Best Horse Practices Podcast

Gillian Higgins on Anatomy and Biomechanics Oct 10, 2024

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover skills, strategies, tools, ideas, and insights for better connecting with their horses, with all horses, and for getting work done.

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 6 of Season 5 and in it, Jec interviews Gillian Higgins, an expert in horse anatomy and biomechanics. She’s known internationally for her painting of horses’ muscles and skeletal system on the outside of horses. Her programs are called Horses Inside Out and she has a huge amount of online offerings.

Oh, and just a heads up if you’re not inclined to do the kilo / pound conversion: Gillian mentions a 500-kilo horse. That’s an 1,100-pound horse.

Check out this short interview with Gillian by the BBC

Visit Gillian’s website.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

We also would like to welcome Renegade Hoof Boots to the show. The team at Renegade has been crafting hoof boots for years and has an excellent customer service reputation. Renegade is the official hoof boot of the Tevis Cup, the renowned 100-mile race in California. You may find that Renegade boots are the perfect pairing with barefoot trimming and many miles.

My favorite takeaways: that the canter is a good sit-up type of exercise for your horse and that a canter improves the trot for free. Also, that we can be blinded by what we know, an idea which has a lot in common with what we know as confirmation bias.

Thanks to Redmond Equine for generously sponsoring our show. With the turn of the season, make sure to have Redmond’s salt available free choice for your horses. We think they’ll love it. Order a whole box!

And welcome back to Pharm Aloe, the gut and immune support supplement. Did you know that Pharm Aloe products all come from a USDA certified organic farm in Texas? Check out the pellets for horses. They have aloe options for dogs and people, too.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. I hope you can check out their long sleeved waffle tee. It is the perfect swap out for a short sleeved t shirt as the weather gets cooler.

Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win a free Patagonia WorkWear item that we give away every month. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

Carl Bledsoe and Help for the Gaited Horse Sep 14, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 5 of Season 5 and in it, we welcome back my colleague, Jec Ballou, for her first show of our fifth season. Yay!

We’ve heard from several folks who have suggested discussions on gaited horses and people with expertise around gaited horses, so Jec has done a great interview with Carl Bledsoe, from Talking Rock, Georgia.

I was really excited to produce this interview as it’s clear Carl has been on a journey, from show ring to clinician, and has the horses’ best interests in mind, and isn’t afraid to call out less than best practices so that we can get to better places with our equine partners.

I think you’ll enjoy the talk, regardless of your discipline or horse type.

Find Carl Bledsoe Horsemanship here.

Check out anatomy of thoracic sling.

Before it starts, just one note about something they discuss which is the thoracic sling – that’s the group of muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia that connect the front legs to the chest and support the weight between the front legs.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

Thanks to Redmond Equine for generously sponsoring our show. With the warm weather and the turn of the season, make sure to have Redmond’s salt available free choice for your horses. We think they’ll love it. You can hang the Rock on a Rope on a fence or in the stall. Order a box full at Redmond equine dot com.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. I hope you can check out their hemp full zip sweatshirt. It’s probably the softest, yummiest sweatshirt I’ve ever owned. And it comes in a buttery yellow that makes me smile. Also, check out the tough hemp canvas vest – extremely handy for all seasons but especially fall.

Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win a free Patagonia WorkWear item that we give away every month. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

What Does Abuse Look Like? A Talk with Daniel Dauphin Aug 24, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

We’re dedicating another show to horsey intellectualism. Intellectualism roughly means thinking, studying, and/or discussing complicated ideas without getting emotional. I guess what we do on this show is a sort of low-level intellectualism, redneck intellectualism, because we’re not consulting great philosophers or significant texts. But we are bouncing around ideas that are complicated and less straight forward than a lot of articles or social media posts seem to make them.

I think owners and riders inevitably come across these ideas in their time with horses. I know I do, sometimes as I’m riding along, sometimes as I’m lying in bed, pondering a life with or without equines.

Not much is black and white. There’s a lot of grey area to consider when it comes to, well, everything, but in this case, horse care and management. Doesn’t it seem like there has been a lot of outrage and side-taking lately? Maybe we could be doing more listening and show a little more curiosity?

