The Elevated Equestrian

Is your horse really “lazy,” “grumpy,” or “stubborn”… or is it pain? In this episode, equine orthopedic specialist Dr. Sue Dyson breaks down the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram . We dig into how subtle signs—like pinned ears, tail swishing, or breaking gait—are too often brushed off as training issues, when in reality they’re red flags for musculoskeletal discomfort. Dr. Dyson shares how to spot these...

Samantha Baer sits down with Celeste Lazaris, founder of the Balance Through Movement Method , for a conversation that goes far beyond biomechanics. Together, they trace the journey from chasing adrenaline and “fixing” horses through force, to realizing that what most horses need is space, softness, and access to their own bodies. Celeste shares how bodywork opened her eyes to nerve compression, f...

Dr. Rachel Bellini, an equine veterinarian with over 30 years of experience, shares her holistic approach to equine health. From her years on the racetrack to her work with sport horses, she explains how posture and the nervous system are deeply connected to soundness, healing, and performance. Listeners will learn why traditional rehab often falls short, how joint extension and thoracic sling fun...

What really happens inside the hoof when laminitis strikes — and why are negative palmar angles becoming such a common issue? In this episode, Samantha Baer is joined by Alicia Harlov, hoof care provider, rehab facility owner, and host of The Humble Hoof Podcast . Together, we break down: The hidden role of the lamina and what “rotation” actually means Why 90% of laminitis cases are metabolic in o...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian , Samantha Baer sits down with equine-partnered life and business coach, animal communicator, and author Kate Neligan for a powerful conversation on what horses can teach us about perfectionism, burnout, and trust. Kate shares how she went from corporate America to building a life around horses, and why our relationship with them goes far beyond riding. T...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian , Samantha sits down with Paul T. Haefner, Ph. D & Justin Haefner from Riding Far to unpack the concept of nervous system regulation in both horses and riders. With decades of experience spanning sports psychology, horsemanship, and young horse development, they explore how dysregulation shows up in the arena, why obedience isn’t the same as partnersh...

Join Samantha Baer with FEI/Olympic coach Christoph Hess as he reveals how to create true horse‑rider harmony, chase Olympic dreams, and modernize equestrian training.

In this episode, Abbie Senesac Lopez of Reverence Equine shares her transformative journey from traditional horsemanship to a horse-first approach rooted in empathy, biomechanics, and thoughtful communication. Discover how Abbie’s experiences with “problem” horses reshaped her perspective, the pivotal lessons from her mentors, and practical strategies for building trust and connection with horses....

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of The Elevated Equestrian , Samantha Baer sits down with Dr. Gerd Heuschmann—renowned veterinarian, author, and classical trainer—dives deep into what we've lost in modern equestrian sport. We explore the true foundations of classical riding, why biomechanics and horse-friendly training have been overshadowed by flashy outlines, and how we can rebuild...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian , Samantha Baer sits down with Stephanie Carter of Indigo Ancestral Health to explore how functional nutrition can transform our horses' health. Stephanie shares her journey from veterinary technician to functional nutritional therapy practitioner, breaking down how inflammation, poor feeding practices, and overlooked stress contribute to chronic issues l...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian Podcast , Samantha Baer is joined by equine fitness expert Jec Ballou to talk about all the things nobody teaches you about conditioning horses. We cover the real reason your horse struggles with topline, how to build strength without breaking them down, the difference between postural vs. gymnastic muscles, and why most horses are actually under-trained...

Is your horse really being difficult—or are you missing what they’re trying to tell you? In this powerful episode, professional trainer Lisa Kay joins Samantha Baer to dive deep into classical in-hand work, emotional fitness for both horse and rider, and the truth about what "foundation" really means. They unpack how posture, pressure, and performance connect, why collection can stir up big emotio...

