Shows
Equestrian Mama26. Pregnancy After Miscarriage: Caroline Culbertson of Horse Person PodcastIn this episode, Lucy sits down with acclaimed podcast host, Caroline Culbertson of Horse Person Podcast. Following their previous episode on pregnancy loss, Lucy and Caroline share their individual experiences with pregnancy after a miscarriage.Lucy and Caroline dive into the emotions, recovery, and conversations that need to be shared surrounding this topic. They chat about talking to older kids about loss, moving forward mentally and physically, and so much more. We hope you enjoy this episode with an open heart, and help us share the message of understanding in whatever way this episode...2025-07-111h 14
Horse PersonThe Perspective You Need with Green + Challenging Horses, with Zacarius SalmeronThis episode is proudly presented by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 at checkout for 15% off your order. We’re living in a horse world that often rushes. Young horses are expected to mature fast, to progress on human timelines, and to succeed by a certain age—or else we worry they’ve “missed their chance” or they wont be sellable. But today, I’m joined by someone who makes an excellent case for slowing down - wayyy down. For the horse’s physical longevity, but for their mental wellbeing. Today, we’re joined by Zac Salmeron—trainer, horseman, a...2025-06-231h 10
Horse PersonUSEF Responds to Frustrations Regarding Horse Welfare and Abuse in SportIn the first interview of this kind, US Equestrian's COO and General Counsel, Sonja Keating, is speaking to the frustrations shared by USEF membership regarding the perceived lack of action and enforcement on horse abuse in sport in the United States. On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse, written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website, seemingly in response to Caroline’s piece, in which they call for t...2025-06-131h 00
Horse PersonCaroline Howe: I Don't Think USEF Is Doing Enough Against Horse Abuse. Here's Why.On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse, written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website, seemingly in response to Caroline’s piece, in which they call for the community to unite against horse abuse and detail a number of measures they have taken, and some that they plan to take, to address horse abuse in sport. The response to these 2 articles was massive. On social media alo...2025-06-1345 min
Horse PersonAnswering Your Questions on Fear, Anxiety while Riding, and Motivation w/ Dr. Jenny Susser - LIVE Call-in ShowThis special LIVE episode is made possible by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 to get 15% off your entire order at checkout. This episode is also supported by WeRideTogether.today. We all have a part to play in preventing abuse and misconduct in equestrian sports. Learn more on their website. Dr. Jenny Susser is a renowned, Olympic level sport psychologist who has supported athletes from the beginner level through the Olympic game in all sports, but specializes in equestrian sports. Dr. Jenny joined us on a LIVE call-in show to answer 3 horse person podcast listener questions. W...2025-05-261h 12
Horse PersonHorse Person MADE: Daniel Bluman & Bluman EquestrianThis episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services. Welcome to Horse Person: MADE — where we explore the stories behind the brands, businesses, and visionaries shaping the horse world. This isn’t just about entrepreneurship — it’s about the real, human journey: the risks, the resilience, the detours, and the drive it takes to build something meaningful in this industry. This is Olympic show jumper Daniel Bluman, documenting how he built Bluman Equestrian from a small family business that he founded at 20 years of age, and turned it into a global, multi-pronged equestrian business encompas...2025-05-121h 02
Horse PersonDon't Let These Common Bitting Mistakes Hold You Back; Why Choosing a Bit for Your Horse Is a Bigger Responsibility Than You ThinkThis episode is presented by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order. The bit is one of the most powerful—and potentially harmful—tools we use, yet most riders choose one without fully understanding its impact. In this episode, we unpack why choosing a bit and understanding that bit is actually a huge responsibility that we really need more focus and more education on. I’m joined by Mette Larsen who is one of the most knowledgeable sources of bit fitting and bit choice information here in the states. Mette Larsen is the president of Neue...2025-04-261h 01
Horse PersonWhat If Horses Could Heal the Trauma We're Too Ashamed to Talk About?This episode is presented by Nikovian. Saly Glassman spent nearly four decades leading one of the largest retail investment practices in the world, but she walked away to help people heal through horses, and isn't looking back. In this episode, we dive into how Saly combined her passions for psychology, philanthropy, and horsemanship to create the Kindle Hill Foundation, a cutting-edge equine-assisted therapy center serving first responders and individuals facing anxiety, PTSD, depression, and more. The wisdom about horses and humans that she has gained through this process will be of value to every person wh...2025-04-071h 04
Horse PersonThe Heart of Horse Care: Emma Chapman on 18 Years As a Pro Groom at the Top of Show JumpingEmma Chapman has been a professional groom at the top of show jumping competition for almost 2 decades and in that time, she's learned a thing or two. Today, we get to learn from her. Emma, who manages WEG gold medalist Adrienne Sternlicht's operation, gives us an inside look at the essential role of grooms in horse care and competition. We also dive into the evolving career path for grooms and what needs to change to improve working conditions in the industry. Plus, Emma offers a candid look at how she balances life as a new mom with t...2025-03-3146 min
Horse PersonAnna Buffini: 'I Built My String of Horses—Then Lost Them All.' On Faith, Winning Messy & Life as a Top US Dressage RiderYou know her from riding in the biggest arenas in the world as an elite US dressage rider, or from her beloved social media following documenting her life as a top athlete. But there's so much more to Anna Buffini and her story than what meets the eye, and today, we're peeling back some of the layers on this incredible young woman who is rightly becoming a role model for many up-and-coming riders. This episode is proudly presented by Connaway and Associates Equine Insurance Services. Anna, 30, who trains with her longtime trainer, Olympic bronze medalist G...2025-03-171h 03
Horse PersonWhen We Lose Them: Love, Loss, and the Permission to GrieveIf the only things certain in life are death and taxes, we sure do a poor job talking about the former. Let's change that. In this heartfelt conversation, Caroline Culbertson and renowned sport psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser explore the complexities of grief, particularly in relation to the loss of beloved horses. They discuss personal experiences with anticipatory grief, the emotional toll of preparing for loss, and the challenges of communicating about death. Dr. Jenny shares her recent experiences with the loss of two horses only weeks apart, highlighting the stark differences between expected and unexpected lo...2025-03-031h 07
Horse PersonHer 5* Show Jumping Career - and Life - Were Sidelined by Undiagnosable Pain. Now, She's Speaking Out.Paige Jardine is a 5* Australian show jumper whose symptoms started small. Some discomfort, some nausea. But as time went on and she kept pushing through, with doctors providing little insight or treatment, things got worse, until she collapsed at the ingate during an FEI show. Paige spent years seeking a diagnosis, and is now speaking out about the power of removing the shame from women's health issues, especially in a sport that is majority female. In this conversation, Paige shares her deeply personal journey through mental health struggles and the diagnosis of endometriosis. She discusses the impact o...2025-02-1754 min