Anyway, for episode 4, I invited Daniel Dauphin, the Louisiana horseman whose specialty is bit function and design and horse mouth anatomy.

Thankfully, he’s not one to shy away from what he calls ‘career suicide’ by saying things that might not be in step with the latest money-making trend or attention-grabber. I was happy to bug him for this continuation of a related chat with Nina Fuller last week in which we talked about livestock and our agrarian lives.

Daniel and I bounce around the ways in which people perceive the treatment of animals. What does abuse look like? Certainly, it looks different to different people. How is that so? And, what does the horse want and need? Can we decipher that objectively or do we get misdirected by questionable motivations?

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

Watch Daniel Dauphin's BHPS presentation.

Visit his website.

Check out his YouTube channel.

As I mentioned in the last episode, horses are livestock. When it comes to laws and policies, that puts them in roughly the same category as sheep and cattle, not dogs and cats. Over the last few generations, however, as an increasing percentage of horses are used for exclusively recreational purposes. In popular culture, barn culture, in a materialistic and consumer-driven world, the species has moved into a fuzzy space between livestock and pets. American laws, for instance, are sometimes at odds with prevailing attitudes. It can be messy.

And, yes, we know that the practicality of putting horses together at Olympic events is probably problematic. But why not, for instance, put them in with other horses they know? Seabiscuit traveled with a companion. Rodeo horses are put together. I could be cynical and say it’s all about money, but can we think outside the box – even if it is lined with locally sourced shavings?

We can’t wait to hear from listeners. What do you think about animals in our society?

How do we balance old standards of agriculture and animal treatment with where we are now and what we know now and, for us horse owners, what we need and want from our equine partners?

It doesn’t escape me that Daniel and I live rural existences, maybe more rural and old fashioned than many listeners. Our points of view come from cumulative observation and interaction with land and animals. Your days and interactions are not our days and interactions. That’s one reason I’m interested in hearing from your shared or different perspectives.

Watch Daniel Dauphin's BHPS presentation.

Visit his website.

Check out his YouTube channel.

Thanks to Redmond Equine for generously sponsoring our show. With the warm weather and the turn of the season, make sure to have Redmond’s salt available free choice for your horses. We think they’ll love it. You can hang the Rock on a Rope on a fence or in the stall. Order a box full at Redmond equine dot com.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. I hope you can check out their hemp full zip sweatshirt. It’s probably the softest, yummiest sweatshirt I’ve ever owned. And it comes in a buttery yellow that makes me smile. Also, check out the tough hemp canvas vest – extremely handy for all seasons but especially fall.

Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win a free Patagonia WorkWear item that we give away every month. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

Life and Death of Livestock and Pets, a Short Conversation with Nina Fuller Aug 19, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 3 of Season 5 and we’re dedicating the next few shows to some horsey intellectualism. I like to look up words, to make sure I’m saying what I mean. Intellectualism roughly means thinking, studying, and/or discussing complicated ideas without getting emotional. I guess what we do on this show is a sort of low-level intellectualism, redneck intellectualism, because we’re not consulting great philosophers or significant texts. But we are bouncing around ideas that are more complicated, less straight forward, say, than which muck rake is best or how hay prices are looking this summer.

I think horse owners and riders inevitably come across these ideas in their time with equines. I know I do, sometimes as I’m riding along, sometimes as I’m lying in bed, pondering a life with or without horses.

Anyway, for episode 3, I invited Nina Fuller of Lily Brook Farm in Hollis Maine to join me. Nina is a heckuva accomplished woman. About 14 years ago, she got in touch with me and wrote a few guest columns for what was then my new website, NickerNews. She is a farmer and raises sheep. She’s an award-winning photographer. But until about 10 years ago, we hadn’t met. That was when I was driving cross country, from Utah to Maine. I stopped, off a state highway, in a desolate section of northern Colorado and was just about to let my dogs out for a break when two lambs came rushing up to me. They were very young, maybe a week old, with shriveled umbilical cords, and in the middle of nowhere. I picked them up and searched in vain for a rancher, a ranch, someone or some ewe who could claim them. To no avail. So, they joined me cross country and – long story short – they ended up at Nina’s farm.

