Canter Therapy

What if some horses are carrying the effects of birth long before they ever enter training? In this fascinating episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Dr Jane Clothier shares the groundbreaking research from her PhD investigating premature and developmentally immature foals and the lifelong consequences that can follow. Together we explore how developmental immaturity may influence skeletal develo...

In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with renowned horseman Josh Nichol to explore the ideas that have shaped his approach to horses, people, and life. Josh shares his journey from growing up with horses in remote Canada to studying under Harry Whitney and developing his own framework for understanding horse behaviour through mind, space, and pressure. We discuss the difference betw...

Many off-the-track Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds are talented, athletic, and willing horses, yet too many struggle in their second careers. In this episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast , Kathryn Christieson sits down with Dr Shelley Appleton and Isabelle Chandler to explore the often-overlooked gap between life on the racetrack and life as a riding horse. Drawing on Isabelle's extensive exp...

In this episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson sit down with Lyn Jenkin . Lyn shares the incredible story of Django, the legendary Friesian stallion who became the first Friesian in Australia to compete at official Grand Prix dressage level, along with her experiences breeding Friesians and the horses that shaped her approach to horsemanship and learning. T...

What if stress is affecting your mare far more deeply than you realise? In this powerful episode, Dr Chris Mortensen shares research into how stress impacts mares, reproduction, hormones, blood flow, embryo quality, and behaviour. Shelley and Kat dive into: Exercise-induced stress and fertility Hormone disruption and cycling Gut health and stress Laminitis and metabolic issues The role of blood fl...

In this special episode of the Canter Therapy podcast, Shelley and Kat sit down with American horseman Bob Wood for a fascinating conversation about authentic horsemanship, rider development, leadership, and the timeless principles that underpin good horse training. Trained originally by a former US Cavalry horseman, Bob shares decades of hard-earned wisdom from a lifetime spent teaching riders, t...

Ian Leighton returns to Canter Therapy for his third appearance and, once again, delivers the kind of practical wisdom that’s hard to argue with. We dig into why nothing we ask of horses is natural, and what that means for training young horses, building trail confidence, and handling “won’t go past that” moments without accidentally rewarding the stop or turning work into punishment. Ian breaks d...

In this episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley and Kat speak with Stacey Wallace about one of the most rapid and grounded transformations she has witnessed in a horse owner. Stacey returned to horses as an adult, postpartum, without a pony club background and with a young, reactive horse that challenged her confidence and skills from the outset. Over a relatively short period of time, Stac...

In this episode, Shelley sits down with horseman and educator Peter Cowell, the “man of a thousand sayings” who quietly delivers some of the most grounded, practical horsemanship insight you’ll hear. Peter shares how he found his way into horses (yes, it started with a girl), the three formative mentors who set his standards early, and why real learning is built in layers rather than slogans. The...

Horses did not evolve for stalls, separation, transport, or high-pressure routines, yet this is the reality most horses live in today. That mismatch creates chronic stress, and the consequences do not stay hidden. They show up in digestion, behaviour, performance, soundness, and long-term health. In this episode, Dr Chris Mortensen (Poseidon Animal Health) explains why stress and gut health sit at...

In Episode 97 of the Canter Therapy Podcast , Shelley and Kat walk straight into controversy and unpack one of the horse world's most heated topics: what does freedom really mean for domestic horses? Using a spicy young chestnut filly with dangerous kicking habits as a case study, they explore how early handling, feet care and smart use of pressure can free a horse from a lifetime of stress, c...

Kat has just come back from a three-day equine dissection in Wagga hosted by Dr Heidi McGraw and led by Dr Raquel Butler (with nods to pioneer Sharon May-Davis). We unpack what anatomy really looks like (spoiler: nothing like the textbook), why fascia and “everything’s connected” matters, how X-rays can miss early change, mares’ ovaries, the ethics/wicked-problem of riding, and Shelley’s new tech...

After a little hiatus (and 100,000+ listens—thank you!) Shelley and Kat are back. Inspired by an episode of  The Canine Paradigm , they explore “vibe”: how our energy, presence and intention shape every interaction with a horse—and with people. From the “volume knob” of our presence (too big vs too small) to practical ways to lift or soften energy, they dig into awareness, rope skills, and why the...

Horseman and educator Steve Halfpenny (Light Hands Equitation, SA) joins Canter Therapy to talk being a “horse’s lawyer,” why the mind comes before the body, building trust without force, connection and feel, and why balance comes first. We cover permission in coaching, awareness over labels, matching horses to humans, and practical ways to avoid triggering prey instincts while creating willing mo...

Kat and Shelley are joined by Tami Elkayam to share highlights from her Canberra workshops on keeping horses sound. They talk about moving beyond just spotting lameness to understanding the whole horse—posture, movement patterns, and prevention. The chat also touches on simple tools for owners and how hormones can affect mares’ performance. To find out more about Tami and her owners course discuss...

In this episode we wrap up 2024 with a look back at the highlights of the year, including our experiences at Equitana and the incredible visit from Tami Elkayam. We reflect on what we’ve learned, the connections we’ve made, and how these experiences are shaping our plans for 2025. Plus, we share some exciting goals for the new year and discuss our favorite book recommendations.

Daniel Dauphin Horsemanship is someone you need to know. He should be on your radar—not only because he is an exceptional horseman who has started thousands of colts, trained high-level performance horses, and conducts clinics worldwide, but also because he is the host of the popular Adult Onset Horsemanship Podcast and an expert on bits. Daniel can explain bits from every angle! He knows his engi...

In this episode we talk to the lovely Carol Layton from Balanced Equine. Carol had brought mineral supplementation into the everyday horse owners repertoire. We talk about the importance of specific minerals and their place in our horses diets as well as how to put together a basic diet that suits the average horse. If you want to find out more about Carol Layton or the products she has available,...

Anna Minogue is back! In this episode we talk about everything dentistry and bit fitting from the differences in mouth shape between breeds to the different actions of bits.

In this episode Shelley explains two terms she wishes to bring into the vehicular of the equestrian world. "New Home Syndrome" to bring attention to what horse's can experience when they are moved to a new home. And, "New Horse Syndrome", which is to bring attention to what happens to people when they get a new horse and how the unfamiliarity of the new horse can set the scene for distrust to occu...

In this episode Kat and Shelley talk about finding motivation to ride when there are so many things that make it hard. Things such as the weather to a lack of company. They explore what they have learnt about motivation and how doing something you want to do is more about being strategic than waiting around to feel ready. In this podcast four (4) books that contain interesting insights into motiva...

In this episode Kat gives some great tips about hoof care in winter. We go over ways to look after your farrier during the wet weather as well as how to look after your horse’s hooves. Kat also tells us the exciting news about her new course she has released, "Hoof Care Basics - The Essential Guide to Understanding & Caring for your Equine’s Hooves". Kat has created this course as a resource for o...

In this episode Shelley and Kat talk about "cookie cutter" training approaches for horses. They discuss why they are criticised but also about why they have merit.

Mel Stewart has over 30 years of experience working in psychology and she brings a wealth of knowledge to this episode. We delve deep into the human mind, exploring the nuances of mental health and behaviour, and how that relates back to horses.

We are joined in this episode by the gorgeous Jodie Luck from Almarzan Stud in Birdwood, South Australia. Jodie is an experienced and successful endurance competitor, as well as a breeder of Arabians, Warmbloods and German Riding Ponies. Jodie is a dedicated learner and she takes us on a journey into how she worked stuff out. To find out more about Almazaan Stud: Facebook @almazaan stud Website: h...