Horsemanship Unlocked

In this episode, we explore the distinction between compliance and willingness in the horse–human relationship. Here we discuss learned helplessness, latency and behavioral enthusiasm, stress physiology, emotional engagement during training, and what willingness may look like behaviorally. Outward obedience does not always reflect the horse’s internal emotional experience and invites listeners to...

This episode explores how trust is shaped through predictability, consistency, and emotional regulation, drawing from both equine behavior research and human relationship psychology. Sources and Further Readings Equine Behavior & Predictability Hausberger, M., Roche, H., Henry, S., & Visser, E. K. (2008).A review of the human–horse relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 109(1), 1–...

This episode explores the concept of ownership and partnership through both equine science and human relationship psychology, examining how power, dependency, and learning shape the horse-human relationship. Sources & Further Readings Equine Behavior & Welfare Hausberger, M., Roche, H., Henry, S., & Visser, E. K. (2008).A review of the human–horse relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour...

In this episode, Veronica explores the definition of "horsemanship". What is the historical definition versus the definition given by industry traditions? How much of defining horsemanship is relationship based versus skill based? Have we drifted from its original meaning and can we circle it back? Just another topic to question on the "Question Everything" Equestrian Podcast. Sources and Further...

Welcome to Horsemanship Unlocked's Question Everything: Equestrian Podcast. In this trailer, meet Veronica and explore her journey from traditional horsemanship to science-based training. This podcast looks at horse training, behavior, and welfare through curiosity, observation, and better questions, inviting thoughtful, nonjudgmental conversations about the horse-human relationship.

The patriarchy not only takes form in politics but also in the horse world. Big name trainers are predominantly men while mostly women occupy facilities at the local level. Even in equestrian circus arts women are capped at their physical strength while men have no limits. As a cis woman who rode in jeans and performed "masculine" tricks, here are some of my stories and some ideas to fight the pat...

Riding and training horses with passionate people is all fun until you have to sit in the office and catch up on bookkeeping and contracts. Barn families are personal connections are what we live for but business is business and managing friendships and financial agreements can be a balancing act within itself. Join Veronica as she shares tips and stories about keeping organized, maintaining bound...

Fabulous equestrian and my personal assistant trainer for summer camps, Danielle Laszcwski is here to give us the ins and outs of attending a collegiate equine management program. From dorm life, to chores, classes, teams, and training, Danielle found great value in her education. Currently out in the workforce, she has tips and advice for anyone looking into equine science and management programs...

There are many schools of thought based around how long and how hard we should work our horses. Many of those schools of thought are outdated and old school. Seeing horsemanship with discernment can provoke change in an individual and an individual can provoke change in the collective. This is what we call evolution and progression. If not the old ways, than what? Using scientific data from animal...

This week we have an exciting behind the scenes interview with Renaissance Festival jouster, Sir Thomas Buckley. Join us as we discuss the job requirements, daily routines, and horsemanship practices of a traveling joust troupe.

We get into equestrian sports from the love of the horse. When does love of the sport overpower the love of the horse? When you see a beautiful flower, do you pick it or water it and provide what it needs to grow? Attitude and perspective in horsemanship can change just about everything. It's not about what you're doing but how you're doing it. Intention ripples through everything; you...

Running a boarding stable is not for the weak. An around the clock job catering to the needs of both humans and horses takes organization, discipline, business skills, leadership, and compassion... to name a few. Join me in a chat with barn manager and eventing trainer, Lindsay Barrack, as she gives us tips and secrets from her experience of running Mahan Farm, a 113 acre facility in Tallahassee,...

In this podcast episode I share some stories, tips, and experiences throughout my years of hauling horses across the country. From emergency kits, stress reduction, to booking overnight stops, here are some of my hard earned life lessons from a decade of living and traveling on the road with horses.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to work on a ranch out west? The days are as long as the trails you blaze but the sights and the sounds of nature make it all worth it. Join me as I interview KT Schramm on her adventures as a ranch wrangler. Starting as an English rider in the midwest, KT shares the insights and secrets of working at dude ranches. Oh, and did I mention that she has beautiful...

What are the standards for horse training? Who oversees putting them together? In this free market economy, anyone can say or produce anything, and that’s precisely what has been going on. We may be driven by results, but at what costs was it to get there? Horses cannot speak to us, but if you pay close enough attention and listen you may start to question what you hear. Using scientific based met...

Being the light will cast shadows on the darkness. There is no light without darkness. You don't know what "right" is without the contrast of "wrong" yet some things aren't so black and white. There are wolves in sheeps clothing among us in the horse world. One of those is the man versus beast mentality. How attached are you to a certain outcome that you find yourself r...

Running away with the circus is not always as fun or glamorous as it may seem, but is it an adventure? Absolutely! Join Veronica Painter and Lindsay Barrack while they discuss their experiences performing and living on the road with a trailer full of girls, dogs, and horses. Sit back and relax as they tell their wild tales of caravan mishaps, side of the road failures, and circus lot life.

Join Kelsey of Helicon Horsemanship and Veronica of Horsemanship Unlocked as they discuss their perspectives and personal experiences around the topic of  when to end a training session. How long should one ride their horse? Is there a time frame standard set as a good stopping point? Or a feeling? Veronica and Kelsey discuss the recommended amount of time a for equine learning but also dive...

What is the underlying motivation for your work with horses? Is it coming from a controlling place or a communicative place? Join Veronica Painter and Kelsey Welter of Helicon Horsemanship as they discuss the ebb and flow of working with horses from a one way controlling street versus a two way communication stand point. We discuss various personal stories and evolution regarding the surrender of...

Are you planning on starting a business? Do you want to work in the equine industry? Are you attempting to blaze your own trail but don't know where to start? Do you have an idea you want to get off of the ground? Or do you just need some leadership motivation? On this episode I meet with Scott Taylor, an equine farrier, former bull rider and rodeo clown, and multi-business entrepreneur. With a kn...

While recent studies have shown us that horses do not form attachment bonds to humans, most horse owners would argue that there is something there, something abstract that exists within their relationship with their horses. In this episode I cover the range of human and horse emotions. There is a key emotion that humans can unlock from their equine partner to ensure a successful and rewarding mutu...

Horses' attachment to humans is a hot topic in the media due to a study conducted by Sweden’s Linköping University. The results of this study conclude that horses do not form attachment bonds to specific humans. Here is a quick review of the psychological analysis of common human reactions to this study as well as an explanation and examples to validate the results of this study. Mindful conscious...

Kelsey Welter of Helicon Horsemanship joins us in this episode and shares some of her horsemanship journeys and experiences. From starting in southern Wisconsin's 4-H organizations, traveling to Portugal and Golega for the National Lusitano Horse Fair, to her cross country internships with horsemanship master Dominique Barbier, Kelsey gives listeners insight into the philosophy of French Classical...

In work, sports, and yes, circus arts, we often use props or equipment. Trucks, tractors, bows and arrows, high wires, juggling clubs, and trampolines. With these tools, humans are able to do some amazing things, defying the odds, exceeding expectations, and testing the limits. This is what circus arts are all about. Now what does this look like for someone who's "prop" has a mind of its own. Hors...

Beatrice Scescke joins us this week to swap circus stories of her experiences with Big Apple Circus's six horse liberty act and a mixed animal act and menagerie on Circus Royal in Switzerland. Beatrice currently resides in Chicago with her horses on her urban farm. Giving back to her community through animal assisted public outreach is her passion.  Goat yoga, pony rides, and horse tarot are...