T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Follow Miri on Instagram, TikTok and train with Hackett Equine 
Follow Rhi on Instagram, TikTok and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary  
Sponsor Miri’s fiance in his marathon here
The stock Miri mentioned with the interchangeable middle here
The therapist Miri mentioned here
Produced by Amy Long

Episode 8 - Equestrian Rider fitness: how to start and what to focus on

In this episode, Miri and Rhi are joined by professional rider fitness experts Maeve Sheriden from Activate Your Seat and Steph Brumption from SJB Performance training. We discuss everything from sport-specific training to where to get started and what to focus on. 
Chapters
0:00 Intro 
0:27 Rhi’s week: big presentations, new bits and ‘thinking into happiness’
11:38 32 Miri’s week: what would you do if you could live your life again? 
23:40 Our topic today
29:07 Introducing our guests 
30:19 Maeve: Activate Your Seat
32:06 Steph: SJB Performance Training 
33:37 Your horse is not your gym
34:42 Sport-specific training 
38:18 (the reality) of rider core strength 
43:13 Where to start
57:16 To band or not to band
59:53 leg imbalances 
63:30 The mental impact of fitness
67:04 Nutrition and fitness 
74:15 the menstrual cycle and fitness 
81:45 One thing to start, one thing to stop 
Huge thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode: Premier Performance and Toggi. 
Get your 4 FREE Premier Performance products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20.Premier Performance T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Use code TEL15 for 15% off Toggi Clothing. 
Follow our guests: 
Maeve: Instagram, website
Steph: Instagram, website  
Follow Miri on Instagram, TikTok and train with Hackett Equine 
Follow Rhi on Instagram, TikTok and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary  
Produced by Amy Long

Episode 7 - Rehab & Injuries in horses: heartbreak (and hope)

In this episode, Miri and Rhi discuss injuries and rehab in horses. 
TRIGGER WARNING (TW): 
Though we hope it feels hopeful as we share advice and the future of rehabilitation, in this conversation, Rhi candidly discusses the loss of a horse due to injury and unsuccessful rehabilitation. We understand that this may be difficult for some listeners and we have tried to share very specific chapters below to help you navigate the episode in the way that feels best for you.
Chapters 
0:00 Intro 
1:13 Miri’s week: the impact of sunshine 
2:59 Duchess update 
3:42 A spider living on Miri’s mic 
4:25 Rhi’s week: Harley’s first solo trip & struggling with moving arenas 
12:25 Horses eyes and spooking 
14:28 introducing our topic & trigger warning 
17:11 TW: Woody’s story: pedal bone fracture 
29:27 Managing horses for injury prevention 
31:48 Barefoot vs. shoeing 
34:49 Box rest & ethics 
36:35 ‘Outside of the box’ rehabbing
38:55 Zora’s story: splint bone fracture  
43:04 Finding ‘joy’ in your new rehab routine 
45:47 Blondie’s story: PSSM, PSD
55:35 Holistic & non-invasive rehab 
57:06 Dealing with challenging horses in rehab 
64:55 Movement & injury prevention 
68:26 Compensation patterns
70:15 (TW) Grief/Hope after losing a horse 
75:48 Hope: the future of rehab 
 
Huge thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode: Premier Performance and Toggi. 
Get your 4 FREE Premier Performance products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20.
Use code TEL15 for 15% off Toggi Clothing. 
Premier Performance T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Follow Miri on Instagram, TikTok and train with Hackett Equine 
Follow Rhi on Instagram, TikTok and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary  
Produced by Amy Long

Episode 6 - The first year with a new horse: finding your people, process and patience!

