Riders of A Certain Age presents Conversations Beyond the Barn

It’s Never Too Late for Horses might sound like a nice idea. Fran Severn argues it’s reality. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, Fran shares insights from her work with adult riders and late starters, based on her book Riders of a Certain Age. She breaks down the mental hurdles, confidence struggles, and unexpected advantages that come with riding later in life or returning after ti...

Cowboy Mounted Shooting looks like something straight out of a Western movie. A rider gallops through a course, firing revolvers at targets with flashes, smoke, and speed. Think classic Hollywood moments like John Wayne charging across the screen in True Grit. But this isn’t a movie stunt. It’s a real and rapidly growing equestrian sport. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran...

Equine assisted therapy is transforming how we approach emotional, mental, and physical wellness—but it wasn’t always taken seriously. The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) is changing that by scientifically documenting the benefits of horse-assisted interventions and validating their effectiveness for a wide range of conditions. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fr...

Horses bring laughter, mystery, and unforgettable moments into our lives—and few capture that better than Jean Abernethy. For nearly 20 years, Jean has entertained the horse world with her cartoons and books featuring Fergus the Horse, sharing the quirks, antics, and misadventures of our four-hooved friends. Her Facebook page has over 300,000 followers, and her books are beloved by horse lovers ev...

Ever wondered what your dog, cat, horse, or other pet is thinking? Animal communicators have the rare ability to understand and “talk” with animals, helping humans connect more deeply with their furry, feathered, or four-hooved companions. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn speaks with Leslie Cerinisi, also known as Leslie the Animal Communicator, about how she disc...

Trail rides, camping trips, and equestrian events are meant to be fun—but emergencies can happen in an instant. If your horse runs off, becomes ill, or you’re injured while away from home, responders need immediate access to critical information about both horse and rider. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Dr. Nancy Thomas, DVM about ID-MyHorse, a device...

Turning a passion for horses into a career isn’t easy—but Summer Grace has done it in a unique way. As the owner of Flaxen Mane Media, she provides photography, publicity, and promotional services for equestrian businesses and horse shows. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Summer about her journey as a professional horse show photographer, the behind-the...

Watching Thoroughbreds thunder down the track is exhilarating—but what happens when a racehorse retires? Many face uncertain futures due to age, injury, or performance. Thankfully, programs like Turning for Home provide safe homes and new careers for off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Danielle Montgomery, director of T...

Equine assisted therapy is a powerful tool for emotional, physical, and mental wellness—but what if the therapy horse is just a few feet tall? In Florida, Honey's Mini Therapy Adventures brings mini horses directly to seniors, hospitals, schools, and counseling offices, making therapy more accessible and impactful. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn speaks with Mary...

Horse Expos celebrate all things equine with a weekend-long schedule of clinicians, demonstrations, competitions, and – of course – shopping. Expos draw as many as 30 thousand spectators and participants. It’s a massive undertaking with plans for the next expo starting a few days after the current one wraps up.  What’s involved in planning, scheduling, and executing such an event. In this episode...

Welcome to the preview of Riders of a Certain Age presents Conversations Beyond the Barn. With more than 20 years of experience and experiences in and around the horse world, host Fran Severn has met dozens of fascinating people. Not just the trainers, competitors, and equine businesspeople, but those who are involved with horses in unusual, unexpected ways. Each week, she’ll share a conversation...