Horse Person'My Horse Ran Away from Me. Does He Hate Me?' Avoidant Behaviors in Horses and How to Understand and Address ThemIf you’ve ever had a horse turn and walk away from you in the field when you’re trying to catch them, or turn away from you in the stall - you are so not alone. That moment can be confusing, annoying - at best it’s inconvenient and at worst it’s dangerous. But we’re going to walk through understanding this avoidant behavior today, give you some perspective on how to understand why your horse is doing it, and then an effective approach on how to address the behavior - and it doesn’t involve force or bribery...2025-02-0351 min
Horse Person'It's Worth the Reward': Skylar Wireman On Making It to the Top On a Limited Budget, Doing the Work Herself, and Focusing on FunMoney is a factor in our sport - there's no getting around that. But dang if it isn't encouraging when we hear stories of riders who have made their way without extravagant wealth, by doing it themselves, and while prioritizing their horses' well-being. That's the story we have for you today with Skylar Wireman. Skylar Wireman has been called 'The future of show jumping', but she hasn't let her impressive transition from successful junior to 5* pro stop her from keeping things fun. Whether it's camping, riding at the beach and in the ocean, or...2025-01-201h 03
Horse PersonThis Sport Is So Much More than Just the Riding! Tori Repole On Finding Your Own Way, Olympic Reflections, and the Horse-Human ConnectionHave you ever felt like it was hard to find your place in the horse world? Maybe you didn't want to be a pro rider, but you wanted to be involved more than just as a hobby. You didn't feel pulled down the veterinary route, but your grades in biology didn't cut it (Caroline raises hand). There are so many ways to be involved, professionally or not, in horses - and Tori Repole is joining us today to help us peel apart the layers of the horse world so that we can all find our l...2025-01-0650 min
Horse Person5 No-Cost Ways to Improve Your Performance and Wellbeing'How can I improve my riding outside of the saddle?' 'How can I become a calmer competitor?' 'I only have x hours to ride per week, how can I still make progress?' While there are tons of resources for horse/riding/training education (hit us up if you need some recommendations!), today's episode is focused on how to become a calmer, more focused, more balanced rider when you DO get that barn time or when you enter into the competition ring. These are areas of focus for life, not just momentary tricks, an...2024-12-231h 01
Horse PersonShe Taught Dressage Lessons for $5. Over 100 Lessons Later, Here's What She Learned.Lessons from an FEI dressage rider for $5? What's the catch? That was my reaction - and the reaction of lots of other riders - when they saw Meghan Laffin's post. But on further investigation, this was an approach to a multi-pronged problem that Meghan identified in the dressage industry: 1) Many riders are feeling the financial strain of pursuing their goals in their sport, 2) Many riders felt alone, or too embarrased to seek help and 3) There's not always a clear path to improvement, let alone success, so having a fresh set of eyes and a professional take on y...2024-12-0956 min
Horse PersonBarn Culture Can Be Your Biggest Competitive Edge. Let's Talk About How to Build It.The culture of your barn can make or break your experience there. And if you're a trainer, it can attract the clients of your dreams... or your nightmares. It's time to get intentional about choosing and building culture in our barns and stables. How do we build cultures that are led by the values we choose, instead of the bad habits we fall back on? How do we decide what is most important to us, and find or build an environment that reflects that? On today's episode, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by performance coach, c...2024-11-2551 min
Horse PersonHorse Person x Dear Horse World, Live & Unscripted: Standing Out, Fitting In, & the Work of Building Community in an Individual SportToday’s episode is a special one for me as I sit down with long-time friend and my former boss, Noelle Floyd. This episode might sound a little different, and that’s because we had the really lovely opportunity to sit down together at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts and record this conversation live in the expo center. And that’s exactly what this episode is - an honest, unscripted conversation. Noelle Floyd is the visionary behind NF+, the ultimate streaming platform for horse lovers. Noelle has built a global community centered around better horse care, ethical training, and em...2024-11-191h 18
Dear Horse WorldDear Horse World, it’s Caroline Culbertson: Building a Community That Empowers Riders and Horses (Sponsored by Schleese)Have you ever wondered where you truly belong in the horse world—or worried that you don’t? In this episode, recorded live from Equine Affaire, Noëlle Floyd and Caroline Culbertson share their journeys of navigating uncertainty, embracing vulnerability, and building communities where riders of all backgrounds can feel at home. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to Find Your Place: Learn how to overcome the fear of not belonging and create a community that aligns with your values and passions. The Courage to Be Vulnerable: Discover why admitting what you don...2024-11-191h 14
Horse Person'I'm Scared of My Horse. Now What?' Troubleshooting Fear and Finding the Unexpected Gifts It Brings with Luke GingerichAt this point, we collectively know and acknowledge that nearly everyone who rides horses will experience fear at some point - it's the cost of doing business with 1000lb+ creatures who are strong, fast, and have their own instincts. For some folks fear might be momentary or fleeting, and for others, fear may become an unwanted, consistent passenger that seems to take over their experience with their horse. I wanted to learn a bit about how we can take the big, overwhelming problem of fearing our horses and trace it back to smaller, less overwhelming, and more addressable pieces. 2024-11-111h 06Equestrian Mama5. Caroline Culbertson on Pregnancy Loss & HealingIn this deeply personal episode, host Lucy Courchaine talks with Caroline Culbertson, former host and producer of the award-winning podcast Equestrian Voices. Caroline opens up about her recent experience with pregnancy loss and how she navigated the emotional journey alongside her two young children and a career in equestrian media. Together, Lucy and Caroline discuss:Their shared experiences with pregnancy loss and the isolation that often accompanies itThe role of horses in healing and finding purpose after lossHow equestrian communities can offer unique support through griefThe strength in sharing difficult stories and redefining motherhood after loss2024-10-291h 18
Horse Person‘I Started Riding at 40. I Want to Ride Prix St. Georges by Age 60!’At 27, Marcela Pomphrey moved to the UK without knowing a lick of English language. At 30 she began working in a sporting industry she had no experience in. At 31, she started a business. At 40, she started riding. Now, the 46-year-old has a goal of riding at the Prix St. Georges level in dressage by age 60. In this episode of Horse Person, Marcela shares her journey of decades of longing for horses to be part of her life, how that dream became a reality, and what it taught her about having a learning mindset, embracing the resources th...2024-10-2845 min
Horse PersonFrustrated, Fearful or Forgetful in Clinics? How to Make Every Clinic Count and Take Charge of Your LearningIf you’ve ever driven home after a clinic and felt like everything you heard the clinician say has promptly exited your brain stage left, you’re not alone. It’s so easy for those experiences to pass in a blur, leaving you feeling like you didn’t have the experience you were hoping for, or that the time and money spent didn’t have a true impact on your training trajectory. So let’s address it! In today’s episode, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by clinician and 5* eventer Sinead Halpin to discuss how to get the most out of...2024-10-1457 min
