Episode Description
Lauren Magee never stopped loving horses. After nearly 30 years away from the American Saddlebred world, her daughter’s interest in riding created an unexpected path back to the saddle.
In this episode of The Long Ride Home, Lauren joins Alex Husner for a conversation between two returning adult riders finding their way back after decades away. As Alex continues her own return after 26 years, she and Lauren connect over the physical challenges, mental shifts, small breakthroughs, and deep sense of gratitude that come with riding again later in life.
Lauren shares how supporting her daughter gradually became a journey of her own, leading her back to the barn, the show ring, and a part of herself she had not realized was missing.
Their conversation also explores the experience of riding alongside the next generation, the confidence and community built inside the barn, and the space horses can create to step away from the pressures of everyday life.
Episode Chapters:
01:21 - Lauren’s Childhood in the American Saddlebred World
03:03 - How Her Daughter Inspired Her Return to Riding
04:55 - Finding the Barn That Felt Like Home
05:51 - How the Barn Helped Her Daughter Build Confidence
09:00 - Entering the Show Ring Again After 30 Years Away
09:11 - The Lessons Lauren and Her Daughter Are Learning Together
11:30 - Rebuilding Strength, Confidence, and Body Awareness
15:50 - Why Returning Riders Still Have Decades to Grow
24:17 - The Mental Reset Horses Provide From a Demanding Career
33:19 - Lauren’s Advice for Anyone Thinking About Riding Again
For Alex and Lauren, returning to the saddle has brought a new appreciation for the sport and the opportunity to experience it with a perspective they could not have had as children.
For anyone who has been waiting to return to something they love, this conversation may be the reminder they need to begin.
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