In this episode of the Liberated Equestrian Podcast, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Sandy Hart-Long, President and owner of FICS, a business that has been advising clients on arena construction, footing, and maintenance for over 20 years. Sandy’s experience ranges from working with backyard enthusiasts to Olympic champions.
We delve into Sandy’s journey into the equestrian world, which started with her love for ponies as a little girl and evolved into her current unique business, primarily consulting and building arena footings. She shares how her father started the company over 30 years ago, initially focusing on fly spray systems before branching into arena services.
Sandy, a former history major and teacher, found her true calling in helping equestrians achieve optimal footing, often bridging the communication gap between riders and contractors.
Sandy emphasizes that good footing isn’t about being fancy or expensive; it’s about being safe and consistent.
This episode, however, isn’t simply about discussing the importance of arena footing maintenance because Sandy’s work is truly a metaphor for the journey of transformation. Sandy describes the importance of “understanding that every arena is unique, and how a horse’s happiness and performance are directly impacted by the quality of their footing” — this is truly about so much more than material and construction.
Finding your footing, so to speak, echoes my own experiences as a therapist, as I look for foundational issues affecting a client’s mindset.
Sandy diagnoses and addresses underlying problems in arenas to ensure a harmonious experience for horse and rider.
And in my line of work, whether as a therapist or coach, I’m focused on exploring the underlying problems of the heart, mind, body, and soul that are contributing to a client’s presenting symptoms so that we can collaboratively define a strategy for healing and growth.
Sandy also shares valuable lessons on navigating client relationships, building conviction in her expertise, and how her newer passion for surfing has provided a metaphor for embracing life’s challenges and uncertainties.
This episode is packed with relatable wisdom for any horsewoman navigating her career and personal journey, with the bonus of discovering how to best support a horse’s performance by paying attention to the footing.
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