The Horse Fix

Send us Fan Mail Fear doesn’t always look like nerves. Sometimes it looks like freezing in a barn aisle, avoiding eye contact with a horse, or feeling your chest tighten the second a muzzle reaches toward your hand. Today we’re sharing a story that starts exactly there and ends with something that still surprises us: Sandy Bernard now owns two horses and handles them with growing calm and skill at...

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Send us Fan Mail Frozen mornings set the scene, but the real heat comes from commitment. We open with practical, no-nonsense winter horse care—how to keep water intake up with electrolytes, why extra hay matters, when to blanket, and how to spot early frostbite before it turns serious. A sobering barn-heater story underscores safety, reminding us that curious horses and loose cords never mix. From...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder if there’s a smarter path to the show ring than buying a horse outright? We open the barn door on leasing—how it works, why fit matters more than flash, and what happens when a trusted trainer pairs a talented mare with the right rider. Nora shares Mercedes’ leap from a new program to all-around wins and Congress placings in a few short months, and we break down the nu...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show May all your blues be ribbons

Send us Fan Mail Support the show May all your blues be ribbons

Send us Fan Mail The sweetest victories sometimes come when we least expect them and have nothing to do with winning ribbons. After months of heartbreak watching my mare struggle with a mysterious lameness and facing my own impending surgery, I found myself  feeling defeated. But an unexpected act of kindness changed my mind set. For a competitive rider like myself who typically spends weeks metic...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show May all your blues be ribbons

Send us Fan Mail Choosing a guiding word for the year can be transformative, and for me, embracing “enough” has been a journey of self-acceptance and growth. This episode starts with my reflections on the concept of being "enough" and how it guides us toward contentment, even as we strive for personal improvement. Along the way, we address a listener's query from Honduras about hors...

Send us Fan Mail Picture this: You've been out of the saddle for weeks, recovering from surgery, and now it's time to face your beloved horse again. How do you overcome the fear and regain your confidence? Join Dr. Sandra Holt and Nora Dhondt in this episode of The Horse Fix as they share valuable insights and personal experiences about reconnecting with your horse after a prolonged brea...

Send us Fan Mail Can participating in horse shows truly shape a child's character? Join me as I chat with parents Candy Bobo, Clay Funderburk, and Samantha Beasley, who share their heartfelt stories and insights into the transformative power of horse shows for young equestrians. From learning responsibility and accountability to understanding the value of sportsmanship, we'll explore how...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I talk about sticking to it -where we tackle the essence of grit and the art of not giving up.  We delve into the incremental nature of self-growth, and why the search for progress is more powerful than the quest for perfection.  From the journey I'm on with my mare, Electra, once labeled untrainable, to the universal battles we all face, this episode is an ho...

Send us Fan Mail Horse ownership is a journey of responsibility and emotional connection, and in this episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by the ever-sparkling Nora Dhondt as we traverse the highs and lows that come with the territory. Our heartfelt discussion kicks off with the delicate issue of horse neglect, a serious and complex matter. We tackle this sensitive subject by weighing in on th...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever witnessed the transformative effect of a horse's gentle nuzzle, or the way trust can be silently woven between human and animal? I'm Dr. Sandra Holt, and this episode is a heartwarming testament to the power of connection and redemption. Joining me is Joel Ashford, pastor and leader of Big Love Ministries, who unveils the strength found in commitments and t...

Send us Fan Mail Life has a way of testing our ability to adapt, a lesson poignantly illustrated by the recent loss of my mother at the age of 93. Her legacy of resilience in the face of constant change has profoundly shaped my outlook, especially as I navigate my own challenges. This episode is a deeply personal exploration of coping with life's unexpected turns and the art of maintaining co...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to venture into the captivating world of horse training, racing, and their profound impact on youth, as I, Dr. Sandra Holt, have an intriguing conversation with Thoroughbred racehorse owner and expert, Dr. Gearald Farris.  First I solve a horse fix challenge for listener, Luca, from Switzerland and unravel the secrets of enhancing his horse's balance and straightnes...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why we attribute human traits to our horses or pets? This intriguing concept, known as anthropomorphism, is the key theme for this episode of Horse Fix. We journey into this fascinating world and discuss how, despite our pets' inability to fully understand us, they can still offer us immense emotional comfort. Hal Herzog's insights shed light on how natural...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself navigating tough times, feeling overwhelmed by guilt or worry? I've been there, and in this heartfelt episode, I share my personal experience of visiting my 92-year-old mother in the hospital after she sustained a brain injury and a cracked spine. By discussing strength, perseverance, and faith, we explore how to deal with guilt, empathy, and worr...

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Send us Fan Mail In this Episode Dr. Sandra Holt , Equine Behavioral Specialist, gives you  insight on developing and enhancing your own  Obligation, Ambition, Integrity and Responsibility.  Take a listen to this profound interview with a person who leads by example,  Olivia Destasia, Horse Program Director of Blue Sky Therapeutic Riding  Respite.  Support the show May all your blues be ribbons

Send us Fan Mail Are you authentic - true to yourself, and others - to your horse? In this episode Dr. Sandra Holt ( PhD in Horse Behavioral Science)  explains how the horse can show you how to capture your athentic self.   Support the show May all your blues be ribbons

Send us Fan Mail If we resist change, we resist growing. Learn how to overcome your fear of changing from Sandi Holt, Human and Animal Behavioral  specialist, Sandi Holt will help you to embrace change in a manner that will lead you forward into a fruitful 2023. Then she will answer listener's questions on Lead Changes,  Support the show May all your blues be ribbons

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Sandi Holt talks to her friend and student, Nora Dhondt, about how to overcome negative inner-chatter when it comes to tackling riding lessons.  If you have ever wanted to avoid pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone this podcast is for you.  Support the show May all your blues be ribbons

Send us Fan Mail A Heart Warming episode about saying goodby to our beloved horses. Learn why, how and when to let go.  And then share your own stories and questions to Sandi Holt at; infohorsefix@gmail.com.  Support the show May all your blues be ribbons

Send us Fan Mail Voted number one on the MOST FAVORITE episode  from listeners around the world....In this episode Sandi Holt, World Renowned Horsemanship Clinician and Multi World  Champion in the Horse Show Circuit, as well as Author of the book Rein Dancing , gives insight on the process of learning to ride as well as how we learn life skills in general. In addition, Sandi answers technical que...