In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, host Samantha Baer sits down with Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse Magazine, to unpack the hard truths behind leadership, money, and accountability in American horse sport. Piper—who’s covered over a thousand horse shows across the U.S.—shares an insider look at the USEF salary structure, the growing gap between governing-body decision makers and grassroots professionals, and why so many riders feel unheard and undervalued.
We dive into the future of equestrian governance, the power dynamics shaping modern horse shows, and how transparency, compassion, and volunteer-driven reform could rebuild trust in the system. From the realities of judging and prize money to the welfare of horses at every level, this conversation challenges the traditions holding the sport back—and imagines a better path forward for both horses and humans.
If you’re passionate about equestrian reform, rider welfare, and accountability in sport, this episode will change how you see the future of competition.
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How do you really feed for performance? In this episode, equine nutritionist Dr. Holly Spooner—Vice President of Science and Innovation at Unbeetable Feeds—joins Samantha Baer to break down the science-backed fundamentals of horse nutrition. You’ll learn why forage-first diets outperform grain-heavy ones, how to read a feed tag like a pro, and what the latest research says about gut health, inflammation, and recovery.
From understanding fiber’s role in the microbiome to balancing fat vs. glycogen for sustained energy, this conversation blends cutting-edge science with barn-ready simplicity. Whether you’re feeding a high-level eventer or a weekend partner, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to fuel your horse for calm power, peak performance, and long-term soundness.
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What if your horse’s spook isn’t disobedience, but a sensory processing delay—or your own pressure showing up in their body? In this episode, Dr. Shelley Appleton of Calm, Willing, Confident Horses shares the pivotal story that changed her approach forever, the 80/20 skillset that forms the foundation of horsemanship, and why self-awareness is as critical as technique. We cover sensory soundness and herd dynamics (Kerry Thomas), protecting the show environment as a marble-jar of trust, rethinking “respect” as motivation and meaning, and how off-the-track Thoroughbreds benefit from no-rider canter therapy to rebuild force transfer. If you want calmer, more confident, more willing horses—and a clearer understanding of your role in the partnership—this conversation will change the way you ride.
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Learn how to read your horse’s body with equine bodywork pioneer Jim Masterson, creator of the Masterson Method. In this episode, Samantha and Jim dive into the subtle signals—blinks, licks, chews, and yawns—that reveal tension, pain, or restriction in your horse. You’ll hear why issues in the feet, teeth, saddle fit, and riding mechanics often show up as tightness in the poll/atlas, how to tell the difference between restriction vs pain, and how to use the Search–Response–Stay–Release technique to build trust and improve performance. Whether you’re dealing with trailer loading stress, mounting block jitters, or “behavior problems” that aren’t what they seem, this conversation will help you see behavior as information, not defiance. If you want softer, sounder, and more connected rides, this episode is your roadmap.
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In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian Podcast, Samantha talks with Cathy Woods, creator of Body Mind Equine and author of Yoga for Riders, about the powerful connection between yoga and horsemanship.
Cathy shares how awareness, breath work, and mindfulness can help riders feel more balanced, confident, and connected in the saddle. Together they explore how honoring your energy, listening to intuition, and finding the balance between “doing” and “non-doing” improves both rider wellness and the horse-rider partnership.
If you’ve ever wondered how yoga, meditation, and breath work can make you a better rider and deepen your connection with your horse, this conversation is full of practical tools and inspiration.
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In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer interviews William Micklem — international equestrian coach, author of The Complete Horse Riding Manual, and inventor of the world-famous Micklem bridle. Known for his welfare-first approach to horse training, William shares how his philosophy of calm, forward, and straight helps riders build confidence, achieve personal bests, and create happier horses.
The conversation covers the inspiration behind the Go Rules TED Talk, why positive and generous coaching outperforms negativity, and how correct tack fit — from bridles to girths — transforms both comfort and performance. William explains why simplifying training leads to better results, how curiosity and courage shape great riders, and what it means to “create yourself through horses.”
If you love thoughtful conversations about horsemanship, tack, and rider mindset, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with a fellow rider who would enjoy it.
