Equidemia Insights international

Horse Domestication, Genetic Selection and Structural Change in Modern Breeding Domestication is not a closed chapter in history. It continues to shape modern horses — influencing temperament, stress physiology, locomotion and skeletal structure. In this episode, we explore the scientific foundations behind modern breeding trends: - the two domestication waves of the horse - the DOM2 expansion and...

Domestication is not a closed chapter in history. It is still active today – in the bodies, nervous systems, and resilience of our horses. In this episode, Celina Skogan explores: why domestication is biologically different from taming how it reshapes populations across generations why modern horses are deeply shaped by selective breeding and genetic bottlenecks and why training, management, and w...

Why Inside the Horse’s Mind? In this solo episode, I explain why horse training needs to be thought from its origin — not from methods, but from biology and neurophysiology. We talk about why learning, emotion, and behavior are not training issues, but biological processes, why behavior is always the end point of what happens inside the nervous system, and why understanding neurobiology fundamenta...

What if horses are not showing problem behaviour at all? What if what we label as conflict, resistance, or dysfunction is actually normal behaviour expressed under abnormal conditions? In this episode, Celina Skogan, trainer, osteopath and founder of Equidemia, explores how our perception of “normal” horse behaviour may be shaped by environments that are anything but normal. Drawing from equine we...

In this episode, we explore what gait analysis actually means and why it matters. We cover: - Veterinary gait analysis – classic “lame or not lame” approach - Objective gait analysis – tech tools & AI measurement - Subjective analysis – what the eye perceives - Riding instructor perspective – influenced by training philosophy - Functional gait analysis – understanding load limits & movement units...

In this episode, Celina Skogan from Equidemia speaks with Alissa Mayer BSc (Equine), EHSE-C, director of the Equine Hanna Somatics® Professional Training & Certification Program, about how Hanna Somatics principles can be applied to horses — why chronic tension isn’t just a mechanical issue, how the nervous system learns and unlearns movement, and what this means for prehab, rehab and training. Th...

In this episode, I talk about cognitive dissonance in the horse world: why we do what we know we shouldn’t – and how to move from maybe to integrity. We revisit Festinger’s theory, real barn-life examples, and research showing how humans often adjust perception when they don’t want to change behaviour. Pop-culture bridge: Fettes Brot – “Jein”. The perfect anthem for ambivalence.

In this episode, we explore how emotions take shape in the body – in humans and in horses alike. What we call a “gut feeling” is actually measurable through breathing, posture, and muscle tone. 📎 Key research mentioned: Hausberger et al. (2021): Detecting Welfare in a Non-Verbal Species: Social/Cultural Biases and Difficulties in Horse Welfare Assessment Additional recent research: ScienceDirect...

Emotions aren’t moods or attitudes – they are biology in action. In this episode of Science & Soulfulness for Equestrians, we dive deep into the neurobiology of feeling: What happens inside your horse when it reacts? How do hormones like cortisol, dopamine, and oxytocin shape its behavior? And why is emotional safety the foundation for all real learning?

Two people, one horse – and two completely different interpretations. “He’s scared.” – “No, he’s just being stubborn.” Both convinced they’re right. This episode dives into why perception isn’t the same as truth, how our brains constantly predict what we see, and why that means we often misread our horses. Celina explores what science really says about emotions in horses – from Cathrynne Henshall...

“If people start listening to you, there’ll be no horses left for classical training.” Seriously? In this episode, we take a closer look at why statements like this still appear in the horse world – and what they reveal about our relationship with knowledge, responsibility, and change. 🔍 What it’s about In this episode, Celina Skogan openly addresses a topic many in the horse industry prefer to a...

On the podcast, we disscuss today Topline Syndrome. It´s everywhere right now. Each riding style claims its own recipe: more collection, head down, fascia release. But if we look closer, we quickly realize: it’s not that simple. In this new podcast episode, we look beyond the myths. Because: we don’t see true health during training, but in moments of rest. Context is king.

