12/ SEPTEMBER 2023 THE RIDER We Can Hustle:


By Shelby Olyschlager I was browsing Face-


book recently and enjoy see- ing a shift in some content that’s been posted. I see practical advice given by others, sharing their own unique stories. I see nice lit- tle quotes that spark em- powerment and not self doubt. I see a lot of good messages for all of us to ponder and maybe apply into our waking life. One quote in particular hit a chord and I believe it’s one of the bases of our evolution and growth, in whatever way you’re inspired to achieve it. I wish I could find the exact quote, but that is one annoying fact about social media - the algorithm. Anyways, to paraphrase, it read that being around peo- ple better than you should not make you feel less than. But it should inspire you to level up and take their ad-


vice and wisdom as a way to be empowered to grow. Ba- sically, being around people better than you is a privi- lege, only if you let it be that way. Being around those “ahead” isn’t a reason to feel like you are “behind” and to feel bad for yourself for not being that person. Because also side note, you are not that other person; you are you, period. So, you can only strive to become the best you that you can be! Back to the point, being


around people better than you is a gift. So take effort to learn from them, we truly have no excuses anymore. With the internet connecting us to leaders who are out there sharing their knowl- edge, we have so many op- portunities to learn and do better for ourselves and our beloved horse partners. We don’t need to necessarily meet and be at the same physical table with these people, we can easily con- nect to them in the comfort of our own homes! How easy is that? Yet, there are still so many of us making excuses or just being obliv- ious to the resources out there for the taking. Some wonder, “why aren’t I getting any better?


Why doesn’t my horse look as good as their horse?” And then promptly continue to do the same thing every day and do no research to try and figure out the puzzle of becoming better. I love competing with


horses for that reason - Nav- igating through the puzzle of becoming better. If I did- n’t have horses, I’m sure I would have found a sport outlet to allow me to curi- ously go down the path of self mastery in some way or another. That’s why sports are great, they challenge us to dig deep, to find answers on our own, and to continu- ously strive for more. We all want to beat our own best, but the question is, are you doing the work to do so? I wanted to call this ar-


ticle “Garbage in, Garbage out”. I heard it said by someone online and I thought it was a pretty rude awakening. I don’t want to be rude but I still want to touch on that point here. The reason is to make us realize that what we put into some- thing, is typically what we are going to get out of it. In life, no matter how hard you try, there are rarely any shortcuts that last or any quick fixes that are effec-


What you put in, is what you get out


tive. Maybe it’s harsh, maybe I should tone it down and sugar coat these facts of life. But I have been around and in the riding scene a lot and I am here to guide oth- ers to step up, in whatever way they need. This concept can be taken in the riding world, the physical world and the mental world. What you put into something is typically what you are going to get out of it. The choice now and the


question to ask yourself is “what do I want to do “now” in order to get the result I want to achieve?” As I said above, we have so many re- sources available to us, your obligation is to learn all you can. In today’s day and age, ignorance is not bliss any- more - not how I see it any- ways. If you want to perform


better in the arena, start with basic horse care. The re- sources are in front of you this whole time, take the time to study and self edu- cate for simply knowing and being better equipped to take care of your equine partner. Go learn what a proper hoof should look like. If you are in perform- ance, learn how to properly feed a performance horse,


learn how to properly condi- tion a horse for your compe- tition, learn other riding techniques, just keep learn- ing and keep applying. I think we get caught in


a bubble of our own knowl- edge, and that’s where the knowledge stops. We think we know enough to get the job done, but I challenge you to always ask yourself “what if there’s a better way?” That, my friends, is how evolution works! I know, you have been


riding horses for 20+ years, that’s cool. But my question for that sense of “credibil- ity” is when was the last time you took a class or clinic? When was the last time you learnt something new? When did you last feel yourself grow? Some of us have been in the game for a long time; some of us progress and some of us stay the same. Maybe it’s be- cause we are all putting dif- ferent levels of input into it and getting the exact corre- lation of output in return. Remember, we get out what we put in. To me, that speaks way


louder than, “I’ve been doing the same thing for the past 20 years.” You see, time doesn’t


