Ask An Expert: Horse Care and Riding Advice

Equine posture offers valuable insight into a horse’s comfort, balance, and overall well-being. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Shelley Thomas explains what your horse’s posture is telling you and how noticing small changes early can support their long-term health and happiness. Episode Highlights: 4:00: What equine posture entails and why it is important to pay attention to it 7:45: What the id...

Emotional self-regulation is a foundation of effective training for both horses and riders. In this episode of Ask an Expert ,  father-and-son team Dr. Paul T. Haefner and Justin Haefner break down how emotional regulation influences learning, confidence, and the partnership in the saddle.    Episode Highlights:   8:00: How a horse’s ability to self-regulate impacts training, and clear strategies...

When the temperature drops, your horse's health needs a thoughtful approach to keep them comfortable and thriving through the winter. In this episode of Ask An Expert, renowned equine vet Dr. Lisa Casinella joins us to reveal the essential winter care practices every horse owner should know. From diet adjustments to blanket selection, Dr. Casinella shares actionable advice to make winter stress-fr...

Catching soft tissue injuries early can make all the difference. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Carol Gillis explains how to recognize early signs, take preventative steps, and guide your horse through a successful recovery. Episode Highlights: 4:00: Ways riders can help prevent soft tissue injuries 17:30: Approach to icing legs and cold hosing 20:30: What an initial assessment of lameness...

Cross-country schooling should be both productive and safe. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Leslie Law and Lesley Grant Law share their expertise on how to get the most out of every schooling session and set yourself up for success.  Episode Highlights:     6:30: How often to school cross-country at different levels  14:30: Avoiding pressure on a single schooling session  17:30: Setting up cross...

Every rider wants their horse to look and feel like a champion. In this episode of Ask an Expert, world-class groom Emma Ford shares her top grooming and barn management secrets, developed through years of working with some of the best riders in the world.  Episode Highlights:   5:30: Defining great leadership as a groom and barn manager 16:20: Essential barn management must-haves 21:00: Preparing...

Equine biosecurity is often overlooked, yet it impacts horses everywhere they go and in everything they do. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Holly Helbig explains what biosecurity means, why it matters, and the simple steps owners can take to keep their horses safe. Episode Highlights: 6:30: Defining equine biosecurity and why it matters 9:00: The common equine diseases vets monitor closely 2...

Emergencies can be overwhelming, and knowing when to call the vet isn’t always clear. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Phil van Harreveld shares what owners should do in different equine emergencies and how to make the right call when it matters most.   Episode Highlights:   5:00: Must-have items for every horse owner’s emergency kit 8:30: Overlooked emergencies owners should take more seriou...

Success in the saddle requires more than riding skills. Mental toughness and physical strength are just as important. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Daniel Stewart explains how he builds riders and coaches who are balanced, confident, and ready to perform their best. Episode Highlights: 19:30: Teaching coaches to support students through stress and nerves 25:30: Finding joy in the process when...

Equine ulcers are one of the most talked-about yet often misunderstood issues in the horse world. In this episode of Ask an Expert, veterinarian Dr. Angie Yates breaks down how ulcers develop, the signs to watch for, and the most effective ways to prevent and treat them. Episode Highlights: 3:00: Understanding the horse’s digestive system: foregut vs. hindgut 11:00: Recognizing the most common sym...

Do you ever wish you had the formula for getting your horse fit, confident, and ready to compete at your level? In this episode of Ask an Expert, Jon Holling shares 6-week conditioning schedule templates for Starter, Beginner Novice, and Novice levels and explains how to adapt them to your horse and circumstances. Even if you’re not an event rider, these conditioning strategies offer valuable insi...

Do you ever wish you had the formula for getting your horse fit, confident, and ready to compete at your level? In this episode of Ask an Expert, Jon Holling shares 6-week conditioning schedule templates for Training, Modified, and Preliminary levels and explains how to adapt them to your horse and circumstances. Even if you’re not an event rider, these conditioning strategies offer valuable insig...

For most horse owners, feeding is more than a chore, it’s a way to nurture their horse. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Rachel Mottet breaks down how to create a diet that truly supports your horse’s wellbeing.     Episode Highlights:            9:30: Common nutrition mistakes horse owners make  16:15: Building a feeding program from the ground up  26:40: Visual and handling cues for evaluat...

Great riding starts with mastering the basics, but that’s often easier said than done. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer Lauren Sprieser shares her insights on the fundamentals of dressage and her approach to developing horses through the levels.    Episode Highlights:          8:30: The foundation every dressage horse needs  16:30: The core basics riders must...

We expect our horses to be fit, flexible, and athletic—but what about us? In this episode of Ask an Expert, strength and conditioning coach Tony Sandoval dives into rider fitness and shares his approach to building strength, balance, and body awareness in the saddle.  Episode Highlights:        15:00 – The current culture around rider fitness in equestrian sports 23:00 – Key components of a well-r...

Whether you're a seasoned pro or an adult amateur, helmet safety is a topic that affects all of us. In this episode of Ask an Expert, helmet safety expert Jeanie Clarke helps us navigate the different helmet approval standards, emerging technologies, and what truly matters most based on your individual needs.    Episode Highlights:        3:00: The key differences between the main helmet safety st...

We’ve all heard advice like “never let a colicky horse lie down” or “don’t let a hot horse drink cold water”—but how much of that is actually true? In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine veterinarian Dr. Erica Lacher separates fact from fiction as she busts some of the most common horse care myths once and for all.    Episode Highlights:        6:10: Debunking dental myths for young and senior h...

As an equestrian, keeping a healthy mindset can be one of the toughest yet most important aspects of our sport. In this episode of Ask an Expert, transformational life coach Natalie Hummel shares advice for becoming the best version of yourself, both in and out of the saddle.       Episode Highlights:      13:00 – How to recognize and overcome limiting beliefs rooted in childhood  23:00 – Setting...

Want to make your horse look like a million bucks, just like the pros do? In this episode of Ask an Expert, top FEI groom Max Corcoran shares her favorite tips and tricks for next-level horse grooming and show-ready turnout.     Episode Highlights:      14:25 – Pro tips and tricks for braiding at competitions 33:20 – How to keep your horse’s legs and body clean at home 44:00 – Night-before and day...

Ever wonder how changing little things about your position might help make you better able to influence your horse, or help you stay with their movement? In this episode of Ask an Expert, certified rider biomechanics coach Suzanne Galdun shares all her tips and tricks for how to do a better job of becoming one with the horse! Episode Highlights: 14:00 – Tips for shorter riders 20:00 – How to balan...

Curious about what dressage judges look for in the ring? In this episode of Ask An Expert , internationally renowned dressage judge Peter Gray shares his insights on the art and science of dressage judging. From tips on maximizing scores to understanding the judge’s perspective, Peter’s advice will help you refine your approach and boost your performance. Episode Highlights: 17:30 – Crafting a fre...

In this episode of Ask An Expert , we sit down with Steve Kraus , an American Farriers Association Hall of Fame inductee. Steve brings a wealth of knowledge about all things hoof care—from understanding the anatomy of the hoof to addressing common problems like cracks and splits. If you’ve ever wondered what to look for in a good farrier or how to manage your horse’s hooves day-to-day, this conver...