Horse PersonMy Apology to Past Horses, Why Being a Reserve for Rio Was 'the Best and Worst Time in My Career', and Developing a Culture of CaringWhen 5* event rider Matt Brown was finally listed as an alternate for the Rio Olympics, it was the realization of a life-long dream. It was also simultaneously the highest and lowest point of his career. He was in a position that he’d worked so hard for, made many sacrifices to get to, and yet, something didn’t feel right. “Someone within the sport recommended I do something… that was not legal. And I was seriously considering it. We had moved east, (my owners) had spent all this money, (my wife) had uprooted her life… it seemed unfair to n...2024-10-1459 min
Horse PersonJonathon Millar Returns: Rebuilding His Brain, Body, and Getting Back in the Saddle after a Traumatic Brain InjuryJonathon Millar has spent the past year and a half doing something he never expected he’d have to do – slowly, painstakingly rehabilitating from a traumatic brain injury, from which he nearly died, in a non-riding accident that he can't remember. He spent weeks in a coma, had a portion of his skull removed, and then had brain surgery once again to have it replaced. In total, he had 4 brain surgeries as the result of this accident. He spent months rehabilitating his cognitive skills, and then subsequently rehabilitating physically and re-strengthening the deficit he experienced on the left side of h...2024-10-1441 min
Horse PersonWhy I'll Never Waste Another Opportunity to Ask a Question [TRAILER]Welcome to Horse Person. Launching October 14, releasing episodes every other Monday at 5am. Hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW so you don't miss out launch of 3 episodes for your bingeing pleasure. 2024-10-0702 min
In StrideEpisode 5: Experiencing Pregnancy Loss with Caroline CulbertsonIn this episode, Lucy talks to the former host and producer of the award-winning podcast, Equestrian Voices, Caroline Culbertson. Caroline works in the journalism and editorial space within the equestrian sport and has two children the ages of two and four. Lucy and Caroline have both experienced miscarriages, and in this episode, they vulnerably share their story and the hardships they faced. They talk about a mother’s intuition, how this experience differed from previous pregnancies, the lessons they learned about grief and acceptance, and how the horses helped them through this journey.2024-08-021h 18
Equestrian VoicesTempo, Pace, and Rhythm: It’s Not Just Semantics. With Hunter/Eq Judge Rob Van Jacobs“More impulsion!” Most of us have heard our coaches cry – usually accompanied by a hearty clap or imitation of riding forward. But what does ‘impulsion’ actually mean to you, your trainer, or the judge scoring you? By listener request, we’re breaking down riding terms that have mystified riders for years. Caroline is joined by Rob Van Jacobs, a USEF “R” Rated judge for hunters and equitation. As a judge, trainer and rider, Rob interprets the differences between rhythm, tempo, pace, and speed not as semantics but as part of a show ring strategy. Unders...2024-02-131h 00
Equestrian VoicesEvolve Your Student/Trainer Relationship, with Annette PaterakisThinking about all the ways our sport needs to evolve can be overwhelming. When there are so many organizations, individuals, and stakeholders we want to inspire change in. However, evolving the sport doesn’t need to start at the top. It can start with you right now; with your mindset as a rider or trainer. Annette Paterakis is a mindset coach for equestrians and the author of “Winning Habits – How Elite Equestrians Master the Mental Game.” Annette helps all levels of riders, including Olympians, build confident, consistent, and powerful mindsets and behaviors. In this episode, Annette a...2024-01-0956 min
Equestrian VoicesRewind the Year With Us! 5 Favorite Moments of EV from 2023It was a record-breaking year for Equestrian Voices, as we won two more awards (W3 Awards) and topped the Goodpods chart. We couldn’t have done it without you, our listeners! From the entire EV team - THANK YOU. To celebrate this remarkable year, host Caroline Culbertson is rewinding 5 favorite moments of the pod in 2023 with colleague and longtime media friend, Sally Spickard. Many of you will already know Sally Spickard–you’ve definitely read her content before. Sally has written over 4000 equestrian articles, currently produces Equestrian Masterclasses for NOELLE FLOYD, and is the co-publisher of Event...2023-12-2639 min
Equestrian VoicesWhy Michael Pollard Quit the Sport at the Height of His CareerMichael Pollard had what most of us could only dream of - a meteoric rise in the discipline of Eventing (including winning a Pan Am Games team Gold Medal in 2011), a string of talented horses, a strong non-horse business that supported his riding career, and a supportive group of sponsors, friends and family. But then, to the surprise of many, Michael retired from the sport in 2016, selling all of his horses. He went from spending most of his time training and riding, to not sitting on a horse for several years. In a strikingly candid co...2023-12-121h 14
Equestrian VoicesWhy a Hot Bran Mash Doesn’t Keep Your Horse Warm, and other Blanketing Myths Busted with Dr. DeBoerAs the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, the time comes once more for the biggest decision of the winter: Do you blanket your horse, or not? And, which one? (Heavy, medium, medium-light, neck or no neck?!) Some riders put a sheet on at the slightest sign of a chill, while others keep their horses bare regardless of outside conditions. And of course, there are the temperature charts that pop up each year, which are meant to apply hard and fast rules to blanketing, but never actually seem to. In this episode of Eq...2023-11-291h 08
Equestrian VoicesCan We Help Horses Heal from Trauma and Grief? Using Physical Touch to Heal Emotional Wounds with Good Shepherd GabrielHorses are well known for their power to heal. The positive feelings we have after spending time with our horses are, after all, one of the main reasons why we ride, and equine therapy is used to treat a wide range of physical and mental health challenges. How often, though, do we think about the flip side of the coin - how do our actions help, or hinder, our horses’ mental and emotional well being? How can we as horse lovers be more in tune with the spiritual needs of our partners, and show up for them in...2023-11-1455 min
Equestrian VoicesChanging Your Goals, Finding a New Horse, and “My-horse-itis” with Chelsea CanedyYou’ve just left the barn after another frustrating lesson, and you don’t know what to do. You know that your horse is more than capable of achieving the goals you’ve set for your riding, but in your heart, you also don’t feel like your horse is having fun in the process. How do you go about deciding when it’s time for a new direction for both you and your horse? What are the feelings that come up during the process, and once the decision is made, how do you move forward with a new partnershi...2023-10-311h 02
Equestrian VoicesIs the Forward Seat Still Relevant? Peter Wylde on Rider Style, Feel, and Evolution of PositionAmericans are known for their smooth, forward positions on the horse, so much so that it became known as the ‘American Forward Seat’. But how has it evolved over the years as our light, sensitive Thoroughbreds have blended with the heavier horses of Europe? Does it still provide the same effective foundation today as it did before, or is it less relevant today? In this episode, Caroline sits down with Olympic Gold Medalist and former top show jumping rider, Peter Wylde. Peter, whose depth and breadth of experience also includes coaching top eventing like Boyd Martin and Liz...2023-10-101h 08
