The Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast

This week, Amy and Ross sit down for a thoroughly enjoyable conversation with Yasmin Stuart, Equine Physiotherapist and founder of The Modern Centaurian Academy. During this episode, Yasmin talks us through what led her towards a career in Equine Physiotherapy and the direction her career has taken since, prioritising consensual feedback in relation to the horses body and ultimately how our own ex...

Are we creating a sustainable life? This week, Amy and Ross explore the topic of sustainability, yet not as you may think. In this episode, the duo explore the detrimental effects for both humans and equines as a result of living an unsustainable life. Drawing on experiences, observation and the leading science, Ross and Amy discuss what they are seeing within their respective professions, from an...

Joining Amy and Ross this week is author, journalist, classical horse trainer and founder of the Horse Boy Method, Rupert Isaacson. Born in London to Southern African parents with an expansive ancestral lineage, Rupert Isaacson is the best-selling author of ‘The Horse Boy’, ‘The Long Ride Home’ and founder of The Horse Boy Method, a science based intervention for Autism and ADHD that improves acad...

During the latest episode, your co-hosting duo bring the focus to the wide-reaching subject of equine pain, condensing this subject in to an informative and thought provoking conversation on the subject of pain. Together, Ross and Amy discuss some of the science behind what pain is, some of the physical and postural presentations you might see alongside the challenges faced as an equine profession...

This week Amy and Ross are talking canine, equine and the nervous system and are excited to be joined by Rose Waldrup of the Waldrup Somatic Method for canines. Founder of the Waldrup Somatic Method, a pioneering, nervous system based approach to working with dogs that shifts the focus from behaviour to regulation, the work of Rose Waldrup bridges somatic theory, neuroscience and the human-canine...

Is there a hidden agenda behind our ridden decisions? With the potential to be one of the most controversial topics of recent episodes, Amy and Ross explore the ethics of intervention within our horses pathology and the motivation behind these decisions; where does the line sit on improving our horses quality of life for them or extending their working life for rider benefit? Ross and Amy get stra...

Celebrating our 1 year anniversary of the Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast, we are joined by equine researcher and hoof dissection specialist, Lindsey Field from The Study Of The Equine Hoof.   Lindsey shares with us what first began her interest in the hoof dissections, her findings throughout the years and discusses contributing factors to care and management of the healthy hoof. To find ou...

Could dopamine be hijacking your mind? In this weeks episode, Amy and Ross discuss one of the most well-known neurotransmitters and it's relationship in shaping behaviour; dopamine. The duo discuss the role of dopamine in learning, how this can reinforce habits that keep us hooked on seeking those small 'hits, and most importantly, how we can hijack them back with a series of ways that can help yo...

During this weeks episode, Ross and Amy are excited to be joined by life-long horsewoman, research scientist and best-selling author of the book ‘Sacred Spaces, Dr Susan D Fay.   This wholesome conversation with Dr Susan takes us through her early journey as a lifelong horsewoman, introducing us to the horses that shaped the trajectory of her career and the quest that led her to find the sacred sp...

Within the horse world, whether we are horse owners, trainers, hoof-care professionals or bodyworkers, we are taught how to do things — the “right” techniques, the trusted methods, the proven systems. But what happens when those very methods start to limit us? In this episode, Amy and Ross explore both the benefits and pitfalls of working within structured modalities. When does guidance support th...

This week Ross and Amy are joined by world renowned horseman and best-selling authors, Mark Rashid and Crissi McDonald.   Mark Rashid is an internationally known clinician and bestselling author of sixteen books, known for his ability to work with the horse, instead of against them. Some of his titles include "Considering The Horse," "Horses Never Lie," and "For the Love of the Horse."   Crissi Mc...

In Western culture, death, grief and loss are topics that are often left undiscussed due to cultural norms and the strong emotional ties they evoke in us, yet difficult conversations are often the ones that offer the most benefit. Recalling on their past experiences, Amy and Ross talk openly about their experiences with loss and we can better navigate grief, not just for ourselves, but the support...