This episode is a follow on from Episode 3: Buying & selling horses: viewings, vettings and vital info and we recommend you listen to that first! This week, we discuss what to do once you get your new horse home, from finding your new professionals, setting up a routine, goals and seasonal changes.
This Equestrian Life is brought to you by Miri Hackett (Hackett Equine) and Rhiannon Davies. Join our weekly chats where we discuss everything from training and mental health to our weekly horse-shaped mishaps - all from the perspective of a professional rider and hobby rider. 
Huge thanks to Premier Performance and Westgate Labs for sponsoring this podcast. 
Get your 4 FREE Premier Performance products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Use EQLIFE10 for 10% off Westgate Labs test kits and get results you can trust to protect your horse with access to their award winning expert advice.
NB - the discount above excludes EquiSal tapeworm kits and the subscription service.
Follow Miri on Instagram, TikTok and train with Hackett Equine 
Follow Rhi on Instagram, TikTok and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary  
Produced by Amy Long

Episode 5 - Sustainability (and finding the balance) in the equestrian industry

In episode 5, Miri and Rhi unpack the complex topic of sustainability within the equestrian industry. We talk macro - track livery, transport, yard management, and micro - buying new clothes, feeding and bedding. We also unpack the emotional piece of finding the balance with our sustainable actions and tackling the need to be ‘perfect’. 
Chapters 
0:00 happy Galentines!
0:58 the “you meet them twice” theory
4:40 the weird world of viral videos
7:25 ACOTAR fan club
11:04 Sending flowers
12:47 Spring is coming!
13:20 what is “sustainability”?
14:59 horses as a luxury
17:31 recycling on the yard
18:18 straw vs. shavings bedding
21:21 horse feed
24:00 battling the “overwhelm”
25:43 the most sustainable yard in Britain
26:54 horse transport
31:01 equestrian fashion & clothing
32:53 sustainability as creators
34:09 buying once, buying well
35:34 Equitex preloved sale
37:42 Finding the balance
39:44 plaiting bands
42:16 choosing brands who do more
45:18 Cancelling your email subscription
46:02 track livery and sequestration 
52:05 reusable items
54:56 Blondie’s hoof boot saga
58:00 barefoot as sustainable
This Equestrian Life is brought to you by Miri Hackett (Hackett Equine) and Rhiannon Davies. Join our weekly chats where we discuss everything from training and mental health to our weekly horse-shaped mishaps - all from the perspective of a professional rider and hobby rider. 
Huge thanks to Premier Performance and Sundown Bedding for sponsoring this podcast. 
Get your 4 FREE Premier Performance products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Find out about Sundown Bedding's Switch to Straw campaign
Follow Miri on Instagram, TikTok and train with Hackett Equine 
Follow Rhi on Instagram, TikTok and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary  
The British Dressage Sustainability statement: https://www.britishdressage.co.uk/about-us/sustainability/
Visiting the most sustainable yard in Britain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm24wfrrdoc&t=2s
Produced by Amy Long

Episode 4 - Equestrian Careers: with Holly Outtridge and Niki Baxter

In episode 4, Miri and Rhi are joined by Holly Outtridge - who left her corporate career to set up her own photography business - and Niki Baxter - a professional groom best known for her viral clipping, plaiting and grooming skills. We discuss all things equestrian careers - how to get into it, avoiding pitfalls and finding support in community. Chapters: 
0:00 Intro 
0:36 Rhi’s week - competing, a special quote and a stirrup mishap 
6:48 Miri’s week - a runaway horse and a special day with Blondie
16:14 today’s topic and guests
18:46 Rhi’s equestrian journey 
21:19 Miri’s equestrian career 
26:18 unpaid internships 
28:30 introducing Holly Outtridge & her photography career 
29:31 introducing Niki Baxter and her professional grooming career 
30:35 How did you get into your career? 
32:42 Social media as a stream of income? 
35:53 is your job financially comfortable? 
39:39 creating stable income when self-employed
42:12 ‘bread and butter’ jobs 
45:38 qualifications (or lack thereof!) 
48:31 apprenticeships 
50:34 when things go wrong 
56:25 the future of the industry 
1:08:45 going self employed 
This Equestrian Life is brought to you by Miri Hackett (Hackett Equine) and Rhiannon Davies and sponsored by Premier Performance. Join our weekly chats where we discuss everything from training and mental health to our weekly horse-shaped mishaps - all from the perspective of a professional rider and hobby rider. 
Huge thanks to Premier Performance for sponsoring this podcast.  Get your 4 FREE products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Follow Miri on Instagram, TikTok and train with Hackett Equine 
Follow Rhi on Instagram, TikTok and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary  
Follow Holly Outtridge on Instagram and find her key links here 
Follow Niki on Instagram and find her key links here  
One of Rhi’s favourite examples from the ‘Hi, I’m Amanda!” TikTok trend: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdUH2R7x/
The British Grooms Association
Produced by Amy Long