Find Nina on Facebook.

Order her book, "Where's Hope?" from Cayuse Communications.

Listen to the cross-country story here.

So, yes, back then when I called her for help, “What should I do with these lambs? How can I save them?” Nina and I didn’t know each other except through email. I’m indebted to her for her kindness, her expertise, and for taking the lambs. I think she has been happy with the lambs, who she named Emma and Pearl and who have given her many lambs over the years. Pearl died last week.

Our conversation ties into a broader conversation around pets and livestock, animals in our modern world. Next up, Daniel Dauphin, who has been doing some pondering over the recent hullabaloo with suspended Olympian Charlotte Dujardin. This has gotten Daniel and I and I’m sure many of you thinking about what folks consider wellness, if it belongs in the livestock world, and with what different people consider abuse, horse welfare and wellbeing. Let’s just say what Charlotte Dujardin did pales in comparison to what Brett and Alexis Ingraham did at the tragically ironically named Fair Play Farm in Maine – something I reported on years ago. We’ll consider the broad spectrum of standards in horse communities, amidst the many disciplines and cultures.

Horses, of course, are livestock. When it comes to laws and policies, that puts them in the roughly the same category as sheep and cattle, not dogs and cats. Over the last few generations, however, as an increasing percentage of horses are used recreationally, in popular culture and especially women’s barn culture, the species has moved into a grey area between livestock and pets. American laws, for instance, are sometimes at odds with prevailing attitudes. It can be messy.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

We can’t wait to hear from listeners. What do you think about animals in our society?

How do we balance old standards of agriculture and animal treatment with where we are now and what we know now and, for us horse owners, what we need and want from our equine partners?

It doesn’t escape me that Nina and I live rural existences, maybe more rural and old fashioned than many listeners. Our choices come from cumulative observation and interaction with creatures, domestic and wild, in our admittedly small spheres of land and animals. That’s one reason I’m interested in hearing from your shared or different perspectives.

I like to think we’re all mindful to carefully avoiding anyone or anything suffering, but, of course, we can’t avoid death. It’s part of life. I’ve been thinking about these things a lot since my mom died and my horse, Barry, died, in quick sequence, less than two years ago. Like so many people in today’s world, I’d managed to avoid much interaction with death. On the eve of turning 60, I’m giving it more attention and considering how just like life, death is all around us if we’re paying attention. We don’t need to be afraid of it or get dark and brooding over it. It just is.

Thanks to Redmond Equine for generously sponsoring our show. With the warm weather and the turn of the season, make sure to have Redmond’s salt available free choice for your horses. We think they’ll love it. You can hang the Rock on a Rope on a fence or in the stall. Order a box full at Redmond equine dot com.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

J.B. Zielke - The Lost Cowboy Jul 15, 2024

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover skills, strategies, tools, ideas, and insights for better connecting with their horses, with all horses, and for getting work done.

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 2 of Season 5 and in it, I interview J.B. Zeilke, a writer, music video producer, and most of all, a cowboy. JB has cowboyed on six continents and written about it in The Lost Cowboy. This book, with a drawing of a cowboy riding a bucking reindeer on the cover, recently one two Spur awards, prizes given out by Western Writers of America. He won the Best Contemporary Non Fiction and Best First Non Fiction Book. Find him on Instagram at the.lost.cowboy!

He had returned from the awards ceremony in Tulsa, Oklahoma when I talked to him last week.

I was so pleased to talk with J.B. but decided to leave the details of his trips for listeners to check out on their own. So, yes, please check it out. You can find it on The Lost Cowboy.com and on Amazon. Read about his making connections, meeting folks, dodging bullets, and trying to get along in Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Argentina, Mexico, and Mongolia. Great stuff!

I thought listeners would love to hear what JB has learned over his many years of travel, specifically things that apply to horsemanship, riding, and partnership building. He does a great job of articulating some essential elements of the horse – rider connection, things he found somewhat universal, across the contients. It’s a delightful interview that I’m happy to share.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens.

