Horse Wise

Episode 73: In this second episode of the “F-word” series, I discuss the fear of missing out (aka FOMO) in horsemanship. And how that particular fear often sets us up to actually miss the most important things that the horse is offering us. At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that sho...

Episode 72: In this first installment of the “F-word” series, I discuss the fear of running out of time to learn horsemanship. And how that very fear is exactly what our goal in life should be. At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your h...

Episode 71: Why “one small good thing” is the most important principle I bring to my horsemanship practice.  At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a practical, straightforward way). If you’d like more information on mi...

Episode 69: The Horse Wise Scholars podcast study group holds a special, encore Q&A with Dr. Janet Jones. Dr. Jones is a brain scientist and former professor of cognitive science - as well as a lifelong horsewoman and trainer. In her ground breaking book, Horse Brain, Human Brain, Dr. Jones does an in-depth study of the neuroscience of horsemanship.  She describes the scientific differenc...

Episode 68: In this episode, I discuss the gifts I received from three special horses this holiday season. Merry Christmas to all my listeners, clients, fans and equine teachers! At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a prac...

Episode 67: Zoe Mazepa is a young horsewoman full of heart, integrity and love for the horses. Her dedication, hard work and commitment to the art of horsemanship is inspiring. Plus she has tons of entertaining stories about her ongoing horsemanship journey. I really enjoyed interviewing Zoe! She is down to earth, funny and full of enthusiasm — and she has a true calling for her work with horses....

Episode 66: I took a recent sabbatical to study the concept of pressure and release. What I learned was that there is a huge difference between moving away from pressure versus going toward softness. Both approaches might seem like they get to the same goal. But they each have very different ways of HOW you reach the goal — whether you only move away from pressure (a negative) or whether you activ...

Episode 65: Cowboy clinicians taught me that grit and refinement go hand in hand. Horsemanship is the art of balance — yin and yang. As Buck Brannaman once said, “Gentle in what you do. Firm in how you do it.” This lesson was profound for me — and kept me safe years later while working with a troubled horse. At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and the...

Episode 64: Dr. Janet Jones is a brain scientist - as well as a lifelong horsewoman and trainer. In her groundbreaking book, Horse Brain, Human Brain, Dr. Jones does an in-depth study of the neuroscience of horsemanship. By explaining how equine brains work, Dr. Jones demystifies horse behavior and the common misunderstandings between horses and riders. She describes the scientific differences bet...

Episode 63: The ONE key to horsemanship – do you know what it is? If you’re like many horse people, you’re always on the lookout for it. The secret tip, the ultimate hack, the one thing you MUST know. Social media marketing and sponsored ads are full of “the one thing” and the “amazing secret” that you can get by just clicking the link (and buying the advertised service).The trouble is that there...

Episode 62: Karen Rohlf is the creator of Dressage Naturally, an innovative teaching program that combines dressage and natural horsemanship. Her work includes a ground breaking book (the first to combine dressage and natural horsemanship), one of the first ever video library classrooms and a super unique approach to training your horse in harmony. In our discussion, Karen shares her insights, tea...

Episode 61: I had a long and twisted horsemanship journey, starting as an adult beginner.  With time and good teachers (mostly horses), I eventually became a trainer and a coach. But I never forgot where I came from.  That’s why I started the Horse Wise  podcast -- to share my personal study of horsemanship. And to interview people who know more about it than me. The podcast now has...

Episode 60: Jade Favre is an incredible TB and OTTB expert. In addition to running a successful racing operation, Jade has helped rehome hundreds of OTTBs directly from their racing connections. In her spare time, she raises adorable children and occasionally sleeps lol. Check out this episode to learn more about Jade’s work and her passion for helping OTTBs into successful careers as sport horses...

Episode 59: Jec Ballou is the ultimate equine fitness and physiology expert. Her books on corrective exercises, dressage tools and equine training tools have helped thousands of horses and riders. Originally a competitive dressage rider, Jec changed her focus to equine biomechanics after meeting Manolo Mendez. Her journey has included exhaustive study of equine biomechanics, rehabilitation and per...

Episode 58: Ginger Gaffney is the trifecta of horsemanship. A renowned teacher and trainer, Ginger also is a highly successful author. Her debut memoir, Half Broke, details her experiences with an alternative prison ranch in New Mexico. The facility conducts a daring experiment: setting the troubled residents out to retrain an aggressive herd of horses. The horses and prisoners both arrive at the...

Episode 57: Wendy Murdoch is an internationally recognized teacher, clinician and author — as well as the creator of the Sure Foot Equine Stability Program. A trained scientist, Wendy has dedicated much of her professional life to the study of the equine nervous system. A serious riding injury in the 1980s drew Wendy into the world of the human nervous system — and how to teach the body to relearn...

In this episode (#57), I discuss how horses don’t care about your politics. They respond to your presence and your actions -- right now and in the moment. Too often, I see people using horses as a blank screen -- on which they project their emotions, worldview and political beliefs. When the horse doesn’t behave in a way that correlates to those premises, some people will blame the horse than re-e...

Leading a horse is one of the best ways to communicate with your horse — in ways that translate into practical results under saddle. In this episode (#56), I discuss why your lead rope is nothing like a leash -- and why that's a good thing. At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that sho...

As part of the our youth education services, we have started a Horse Wise® Horsemanship Buckle for 4-H groups. In this episode (#55), I discuss the buckle standards and why we decided to start this specific initiative. The buckle requirements focus on learning ground work techniques -- to help young riders become more aware of their horses (and learn to "do less sooner" for better partnership and...

Alicia Landman has devoted her life to the study and dedicated practice of horsemanship. I’ve been inspired by her work for years — and I especially admire her willingness to always evolve as a horsewoman and teacher. In this episode (#54), we discuss the importance of embracing the basics — and how fun it is to discover new nuances in those basics each year. Alicia also shares her decision to tak...

In this episode (#53), I look back at 2020 as it draws to a close.. For me, this most unusual year was full of unexpected gifts. Most especially, a return to classical study that led me to become a better student of the horse. Happy New Year from me and the equine teachers (Santo & Cozy) at Horse Wise! At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their...

To me, Brooke Tatrow epitomizes the concept of integrity and balance in horsemanship. She has studied with classical and foundation horsemanship masters for over twenty years. Her teachers have included Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt and Maryal Barnett. Brooke brings a thoughtful, compassionate and philosophical approach to every horse (and rider) she works with. Brooke is inspiring to learn from — and...

Often the biggest questions have the simplest answers. In this episode (#51), I discuss how two words (“it depends”) have given me much insight over the years — especially in 2020. At Horse Wise, I teach people tools so that they can learn how to coach themselves and their horses to progress together as a team. It’s a fun process that shows you how build a good partnership with your horse (in a pr...

On this episode (#50), Amy Skinner returns for a fun and laughter-filled discussion on the relationship between herd dynamics, horse handling and riding. Also we ponder the nature of epiphanies and why they often deliver both the highs and lows simultaneously. .Amy offers a training program for all breeds and disciplines that focuses on promoting softness, balance, and rel...

Emma Daily Kline is one of my favorite horsemanship people to follow. She blends dressage, classical movement and vaquero horsemanship philosophy in an unique way. Emma works 5-6 horses in her personal string — plus is a successful entrepreneur. In this episode (#49), Emma discusses how she balances a packed riding schedule with full-time business ownership —all while remaining dedicated to the ar...