I thought this topic had been covered long ago – but in practice, myths and dangerous half-truths about gastric issues in horses still come up every single day. That’s why, in this episode, we’re setting the record straight and sharing the latest scientific insights. You’ll learn: ▶️ Why gastric problems are more the rule than the exception ▶️ Which therapies make sense – and which don’t ▶️ Why at...

A teaching break doesn’t mean standing still! In this episode I share: - Our very first Summer Camp in Norway - Highlights: stress markers, gait analysis, Stable Core & pain workshop with Dr. Frauke Musial - My seminar in Germany & new plans for the Masterclass - Your wild social media stories and the question: Does my horse have to be sick to join Equidemia?

What truly makes a horse a horse – and what does that mean for how we interact with them? In this podcast episode, I spoke with Zefanja Vermeulen about exactly that. We take a look back at the beginnings of domestication and explore which characteristics are still deeply rooted in the horse’s nature – the so-called primitive traits. Traits that are often overlooked. Yet they explain so much: from...

What if a Grand Prix test looks softer – but the horse still shows stress? What if a rider’s hands are kind – but the body says: “This is too much?” In this episode, I talk about: 🔹 The performance of Justin Verboom & Zonik Plus 🔹 Biomechanical overload and hypermobility 🔹 Jessica von Bredow-Werndl’s public reaction to criticism 🔹 Why equipment matters more than image ✨ Bottom line: Not being...

After a truly inspiring weekend in Oslo, I recently had the chance to reconnect with Karoline Kjesrud, head of the interdisciplinary research group The Horse, artist and independent researcher Søssa Jørgensen, and of course Bent Branderup, to reflect on our workshop at the Archaeological Museum. In this episode, we talk about our insights from testing historical artefacts in practice, explore the...

Horse training is like an iceberg. We only see the top 2%, but the real work happens beneath the surface. In this solo episode, Celina takes you into the 98%: the neurological, emotional, and biomechanical layers that shape everything. With clarity, scientific depth, and ethical grounding, she explains why experience isn't enough, how anthropomorphism leads us astray, and why modern training must...

This episode doesn’t sugar-coat: We discuss the new FEI-backed research video on bits – and why "working" often means "hurting." With insights from Christina Wilkins and photographer Crispin Parellius. 👉 A call to rethink control, ethics, and equestrian culture.

In this episode, we take a unique look at the horse-human relationship through the lens of archaeology, history, and art. Our guests, Karoline Kjesrud and Søssa Jørgensen, are part of the interdisciplinary research group The Horse, recently established at the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Their aim: to explore the cultural, historical, and ethical significance of horses in Norway...

Horses using tools? Yes – and it's groundbreaking. In this episode, Kate Farmer joins us, co-author of the study on tool use in horses conducted with Prof. Konstanze Krüger. What does it mean when horses deliberately use objects to achieve goals? What cognitive abilities are required – and how does this reshape our understanding of horses? Celina Skogan speaks with Kate Farmer about research, trai...

Groundwork has many variations. While most people relate groundwork to horsemanship, academic groundwork enhances the gymnastically perspective of groundwork. In this podcast, I am discussing the possiblilities and limitations of the different groundwork perspectives.

When Cathrine went to Mongolia to participate in the famous 1000 Km race with semi-wild horses, It became a transformational experience for her that changed her persepctive on horses, riding and life. Listen to her story! Links Cathrine Internet: https://www.ridelikeaviking.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridelikeaviking Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridelikeaviking/ Links Equidemia...

Mary Debono is a Feldenkrais Practitioner from the US. She started her journey 30 years ago, and broke the ground for applying Feldenkrais also to horses, dogs and cats. Today Celina and Mary are talking about curious competence, compassion and kindness in the work with horses and humans, and why they don’t like the expression “No pain, no gain” at all. For our listeners, Mary has put together a f...

Margrete Lie has teaches horses & humans in Academic Art of Ridingand is based in Oslo. What many don’t know is the fact that Margrete also has a Master in equine ethologie and an education as a horse masseur. She travelled the world for learning more about horses, and worked with taming horses among other places in the Caribian. As a part of her studies, she also wrote very recognised thesis abou...