How has your summer been going?

As I’ve returned to podcasting responsibilities, I’ve been thinking about our title. Best Horse Practices.

Do you have any best horse practices that are top of mind lately?

Do you have any worst horse practices that are top of mind lately?

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our show. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

Worst Horse Practices and News Jul 03, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 1 of Season 5. For this show, I’m speaking on behalf or maybe I should say as half. Half of the interview crew for this podcast. Jec and I have had a hiatus and Jec is still doing her thing and enjoying summer. She’ll be back later this season.

I thought I’d make this a short episode to let you know what I’ve been up to and to ask you what you’ve been up to. As I mentioned, we love hearing from listeners and, as always, folks who get in touch with us with feedback or suggestions for guests and topics are in the running for freebies.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

Also, a shout out to a clothing company that’s putting a trot in our steps lately: Dovetail, a women-owned maker of tough, very horse-rider friendly pants. Try the bootcut jeans – stretchy, durable, and they look good.

Since our last episode for Season 4, I’ve been working on several projects. I have been day working for a rancher here in Montezuma County. That means I do a bit of everything. Lately, there has been a lot of fencing and moving cows. My go-to gelding, Ray, has an injury, so my younger, greener horse, Table, has been relied on quite a bit. There is a silver lining in Ray’s injury, I try to tell myself, because really, as a young horse in training, Table should be ridden a lot.

We have had our circus moments, but mostly I’m very pleased with his progress. He’s becoming more patient and confident. And he’s able to do more, like open gates, side pass, move through thick brush without freaking out, and ride away from buddies without freaking out.

We took a spill the other day when, in the midst of trotting a big circle, we went down in a big gopher hole. I hurt my cheek (it looked like I got into a bar fight) but anyway, I was really pleased that Table trotted a few steps and then waited for me to collect myself. Way better than a few months ago, when I think he would have bolted and headed for the next county. So, even though it was painful and unfortunate, I counted that moment as a win!

Table has been behind cows several times and while he’s not “cow-y” (like cow-bred quarter horses who pin their ears and love to boss around cattle), he’s engaged with what’s going on and, surprisingly, is not flustered by the process of moving cows, fetching cows, and all the things you tend to do when handling cattle in open spaces and then smaller confines, like pens and corrals. He does get more stressed and more excited when other horse and rider pairs are involved. I think some of that can be attributed to me getting more amped when there are other horse and rider pairs. You know how that goes, right?

Many of us horse owners are also dog owners, so I’ll let you know that I’m also bringing up a young dog this year. His name is Chuck. He’s mostly border collie and he’s eight months old. He’s seeing some cows and has come along when we’re working them a few times. He knows down. He comes when he’s called. And he’s pretty excited about the cattle. I’ve been watching Chuck as he watches my adult dogs work. It’s pretty cool to see and be part of this on-the-job training. My job, as I see it, is to keep him safe and give him a long leash, figuratively speaking. That is, to not scold him too much when he does something wrong and to really praise him when he does something right, like staying in a down position even when he’d rather be getting after cows or moving a cow correctly and not overdoing it.

How has your summer been going?

As I’ve returned to podcasting responsibilities, I’ve been thinking about its title. Best Horse Practices.

Do you have any best horse practices that are top of mind lately?

Do you have any worst horse practices that are top of mind lately?

I’m laughing here because I think very few of us are perfect all the time. I think, in fact, that many of us advocate for best practices, for being safe rather than sorry, for taking our time and doing it right, for being deliberate and intentional. But, at the end of the day, or sometimes, in the middle of the day, when rain has started and you’re tired from a fitful night, or stressed by too many things to do, well, we can slump toward worst horse practices. We might cut a corner or do something in haste, something we know better not to do, like tying a horse to something insecure (that would not stay put if the horse pulled back) or, like leaving a gate open because we’re coming right back. 9 times out of 10, we get away with it. But then there is always that time when you don’t.

I mentioned this to my friend, Jessica Munn, who helped me start Table and who I’ve mentioned before on this show. She had some great ones, which I’ll share here as a primer to get you thinking about these oops-y elements of your horse time:

- Inappropriate riding attire – like riding in Crocs.