What can change when you are in the presence of love? In this wholesome conversation, Amy and Ross explore the concept of love; not the emotion as we perceive it, but love as regard, love as a frequency and love a state of being and the profound changes it can make in the connection to, not just our horses, but to ourselves as well. “Love is the quiet energy that tells a horse it is safe enough to...

As the year draws to a close and we stand on the doorstep of a New Year, Amy and Ross reflect on what a year 2025 has been, personally and professionally, from the memorable moments and highlights through to the messy parts and testing times, both reflecting on the lessons learned and what they wish to take forward to a New Year.   - Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us...

This week Ross and Amy are delighted to be joined by Liza Kimble, founder of FTR® (Fascia and Trauma Release) EFTR®(Equine Fascia and Trauma Release). Liza Kimble began her professional journey with her innovative approaches to bodywork and trauma recovery inspired through science and nature, seeking wisdom from diverse healing traditions and integrating ancient modalities with contemporary scient...

Causality is the relationship between cause and effect, how the events that happen within our lives sometimes create that drop in the water that ripples in directions we never expected.   Amy and Ross reflect as they share person events that have happened in their lives that has changed the trajectories of where there lives have led the to; of course, as causality continues, this is only part one!...

This week Ross and Amy are joined by two special guests, Kate Lemon, Rewilding Delivery Manager from the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and large herbivore and rewilding specialist, Rina Quinlan of Rina Quinlan Research & Rewilding Consultancy. In this auroch-sized episode, we delve into the public misconceptions that surround rewilding, the many benefits that rewilding can have on us as humans and...

Does a facade hold merit or lack authenticity?  As a professional who interacts with the public, be this face to face, through an on-line presence or any way that one my present themselves, we strive to uphold a professional standard, but what could those standards be, are they professionally valid or a false representation? Here, Amy and Ross talk about the balance of keeping it together whilst k...

In episode 13 of the Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast, Amy and Ross talk about the many facets of hoof handling. From reasons why the horse may find lifting limbs difficult, to troubleshooting principles of approach to help your horses handling, and the perspective of the hoof-care provider, this is a jam-packed and insightful episode! Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please le...

When do we know when us and our horses are ready?   In the latest episode, Amy and Ross explore that being ready isn't so much of a feeling, it is a decision, and what contributes to that final shift of mindset to make the final choice'.   Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review! Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!...

We are at a point in time where the inclusion of horses in competitive sport and riding has never been more called in to question, by equestrians and the wider viewing public; this social license to operate has never had greater power than now as we gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the ethics of horse-centred training and management.   Amy and Ross open this can of worms to share some...

In this episode we chat all things equine nutrition with the very fabulous Nia Cooke, co-founder of Finer Forage feed. As well as being a fellow equine podiatrist, Nia is an expert on equine nutrition and focusses her attention on species appropriate feeding.  Enjoy this most nourishing of conversations with Nia, Amy and Ross! Want to know more about the Finer Forage feed range? Check out the webs...

In this episode Ross and Amy discuss the pitfalls that we can hit when we place pressure on ourselves to make progress and succeed. The conversation explores what can make better measures of success than comparison to others and time bound expectations! As always, the discussion heads off on a few entertaining tangents. We hope you enjoy! - Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please le...

As training and management in domestication continues to promote the rise of gastric disease in horses, Amy and Ross explore factors, causes and preventatives, asking the question if this gastric pandemic should be allowed to now be viewed as 'the norm'. - Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review! Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Pod...

In this next "get to know your hosts" episode, Ross gives Amy a grilling on all things past, present and future....   Enjoying the pod so far? We would be really delighted if you could give us a rate and review as it helps get us out there to more people who may enjoy a listen :-)  - Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review! Stream all episodes now on Amaz...