What happens when you throw out everything you've been taught about horse training and try the complete opposite?Diana Waters went from traditional BHS instructor training to building a 22,000-member community around one radical idea: slowing down instead of pushing forward.In this episode, Diana reveals her "slow walk work" method that's quietly transforming how horse owners approach training, rehabilitation, and building genuine partnerships with their horses.Connect with Diana:Website: thepowerofwalk.comYouTube @responsiveequine5569 Facebook Group: Slow Walk Work (22,000+ members)
Why is obesity one of the biggest killers of horses? In this eye-opening episode, veterinarian Katie reveals the shocking truth about equine obesity, with 40% of UK leisure horses classified as overweight. From practical solutions like grazing muzzles to track systems, discover how to spot weight issues and take action. Katie shares candid insights about client conversations, showing world influences, and why modern horse keeping poses unique challenges. Learn why this crisis could devastate our equine population if left unchecked, and get actionable tips for keeping your horse at a healthy weight. Essential listening for every horse owner who wants to ensure their equine partner's long-term health and happiness. 🐎 #HorseHealth #EquineObesity #VetAdvice #HorseManagement
About Dr Katie KershawKatie is an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Equine Internal Medicine at Ryder-Davies & Partners Veterinary Practice. She joined the practice in 2012 after qualifying from Bristol Vet School, and has since developed extensive expertise in equine health, preventive care, and obesity management. Alongside her equine work, Katie also has a keen interest in small holdings, especially sheep and goats.🔗 Learn more: Ryder-Davies Equine Services
When Jonny Browne saw an advert for a "rider interpreter to joust at the Royal Armouries," he was curious. What he didn't expect was how this job would completely transform his understanding of horses and horsemanship.
In this conversation, Johnny shares his journey to professional performer, working with everything from medieval armour and live gunfire to falcons and film sets. But the real story is how the horses themselves became his greatest teachers.
We explore Jonny's unique approach to measuring expertise - not in years of experience, but in the number of horses you've worked with. His distinction between "accustoming" versus "desensitising" horses offers a fresh perspective on training, while his advice about putting a mirror in your tack room might change how you approach every session.
From the cob who couldn't handle clanking armour to his work in equine-assisted psychotherapy, Jonny's stories reveal the deeper lessons horses offer about patience, listening, and honest self-reflection.
Whether you're dealing with a "difficult" horse or simply want to deepen your partnership, this conversation will challenge how you think about horsemanship, learning, and what it really means to listen to what horses are telling us.
Connect with Jonny: simplegoodhorsemanship.com
Charlotte Dujardin’s return to competition has brought dressage back into the spotlight — but not without reigniting a vital debate: Can modern dressage truly be ethical?
In this powerful conversation with classical trainer Jessica Kenyon, we explore the forgotten roots of dressage, the importance of harmony between horse and rider, and what it really means to train with compassion.
Whether you're a lifelong equestrian or just discovering the beauty of classical methods, this episode will make you rethink what good training looks like.
🐎 Join the conversation on ethical dressage. Comment your thoughts below!
👉 Follow Jessica:
Instagram: @jessicakennykenyon
Facebook: “Jessica Kenyon Classical Dressage”
Discover the cooling mistakes horse owners make without knowing it. Olympic groom and equine expert Emma Cornish reveals the professional secrets that could save your horse's life this summer.
What You'll Learn:
Your Expert Guide:Emma Cornish is a multi-award-winning equine professional with over 30 years in the field, from Olympic grooming to veterinary rehab. She's the founder of Elite Equine Care, together with Helen Reynolds runs Ice Queens and is an ambassador for Gower Granary, who offer sustainable bedding and forage solutions trusted across the UK.
Perfect for recreational riders, competitors, and barn managers dealing with rising temperatures.