Equestrian VoicesWhat It’s Really Like to Run a Horse Rescue (All Seated in a Barn & Storeybrook Farm)We’ve all seen the pictures: the emaciated horse who looks ancient, but in actuality is in their prime, their coat dirty and their eyes dull. We’ve all also had the desire to just hook up our trailer (or commandeer one) and take them home to a better life. Unfortunately, few of us have the resources or the means to follow through on that impulse - so how do we go about helping all of the horses who are in dire need? And what are the lives like of the people who do follow through and take...2023-09-261h 12
Equestrian VoicesWhy Doesn’t Riding Have An Athletic Culture? Embracing Rider Wellness with Ifa SimmondsWhen you go to a horse show, you can see riders diligently warming up their horses prior to competition, making sure their partner is both mentally and physically ready for the task ahead. But you rarely (if ever) see those same riders warming themselves up before they mount up, making sure they are just as prepared. Why is there such a vast disconnect between horse preparation and wellness and rider self-care, and how is it affecting our sport? On today’s podcast, Caroline is joined by Ifa Simmonds of Ifa Fit. Ifa’s Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA) is a h...2023-09-121h 11
Equestrian VoicesAmy Skinner: “If you don’t understand pressure, you’ll be forced to overuse it.”There are many ideas about what good training looks like with horses. We imagine a well-trained horse as one who is able to perform its job at a high level, and view subsequent competition results as a validation of correctness. But what if that same horse can’t be mounted without being held, or has trouble loading onto/unloading off the trailer? Can we still say the horse is well trained if it’s not able to navigate the world around it with confidence? These questions, and so many more, are explored in our latest podcast episode, where...2023-08-291h 02
Equestrian VoicesUnderstand Your Competitive Drive So That It Doesn’t Work Against You (Or Your Horse)For most of us, competition is a large part of why we choose to ride, and also for most of us, we allow this drive to steer our behavior without really giving it too much thought. But science shows that our competitive drive is not a mystery. In fact, learning about this powerful force behind our motivation can help us shape it towards positive, growth-minded outcomes, and avoid the potential negative consequences it can also bring. In our latest episode of Equestrian Voices, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Dr. Stephen Garcia, a professor in th...2023-08-0856 min
Equestrian Voices4 Ideas to Make Show Jumping More Engaging (and Why That Matters)While many riders need no excuse to tune into a livestream to watch the top show jumping athletes of our day duke it out at the FEI level, there are a lot of people who consider themselves sports enthusiasts who are nonetheless pretty lost when they try to watch the upper levels of the sport. Let’s not even start on how many of our friends and family would politely decline an invitation to a 5* Grand Prix viewing party. They would rather spend the weekend watching a football or basketball game - two sports of many that draw far mo...2023-07-251h 04
Equestrian Voices“Age Is Not A Disease”: Considerations for Caring for Aging Horses with Dr. Katie SheatsThere are stereotypes for just about everything when it comes to the horse world, and aging horses are no exception. We picture a hard keeper becoming increasingly thin over time, or maybe we imagine a recently retired athlete going out to a big pasture with a herd of other horses and immediately feeling content. But just like with every stereotype, these perceptions do not tell the full story, and can actually be harmful in the long run to our equine partners. In this episode, we dive into all things Golden Oldies. We aim to clarify the physiology...2023-07-111h 38
Equestrian VoicesThe Horses, Breeding, and Evolution of Show Jumping with Helena StormannsThere’s no question that the show jumping horses of today are different from the horses of 30, even 20 years ago. As courses continue to get increasingly technical and fast, breeders are producing increasingly athletic horses to match…or is it that cause/effect relationship the other way around? And what about the horses who are bred to jump 1.60, but either through a bad start or through genetics (or both), never reach that level - can a horse bred for a top Olympian still be rideable enough for the everyday amateur? To help us answer these questi...2023-06-2758 min
Equestrian VoicesSymmetry, Strength, and Optimizing the Rider's SeatThere’s so much more to your seat and symmetry in the saddle than meets the eye. It’s not just about good equitation or looking pretty in the saddle. Your horse’s health, musculature, and soundness are profoundly impacted by your balance while you ride. Also, it’s just plain miserable to constantly be fighting your own position while you ride. If you’re constantly focusing on just turning your toes in, or not falling off the left side of your horse, there’s little hope to be effective and clear with your aids, thereby growing your partners...2023-06-131h 25
Equestrian VoicesAsking the Hard Questions: A Conversation with Noëlle FloydIf you’re listening to this podcast, then you probably know the name of the company producing it: Noëlle Floyd. What you might not know, though, is that this is also the name of our CEO and Founder. Noëlle started her namesake business as a personal blog meant to detail her career and experiences in the world of show jumping, and since then it’s become what you know today - a hub for media, discussion, and education, now in its 11th year. Caroline Culbertson sat down with Noëlle to talk about the evolution of the i...2023-05-301h 28Equestrian VoicesDeep Dive: Understanding Kissing SpinesYour horse is cold backed and unpredictable at the mounting block. Under saddle, he goes around inverted, and can sometimes even kick out or spook suddenly. One of your friends casually says, “Maybe he has Kissing Spines,” and your heart skips - you’ve heard of it before, and know that it’s definitely not good. Kissing Spines disease in horses has been increasingly diagnosed in recent years, and can even be a reason why some people pass on a horse during a pre purchase exam - but we know more about diagnosing, treating, and managing this condition...2023-05-091h 33Equestrian Voices(Part 2) Creating Openness and Growth in the Horse/Rider RelationshipWhen it comes to riding, more often than not the focus is placed on the horse - what are they doing, how are they feeling, what can we improve with them, etc. But we all know that the horse is only 50% of the equation - the other 50%? You: the rider. So why does it always feel like focusing on yourself, especially out of the saddle, is somehow selfish or irrelevant in terms of your time and effort? In the second of this two-part podcast, host Caroline Culbertson continues her conversation with Dr. Paul and Justin Haefner of...2023-04-1144 minEquestrian VoicesCreating Openness and Growth in the Trainer/Student Relationship (Part 1)If you’ve ever taken a riding lesson, you know that it goes something like this: Your trainer stands in the middle of the ring giving you instructions, and you’re on the horse trying your darndest to follow those instructions precisely. It works… kinda. But bridging that gap between your trainer’s instructions and feeling/understanding can be challenging. Additionally, it can put the rider in a mindset of listening to the instructor which can, in turn, tune out the horse. So why does it continue to be pretty much the exclusive teaching method? Is there more to k...2023-03-281h 02Equestrian VoicesDo We Need More Toughness, or More Softness? With JJ TateMost riders desire to develop a horse who is a happy, willing participant in