- Riding alone without telling anyone where you’re going, when you should be back, or sharing your location.

- Using poor tack. Like cheap gear or gear that’s been weakened by overuse or weather. This kind of gear will fail you when a wreck unfolds or it might be the reason a wreck unfolds.

- Using treats.

- Tying knots that tighten when they get pulled on. That’s what “quick release” slip knots do. Instead, learn how to tie a bowline knot.

- Not training a horse to stand tied for long periods of time.

- Tying a horse by the reins.

- Getting in the trailer when loading a horse, instead of sending him in.

- Drinking alcohol and riding.

- Not putting enough time and practice into a horse and its work and then expecting things to go well.

- Having horses encroach on your personal space.

Thanks for these, Jess!

What are your worst horse practices?

Send them my way.

Part of my summer this year has been busy with work as producer on Confluence: DogHorseCowHuman. That’s the working title of a short film project directed by Beau Gaughran (who, by the way, has filmed all the Best Horse Practices Summit presentations). Confluence tells the story of these four species and their intertwining lives on the range.

It will be a 10-12 minutes short film and we’ll be entering it in film festivals this fall. So stay tuned for more news around that.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our show. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

Season Finale: On the Fence with Jec and Maddy Apr 04, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 27 of Season 4. In it, Jec and I have a fun On the Fence conversation in which we talk some about identity and, mmm, maybe a bit of barn politics and shenanigans that we sometimes see in horse communities. The topic came up when I was listening to an interview that Ezra Klein did with Agnes Callard, a professor at the University of Chicago.

Oh, and we also give a nod, or maybe a shake of the head, to the cover art for Beyonce’s new country album, which has, of course, a horse on it.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens.

Also, a shout out to two clothing companies who are putting a trot in our steps lately: Kuhl and Dovetail.

We’re trying out a stretchy jean jacket as well as a fleece-lined vest from Kuhl. And we are absolutely loving the boot cut jeans from Dovetail.

It's been a good season! We’re one of the top horse podcasts and we consistently rank well in the natural sciences category of podcast. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, for recommending us to friends, and for being in touch. Jec and I really love the many connections we’ve made with listeners and appreciate what we see as two-way conversations. Thank you!

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

Buck the Trend, Wyoming Clinician Sara Lowe Mar 08, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 26 of Season 4. In it, I interview Sara Lowe, a horsewoman and police detective from Wyoming. She’s a clinician and colt starter, and she participated in the Buck the Trend mental health forum held last month here in southwest Colorado.

This is the fourth in a series of interviews around Buck the Trend. You can find links to conversations with BTT therapists and other participants in the show notes.

Buck the Trend got its start thanks to a generous grant from the LOR Foundation and with the support of Patagonia WorkWear. Donations have been extremely helpful, too. Big thanks to all who contributed.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

Sara mentioned growth mindset a few times. For those of you who might be wondering what that means, it’s roughly when folks believe their talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and input from others. This is opposed to a fixed mindset, in which one thinks one’s talents are innate gifts. Here's a helpful link.

Sara's website.

Find her on Facebook.

If you’re interested in learning more about Buck the Trend, getting involved, coming to the next one, supporting BTT, or joining the conversation, head here.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

Daniel Dauphin, Buck the Trend Mental Health Forum Mar 05, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 25 of Season 4. In it, Daniel Dauphin is back, not to talk about bits and horse mouth anatomy but to talk about Buck the Trend, the mental health forum held last month. Daniel attended BTT and we have been visiting on the phone about mental health in our horse community since the Best Horse Practices Summit in 2022, which I directed and at which he presented two sessions.

This is the third in a series of interviews around Buck the Trend, which is funded in part by the LOR Foundation. You can find interviews with the therapists and with another participant, Dan Flitner here. And next week, I’ll post my interview with Sara Lowe, a Wyoming horse trainer and clinician who attended BTT.

Buck the Trend got its start thanks to a generous grant from the LOR Foundation and with the support of Patagonia WorkWear. Donations have been extremely helpful, too. Big thanks to all who contributed.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens.