Key Topics: Horse cooling, heat safety, equine care, summer horse management, professional techniques
What if your horse is carrying invisible wounds and hiding trauma? In this emotional journey, we explore horse trauma healing through the eyes and hands of Hannah Jones, founder of Saber Holistics. Discover how she uses Reiki, essential oils, and deep intuition to help horses release emotional trauma and rebuild trust with humans. This isn't just therapy — it's transformation.Whether you're a horse lover, healer, or simply curious about the mind-body-spirit connection in animals, this video will open your heart and your eyes.About Hannah Jones – Founder of Saber HolisticsHannah Jones is a Reiki Master, equine therapist, and certified Masterson Method practitioner who has helped hundreds of horses heal from trauma. Her unique holistic approach blends energy work, bodywork, saddle fitting, and biomechanics — inspired by Celtic philosophy and her own journey of healing alongside her horse, Phoenix.#HorseHealing #ReikiForHorses #HorseTrauma #EquineCare #HolisticHealing Want ad‑free, early episodes + bonus 15 min deep dives? Subscribe here 00:00 - Introduction: What Trauma Looks Like in Horses 01:12 - Meet Hannah Jones & Saber Holistics 02:45 - What Is Horse Trauma? 04:08 - Signs Your Horse May Be Hiding Pain 06:22 - Hannah’s Holistic Healing Journey 08:01 - The Story of Phoenix: Healing Together 10:10 - Reiki, Essential Oils & Energy Work Explained 12:43 - Building Trust Through Connection 14:15 - How Trauma Manifests in the Horse's Body 16:33 - Real Transformations: Horses Hannah Has Helped 18:47 - Understanding Biomechanics & Body Tension 20:18 - Saddle Fit & Physical Healing 22:10 - Why the Celtic Horse Philosophy Inspires Hannah 24:06 - Final Thoughts: Honoring the Whole Horse 25:30 - Learn More About Sabre Holistics
Join us on a journey into the world of free-living horses. Learning Wild founders Bonny Mealand and Dr Emily Kieson reveal the nuanced behaviour of equines in their natural habitat.
Learn more about our guests Bonny and Emily Learning Wild: https://www.touchingwild.com/copy-of-about-bonny
Filmed on location at Wicken Fen watch the video here: https://youtu.be/UI7iV5-hwi8
America's wild horses may disappear in our lifetime, and photographer Susan Goudge is documenting what could be their final chapter.
Susan Goudge is a retired school teacher who discovered wild horses by accident 10 years ago—and now she's witnessing their systematic removal from American landscapes. With no traditional equestrian background, she brings an urgent, outsider perspective to a crisis most people don't even know exists: government roundups that will put more wild horses in holding facilities than remain free by year's end.
Follow her wild horse photography and conservation storiesInstagram: @swgoudge
Is your horse reactive, defensive, or shutting down? Nicky Sharp reveals how healing her own anxiety and nervous system transformed her relationship with Jessie, a traumatized mare who reared, bit, and defended herself "at all costs."
When Nicky bought what she thought was a "safe" hacking horse, she brought home a shut-down mare with deep trauma. While battling her own work-related stress and anxiety, everyone told her she'd made a terrible mistake. Instead of selling Jessie, Nicky made a crucial discovery: she needed to heal her own nervous system first.
In this episode, you'll learn:
The breakthrough moment: When Nicky stopped trying to train skills and started building relationship, everything changed. Seven years later, Jessie greets her with daily whinnies, they hack out solo, and even compete in dressage - all achieved through connection rather than control.
Nicky also shares practical advice for overwhelmed horse owners: the 7 foundations for nervous system regulation, how to start with just one minute of daily meditation, and why buying a £10 alarm clock changed her entire relationship with sleep and stress.
This isn't just about horse training - it's about becoming the calm, consistent leader your horse needs by first healing yourself.
Find Nicky on:
Resources mentioned:
www.curiousequestrian.co.uk
Is your saddle silently damaging your horse? Certified saddle fitter Jennifer Howland-Christensen reveals the three critical fitting mistakes that 80% of riders make unknowingly.
Discover the subtle signs of poor saddle fit that most people miss, why expensive doesn't mean better fitting, and the simple assessment you can do yourself before calling a professional.
Plus: Jennifer shares her controversial take on why some popular saddle brands consistently cause problems.
What you'll learn:
About the expert: Jennifer Howland-Christensen is a certified saddle fitter with over 15 years of experience helping riders solve chronic training and behavior issues through proper tack fitting.
Watch the members Q&A with Jen: Q&A with certified saddle fitter Jennifer Howland-Christensen.
HS Award-winning campaigner Natalie Munir reveals how strangers feeding your horses could kill them—and the defense strategies that actually work.
Natalie Munir is the founder of the Stop Feeding Our Horses campaign and BHS Equine Welfare Award winner who has documented thousands of dangerous public feeding incidents worldwide. What started as lockdown frustration became a global movement when she discovered the shocking scale of horses being secretly fed by strangers—with devastating consequences.
This conversation exposes the hidden crisis every horse owner faces but rarely discusses. Natalie shares heartbreaking stories of horses lost to "harmless" treats, explains why our industry's reputation works against us when confronting feeders, and reveals the defense strategies that actually protect our horses. You'll discover why signs don't work, how feeding incidents bankrupt owners, and the psychological approach that stops determined feeders.