whatever task or discipline they’ve set out towards. But where the training narrative used to revolve around making sure the horse knows who’s the boss, newer methods value give and take and making sure your horse is heard in the conversation. The balance of toughness vs softness in riding has never been more at the forefront of discussion. We want our horses to respect boundaries and listen to our requests (especially for safety’s sake!). We also want our horses to learn f...2023-03-141h 21Equestrian VoicesArchie Cox on Generational Knowledge, Tradition, and Trainer ResponsibilityYou hear it all the time: “Young riders today don’t know about horsemanship.” “Kids today just want to get on and ride.” “There are no more barn rats.” These complaints point to a larger potential issue of losing generational knowledge. Is it something we, as horsepeople, should be concerned about? To help us answer this question, we turned to Archie Cox, owner and head trainer at Brookway Stables. Along the way, our broad conversation covered a lot of ground that should hopefully make us all feel a little better about the future, and a little more empowered about...2023-02-281h 08Equestrian VoicesWhat Makes a Good Vet (& How to Be a Good Client)Vets are one of the unsung heroes of horse sport. Horses are unfailingly creative (and effective) at hurting themselves; from a mystery lameness to a sudden colic to every type of laceration you could dream up, a day that goes by without some sort of injury is a good day by default. Because of this, having access to a good vet is a critical part of horse ownership, but the criteria for what makes someone a “good” vet is cloudy at best. How responsive and available should your vet be? What sort of equipment should they use? Is it...2023-02-1458 minEquestrian VoicesLet’s Talk About That Helmet StudyIf you ride horses and have been on the internet in the past two months, chances are good you’ve heard about “that” helmet study -- specifically, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab’s Equestrian STAR Helmet Rating Project. On the plus side, we learned that a fancy helmet wasn’t necessarily any safer than a basic, no frills (and much less expensive) helmet when it comes to protecting against brain injury and concussion. On the not so plus side, many of us suddenly found ourselves with lower scoring helmets and no clue what to do next. We ha...2023-01-3140 minEquestrian VoicesRiding from the Inside, Out and Understanding Confidence with John HaimeMindset Check! Welcome to 2023. We're kicking off with a mindset conversation because even if you're riding less in the cold, dreary month of January, you can still be doing major work to improve your riding. This conversation will inspire you to pour some time, effort, and energy into yourself, not just your horse. (If you, perhaps, would like some equestrian-specific mindset coaching, EquestrianMasterclass.com offers courses on consistency, fear, and more.) Today we speak with human performance coach and author of Ride Big, John Haime. John is a former pro golfer turned corpororate executive and athlete coach wh...2023-01-101h 02Equestrian Voices5 Listener-Chosen Moments - Rewinding the Year of Equestrian VoicesThat’s a wrap on 2022! In this episode, two Equestrian Voices listeners join Caroline to count down 5 of their favorite clips and moments from the pod this year. We can’t wait to learn, question, discuss, and celebrate more with you in 2023! Happy New Year!2022-12-2751 minEquestrian Voices(Part 2) Is Saddle Fit a Bigger Deal Than We Think?As promised, we’re back with Part 2 of Caroline’s conversation with Amanda Anderson of Saddlefitting.us. We know many of you have been eagerly awaiting the rest of this chat, so let’s dive right into the good stuff. In this episode, host Caroline Culbertson and Amanda discuss: When it may be warranted to stay off your horse entirely (a hard truth, we know) A case for checking your horse daily - including your saddle Why it shouldn’t be considered “normal” for a horse to have one “good” direction and one “bad” direction. The balance between saddle f...2022-12-1354 min
Equestrian VoicesIs Saddle Fit a Bigger Deal Than We Think? (Part 1)Are we collectively aware of how profoundly saddle fit can affect our horses? As today’s Equestrian Voices episode guest would argue, probably not. Saddle fit can cause real (and, as far as we know, potentially irreversible) damage to your horse’s body. That’s the bad news. The good news is, a well-fitting saddle doesn't have to be expensive or complicated - it just has to respect the horse's anatomy. And (for some this might feel like a relief, and for others it might be a point of worry) it has a lot more...2022-11-2948 minEquestrian VoicesA Chat About Travel Stress in Horses, with Dr. Kevin KeaneBefore you hit the road with your horse again, give this ep a listen. Your horse will thank you. Travel can be stressful on your horse and, in some cases, even harmful for his health. For the humans, traveling with our horses can be daunting because there are lots of elements you can’t control (traffic, how well your horse eats or drinks on the trailer, weather, accidents, etc.). Never fear. The thrill of those early-morning trailer trips to your favorite destination can still be yours, because there’s actually a lot that you can contro...2022-11-0856 min
Equestrian VoicesA Dressage Queen and a Cowboy: Kasey Perry-Glass and Dana GlassKasey Perry-Glass and Dana Glass may be married and in business together, but their backgrounds in horses couldn’t be more different. But, that’s what makes them interesting – and what makes their business work. In fact, it’s almost like their secret weapon. What can dressage and horsemanship learn from each other? How did they decide to integrate their businesses together, and how does it work? How did they meet, in the first place? Today on Equestrian Voices, Caroline Culbertson sits down first with Kasey to dive into some dressage-related fan questions, and then with the c...2022-10-2559 minEquestrian VoicesUnderstanding Trauma + Therapy Through A Rider’s ExperienceIf you’re in the horse world long enough, you or someone you know will probably experience trauma. For almost all of us, it has been – or will be – a part of life and the horse world is no exception. And horse people are really, really good at trying to ignore it or “tough it out”. Many of us can miss the signs of it or feel confused about why we’re feeling overwhelmed, or irritable, or can’t sleep, or just don’t feel like ourselves. Horse people value grit and toughness and think that means ignoring those fe...2022-10-111h 03
Equestrian VoicesAll About the Flying Change with Shannon DueckHave you ever whispered a silent prayer to the flying change gods to please let this change be clean? Have you ever felt a twinge of temptation to throw your weight to get the change, or pull on the inside rein? Flying changes don’t have to be dependent on luck (although luck always helps) – but many of us don’t understand the flying change as deeply as we could. There’s a LOT to know about the flying change and this in-depth dissection will help you understand, train, and execute the change b...2022-09-2757 min