Check out Daniel and his bit course here.

Check out his YouTube video on BTT.

Check out his Best Horse Practices presentations.

If you’re interested in learning more about Buck the Trend, getting involved, coming to the next one, supporting BTT, or joining the conversation, head here to read our posts or hit the contact button to reach out.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

Buck the Trend Therapists, KD Bryant and Joseph Prekup Mar 04, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 24 of Season 4. In it, I interview KD Bryant and Joseph Prekup, the two therapists who anchored the development and facilitation of Buck the Trend, the mental health forum held recently in southwestern Colorado. BTT got its start thanks to a generous grant from the LOR Foundation and with the support of Patagonia WorkWear. Donations have been extremely helpful, too. Big thanks to all who contributed.

Buck the Trend is a two-and-a-half day, all expenses paid workshop focused on skill-building and elevating the mental health conversation in our community. It’s an opportunity to focus on ourselves for a moment, so that we can enhance and improve what’s around us, specifically, the well-being of those close to us, humans and non-humans alike, as well as the greater horse community.

Let’s give a nod to our sponsors. We welcome Hoka and Skratch Labs the show. Jec and I consider ourselves athletes and we hope you do, too. These folks are centered around helping athletes do great things. Hoka shoes help with the outside, with the best running shoes and Skratch Labs helps with the inside with hydration drinks and trail snacks. Check them out at hoka.com and skratchlabs.com

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

If you’re interested in learning more about Buck the Trend, getting involved, coming to the next one, supporting BTT, or joining the conversation, head here.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening y’all.

Dan Flitner - Buck the Trend Mental Health Forum Feb 28, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 23 of Season 4. In it, I interview Dan Flitner in one of several new episodes about Buck the Trend, the mental health forum held recently in southwestern Colorado. Buck the Trend, operated under the auspices of the Best Horse Practices Summit, attempts to address the following issues:

-- Our work can be isolating and demanding and there are cultural, logistical, economic, and social impediments to getting help and being well.

-- Our mental health and wellness impact not just us, but those around us, including family, friends, coworkers, and, of course, the animals.

-- Horses may be “therapeutic.” They can make us feel better. But they can’t necessarily help us build skills to navigate interpersonal relationships and feel better about ourselves.

Buck the Trend is focused on skill-building and elevating the mental health conversation in our community. It’s an opportunity to focus on ourselves for a moment, so that we can enhance and improve what’s around us, specifically, the well-being of those close to us, humans and non-humans alike, as well as the greater horse community.

Dan is a rancher in Oregon. He hails from Wyoming and has ranched all his life. Dan got involved in BTT several months ago as a supporter and consultant. His nephew, Luke Bell, a cowboy and rising star in country music, had serious mental health concerns and was found dead in Tuscon, Arizona, about 18 months ago. Mental health has been on his mind and on the minds of his family for some time.

Let’s first give a nod to our sponsors. We welcome Hoka and Skratch Labs the show. Jec and I consider ourselves athletes and we hope you do, too. Like they say with horses and hooves, for want of a shoe a horse was lost, for want of a horse, a rider was lost. Well, we think the same goes for happy human feet. When they’re not in riding boots, keep your feet happy in Hokas.

Also, did you know that Skratch labs offers milk and cookies? They have chocolate milk mix with probiotics, to which you simply add water. And they have cookie mix to which you add butter and things like chocolate chips and nuts. Or whatever you want. Check these new show supporters out at hoka.com and skratch labs .com

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

I’ll be featuring a few more interviews from Buck the Trend. Next up, KD Bryant and Joseph Prekup, the two therapists at BTT. Stay tuned for that next week.

If you’re interested in getting involved or supporting this effort, head here.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening.

Katrin Silva and Jec Ballou talk books Feb 27, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 22 of Season 4. In it, Jec interviews Katrin Silva for a Coaches’ Corner. It’s always fun when these two get together because they know so much. A bit humbling sometimes because their depth of knowledge is vast. Katrin is an accomplished teacher and trainer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In this conversation, Jec asks Katrin about book learning and how it weaves into riders’ sensibilities. An informative and inspiring talk.