Whether you've found mysterious treats in your field, confronted trespassers, or live in constant fear of strangers harming your horses, this conversation provides the understanding and practical tools to protect your animals and join a movement that's saving lives.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Meet Natalie Munir - Stop Feeding Our Horses Campaign Founder
05:20 The Lockdown Crisis That Sparked a Movement
12:45 Lightning's Story: When "Kindness" Kills
18:30 Why Horse Owners Are Losing Land and Giving Up
25:15 The Defense Strategies That Actually Work
32:40 How Our Industry Reputation Makes Things Worse
38:20 Your Action Plan: Protecting Your Horses Today
CONNECT WITH THE CAMPAIGN:
Stop Feeding Our Horses Website: www.StopFeedingOurHorses.co.uk
Public Facebook Group: Stop Feeding Our Horses
Instagram: @Stop_Feeding_Our_Horses
Twitter: @HorsesStop
What's your worst public feeding experience? How do you protect your horses from well-meaning strangers? Share your stories below—your solutions might save someone else's horse.
#publicfeeding #equinewelfare #horsesafety #horseowners #CuriousEquestrian
ABOUT CURIOUS EQUESTRIAN: We sit down with leading trainers, behaviourists, equine experts, and extraordinary equestrians pushing boundaries and putting the horse first.
🖥 Expert Articles & Analysis:
Subscribe to our newsletter for ad-free access to an in-depth analysis of each episode. For 48 hours after each release, you'll get a pure, ad-free content experience.
What separates a great horseman from average riders? Ben Longwell reveals the 3 core leadership principles that transform horse-human partnerships.
Learn why being "nice" to your horse might be hurting your relationship, how to rebuild confidence through groundwork, and the authentic leadership approach that creates willing partners, not just compliant horses.
Ben shares decades of ranch wisdom and vaquero traditions that work for any discipline - from his journey as a shy ranch kid to mentoring riders worldwide.
✅ Get clear on consistent communication✅ Understand the difference between nice vs kind leadership✅ Build confidence from the ground up✅ Apply time-tested principles that actually work
Perfect for riders struggling with confidence, leadership, or seeking deeper partnerships with their horses.#horseman #horsetraining #horsemanship #leadershipImages: Natalie Longwell, Giles Pike, Jon Longwell, and Nick Grant.00:00 Introduction: From Ranch Kid to Global Mentor04:36 The Pivotal Mentorship Moment That Changed Everything13:33 Overcoming Fear: Shy Kid to Confident Public Speaker21:29 The Bridle Horse Tradition: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Riders40:40 The Human Challenge: Working with People vs Horses50:26 Rebuilding Confidence After Horse Trauma57:38 Leadership Secrets: Consistency, Clarity & Empathy1:00:43 How to Connect with Ben & True West Horsemanship🖥 Visit our website for expert articles & exclusive tips: https://curiousequestrian.co.uk
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jack and Paula Curtis, founders of Art of the Horseman, who have dedicated over 30 years to cultivating meaningful connections between horses and their people. Since 1994, this dynamic duo has been transforming riders and horses through their heart-centered approach to horsemanship.Connect with Jack & Paula Curtis:🎟️ Online Horse Fair Free Tickets: https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/free-ticket▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@ArtOfTheHorseman🌐 Online Programs: https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/🖥 Visit our website for expert articles & exclusive tips: https://curiousequestrian.co.uk
When a horse reared up and crushed Aisling Byrne in a freak accident, doctors delivered a devastating verdict: she would never walk again, let alone ride. With a shattered pelvis, broken hips, and severe spinal damage, even survival seemed uncertain. Yet through extraordinary determination, Aisling not only learned to walk again but defied all medical expectations to return to international show jumping competition. In this powerful conversation, she shares her remarkable journey from hospital bed to competition ring, revealing how she developed new ways to communicate with her horses despite permanent physical limitations. Discover the mindset that carried her through years of grueling rehabilitation, the moment she first sat on a horse again, and why she believes her accident gave her a deeper connection with her equine partners. An unforgettable story of resilience that proves limitations are often just perceptions waiting to be overcome.Connect with Aisling:Follow her journey on Instagram: @aislingbyrne1TikTok: @ashbur1🖥 Visit our website for expert articles & exclusive tips: https://curiousequestrian.co.uk🛒 Curious Equestrian Merch – Show your love for horses in style: https://shop.curiousequestrian.co.uk✨ Subscribe for weekly horse care, training, and riding insights: https://www.youtube.com/@curiousequestrian?sub_confirmation=1🐎 Join the herd: Unlock deep dives, early access & exclusive community content: https://www.youtube.com/@curiousequestrian/membership💬 Got thoughts or questions? Comment below — we love hearing from you!
