Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle

This week we were really lucky to have wounderful Katie Hancox from Informed Rider Coaching, for our first ever guest appearance on the podcast, joining us for a brilliant two-part chat about all things informed riding (we couldn't stop at one podcast... cos we have problems) Katie is an equestrian coach who helps riders make sense of the huge amount of advice, opinions, and information that...

This week we were really lucky to have wounderful Katie Hancox from Informed Rider Coaching, for our first ever guest appearance on the podcast, joining us for a brilliant two-part chat about all things informed riding (we couldn't stop at one podcast... cos we have problems) Katie is an equestrian coach who helps riders make sense of the huge amount of advice, opinions, and information that...

One of our listeners from Canada got in touch with a question that seems to be everywhere at the moment "How can we help horses feel calmer without relying on calming supplements?" With calming supplements all over social media, it can feel like there's a powder, paste, cookie, or magic solution for every anxious horse. But how much evidence is actually behind these products? In thi...

One of our listeners got in touch with a question that comes up a lot when people start exploring positive reinforcement training: "When do I know when it's time to stop giving food rewards?" It seems like a simple question. But the more we talked about it, the more we found ourselves asking: Why do we want to stop? If reinforcement maintains behaviour, what happens when reinforceme...

It’s hot. The horses are sweating. And once again, the yearly horse-world civil war has begun: “To scrape or not to scrape?” Every summer this debate comes back around social media like clockwork. Hose the horse down and scrape the water off immediately… or leave the water on because it actually helps cool them? Apparently, according to some corners of the internet, if you leave water on your hors...

“I feel like I am rushing through steps with my training, do you have any advice for me on how I can set my animals up for success?” And honestly? If you’re asking yourself that question… you’re probably already doing better than you think. Because the people worrying about going too fast are usually the people trying hardest to listen to the animal in front of them. In this episode, we get into:...

Hi All, We’ve lots of B-roll and outtakes… mainly because me and Jen will talk for about three hours... The podcasts go up and somehow become an hour long through editing magic, somewhere in the middle! But this is our downtime too. We’ll sit and talk absolute nonsense to each other for 45 minutes before & after recording, and sometimes there are little snippets left at the end of the timeline...

This episode starts with sneezing. Naturally. "I expect nothing less  from you lot ..."   #JellyfishDontSneeze which somehow becomes important enough to deserve its own hashtag. Then one of our listeners from Canada asked us: “What is your biggest hot take on anything equine or animal related?” Which immediately exposed the fact that Barbara didn’t actually know what a “hot take” was.  O...

What does good actually look like for horses? Not the version we’ve inherited. Not the version that’s easiest to manage. The version that actually meets their needs. It's tricky, In this episode, Jen and Barbara dig into enrichment for horses. We’re talking ethology. What horses are built for. What they’re missing. Why that matters more than any system label, plus how you can find the gaps an...

In this episode, Jen and Barbara revisit a conversation that’s come back into the spotlight, one that clearly still needs to be had. We’ve reimagined our original pilot episode and asked the big question again: does positive reinforcement lead to biting in horses? While the original pilot is still available, this episode takes the discussion further. We dive much deeper into what actually causes b...

This was our very first episode back in September 2023, and I’m reposting it here because it’s super relevant to our newest episode! In this podcast, we try something a little different: a debate! If you’re familiar with debate club rules, one person must defend the topic and one must oppose it. We did this using the current research in the field and went head-to-head to hash it out. There are poi...

We’re back! Jen had the audacity to go and get married, and now I’m here editing this and complaining about her selfish behaviour… prioritising love over the podcast (how dare she!) 🤣 It took us two hours to talk about this because it’s been way too long since we’ve recorded, so the chaos here is high and I refuse to edit more then I need to. Will these episodes get shorter? Maybe, Hopefully? Wil...

 In this episode, we take a closer look at the role of foraging in equine wellbeing. Horses are hard-wired to graze for many hours a day, so what happens when we limit or disrupt this natural behaviour?  Barbara and Jen discuss their research, practical ways to support natural foraging, and how it links to emotional regulation, behavioural health, and performance. A must-listen for anyone wanting...

In this episode we dive into the controversial and widely debated topic of dominance theory. Is it still relevant, or has modern behavioural science moved on? We chat about what dominance theory actually is, how it came to influence horse training, and why it continues to spark disagreement today. Join us as we explore what the latest research says, how dominance-based approaches compare with evid...

We’re back from our summer break and kicking off a brand new season! 🎉 In this episode, we catch up on what we’ve been up to, what’s coming next for the podcast, and some of the things we’ve been reflecting on over the break. Our main topic this week is language both the words we use when we talk about horses, and the “language” horses use to communicate with us. We explore: How the language we u...

Welcome to a powerful and timely special episode of our podcast. In this edition, we tackle the investigation by RTÉ that uncovered shocking systems of animal-welfare abuse and food-safety failures in the horse-slaughter industry.  We’ll unpack: How hundreds of horses declared unfit for human consumption ended up in slaughterhouses.  The Abuse that took place in the slaughter house, uncovered by R...

In this episode, we chat all about desensitisation and more importantly, how it differs from systematic desensitisation. These terms often get used interchangeably, but they’re not the same! We break it down in a practical and horse-friendly way: What each method actually involves How they’re used in behaviour modification When things can go well… and when they can go wrong Why careful planning an...

 Here we talk about Extinction, when a behaviour reduces because it no longer “works” for the horse. We look at what extinction bursts are, what emotional responses can show up, and when extinction may or may not be an ethical or effective choice. Clear, considerate, and welfare-focused.  Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast. Meet...

 This short episode dives into Shaping, reinforcing small steps toward a bigger behaviour. We explore how to break behaviours down, how to celebrate progress, and how shaping creates confidence and curiosity in learning. Ideal for anyone wanting more softness, clarity, and joy in their training.  Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podca...

 In this episode, we take a calm and honest look at Positive Punishment, adding something aversive to reduce behaviour. We discuss why it’s widely used, why it can create fallout, and how it affects emotional state and trust. No judgement, just clear, science-based exploration to help listeners understand the implications. Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your ques...

 Here we explain Negative Punishment, removing something the horse wants to decrease a behaviour. We talk about time-outs, the role of clarity, and how to avoid frustration or confusion. A gentle, practical overview of a concept often misunderstood in training discussions.  Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast. Meet Your Hosts Bar...

 This bite-sized episode focuses on Positive Reinforcement : adding something the horse values to encourage behaviour. We chat about food rewards, scratches, marker signals, and what makes reinforcement actually reinforcing. Perfect for anyone curious about introducing R+ into training routines.  Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podca...

 In this quick bonus episode, we break down what Negative Reinforcement really is — and what it isn’t . We talk about the role of pressure and release in horse training, how timing shapes the horse’s experience, and how this form of learning can be used thoughtfully and ethically. Short, simple, and straight to the point.  Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your ques...

In this episode, we explore a big and sometimes hotly debated question in the horse world: Is riding bitless safe? We look at what the research says, how bitless bridles actually work, and the factors that influence safety from training and communication to physical comfort and emotional wellbeing. We also unpack some of the common myths and assumptions (on both sides of the bit vs. bitless conver...

In this episode, we take a closer look at how everyday habits, both human and equine, shape behaviour, wellbeing, and the relationship we build with our horses. We explore what positive habits really look like for you and your horse, how they form, and why consistency matters more than perfection. From small routines around handling, training, and care to the internal habits we carry as humans ,su...