We will link to the several books mentioned in the show notes.

Also, we welcome Hoka and Skratch Labs to our family of sponsors. Jec and I consider ourselves athletes and we hope you do, too. Like they say with horses and hooves, for want of a shoe a horse was lost, for want of a horse, a rider was lost. Well, we think the same goes for happy human feet. When they’re not in riding boots, keep your feet happy in Hokas.

Also, did you know that Skratch Labs offers milk and cookies? They have chocolate milk mix with probiotics, to which you simply add water. And they have cookie mix to which you add butter and things like chocolate chips and nuts. Or whatever you want. Check these new show supporters out at hoka.com and skratch labs .com

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens. Check them out at lucerne farms com

Jec and Katrin mention:

A Horseman’s Notes, Eric Herbermann

Riding Logic, Wilhelm Museler

The Way to Perfect Horsemanship, Udo Burger

Dressage for All of Us, Katrin Silva

Ride with Feel, Katrin Silva

Books by Jec Ballou

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all.

Ben Longwell: Meanings of partnership Feb 12, 2024

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover skills, strategies, tools, ideas, and insights for better connecting with their horses, with all horses and for getting work done.

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 21 of Season 4. In it, I interview Ben Longwell, who runs True West Horsemanship. This will make a third visit for Ben on the show. In past interviews, he’s had great insight to bitless options as well as nervous horse help. Here, we talk about the evolution of horsemanship and different directions people are taking the horse-rider partnership. He often sees the extreme ends of a spectrum but notices a lot of interesting developments in the middle. It’s a really nice interview we hope you’ll enjoy.

Thanks very much to the folks who have donated to Buck the Trend, the pilot mental health forum I’m directing next week. It is a two-day, all expenses paid learning opportunity specifically for those in our horse community. We have working cowboys, clinicians, ranchers, farriers, and others coming from Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and elsewhere. Get a great t-shirt and support the cause. Learn more here.

Also, we welcome Hoka and Skratch Labs to our family of sponsors. Jec and I consider ourselves athletes and we hope you do, too. Like they say with horses and hooves, for want of a shoe a horse was lost, for want of a horse, a rider was lost. Well, we think the same goes for happy human feet. When they’re not in riding boots, keep your feet happy in Hokas.

Also, did you know that Skratch labs offers milk and cookies? They have chocolate milk mix with probiotics, to which you simply add water. And they have cookie mix to which you add butter and things like chocolate chips and nuts. Or whatever you want. Check these new show supporters out at hoka.com and skratch labs .com

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

Julie Goodnight Feb 08, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 20 of Season 4. In it, Jec interviews Julie Goodnight. I feel like this interview has been a long time coming. Jec has admired Julie for years and it took quite a bit of effort to finally coordinate the online meet up. I remember watching Julie at the Equine Affaire in Massachusetts, back in maybe 2008? Julie has an incredible wealth of experience and also perspective as she’s been in the midst of educating humans for so long. We’re so happy to have her on the show.

A few other notes:

Thanks very much to the folks who have donated to Buck the Trend, the pilot mental health forum I’m directing next week. Next week! It is a two-day, all expenses paid learning opportunity specifically for those in our horse community. We have working cowboys, clinicians, ranchers, farriers, and others coming from Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and elsewhere. Get a great t-shirt and support the cause. Learn more here.

Also, we welcome Hoka and Skratch Labs to our family of sponsors. Jec and I consider ourselves athletes and we hope you do, too. Like they say with horses and hooves, for want of a shoe...for want of a horse, a rider was lost. Well, we think the same goes for happy human feet. When they’re not in riding boots, keep your feet happy in Hokas. Jec loves the Speedgoats and I wear the Mufate.

Also, did you know that Skratch labs offers milk and cookies? They have chocolate milk mix with probiotics, to which you simply add water. And they have cookie mix to which you add butter and things like chocolate chips and nuts.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. They also make products for your stalls and chickens.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all.