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Could your barn lights be quietly making your horse worse? In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with Dr. Barbara Murphy, Associate Professor at University College Dublin and founder of Equilume, to explore the surprising connection between light and equine health.
Barbara shares how barn lighting influences circadian rhythms, reproduction, metabolism, coat condition, behavior, and even whether horses experience jet lag. We talk about why blue light during the day can transform your horse’s wellbeing, how stable management practices often disrupt the body clock without us realizing it, and what every rider or barn owner can do to create a healthier environment. This conversation shines a light on one of the most overlooked aspects of horse care and performance.
If you enjoy this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe—it helps us reach more horse lovers and bring you more expert conversations that can change the way you care for your horses!
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Every riding lesson drills position, technique, and discipline. But what about the piece no one talks about—the one that makes or breaks your confidence, focus, and connection with your horse?
In this episode, Samantha Baer sits down with Lisa Eklund, founder of The Mindful Equestrian, to uncover the mindset side of riding most riders never get taught. From breaking perfectionist loops and handling show-ring nerves to finding curiosity instead of critique, Lisa explains how mindfulness transforms both everyday rides and high-pressure competition moments.
You’ll hear stories about missed distances, mindset triggers, and why your horse is the ultimate truth-teller. Plus, practical tools you can use today—on the ground or in the saddle—to ride with more clarity, presence, and joy.
If you’ve ever wondered why progress feels stuck despite endless lessons, this conversation reveals the missing link.
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Lockie Phillips of Emotional Horsemanship joins Samantha Baer to challenge the industry’s favorite half-truths. They dissect what “empathy” actually means beyond buzzword status, why feel is a trained sense—not mysticism—and how escalating pressure became the default solution for imaginary emergencies. Lockie outlines a richer pressure alphabet (soft, firm, sliding, bouncing, motivational) and explains why horses need the right kind of confusion to become responsive instead of reactive.
They dive into whips as “arm extenders” vs. plain old whipping, optics in modern sport, and how public scrutiny will force better behavior—whether we like it or not. Samantha shares real-world trailer-loading and show-environment stories; Lockie discusses rehabilitating a high-talent sport horse by first allowing “average” movement and teaching polite refusal. The throughline: emotional soundness creates physical soundness, partnership, and safety.
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In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha sits down with equine sports performance consultant Tim Worden to explore what it really takes to develop horses for long-term soundness and success. Drawing from his background in biomedical science and kinesiology, Tim shares how principles from human athletics translate to equestrian sport — from conditioning and recovery, to data-driven training plans, to avoiding the pitfalls of overtraining.
They discuss how to tell if your horse is fit enough for the job, the balance between active and passive recovery, and how technology like wearables and AI is shaping the future of horse training. Tim also highlights what everyday riders can learn from elite athletes, and why simplicity and consistency often outperform complex programs.
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Resilience has become the go-to buzzword in sport — especially in the horse world. But what if it’s actually working against us? In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with Dr. Jenny Susser, a clinical sport psychologist and former UCLA swimmer, to unpack why “just be resilient” is the most dangerous advice riders can follow. Together they dig into burnout, hustle culture, and the hidden cost of pushing through when your tank is already empty. Dr. Susser explains why energy management — not toughness — is the real key to lasting performance, and Samantha shares her own experiences of grinding harder only to end up sick and stuck. This conversation will challenge how you think about success, stress, and sustainability — both in and out of the saddle.
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n this Hack Chat, Samantha Baer dives into one of the most overlooked parts of horse training: teaching horses to truly relax. Too often riders mistake licking, chewing, pawing, tripping, or grabbing reins as signs of calm. In reality, those are self-soothing behaviors — not genuine release.
Samantha explains why she never lets horses “reward themselves,” how to recognize the difference between distraction and real relaxation, and practical ways to help your horse down-regulate his nervous system on the ground or out hacking. From young horse confidence to positive reinforcement timing, this episode reframes the basics of horse training through the lens of mental health.
If you’ve ever wondered why your horse spooks after tripping, or why offering a cookie at the wrong moment can build insecurity instead of confidence, this conversation will give you tools to create a calmer, more confident partner.
