Be Your Best Horsemanship

Knowledge without application doesn’t get you very far. You can know everything there is to know, but if you don’t apply it at the right time, it won’t do much good—and the same goes for your equipment. In this episode, I’m sharing a few training moments from the week that reminded me how important it is to use your tools with purpose and adjust based on what your horse needs from you that day.

This week, I’m reflecting on the freedoms we celebrate—both in life and in horsemanship. One of the greatest gifts we have as horsemen and women is the ability to write our own script. We get to take the foundational knowledge passed down from others and apply it in a way that fits our own journey. In this episode, I’m sharing a few thoughts on learning from experience, staying present in the proc...

Life, business, and horsemanship all move in seasons. In this episode, I’m sharing some thoughts on recognizing the season you’re in—whether it’s a time to build, grow, or simply stay the course. Especially with our horses, those slow-building seasons matter. It might not always feel flashy, but laying that foundation is what sets everything else up. Stay the course, stay consistent, and trust the...

If you’re in a season where things feel heavy—like you’re stuck, behind, or just not making the progress you hoped for—this episode is for you. In this segment, I talk about what it means to stay the course, why it’s often darkest before the dawn, and how patience plays a critical role in both training and competition. Great things are right around the corner—keep showing up and being your best.

This episode is a reminder that even when things don’t go exactly to plan — like when it rains for days and keeps you out of the saddle — there’s still progress to be made. Join me as I share what I’ve been working on despite the weather and why focusing on what you can do matters more than chasing perfection. In this episode, I'm also introducing two new mentorship formats we’ll be offering t...

This week, I'm recapping a long spring run of clinics and sharing a few thoughts that have been on my mind as I settle back into home life — including a special new addition to our family: a pony for my granddaughter. Whether it’s horsemanship or life, I’ve been reminded lately that the basics still matter, and so does slowing down to enjoy the people and moments that matter most.

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Janssen of Cimarron Trailers to talk about their philosophy of being “Better by Design.” Just like in horsemanship, building a great trailer—or a great company—starts with attention to detail, a commitment to quality, and a clear purpose behind every step of the process. From the shop floor to the arena, we talk about how putting value into the work you do crea...

Even though the principles of good horsemanship stay the same, every day—and every clinic—brings new opportunities to learn and grow. In this episode, I’m reflecting on our recent clinic in Gillette, WY, and how the basics of horsemanship show up differently with every horse and rider. I wrap up with a reminder that’s been on my mind lately: “Worrying about tomorrow’s problems only steals today’s...

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Jyme Nichols, Director of Nutrition at Bluebonnet Feeds and host of the Feed Room Chemist podcast , for an in-depth conversation about keeping your horse healthy from the inside out. We dive into hydration hacks for hauling and summer competition, break down the three key areas of the horse’s digestive and metabolic system, and talk through common signs of hi...

In this episode, I am joined by Mark Upton with Central Life Sciences to talk about fly and pest control as we head into a wet spring season. Tune in as we discuss why a solid prevention and maintenance program is one of the most important things you can do to protect your horses, your facilities, and your peace of mind. From product tips to timing strategies, this conversation is all about stayin...

In this episode, I'm recapping some key takeaways from our recent mentorship week, reflecting on the power of continuous self evaluation. One thing that really stood out was the influence of each participant’s willingness to invest their time, energy, and resources into bettering themselves—not just for a few days, but for the long haul. In this segment, we dive into the importance of staying...

This week on the podcast, I’m sharing a few thoughts that have been on my mind as we head into our next mentorship week. In this episode, I talk about a moment where I caught myself getting frustrated and had to step back and remind myself of something important: if I’m not getting the results I want from my horse, that’s on me. It’s a good reminder that growth comes when we take full ownership of...

Your horse is only as consistent as you are. If you want your horse to be more consistent, that consistency has to begin with you first. In this episode, I’m sharing how your habits and mindset directly shape your horse’s confidence, foundation, and ultimately, the consistency of their performance.

Road to the Horse was everything I thought it would be―and more. From picking my colt to riding the obstacle course in the final round, this journey was one of the biggest challenges―and growth moments―of my life. Join me as I share my insights from the competition and what I'm taking away from this experience. Episode Resources: Watch the Replay of RTTH 2025: https://roadtothehorse.com/how-to...

I recorded this episode just before heading out to Lexington for Road to the Horse 2025. Now that the event has come and gone, it’s interesting to look back and see how the themes I talked about truly played out in real time. In this episode, I’m diving into the importance of staying true to your brand—what it means to trust your process, build your brand through every experience, and embrace the...

In this episode, I am sharing some final thoughts before we pack up and head to Lexington, Kentucky, for my first ever Road to the Horse competition. The journey of getting here has been full of full-circle moments, and I could not be more excited to get in that round pen at Kentucky Horse Park and showcase the impact that the horse has had on my life. Episode Resources: Watch the Livestream of Ro...

In this week's episode, I am covering the importance of establishing control of one of the five main body parts of a horse: the ribcage . This episode is inspired by a question from one of our listeners who was having challenges with her barrel pattern. Tune in as I address this topic, as well as share a recap of our first colt starting mentorship of the year. Episode Resources: To join our on...

As we are preparing for a week of colt starting mentorships, I want to share one of the most important fundamental skills we cover in our first day of training: being present. Any time you are working with a horse (especially a colt), there is always an inherent risk factor to be aware of. In this episode, I am sharing some best practices for maintaining safety when handling horses. Episode Resour...

How many times do we let our thoughts get in the way of our own success? As I am preparing for one of the greatest challenges of my training career, Road to the Horse , I am reminded just how important it is to take control of my thoughts. In this episode, I am sharing the importance of reframing your thoughts and mastering the art of "talking" yourself into success. Episode Resources: T...

In this episode, I'm breaking down some of the essential elements that truly make a difference in horse training. Whether you're working with a young horse, refining an older horse’s skills, or troubleshooting a specific challenge, understanding the key factors at play can help you build a more effective and rewarding training program. We'll cover: ✅ The role of equipment selection –...

How many times in life do we make decisions based on fear? Whether it is the fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of uncertainty, or another hesitation, there are moments in life where we may be scared to take the necessary next step forward. Our horses are very intelligent beings that have similar hesitations when they are put in new or uncomfortable situations. In this episode, I am sharing s...

In this episode, I am sharing a recap of our first public clinic of the year in Llano, TX, as well as a funny story from a recent trip to the chiropractor. Join me as I uncover the importance of always maintaining a mindset of growth and learning how to find little lessons in everyday life. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/cou...

This week , we’re diving into the important distinction between coaching and training. While training a horse often focuses on the physical aspects—what they can do and how they respond—coaching goes deeper, engaging the emotional and mental components of horsemanship. A great coach doesn’t just teach; they lead, communicate, and encourage, helping both horse and rider develop confidence, understa...

In this week's episode, I am breaking down the meaning of the quote: "A goal without a plan is just a wish." Join me as I share some insights on how to take this theory and implement it effectively into your everyday life. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . To request a topic for our next episode, v...

By nature, horses come with certain traits and characteristics, some of which are developed early on in their foundation, and others that are purely genetic. As a trainer, it’s important to recognize the difference between foundational traits and genetic traits in horses and understand how they shape the way we train. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philh...