Episode 3 - Buying and selling horses: viewings, vettings and vital info

From Miri Hackett (Hackett Equine) and Rhiannon Davies (Riding With Rhi) comes a brand new podcast dedicated to all things equestrian life. 
Join our weekly chats where we discuss everything from training and mental health to our weekly horse-shaped mishaps - all from the perspective of a professional rider and hobby rider. 
In episode 3, we discuss our experiences of buying and selling horses, including what we look for and our own experiences. As always, we catch you up on our week and answer three of your questions in our ‘Ask MiRhi’ segment. 
Huge thanks to Premier Performance for sponsoring this podcast.  Get your 4 FREE products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Follow Miri at @mirihackett on Instagram, TikTok (etc) and train with Hackett Equine at: https://hackettequine.com/ 
Follow Rhi at @ridingwithrhi on Instagram, TikTok (etc) and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary
Get in touch with the podcast at: thisequestrianlifepod@gmail.com
Record your incident with the BHS here
Produced by Amy Long
 

Episode 2 - Managing yard conflict and mental health as an equestrian

From Miri Hackett (Hackett Equine) and Rhiannon Davies (Riding With Rhi) comes a brand new podcast dedicated to all things equestrian life. 
Join our weekly chats where we discuss everything from training and mental health to our weekly horse-shaped mishaps - all from the perspective of a professional rider and hobby rider. 
In episode 2, we discuss all things mental health, including burnout, managing yard conflict and loneliness. Miri also shares an hilarious long-lining mishap and we update you on last week’s request for weird hacking stories.
Huge thanks to Premier Performance for sponsoring this podcast.  Get your 4 FREE products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out.
Follow Miri at @mirihackett on Instagram, TikTok (etc) and train with Hackett Equine at: https://hackettequine.com/ 
Follow Rhi at @ridingwithrhi on Instagram, TikTok (etc) and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary
Get in touch with the podcast at: thisequestrianlifepod@gmail.com
Produced by Amy Long

Episode 1 - Surviving winter + Miri’s brush with ‘death’…

From Miri Hackett (Hackett Equine) and Rhiannon Davies (Riding With Rhi) comes a brand new podcast dedicated to all things equestrian life. 
Join our weekly chats where we discuss everything from training and mental health to our weekly horse-shaped mishaps - all from the perspective of a professional rider and hobby rider. 
In episode 1, we share our survival tips for winter’s endless mud as well as Rhi’s rugging disaster and Miri’s brush with ‘death’ (sort of).
Huge thanks to Premier Performance for sponsoring this podcast.  Get your 4 FREE products with every order - that's 20% off AND 4 exclusive goodies FREE with every order using code equestrianlife20T&Cs - DISCOUNT CODE CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, SALE PRODUCTS or BUNDLE PACK PROMOTIONS. Not available on Premier Horse Treats, packs of 3, 5 and 10 cookies or palatability samples, mash, Unicorn and Variety cookies are also exempt. Free products included whilst stocks last. Free products will be added to your order at the time of sending out .
Follow Miri at @mirihackett on Instagram, TikTok (etc), and train with Hackett Equine at https://hackettequine.com/ Join Miri on Patreon for more training content.
Follow Rhi at @ridingwithrhi on Instagram, TikTok (etc), get your equestrian diary at Rhi's Etsy shop and fill out your Equestrian Money Diary at this link. 
Get in touch with the podcast at thisequestrianlifepod@gmail.com
Produced by Amy Long