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Is your horse really “lazy,” “grumpy,” or “stubborn”… or is it pain? In this episode, equine orthopedic specialist Dr. Sue Dyson breaks down the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram . We dig into how subtle signs—like pinned ears, tail swishing, or breaking gait—are too often brushed off as training issues, when in reality they’re red flags for musculoskeletal discomfort.
Dr. Dyson shares how to spot these behaviors early, why tack fit and rider balance play a huge role, and what riders can do to protect soundness, longevity, and welfare in sport. If you’ve ever wondered whether your horse’s resistance is behavioral or physical, this conversation will change how you see your ride.
Explore the full Ridden Horse Pain Checklist here: 24horsebehaviors.org
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Samantha Baer sits down with Celeste Lazaris, founder of the Balance Through Movement Method, for a conversation that goes far beyond biomechanics. Together, they trace the journey from chasing adrenaline and “fixing” horses through force, to realizing that what most horses need is space, softness, and access to their own bodies. Celeste shares how bodywork opened her eyes to nerve compression, fascia, and posture as the real roots of so-called ‘behavior’ problems, and how nervous system regulation—both human and equine—changes everything about training.
This isn’t just a technical deep dive. It’s about the humbling, ego-erasing moments that force us to see our horses differently, the grief of realizing how often pain was mistaken for disobedience, and the hope of finding new ways forward. If you’ve ever felt like your whole framework for riding and training came crashing down, this episode will feel like home.
Dr. Rachel Bellini, an equine veterinarian with over 30 years of experience, shares her holistic approach to equine health. From her years on the racetrack to her work with sport horses, she explains how posture and the nervous system are deeply connected to soundness, healing, and performance. Listeners will learn why traditional rehab often falls short, how joint extension and thoracic sling function impact horses, and practical ways to create calmer, healthier equine partners.
What really happens inside the hoof when laminitis strikes — and why are negative palmar angles becoming such a common issue? In this episode, Samantha Baer is joined by Alicia Harlov, hoof care provider, rehab facility owner, and host of The Humble Hoof Podcast. Together, we break down:
The hidden role of the lamina and what “rotation” actually means
Why 90% of laminitis cases are metabolic in origin — and the emergency diet that can make a difference
How grass, grain, and even “safe” feeds can quietly trigger hoof problems
The connection between posture, body pain, and negative palmar angles
Why corrective shoeing alone often fails without addressing the whole horse
You’ll also hear a case study from my own mare — how her extreme shoeing setup, constant lost shoes, and mysterious body pain finally turned around through a combination of podiatry, bodywork, and in-hand training.
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “no hoof, no horse” and wanted to know just how true that is, this conversation is for you.
In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with equine-partnered life and business coach, animal communicator, and author Kate Neligan for a powerful conversation on what horses can teach us about perfectionism, burnout, and trust.
Kate shares how she went from corporate America to building a life around horses, and why our relationship with them goes far beyond riding. Together, we talk about saying “no” as clearly as horses do, why burnout can happen even when you love what you do, and how to find joy and presence again in a competitive world that constantly demands more.
If this episode resonates with you, please make sure to subscribe to the show and leave us a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha sits down with Paul T. Haefner, Ph.D & Justin Haefner from Riding Far to unpack the concept of nervous system regulation in both horses and riders. With decades of experience spanning sports psychology, horsemanship, and young horse development, they explore how dysregulation shows up in the arena, why obedience isn’t the same as partnership, and what it really takes to build a calm, responsive, and connected horse. Listeners will walk away with a fresh understanding of polyvagal theory, co-regulation, and the neuroscience of trust — plus practical insights on trailer loading, fear management, and the hidden cost of traditional training.
Join Samantha Baer with FEI/Olympic coach Christoph Hess as he reveals how to create true horse‑rider harmony, chase Olympic dreams, and modernize equestrian training.
In this episode, Abbie Senesac Lopez of Reverence Equine shares her transformative journey from traditional horsemanship to a horse-first approach rooted in empathy, biomechanics, and thoughtful communication. Discover how Abbie’s experiences with “problem” horses reshaped her perspective, the pivotal lessons from her mentors, and practical strategies for building trust and connection with horses. Perfect for riders seeking a deeper, more intuitive partnership with their equine partners.
