Horse Wise

Episode 116: Rachael Mullins on how to balance your horsemanship and competition goals. A 2023 episode from the vault of the older Horse Wise Scholars private study group.

Episode 113: Amy Skinner discusses why the advice of “listening to your horse” isn’t always what you think it means. And how “listening” means REALLY understanding what the horse is saying. Please check out Amy’s terrific work at https://amyskinnerhorsemanship.com/

Episode 112: What if….it all goes right? A fresh take on how to flip the overthinking script in the saddle. 

Episode 111: The action-awareness loop: why knowledge without motion gets you nowhere. And how that can help you start the new year on the right foot. 

Episode 110: A highlight reel of my favorite clips from an earlier interview (Episode 75) with Dr. Steve Peters, author of Evidence-Based Horsemanship.

Episode 109: It can be easy to accidentally act creepy when we’re trying to be soft with our horses.  In this episode, I discuss the difference — and give some tips on spotting latent creepiness in our posture 🙃

Episode 108: Hold your horses — my favorite books, videos and photography sites to relax, unwind and get into the holiday spirit.

Episode 107: A Thanksgiving episode on common habits that might annoy or confuse your horse (like overthinking before a ride). 

Episode 106: I share the somewhat embarrassing way that I learned that preparing for a ride was the MOST important part of the ride.

Episode 105: How one trainer’s compliment helped me embrace my inner horse nerd.

Episode 104: How a seemingly simple vintage motto from Ray Hunt actually has tons of science behind it. 

Episode 103: When faced with a wave of self-criticism, I have a simple, one word strategy. Don’t worry — I promise that it’s easy!

Episode 102: My favorite horsemanship game. No horse needed — just two people and a single word. 

Episode 100: The importance of learning like a kid — for both horse and rider. 

At Horse Wise®, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). 

Episode 98: A short podcast (with my raspy, head cold voice) on the importance of enjoying your horse and your rides together. In memory of Beth, a special person who inspired me from afar for many years. 

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 97: Fitness expert Tom Bisson discusses his coaching philosophy — and I immediately draw correlations within it to the horse world. A fun departure from my usual interviews, Tom is not a horse guy — but his work has many parallels to the art of horsemanship. Please check out Tom’s work at https://bodybybisson.co.uk/

Episode 96: Alicia Landman and Brooke Tatrow discuss common misconceptions in horsemanship. A fun interview full of insight and life/work balance advice!

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 95: To bend or not to bend? Amy Skinner and I discuss this question and try our hardest to be serious and mature. It goes about as well you would expect. Please check out Amy’s terrific online courses (I took two and highly recommend them): https://www.amyskinnerhorsemanship.com/shop

Episode 94: Horse Wise Habits —my first ever attempt at a 5-minute podcast episode on daily small habits to do with your horse.

Episode 93: Alicia Landman and Brooke Tatrow on how to mentally prepare for working with your horse. A great discussion that included enneagram tests, breathing techniques, finding the right people and the importance of presence. 

Episode 92: Leaping into insight on 2/29/24. I discuss why I associate the word “leap” with positive things. Like fun, exuberance, knowing reality, dancing and horsemanship. 

Episode 91: A great discussion with Alicia Landman and Brooke Tatrow on the topic of talking philosophy versus doing the work in horsemanship. Plus, Alicia shares related insights from her recent horseback trip in Patagonia.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). 

Episode 88: How older riders can become late bloomers — and why that can add both safety and fun to your equestrian lifestyle.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). 

Episode 87: Halloween episode on the top three things that scare me at the barn (but don’t scare anyone else).

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team.

Episode 86: It’s hard to buy your first horse — especially if you are an inexperienced adult. A mare named Junebug mentored me through the process — in surprising ways. 

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team.

Episode 85: What to do when ending on a good note goes wrong.

Episode 84: How a few small changes made a big difference in my horsemanship.

Episode 83: Under pressure with your horse? Become the release for him, the open door that guides him to peace. And remember — it’s never too late to become what you might have been. At least that's what George Eliot said.

Episode 82: The difference between nice ladies and macho cowboys as horse owners. It's not as big as you might think.

If you love the podcast and want more in-depth study,  please check out Horse Wise Scholars at https://horsewisecoach.com/scholars/ Each month, the group studies a specific podcast episode --- with customized lessons, videos and private zoom Q&As with Horse Wise podcast guests.

Episode 81: The difference between gurus and guides in horsemanship education -- and why I have such a strong preference for the guide approach.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). 

Episode 80: Brent and Kris Graef on how to make the right thing obvious (for both young horses and people). For more information on their wonderful horsemanship work, please go to https://www.brentgraef.com/  This interview is part of the series "Teachers who teach the teachers" in my Horse Wise Scholars podcast study group.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 79: The difference between fixating on rewards versus pursuing knowledge (for you and your horse).

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 78: Amy Skinner and I discuss emotionalism in horsemanship. Or as I like to put it, the wrong kind of “feel” to offer your horse. Please check out Amy’s work on her website https://amyskinnerhorsemanship.com/

t Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 76: Why "good loops" are so important in horsemanship and life.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 75: I interview Dr. Stephen Peters, author of Evidence-Based Horsemanship. Dr. Peters is a neuroscientist who specializes in brain functioning. He has studied the equine brain extensively. His book, co-written with horseman Martin Black, outlines good horsemanship practice actually tracks with how a horse’s brain operates. You can follow Dr. Peters and his work at https://horsebrainscience.info as well as on social media at https://www.facebook.com/evidencebasedhorsemanship

Episode 74: In this third episode of the “F-word” series, I discuss the fear of looking bad while riding or working with your horse. And how that seemingly minor fear can sometimes grow into a very negative experience for the horse.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 73: In this second episode of the “F-word” series, I discuss the fear of missing out (aka FOMO) in horsemanship. And how that particular fear often sets us up to actually miss the most important things that the horse is offering us.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 72: In this first installment of the “F-word” series, I discuss the fear of running out of time to learn horsemanship. And how that very fear is exactly what our goal in life should be.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 71: Why “one small good thing” is the most important principle I bring to my horsemanship practice. 

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 68: In this episode, I discuss the gifts I received from three special horses this holiday season. Merry Christmas to all my listeners, clients, fans and equine teachers!

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 67: Zoe Mazepa is a young horsewoman full of heart, integrity and love for the horses. Her dedication, hard work and commitment to the art of horsemanship is inspiring. Plus she has tons of entertaining stories about her ongoing horsemanship journey. I really enjoyed interviewing Zoe! She is down to earth, funny and full of enthusiasm — and she has a true calling for her work with horses. If you would like to follow her adventures, please check her on social media at https://www.facebook.com/zoe.mazepa and https://www.instagram.com/zoemazepa/   If you would like more information on Rocking X - A Horseman’s Academy, please check out their website at https://www.rockinx.org/

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).

Episode 66: I took a recent sabbatical to study the concept of pressure and release. What I learned was that there is a huge difference between moving away from pressure versus going toward softness. Both approaches might seem like they get to the same goal. But they each have very different ways of HOW you reach the goal — whether you only move away from pressure (a negative) or whether you actively seek something positive (softness). This is true for both people and horses. How you get to the goal is just as important (maybe even more important) than reaching the goal itself.

At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way).