Canter Therapy

We had the privilege of talking to Dr. Raquel Butler from Integrative Veterinary Therapeutics. Raquel is an absolute wealth of knowledge in the industry, having initially trained as a veterinarian before immersing herself in equine bodywork and biomechanics. In this episode we talk about the role of functional posture how it goes hand in hand with soundness. Find out more about Raquel on Facebook:...

Learning to ride as an adult is harder than you think! This episode delves into the unique challenges faced by adults learning to ride horses. In this episode, we engage in a conversation with Sam McGilvray, unraveling her journey into horsemanship. Sam shares her experience and frustrations of navigating the world of riding, offering insights into self-discovery and some of life's lessons.

In this episode, we have the privilege of chatting with Dr. Lizzie McCready, a dedicated veterinarian on a mission to enhance the lives of animals everywhere. With a passion for ongoing learning and a heart for the equestrian community, Dr. McCready is committed to sharing her veterinary expertise to positively impact horses. She's all about empowering everyday horse owners with practical skills a...

In this episode Kat and Shelley reflect on what their highlights and learnings from 2023 were. 2023 was full of lots of insightful conversations and clinics and 2024 will no doubt be the same ❤️

Dr. Sue Dyson is a well-known veterinarian and researcher in the field of equine health and welfare, particularly in the area of lameness and poor performance in performance horses. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of pain and discomfort in ridden horses.

We could say that this is an inspirational story of how Kate Nipperess, former jockey, returned to riding after a track work fall left her a paraplegic. But Kate is more than this. She is a wealth of knowledge about horses, especially thoroughbreds and how understanding their racing experiences can help you transition them off the track. You can follow Kate on instagram: @katenipperess You can hel...

In this episode, we delve into the world of float loading, training, and safe driving with horses on board. Float loading is something that should be easy and lets us get out and about and see the world with our horses, but often this isn’t the case. Kat and Shelley touch on the many different aspect of towing a float with horses and options to make things a little smoother.

After many years of nagging Kat & Shelley finally managed to get Dr Heidi McGrath on the podcast. Heidi is an incredible asset to the equine industry. She is a veterinarian with a passion for podiatry and lameness while understanding the importance of looking at the whole animal.

Lisa Agius-Gilibert from The Glorious Hoof provides hoof care services in the Hawkesbury region of New South Wales. In this episode Kat and Lisa combine their expert insights into hooves and we talk a lot about laminitis and the connection between the gut and hoof health. For more information about Lisa: www.theglorioushoof.com.au

We want you to meet someone pretty amazing - Linda Goldspink-Lord. Linda is the director of Poseidon Animal Health the manufacturers of well known equine gut support product Digestive EQ. This episode will open your mind to the impact of stress on gut health and the cascade of detrimental effects this can create. To find out more about Poseidon Animal Health: https://poseidonanimalhealth.com.au/

So you have bred a foal or maybe purchased a young horse that is not yet under saddle... what do you do now to ensure things don't go pearshaped? In this episode Kat and Shelley take you on a captivating journey through Kat's experience with her weanling, Harley. They dive into the details, discussing the progress Kat has been making. Kat and Shelley share insights into preparing horses for starti...

Guess who’s back?! Back again! Join us for another fun and educational conversation with Kerry Thomas. We dive into his latest creation: a comprehensive glossary of terms which further defines herd dynamics and sensory soundness. We also talk about his upcoming seminars across Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth in November which will cover the practical application of herd dynamics.

A special episode with Bec Ham who is an equine nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research. We delve into equine nutrition and managing fat ponies, exploring the importance of a balanced diet tailored to each horse's needs. She most correctly points out - what a horse eats can either help or hinder them. Discover practical strategies for weight management, considering exercise, grazing, and metaboli...

In this episode of the Canter Therapy, we explore polyvagal theory with one of our favourite experts, Tami Elkayam. Discover how our muscular skeletal system and nervous system intertwine, debunking oversimplifications. Join us as we unravel the complexities behind this exciting topic.

Join us as Ian Leighton from Ian Leighton Horsemanship explores the captivating topic of 'Things That Aren't as They Seem.' We dive into hard-mouthed horses, soft hands, contact, and straightness while gaining many other valuable insights to enhance our understanding.

Dive into the world of running a successful equine business with Lisa Agius-Gilibert from The Glorious Hoof in Sydney. With a unique background in the corporate realm, Lisa brings invaluable insights and expertise to the table. In this episode, she shares her firsthand experience and breaks down the essential steps to thrive. From mindset shifts to setting boundaries, Lisa's wisdom extends outside...

In this episode Kat and Shelley talk to Kat Charlton about her incredible journey helping her young horse Sam rehabilitate about breaking his hip and other serious damage after a horrific paddock accident. At the time of injury Kat was advised to put Sam down as no horse had ever recovered from such a horrific injury. Kat has shown that is not the case and her holistic approach is both interesting...

In this episode Kat and Shelley talk about living consciously through daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly check-ins with your horse. Having awareness around the everyday goings on with your horse can help strengthen both your relationship and performance.

In this episode Shelley picks Kat's brains about one of her biggest frustrations when helping people with their horse - horses that are sore in their feet. Everyone wants their horse to be calm, willing and confident but this will never happen unless the horse is comfortable in their feet and body. Kat explains hoof pain and its ramifications and what can be done about it.

In this episode we talk about training tools! Rope halters, bits, hobbles, side reins and more! We give our experience and opinions about all the controversial things!

Kat and Shelley discuss what they discovered at Herd Dynamics Seminar presented by Kerry Thomas From THT Bloodstock. They report what happened, what they thought and what they learnt. Everyone cares about physical soundness but what about sensory soundness which has such an impact on the emotionality of the horse and its ability to regulate stress. To learn more about herd dynamics and sensory sou...

Anna Minogue has a love of learning and has followed her curiosity for learning through a career in vet nursing before she studied as an equine dentist. She now uses her understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, training and the role of the rider; to aid her in bit fitting and bridle fitting. This episode touches on a bit of everything, teeth, bits and bridles! You can find out more about Anna on Fa...

Melinda Macaulay provides us with an insight into posture and position while riding. She has a background in Sports and Exercise Science and helps break down the ideas for us in simple terms. This episode discusses working with what you’ve got and improving yourself to be the best you can for both yourself and your horse. You can find find Melinda on Facebook and Instagram @StrongStableSeat

In this episode Kathryn & Shelley have the pleasure of chatting with Ian Leighton. They get to discuss all the important aspects of ‘good old horsemanship’ and how older principles impact the way we currently work with horses. You can find Ian on Facebook and Instagram @ianleightonhorsemanship

The internet and social media has had a big impact on the equestrian world. It has allowed ideas to be spread and made experts more accessible. However, sometimes you can get lost in the relentless bombardment of voices in your newsfeed.  It is hard to pick a path to follow. Shelley is one of those voices and in this episode she describes what she is doing to provide a place to spell out her proce...