The Taboo Topic Every Horse Owner Needs to Hear: Professional Sheath Cleaning
In this eye-opening episode, Allie MacLeod of The Horsebox Spa reveals why professional sheath cleaning is a critical yet overlooked aspect of equine care. Discover how common behavioral issues like bucking, tail rubbing, and tenseness might actually be signs your horse needs hygiene attention. Ali explains the dangers of DIY approaches, shares warning signs your horse is uncomfortable, and discusses how proper technique can transform your horse's comfort and performance. Whether you're a seasoned equestrian or new to horse ownership, this frank conversation cuts through the embarrassment and misinformation to deliver practical advice that could change your horse's life.
🐴 Topics covered:
Listen now to discover the essential care service many horse owners overlook - and why it matters more than you think.
#HorseHealth #EquineCare #ProfessionalSheathCleaning #HorseWelfare
Training Horses with Kindness with Sandra Poppema @SandraHippoLogicIn our latest episode, we speak with Sandra Poppema, founder of HippoLogic and creator of The Confident Clicker Trainer method. Sandra shares her journey from traditional training to positive reinforcement, revealing how this shift transformed not just her training methods but her entire relationship with horses.👉🏻 Special Offer for Our Listeners!Sandra has generously provided a FREE Clicker Training Assessment for all Curious Equestrian listeners! During this personal 1:1 session, you'll discover your training strengths and weaknesses, helping you identify your next steps for improvement.Book your free assessment here: https://tidycal.com/hippologic/curious-equestrian
When Tam and Ants Bennett took over a traditional North Devon riding school, they discovered horses that were fearful and shut down. Instead of continuing business as usual, they made the bold decision to close their doors temporarily and reimagine what equestrian education could be.In this episode of The Curious Equestrian, we discover how this couple transformed a conventional riding stables into a Horse Connection haven where the relationship between humans and horses takes priority over riding objectives. Join host Anna Louise as she explores Collacott Farm and uncovers why slowing down and being present with your horse might be more transformative than you think.Visit collacott.co.uk to learn about their holiday cottages and Horse Connection experiences in North Devon.https://www.collacott.uk/horse-connec...#HorseConnection #EquineTherapy #NaturalHorsemanship #HorseHuman #DevonHorses #HorseRehabilitation #MindfulRiding #EquineEducation #CuriousEquestrian #horsetraining 🖥 Visit the Curious Equestrian website to explore expert articles, exclusive training tips, and much more: https://curiousequestrian.co.uk
Are your horse's hooves truly healthy? In this eye-opening interview, natural hoof care expert Louise Backholler reveals what a healthy hoof really looks like and why so many domestic horses struggle with hoof issues. Louise shares what healthy hooves actually look like and the warning signs to watch for, how the wild horse model can transform domestic horse management, and why movement matters more than genetics for hoof health.
She offers simple ways to improve your horse's environment without extensive land and explains how subclinical laminitis affects more horses than most realize. "A healthy hoof is first and foremost a hoof without an iron shoe nailed to it," says Louise, founder of Rebel Horse Care. Discover how natural hoof care goes beyond trimming to fundamentally improve your horse's overall wellbeing.Follow Louise:Website: https://rebelhorsecare.euInstagram & Facebook: @RebelHorseCare🖥 Visit the Curious Equestrian website to explore expert articles, exclusive training tips, and much more: https://curiousequestrian.co.uk
Are traditional horse training methods missing something vital? Discover how incorporating play into your horsemanship can transform your horse's learning ability and deepen your connection.Horse trainer Gabi Neurohr shares how simple games can build connection, solve behaviour problems, and develop your horse's personality through natural horsemanship principles. Enter for a chance to win Gabi's 'Whatever the Weather' online course: https://kingsumo.com/g/1vjg6z1/whatever-the-weather-courseLearn more about our Guest: https://www.gabineurohr.com/
Meet the rescue miniature horses transforming into adventure athletes in New Zealand! Chloe and Debbie have rescued over 40 neglected minis, rehabilitating them from severe health issues to become incredible endurance racers. Watch how these tiny horses tackle 100km races with more heart than horses twice their size! From tied to trees and painful laminitis to crossing mountains alongside human partners, these pocket-sized powerhouses are changing perceptions worldwide. 🐴 #MiniHorses #AnimalRescue #adventureracing Learn more about Born to Run Adventure Racing: https://www.borntorunadventureracing....