What if your horse’s “mystery lameness” isn’t in the legs at all? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Juli Silliman of Denali Equine , a rehab and body soundness expert who’s changing how we look at performance issues in horses. We unpack the difference between soundness and function , how to spot the early signs of body lameness , and why your OTTB might actually be struggling with asymmetry...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian podcast, Samantha Baer sits down with Inga Wolframm, Professor of Sustainable Equestrianism, to uncover the hidden biases in dressage judging. From eye-tracking research to AI-assisted scoring, they dive into the future of equestrian sports, sustainable horse training, and why flashy movement gets rewarded over correct biomechanics. Don't miss this de...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian podcast, Samantha Baer sits down with Gareth Maré of Heartfelt Horsemanship to dive deep into the real key to safe, happy, and connected horses. We discuss the Pyramid of Empathy, why relaxation is the foundation of good training, and how to create confident, willing horses without fear-based tactics. Whether you're a competitor or a leisure rider, th...

Horse whorls—just a random swirl of hair, or a hidden key to understanding your horse’s mind? In this episode, Samantha Baer talks with Noche Miller, an expert in equine whorls, to uncover what these patterns reveal about personality, temperament, and performance. Whether you’re horse shopping or just want to connect better with your own horse, this conversation will change how you see them foreve...

Discover The Future of Equine Wellness with Kim Smith-Bingham, founder of KSB Equine and a trailblazer in the horse industry. In this episode, we explore groundbreaking equine supplements, the science behind seaweed-based nutrition, and the benefits of natural equine care. Kim shares his journey from racing to creating innovative products that support horse health, performance, and recovery. Wheth...

In this episode, Samantha Baer sits down with Stephen Bradley, an accomplished event rider, instructor, and clinician, to dive into his incredible journey in the equestrian world. From humble beginnings on a small farm in Virginia to winning at the highest levels of eventing, Stephen shares how passion, perseverance, and pivotal mentorships shaped his career. We discuss the evolution of eventing,...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Margaret Rizzo McKelvey, the owner and founder of Mythic Landing Enterprises, a full-service marketing and business management company specializing in the equestrian industry. Margaret shared her journey from growing up riding horses to founding her own business, which is now celebrating its 17th anniversary. Margaret discussed her educational b...

On this episode of The Elevated Equestrian Chat , Samantha Baer interviews Martin Douzant of The Frame Sport Horses. Martin shares his journey from growing up in France to building a thriving equestrian business in the U.S. They discuss differences between French and American equestrian systems, Martin's young horse training philosophy, and the importance of understanding equine behavior. He also...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian , we’re joined by Nardine Oakes, founder of The Strong Rider and an expert in equestrian physical performance coaching. Nardine shares the importance of fitness for riders and how body awareness, strength, and conditioning can dramatically improve your performance in the saddle. From key exercises to recovery tips, this episode is packed with actionable a...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian , we dive deep into the world of equine nutrition with Rachel Mottet from Legacy Equine Nutrition. Rachel shares her expert insights on everything from the basics of hay and grains to the importance of supplements, ulcer prevention, and managing common issues like fecal water syndrome. If you're looking to optimize your horse’s diet and improve their over...

In this episode, I sit down with Warren Bryne, the mind behind Canna Horse, to explore the world of CBD in equestrian care. We delve into the science behind CBD, how it can promote overall well-being in horses, and personal stories of transformation. Whether you're curious about incorporating CBD into your horse's routine or looking for natural alternatives to traditional treatments, this conversa...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian , we’re joined by Alissa Mayer, an Equine Hanna Somatics teacher and practitioner. Alissa takes us through the fascinating world of Hanna Somatics, explaining how this powerful method can benefit both horses and their owners by addressing muscle tension and restoring natural movement. We discuss the basics of Hanna Somatics, practical exercises to help yo...

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian , we sit down with Laine Ashker, a 5-star eventer and gold medalist dressage rider who has mastered the art of both riding and social media. Laine shares her journey from the competitive arenas of dressage and eventing to building a powerful presence online, revealing how she balances both worlds. We dive into Laine's strategies for managing her dual...