Equestrian VoicesStaying Focused on What Matters with Young Horses, w/ Piggy MarchWhat do you need to focus on in those 3- and 4-year old years? How do you cope with the pressure to “not mess up” a young horse? What matters most in the early years for a horse? Top British eventer Piggy March has an FEI record the length of a novel and has had many illustrious wins to her name including Badminton, Burghley, the European Eventing Championships and the World Equestrian Games, to name a few. But she knows that there are millions of moments, steps, and decisions in a horse’s life before their name will ever be painte...2022-09-2046 minEquestrian VoicesHorseperson vs. Businessperson: On Priorities, Chasing Dreams, and the Money Problem w/ Erin Lane and Paige JardineBeing a successful rider in this sport is an uphill battle — and not just in terms of the skills and time necessary to make your way up the ladder. The ups and downs can be extreme and unpredictable, it’s often “one step forward, two steps back”, and money more often feels like a problem than a solution. And for many ambitious riders like our guests today, there is a palpable tension between “businessperson” and “horseperson”. Today on #EquestrianVoices, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Paige Jardine and Erin Lane: two show jumping professionals who are putting in the hard work...2022-08-301h 08Equestrian VoicesThe Barefoot Vs. Shod DebateWe’re taking on a spicy topic this week! (But why is this such a heated debate? We’ll get to that, too!) If horses are born without shoes, why do they need them? Are we disrupting their natural gait/growth/biology by putting shoes on them, or are we actually helping them cope with their lifestyle and demands by nailing some steel on their feet? Rich Affonso is a seasoned farrier and Equestrian Masterclass instructor who has worked for decades on horses of all disciplines, from working ranch horses, to fancy dressage horses, and everything in betwe...2022-07-2653 min
Equestrian VoicesBringing a Scientist's Approach to Your HorseAre you an expert on your horse? Do you see your peers or even your trainer “winging it” when it comes to structuring rides, or figuring out why that rail fell down, or why your horse seemed tired in today’s ride? We’re learning about ways to use science and data to drastically improve the performance of ourselves and our horses – and it’s exciting. On this episode of Equestrian Voices, Dr. Tim Worden and Nicole Lakin from the Equine High Performance Sports Group join us to discuss how we can use what we’ve learned in recent decad...2022-07-1258 minEquestrian VoicesWhat's Going on with Horse Slaughter in the U.S.?Do you know what’s going on with horse slaughter in the States? Most of us don't - or didn't. And that includes me, your host, Caroline. The equestrian community is pretty good at turning a blind eye to this issue. It's easy to think, "those horses aren't our horses." I did it, too. But today, we're going to bring some transparency to horse slaughter in a way that doesn't aim to feel divisive, or inflammatory, or set out to shock you. This is an emotionally charged topic with implications for horse welfare and public safety, but th...2022-06-2842 minEquestrian VoicesMake or Break? Discussing the Importance Placed on Riders' Junior YearsIn our sport, you can go to the Olympics when you’re 21… or when you’re 60. Or, you can never make a team but still have a profound impact on the athletes around you and equestrian sport as a whole. Success in horses is a lifelong endeavor, but our sport in the U.S., places a huge emphasis on riders 21 and under. What are the effects (both positive and negative) of focusing so many resources on that age group? And what about the pros in their late 20s, their 30s, and beyond who are trying to build sustaina...2022-05-1048 minEquestrian VoicesWhat Goes Into Building & Running a Boarding BusinessIt seems like at least once a week, you'll see a social media post or an announcement about another boarding barn closing its doors. A lot of boarding barns that are up and running have long wait lists, and it calls into question what boarding barns are up against. To understand that, you have to understand all of the things that go into running them. In this episode of Equestrian Voices, Caroline Culbertson chats with Julia Tucker who owns Ardenwood Farm in Chapel Hill, NC, about the realities of running a boarding-only (i.e., without a head t...2022-04-2639 minEquestrian VoicesWhat Does 'Doing Better' Mean? Reflections on Horse Training Following the Mark Todd Video (with Anne Kursinski, Matt Brown & Jeremy Steinberg)Several weeks back, a video from a Mark Todd clinic circulated around the internet - it was a clip taken during a clinic, and it caused a lot of conversation and controversy on social media. This podcast is not about that video in particular, but the video did spark some reflection and larger conversations around what we deem acceptable in horse training, what we don’t, and how those standards are set and upheld. In this episode of Equestrian Voices, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with eventer Matt Brown, show jumper Anne Kursinski, and dressage rider Jeremy Ste...2022-04-1257 minEquestrian VoicesSupplements: Worth the Money? Do We Need ‘Em?It has become pretty much the norm to keep our horses on supplements, especially if we ride them. But so many of us are clicking the checkout button on a supplement with little more than a hope and a prayer that it does something for our horse, and proves to be worth the money. There’s so much marketing to wade through with equine supplements that it’s hard to determine what’s legit and what isn’t. So often we feel like more is better, so more supplements and nutrients must be better for our horses, right? (U...2022-03-2953 minEquestrian VoicesGrief in the Horse World (Part 2): Lessons from a Grief ProfessionalIf you missed part 1 of this 2-part episode on grief, start there! What can we learn from someone who watches grief unfold on a daily basis? Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with pediatric chaplain and equestrian Jessica Shannon to pass on the lessons that she has learned by sitting with countless children and parents in the darkest moments of their lives. What she shares is truly beautiful, poignant, and hopeful. They discuss: Why we’re so uncomfortable talking about grief (either our own or others’) The many different forms that...2022-03-1047 minEquestrian VoicesGrief in the Horse World (Pt. 1): What's Happening to Us When We Grieve?If you’re in the horse world long enough, you’ll see or experience many, many different types of grief and loss. It’s an innate part of existing in a community, as equestrians do, and it’s an inevitable part of loving these animals who are very good at finding traumatic and expensive ways to injure themselves or die. And yet, we haven’t gotten that good at talking about our grief. Most of us also lack the tools to support our friends and loved ones through their grief journeys, too – not for lack of intent, but for lack...2022-03-0844 minEquestrian Voices3 of Your Biggest Flatwork Woes with Silva MartinWe know, we know… flatwork is so crucial for training and athletic development, but boy can it be frustrating when you’re dealing with an ongoing training or behavioral issue. Good flatwork feels amazing; bad flatwork feels like the longest 45 minutes of your life. In this episode, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Team USA’s Silva Martin to dissect 3 common flatwork woes. Ride horses long enough, and you’ll probably encounter all three. Hooray! The horse that jigs at the walk. The horse that is stiff in one direction (or easier to bend in one direction...2022-02-2244 minEquestrian VoicesAre We Over-Competing Our Horses? With Max CorcoranThere are more opportunities to show and compete than ever before. If you wanted to, you could theoretically spend nearly 52 weeks of the year in the show ring, chasing qualifications and year-end awards and prize money. On top of that, we have more cutting edge veterinary knowledge and technology than we’ve ever had available to us, and much of it is geared towards performance horse soundness. Both of these things are great! But, as the old saying goes, ‘Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’. We have to gut-check ourselves: Are our horses paying the price for our d...2022-02-0848 minEquestrian VoicesGetting Unstuck & My Own Baggage with a Sensitive Horse (with Chelsea Canedy)Riders with baggage, gather 'round! This week's episode is less of an interview, and more of a (personal) conversation. Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with her own trainer, Chelsea Canedy, to discuss how the past several months of working with Caroline's hot, sensitive horse have unearthed some old, unproductive ways of thinking about riding, training, and progress. In this chat, they discuss: - How Chelsea's background informs how she works with horses and how she approached Caroline's roadblock - What training horses has to do with meditation, social work, and Buddhism (?!) - How...2022-01-2556 min
