Be Your Best Horsemanship

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...

In this episode, I am covering the four phases of a horse's mental game, understanding how to identify which phase your horse is in, and how to help the horse switch to a productive state of mind. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . To request a topic for our next episode, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

What is the cost of doing this? For years, that is the question I used to ask myself any time I considered investing in myself or my training business. And for years, this mentality kept me stuck right where I was. Until one day, I realized that I should have been asking myself, what is the cost of not doing this? In this episode, I'm breaking down my perspective on determining cost vs. reward and...

In this episode, I'm joined by 2024 Road to the Horse Champion, Tik Maynard. Tik's story is truly inspiring, as he shares his journey from growing up in the English riding world to discovering a passion for natural horsemanship. Join us as we dive into Tik's training background, the progression of his horsemanship journey, and a behind-the-scenes look at his preparation for Road to the Horse. Epis...

In this week's episode, I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude as I reflect on the past year. Join me as I share some of my main focuses for the year ahead in hopes that it will inspire you to find small ways to be your best every day. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses⁠⁠⁠⁠ . To request a topic for our next episode, visit:...

Resilience is a trait many of us in the western industry naturally possess, but it’s also a skill that needs to be strengthened from time to time. Life has a way of throwing challenges our way, and in those moments, training our minds to focus on the positives becomes essential. In this episode, I’m sharing highlights from our recent trip to Las Vegas for the NFR and the World Series of Team Ropin...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Mark Upton with Central Life Sciences, parent company of Starbar, Clarifly, and Farnam, to discuss proactive approaches to facility management as an equine professional. Tune in to hear Mark's advice for what you can do during the winter months to prepare for a successful spring training season. Episode Resources: To learn more about our partnership with Centr...

In life and horsemanship, I believe there are three things you have to have to be successful: work ethic, passion, and opportunity. The great thing about this trio is that work ethic and passion are a choice, and opportunity is something that you can draw to yourself. While others may have different opportunities than you, I firmly believe that you have the power to create and attract your own opp...

In this week's episode, I'm sharing a wrap up of our 2024 clinic season, along with a very special story about a family who has truly embraced the challenge of being your best every day. Join me for a dose of inspiration and a reminder to look at each day as an opportunity to be the best you can be. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/co...

In this episode, I am sharing a recap of the first colt starting mentorship weeks hosted at our training facility in Weatherford, OK. Join me as I share some behind-the-scenes insights from the colt starting mentorship experience and a preview of our 2025 events. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses⁠ . To request a topic for our ne...

In this week's episode, I am breaking down my colt starting methods for teaching the release in the round pen. Join me as I share some ground work tips and explain the importance of engaging the thinking side of a horse's brain during the weanling, yearling and 2-year-old stages. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses . To request a t...