All episodes

Cheryl Eriksen is an author, blogger, horse midwife, and eternal student of the horse-human connection.

While earning her MSW from Western Michigan University, Cheryl took a special interest in the effects of trauma on the developing brain, and she applied that learning, along with her personal experiences as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, into her memoir, Follow Me, Friend.

Additionally, Cheryl has spent decades as an equine professional and extensively studied equine behavior and how it is influenced by what the human brings to the relationship. Through her work in the field of equine assisted psychotherapy and learning, Cheryl...

Maddie Houser is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist with her now retired Dutch Warmblood mare, Leah, and since 2021 has been focused on helping shed light on the versatility of the Quarter Horse and their place in the dressage ring. Maddie’s Instagram account, The Blonde & The Bay, showcases her training progressions, the ups and downs of horse and farm ownership, equestrian fashion, and more.

In this episode, we’re focusing on the new year. Maddie didn’t have the year she expected with her horses, and rather than taking that energy into 2024, we’re talking about how to realign goals,...

For over 30 years, Buck Brannaman has been working with horses and their owners and today is one of the world’s leading practitioners of handling horses based on classical concepts from the California vaquero tradition; which includes working with the horse's nature, as well as using an understanding of how horses think and communicate to train the horse to accept humans and work confidently and responsively with them.
One of his goals is to help horses feel safe and secure around humans so that the horse and rider can achieve a true union.

In this episode, we discuss common issues...

Jess Roberts is the owner and trainer of Harmonized Horsemanship, an approach to horse training designed to be fulfilling and rewarding for both horse and human. Jess combines a variety of different training techniques and approaches to create a deeper connection that results in a willing and happy equine partner.

Jess has studied directly with some of the world’s renowned liberty trainers, and has immersed herself in many different training approaches and styles in her lifetime. This experience, combined with a degree in psychology and years of watching and interacting with hundreds of horses, helps Jess to be a translator...

Alexa Linton is the founder of the Whole Horse Apprenticeship, a culmination of almost 20 years of learning about all things equine wellness. She is also the creator and host of the Whole Horse Podcast, and she has written a variety of articles for Horse Journals.

Alexa also specializes in supporting with transitions, including death and dying, but also herd, human and barn changes, and physical transitions including illness, injury and aging. Alexa wrote a book to support those who are navigating the death of their animals called Death Sucks: The Straight-up Guide to Navigating Your Pet’s Final Transition.

In...

Lockie Phillips is the founder of Emotional Horsemanship, a training method that recruits 3 fundamental lenses; Science, Empathy & Feel.

Originally starting his career as a professional dancer, Lockie has since transitioned into an international clinician, trainer, and coach. He focuses on both the horse and the human in a groundbreaking approach that allows for a safe learning environment for all.

In this episode, we discuss what “feel” really means, the importance of body awareness, holding space for both horses and humans, and so much more.

Sarah Louise Lilley is a clinical EFT Practitioner and EFTU Mentor who specializes in helping equestrians overcome their fears and find confidence after traumatic falls.

EFT is an evidence-based, trauma-, and polyvagal-informed stress reduction technique which combines modern western psychology and the ancient eastern art of accupressure.
And, it’s an easy tool anyone can use to emotionally regulate and show up with integrity in all areas of their life, including their time at the barn!

In this episode, we discuss rebuilding confidence after traumatic events, such as falls, as well as how EFT can support riding goals by releasing shame,...

Kelly Artz is the founder and CEO of Entrigue Consulting. An avid eventer turned FEI dressage rider, with a knack for marketing and branding, her connections in American Thoroughbred Horse Racing, Dressage, and Eventing led her to help equestrian brands and professional riders across horse sports strategize their digital identity.

Kelly has represented many Olympians and top riders and has collaborated with some of the largest organizations in equestrian sports including the Kentucky Derby, Breeder's Cup, Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and Longines Global Champions Tour.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of marketing in the success of the equestrian...

Kathy Sierra is the creator/curator of Intrinzen and the Pain Science Workshop, and she’s well known on Instagram as PantherFlows. Kathy has ten years working in human sports medicine as a training director in Los Angeles. She then went back to school for computer science, working after as a game developer and software architect. Kathy eventually worked in Hollywood and taught “interaction design for intrinsic motivation” at UCLA Entertainment Studies and Universal Studio, and went on to create an educational book series in technology that sold over 2 million copies.

Horses have been a lifelong passion, but not her profession....

Adele Shaw is a Certified Horse Behaviour Consultant, an endorsed trainer with the World Bitless Association, as well as an internationally recognized mentor and trainer focused on creating a positive relationship between horse and human through science-based training and care practices. This holistic approach examines the horse’s environment, lifestyle, and physical and mental soundness to ensure that the horses are not simply surviving, but truly thriving in their life and relationship with their human caretakers.

While training with positive reinforcement is fairly mainstream in a lot of areas of the animal training world, it's still in its infancy in the...