Beyond the Wither Tracing A Saddle-Fitting Series by Holly Barnett, REMT, CSF


Equine Posture & Saddle-Fit


sport and leisure horses con- sidered sound by their riders are actually LAME!!! (Hors- eSportMagazine – Sept 2023) This is no longer a few pro- fessionals shouting from soapboxes, this is the state of our


industry… and our


beloved horses deserve better. As someone who has fit


Truthfully you can’t sep-


arate the two… one affects the other and vice versa. A well fit saddle requires a well- muscled back and a balanced body. Saddles set up to fit states of rehab, poor posture and muscle loss are temporary and require regular refits… the goal of a saddle is to help the horse achieve a healthy topline and only then can the saddle be considered a long term ‘well fit’ situation. Lack of equine posture


awareness leads to saddle fit woes and confusion. Using the old-school 2D checklist of three fingers pommel clear- ance and does the pen stay balanced in the seat leaves out majority of critical fit factors. (Many which I’ve explained


in detail in previous articles) As an equestrian you have a duty to train your eye and study theory along with prac- tical. At some point we lost our way and focused solely on the practical and then get frus- trated when our knowledge comes up short. “Frustration Begins Where Knowledge Ends” — any time you feel frustrated with your horse’s progress under saddle, revisit this statement. The equine industry is


facing tumultuous times with equine welfare coming into the limelight and cost of horse ownership reaching all-time highs. As these circumstances continue to develop, we, as an equestrian collective need to up our game. OVER 50% of


over 15,000 horses and riders all over North America, vis- ited saddle factories overseas and certified in multiple equine bodywork modalities I have prepared two programs to combat the lack of knowl- edge and awareness. Founda- tions of Fit was developed with the equestrian in mind – train your eye to recognize posture and fit issues before they cause equine lameness. (available at www.auguste- quine.com) Saddle Assessment 4


Equine Bodyworkers & Pro- fessionals is a complete train- ing for those wishing to add saddle assessment to their professional services. To date we have had equine chiro- practors, osteopaths, massage therapists, equi-bow practi- tioners, cranio-sacral thera- pists graduate this intensive training. This program is of-


matter and neither do the people you’re around. It only matters when you are willing to seize the opportu- nity presented to you and use it to become a better rider and human in general. We are riders, but we are hu- mans first. We are the lead- ers of our horses and they are counting on us to show up as our best. I believe we owe it to our horses to try harder, to learn more, to step up our game and allow our horses to shine as brightly as they can. Afterall, we are here to achieve a higher level of self, horses are an amazing outlet for us to ex- plore and experiment our way to the top! Knowledge is confi-


dence and it all starts with you. Take the reins of your progress and I know, your horses will thank you in the future. The future you desire


is waiting on the other side of progress. Keep going, keep learning, and keep ex- perimenting your way for- ward, it’s the only way.


Shelby Olyschlager Bio: Shelby is the host of the


We Can Hustle Podcast. She strives to deliver weekly support, education and con- nection for everyone going through their own unique journey with horses. As a barrel racer, she has learnt through her own trial and error how to create real changes within ourselves and within our equine part- ners. She shares her lessons and the lessons of guests on her show and social chan- nels. “It all starts with our- selves. If we can approach life with empathy, an open mind and determination; we can all achieve what we set out to do.”


fered twice a year – once in spring to individuals looking to upgrade their skillset and in fall


to equine bodywork


schools, expanding their of- ferings and degree of educa- tion.


It’s time to recognize


signs of biomechanical dys- function and develop reme- dial solutions. Posture & Fit Clinic with Yasmin Stuart (Equine Physio) and I are available globally 2023. Those wishing to take this knowledge to the next level with on-site in-person learn-


ing experiences are invited to contact me for more details to arrange. The information you re-


quire to keep your horse per- forming and sound is available to you! A growing number of equine profession- als are upgrading their knowl- edge in areas of biomechanics and saddle-fit, and I’m hon- oured to be sharing every- thing I’ve learned over the years. Cheers to happy horses and happy riding.


fitter and multi-modality equine therapist for over 20 years. She’s worked with horses of all breeds and riders of all levels and disciplines throughout North America. Founder of August Equine, lo- cated in Campbellville ON, Holly now focuses on high level consulting, education and advocacy and is the cre- ator of Saddle Assessment 4 Equine


Bodyworkers


(SA4EB) & Foundations of Fit. For upcoming clinics and educational


events Holly Barnett is professional www.augustequine.com. see


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