Equestrian VoicesIf We Can’t Talk About It, We Can’t Prevent It: Sexual Abuse in Horse Sport[Content Warning: Discussions of sexual misconduct and abuse of minors]. If we can’t talk about it, we can’t change it. Today on the podcast, we’re taking on a tough topic to think about, speak about, and navigate emotionally, but it’s critical to shine a light on in order to make the sport (and all sports) safer for our kids and athletes. Host Caroline Culbertson is joined by two women who have witnessed and experienced the devastating fallout that sexual abuse of minors can have on young men and women, their families, and their communiti...2021-12-141h 06
Equestrian VoicesCan Positive Reinforcement Training Work in Horse Sport?You’ve probably heard of positive reinforcement training or “clicker training” in the context of dog training, but what about for horses? Over the years, the use of positive reinforcement in the equestrian world has drawn attention and interest, but most of us are still unaware of exactly how this training works, and how it can fit into our own training and riding journeys. There’s actually a lot of science backing this type of training, and it’s used to train countless species of animals in a way that promotes happy, feel-good hormones and in turn, lower level...2021-11-301h 00
Equestrian VoicesPassenger, Partner, Boss, Dictator: Who Are You to Your Horse?Ever wonder what your horse thinks of you? What his personality is? How he likes for you to communicate with him? Many (most) of us might not have given this less obvious aspect of riding and training too much thought, but it might be a big key to unlocking potential and success (whatever that means for you and your horse). International level dressage rider/trainer and Equestrian Masterclass instructor, Mette Larsen, breaks down what it means to be in successful partnership with your horse, how to determine the type of communication style your horse needs and how...2021-11-0956 min
Equestrian VoicesLive Roundtable: How Culture in Equestrian Sport Impacts Mental HealthThe culture surrounding equestrian sport is, by and large, not generally welcoming to conversations about mental health, nor is it accommodating for participants who need to seek help + resources for mental illness or hardships. There are barriers for those who struggle with mental illness that are particular to our community and to its customs and beliefs - in some cases, the culture not only impedes mental wellness, it can even degrade it. If you’re part of the equestrian community, we suspect that you can personally identify one or more aspects of equestrian culture that could exacerbate men...2021-10-261h 03
Equestrian VoicesWhat's Changing with Modern Pentathlon Since the Tokyo Debacle?In an episode released on August 12, we addressed the troubling display of poor riding during the equestrian portion of the Modern Pentathlon with Rick Maynard, Tik Maynard, and Peter Holmes - all of whom have been very involved in the sport either currently or previously. Now, we're following up and seeing what's in the works. What proposed changes are coming down the pipeline to help Modern Pentathlon evolve into a sport that can support good riding, good horsemanship, and reasonable expectations of those horses and riders? Are they enough? What aspects of the problem do they address?2021-10-1236 min
Equestrian VoicesThe Horse Market Is Bananas. Let's Discuss. (With Hope Glynn)By all accounts, the horse market today is unlike one we’ve seen before. It’s a big double edged sword that requires some special consideration and a good dose of savvy to navigate smartly. It also requires being comfortable with talking frankly about money, which we’re going to do in this episode. To guide us through these often intimidating waters, we have one of the most well-known hunter/jumper and equitation trainers and judges in the U.S.: Hope Glynn. Hope has decades of experience buying and selling horses and serving as an agent for riders...2021-09-281h 10
Equestrian VoicesWhat a Saddle Fitter/Equine Physio Wants Every Rider to KnowYour horse nips at the girth. He shivers when you run the brush over his lumbar. He’s always on the forehand no matter what you do. Wouldn’t it be great if horses could just tell us what was going on inside their bodies? What ached, what felt sticky or clicky, what caused them to start stopping at jumps they used to do with ease? Most of us are clued into the fact that when horses start demonstrating some behaviors, a physical investigation must come first. Saddle fit and pressure distribution are a big part i...2021-09-141h 00
Equestrian VoicesThe Seen & Unseen Realities of 'Going Pro' With Lauren SprieserHost Caroline Culbertson is joined by Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer, Lauren Sprieser, to discuss the seen and unseen realities of becoming a professional rider. Lauren worked her way up in the business, including years as a working student, and learned much along the way. They discuss: - The characteristics it helps to have in this business - The big elephant: MONEY. How much does it matter? - The horses you should/shouldn’t be riding - Structuring your business in a way that plays to your strengths - Marketing and branding your...2021-08-311h 03
Equestrian VoicesAddressing the Troubling Scenes During Modern Pentathlon at the Tokyo OlympicsThe show jumping portion of the women's modern pentathlon at the Tokyo Olympics is making headlines - and not in a good way. It was so stressful to watch, there were many rider falls, and lots of stressed out horses who clearly didn’t understand what was expected of them. How do we make heads and tails of this? Are there solutions? Host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Tik Maynard, Rick Maynard, and Peter Holmes - who cumulatively have decades of experience in pentathlon as athletes, coaches or course designers - for a roundtable discussion in response to...2021-08-1230 min
Equestrian VoicesWhat’s Your Horse Trying to Tell You About His Bit? (Pt. 2)In the second of our 2-part episode about bits, FEI rider/trainer and certified bitting specialist, Stephanie Brown-Beamer of http://horsebyhorse.com, and host Caroline Culbertson continue their chat from last episode (so listen to that one first!) as well as answer some listener questions. In this portion of the episode, they discuss: The type of mouths we’re seeing on many of today’s horses What about tongue relief bits? How do we properly size our bits when we’re buying them? Demystifying the dull-mouthed horse How to know when a bit is “as good as it gets”...2021-08-1036 min
Equestrian VoicesWhat’s Your Horse Trying to Tell You About His Bit? (Pt. 1)Is it just us, or can finding the right bit for your horse feel like a shot in the dark? Sure, we have a general understanding of how certain bits work, and maybe you know a little about your horse’s mouth. But for most riders, the knowledge stops there. And that’s because historically, we haven’t HAD much information about bit and bridle fitting and function the same way we now have info about saddle fit, for example. FEI rider/trainer and certified bitting specialist, Stephanie Brown-Beamer, and host Caroline Culbertson get into the wee...2021-07-2731 min
Equestrian VoicesDoug Payne, You're About to Ride in the Olympics!In this Bonus episode, host Caroline Culbertson catches up with with US Eventing team rider, Doug Payne, as he is on his way to Tokyo for the Olympic Games with his horse, Vandiver. 2021-07-2119 min
