Stall and Stable: Ideas for Happy Horsekeeping

"Any training can be done poorly and cause problems … it is not R+ that is causing the problem. It is the lack of understanding of how to properly apply the science." -Shawna Karrasch In this episode, Helena is joined by the equine clicker OG, Shawna Karrasch , to discuss the recent trend of horse training experts on social media (often with thousands of followers), who scoff at positive reinforce...

In this episode, we are talking simplicity, and how it can help you streamline your barn work and your business. There are several ways to simplify your workflow. Today we're going to discuss three key strategies that will help you streamline, free up energy, and remov blocking entities in your barn. Joining Helena as co-host once again, is Buck Harris. As a small business champion in his industry...

This episode is available to Stall and Stable Full Board Subscribers. 

The road we travel to success with horses can be a long and arduous one. And when we turn a corner, it feels like we are getting closer to success. This is part 2 of 'Turning the Corner with Tik', a success story that follows Helena's journey with Siouxise. From struggling as a DIY horse trainer, to finding confidence as both a leader and a friend to horses, when you surround yourself with people...

The road we travel to success with horses can be a long and arduous one. Sometimes it is full of twists and turns, and when we turn a corner, it feels like we're actually getting closer to success. In this special 2-part episode,  Buck Harris  once again serves as host, helping Helena share her experiences with Siouxsie, and explain how turning a corner on their journey together represents a very...

Here we are again, discussing why horses are dying on the track, either racing or preparing to race in some of the biggest events in the equine world. With all of the money, effort, and time invested in these horses, why does the national spotlight keep finding something awful to shine on at the racetrack? In this episode, I welcome back our favorite veterinarian, Dr. Madison Seamans, to talk abou...

What if you could buy a barn kit that has everything you ever wanted included? Quality wood, fittings, fasteners, and engineering all combined into one easy package that gets shipped to your farm sounds a little good to be true. But it's not. In fact, that is exactly what BarnPros specializes in, and this episode explores the hows and whys of this innovative business that has horse people everywhe...

Who's coming to visit us at Hoo Toooooo? Better yet, who wants to be neighbors? In this episode, Helena chats with Aiken real estate expert, Barb Gould Uskup, about what the market is like for horse properties in South Carolina right now. Get the scoop, get some advice, and get shopping. Listen in!  This episode is brought to you by our friends at American Stalls ; makers of premium quality stall...

Outfitting today's stable is not as simple as it once was. That's because the options for comfort and safety have just about tripled in the last decade. Innovative products make our lives as horsekeepers easier and more gratifying than ever, and today's episode features a discussion about some of my favorite items from American Stalls . Listen in!  

In this special episode hosted by Horse Husband Extraordinaire, Buck Harris, you'll learn about Helena's history with horses and how it all lead to an exciting new chapter in her horsekeeping life. Where did the Harrises settle for a winter retreat? Is there room for all three horses? What does the barn look like? Is it really necessary to leave Hoo Hollow behind for a few months every year? Gah!...

You've heard Helena talk about how important fencing is to the safety of our horses, as well as for helping to keep our sanity in tact. We keep our horses in human environments; thankfully, new research is helping us design those environments to better suit our horses' needs. But, even as our farms evolve, one feature will remain the same no matter what–perimeter fencing. Whatever happens inside t...

We horsepeople are always up for a good story, and our life with horses are never short on tall tales. But the best stories are those told by old pros. And I say that with great respect and admiration for today's guest. Dr. Madison Seamans is back, and he has a great story to share with us about a mare named Whiskey who could certainly hold her liquor! Treating horses out in the field is what equi...

Am I the drama? Is it me? Oh, god, what if I AM the drama?  We all want a drama-free barn, and some barns advertise themselves as just that. But, we know better. When you work with animals things are gonna get emotional from time to time. And when you work with big animals, big emotions are part and parcel of living, loving, and working with them. So, how do we reduce the drama in our horse lives?...

We asked the Stall and Stable Facebook community to see what they would do with $150,000 cash. The answers came rolling in - most with hope and optimism, some with a bit of grumbling. In this episode, Helena shares those answers with you, and provides insight about some of the more common responses and misconceptions. It is interesting that so many farm owners have no idea just what $150,000 will...

Did you know that most farm disasters are preventable? The old adage that "horses are horses" and therefore just ripe for catastrophe is more myth than fact. While it's true that keeping large flight animals in containers designed for human convenience presents many challenges, the problem isn't with horses. It's with our lack of knowledge. My guest today, Dr. Rebecca Husted, is changing that by t...

Brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS In this episode of the Stall and Stable Show, Helena talks with beloved equine veterinarian, Dr. Madison Seamans. The conversation covers everything from what its like treating horses in the mountains of New Mexico, to natural selection, differences in horsekeeping between urban and rural environments, and advances in science that can help reduce the number of br...

Brought to you by: Sabrina Hayes grew up riding and showing Quarter Horses. She currently has a small herd of broodmares, a yearling, and a pony that she keeps at home near Billings, Montana. Her goal is to raise quality, versatile Quarter Horses to be competitive in the all-around Western and English events at stock breed shows (AQHA and NSBA). When she's not keeping a close eye on her mares and...

Brought to you by: American Stalls This episode takes listeners through Helena's journey with Clarabelle; from the day of the accident to the day this episode airs. From a seemingly small cut on a cannon bone, to three surgeries and over 30 days in the hospital, find out why distal limb wounds are a risk no horse owner should take on, and what, exactly, happened that turned a simple cut into a big...

Brought to you by In this second episode of Stall and Stable West, guest host Tara Tibbets shares the details of her farm in North Texas, and how her barn setup works for her three horses and her lifestyle. Combining a long family history in ranch-style horsekeeping with a modern take on life with horses in a suburban area, you'll understand why Tara is perfectly suited for sharing her ideas for h...

Brought to you by: American Stalls The way we keep horses is changing. As technology and research discover more things about horses that help us humans understand their needs better, our farms, barns, and methods need to shift a bit in order to leverage this new information so we keep our horses happy and sound far longer than in another time in history. Positive reinforcement training is more tha...

Brought to you by: American Stalls Investing in your farm is usually a multi-step process that often happens after your business has been up and running for a while. But finding the cash reserves to buy that manure spreader, upgrade your fencing, or install new footing in your arena, is a real challenge for most small business owners. That's where #microloans come in. Today's guest is financing ex...

Brought to you by: Barn Pros Well, America is a BIG country. Keeping horses in New England is not the same as keeping horses in Texas or California, or Montana. There are best practices and baselines wherever you live, of course, but we'd be silly not to talk about ideas for happy horsekeeping in specific areas of this big country of ours. So, we're adding a new series called Stall and Stable West...

Brought to you by American Stalls The topic of value in a boarding barn has been coming up a lot lately. What makes a place worth a certain amount and, outside of the cost to the proprietor, what should influence what one charges for board? Beauty is the eye of the beholder, of course, but there are certain, definable features that make boarding facilities attractive to horse owners. In this episo...

In my travels this summer, I visited several big barns and even more smaller ones. There are at least a hundred new tips I can share with you today, but I'll start with just ten of my most important takeaways.  If you want horses to be your livelihood, there are best practices that will help ensure you do that, and you do it well. In all fairness to the horses, we owe it to them to make their home...

In this first episode back from our summer break, we answer listener questions about stall components, materials, and matting for run-in sheds. Listen in!