Equestrian VoicesLuciana Diniz on Keeping the Joy in Your RidingRiding and training horses is a long game. You can work on it for a lifetime and still won’t know it all. This is one of the best things about the sport, but it also means that - just like a long marriage - we have to work at keeping our minds right and continue to find the joy. This can be even more profound when you’re a top athlete in the sport and are often faced with major disappointment, heartbreak, loss, and tough decisions that come with advancing up the leaderboard, buying and selling hors...2021-07-1347 min
Equestrian VoicesWhat Riding in a Frame *Really* Means w/ Jacqueline Brooks“I can’t get this horse into a frame!” “Pick up the reins and put your horse in a frame, it’s time to work!” We’ve all heard some variation of these phrases. But let’s break down what FRAME really means and refers to. There’s so much more to it than just the shape of the horse. Who better to break it down than Jacquie Brooks, a 2x Canadian Olympian who has trained 30+ horses (!!) up through the Grand Prix level in dressage. She coaches jumpers and eventers as well and knows all about the h...2021-06-291h 00
Equestrian Voices'Thin to Win': The Toxic Culture of Body Shame and Diet in Equestrian Sport[Trigger Warning: This episode discusses disordered eating and eating disorders.] We asked you, the community, whether or not you've experienced pressure around weight, body shame, or witnessed diet culture in action in equestrian sport. The response? Overwhelmingly yes - especially those in hunter and equitation rings, and especially those who were or are competing. There's a lot at risk here - mentally, physically, and emotionally. We can't usher young participants into this sport and continue to have this toxic paradigm reinforced through trainers, judges, teammates, and beyond. The cost is too high and, as you'll hear in t...2021-06-081h 02
Equestrian VoicesElyse Hart: Horses Saved Me after Addiction Nearly Killed MeThey say that everyone will know someone, love someone, or be someone who struggles with an addiction at some point in their lives. This is an important conversation that isn’t talked about enough. This week on the Equestrian Voices podcast, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Elyse Hart, a 31-year-old dressage whose addiction to alcohol and drugs nearly killed her - multiple times. Now, five years sober, she has delved deeper than ever into her riding and horses in order to help maintain her sobriety. Elyse opens up and tells the harrowing story of the darkest yea...2021-05-2556 min
Equestrian VoicesIs a Young Horse Right for You? With Kama GodekHave you ever dreamed of, seriously considered, or actually bought a young horse? *Raises hand* Most of us fall somewhere on that spectrum, enticed by the seemingly infinite possibilities that the unknown of a young horse offers. With low or no “miles”, young horses are exciting because we don’t know what their ceiling is - and it makes us expand our minds on what our limits are, too. Host Caroline Culbertson (@caroline.culbertson) is joined by 5* show jumper Kama Godek, who works with young horses on a daily basis and also has years of experie...2021-05-1151 min
Equestrian VoicesYour Horse Is a Mirror. Do You Like What You See?Do you know those riders, trainers, or grooms that horses just love being around? What is it about them that makes horses so drawn to them? And how do we all become one of those people? Dr. Sam Fielding coined the term “energetic intelligence” and much of her performance coaching focuses on how your mental state affects your horse. So, how do we become aware of how our nerves, or anger, or distractedness, are affecting our horses? And once we’re aware, how do we fix it? Host Caroline Culbertson and Dr. Fielding also d...2021-04-271h 08
Equestrian VoicesExpectation Vs. Reality: What New Parenthood as an Equestrian Is Really LikeAfter baby is born, we return to normal, right? NOPE. New parenthood is filled with looming questions. From the small (will my breeches ever fit again?) to the profound (who am I in this new existence?), we’re talking about the reality of our journeys becoming new moms. Join host Caroline Culberson and guest Kate O’Hara discuss the realities of postpartum, getting back into the saddle, and navigating parenthood while balancing their careers. 2021-04-2053 min
Equestrian VoicesBirth, Body Image, & the Unknown: Being a Pregnant RiderBeing a pregnant person is a wild ride. Being a pregnant adult amateur rider while trying to navigate riding/horses, your career and how it will be affected by maternity leave, and doing it during a pandemic? Yeah, it's a lot. Host Caroline Culbertson is joined by guest Kate O'Hara to discuss the physical, mental, and emotional parts of this very delicate, exciting, and confusing time in life. 2021-04-1359 min
Equestrian VoicesA Real Life Horse Nerd: Karl CookAfter an extraordinarily successful young rider career, Karl Cook wasn't sure what future he really had in the sport. In order to right the ship, he went full horse nerd and started learning everything he possibly could about feeding, riding, training, biomechanics, veterinary care... you name it. Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Karl to talk about what this process looked like for him and how there's more to learn than we think or know. Plus, Karl teaches Caroline how to taste bourbon (or in her case, wine), he tackles some Equestrian Masterclass member questions...2021-03-3052 min
Equestrian VoicesWhy Is Colic (Still) Such a Big Problem?It's 2021. Soon, we'll see autonomous cars on the road. But we still can't predict or prevent colic? Whether the horse you love is a pasture puff living on grass 24/7, or he's an international competition horse with a groom waiting on him hand and foot, he's susceptible. Why is colic still so prevalent in horses? Do we just have to accept that it is? What are we missing? Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Dr. Paul McClellan, DVM, to unpack this big question. 2021-02-2342 min
DragonfruitScott Culbertson: The Power of Environmental EducationScott Culbertson is the Executive Director of Friends of the Ballona Wetlands, a Los Angeles-based non-profit focused on restoration of the Ballona Wetlands and environmental education. In this episode Scott not only introduces us to the history of the Wetlands and the Friends but also honestly discusses non-profit organizations and the power of experiencing nature. I thoroughly enjoyed having this conversation and I hope you enjoy.
Learn more about Friends of the Ballona Wetlands at: ballonafriends.org2021-02-221h 06
Equestrian VoicesNatural Horsemanship, Meet Practical RiderWhen we learn to ride as children or as adults, we learn how to do just that: ride. But when do we learn how to understand our horse's behavior? Why he does what he does? How he views the world and what we're asking of him? Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Tik Maynard, who has made a career out of marrying competitive riding with groundwork as an avenue to gaining a deeper understanding about the inner workings of the horse's mind. It has made him more successful (even with the most complicated horses), more patient, and...2021-02-0955 min
Equestrian VoicesThe Student/Trainer Relationship: It's ComplicatedThe trainer/student relationship is perhaps the most important relationship you'll have in horse sport (besides the one with your horse). Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with equestrian and sport psychologist, Dr. Jenny Susser, to help us understand the complexities of this multidimensional match and how it can completely shape your experience, success, enjoyment, and confidence in riding. Whether you're a pro, an amateur, or completely new to riding, this episode is for you. 2021-01-2652 minEquestrian VoicesEquestrian VoicesEquestrian Voices dives deep into the emotions, lives, stories, and everything we don't talk about when it comes to life as an equestrian. Join our host, Caroline Culbertson, for vulnerable, different, and sometimes hilarious chats with riders from all backgrounds. We want to get the 'human' out of horse people. Thanks for being here.2021-01-0602 min