Coaches' Corner with Bit Expert Daniel Dauphin Feb 01, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 19 of Season 4. In it, Jec interviews Daniel Dauphin, an accomplished horseman from Louisiana and someone who is steadily gaining a reputation for being the expert on bits, how they function, as well as horse mouth anatomy. He gave two excellent presentations at the Best Horse Practices Summit.

He’s developed a new bit course.

Watch his Summit video.

Free class sign-up here.

We’d also like to direct your attention to our fundraising for Buck the Trend, a mental health forum for those in our horse community. Get a great t-shirt and support the cause. Learn more here.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

A few more nods – one to Skratch Labs, a Colorado-based company making hydration drinks, recovery drinks – I especially love their chocolate milk with probiotics – and energy bars.

Jec and I are on a campaign to get you to start acknowledging that you all are athletes, too. Jec and I both add running to our list of activity loves. What do you do aside from riding? The company, Hoka, has a shoe for it, we’re guessing. Check them out.

Aside from the specific bit-related advice shared here, I found myself nodding to the best practices they mentioned about showing your horse different environments and different experiences. I know this not only makes for a healthy and versatile horse, but it also gives her confidence, I think, for handling and being a good partner regardless of the situation.

Last weekend, I finally got back to the gym. I warmed up with some running, then did weights, then went swimming. I usually use a Garmin watch, but forgot it. Back home, I entered the workout manually and called it a Magical Mystery Tour. And I thought, geez, I should be doing something like that with my horses, too!

What do you do to shake things up? How do you keep the partnership growing and your horse’s experiences fresh?

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all.

On the Fence: Looking Ahead and Looking Back Jan 23, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 18 of Season 4 and it’s an On the Fence episode in which Jec and I talk about some upcoming goals as well as potential podcast discussions, like horse rescues and social media concerns.

We also enumerate some of our favorite past episodes including:

Coaches’ Corners with Amy Skinner

The Large Animal Vet Crisis with Dr. Doug Thal

Interview with Molly Gloss

Interview with Lee McLean

Interview with Lynn Acton

Interview with Ann Firestone of Save Your Ass rescue

Interview with Alicia Harlov

As you all know, Jec and I are athletes and would love to hear that you consider yourself an athlete, too. In that vein, this week, we’re giving proper due to Kahtoola, an Arizona-based company that makes traction gear, specifically nano spikes that slip over your boots or running shoes. Excellent if you don’t feel like wiping out again on the ice or packed snow.

Also, Best Horse Practices Summit presenter Daniel Dauphin is an expert on bits and horse mouth anatomy and we’re lucky that he’s developed a new bit course.

Watch his Summit video.

In the meantime, here is a little bit, so to speak, on the new course:

It's tiresome to sift through all the dogma, misinformation, and people giving unqualified advice. We’re all looking to learn so we can execute with best practices for our horses. In this murky world of bits, bit-shaped objects, gimmicks, strong opinions, contradictions, and propaganda put out by bit companies trying to increase sales, how can you trust any of the information? Daniel Dauphin has been on the bit-truth-train for over a decade. He’s done his research and consulted people more knowledgeable than himself.

His "Bit Video” has been accepted as a teaching resource in the Equine Sciences programs of over 25 universities, including Texas A&M and Colorado State. In his new course, you’ll learn about the anatomy affected by bits like the tongue and hyoid apparatus, and about using your hands more effectively. It is not discipline or experience level specific.

Daniel’s goal is to empower you to make better choices for your own situation. It includes weekly zoom calls for questions and guest experts.

Free class sign-up here.

We’d also like to direct your attention to our fundraising for Buck the Trend, a mental health forum for those in our horse community. Get a great t-shirt and support the cause. Learn more here.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all.

Jenn Currie: Brain Centered Horsemanship Jan 17, 2024

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 17 of Season 4 and in it, Jec interviews author, teacher, and horsewoman Jenn Currie. She offers clinics which she calls Brain-Centered Horsemanship and has a book for middle school teachers. She is blending what she knows about her teaching experiences with horse behavior in a pretty compelling program.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

I bet we all know some really good horsemen who are just not effective teachers. I think that most people in the horse world start giving lessons or offering clinics because of their successes with horses. And yet, it’s so important to connect well with the human – this means, as Jec and Jen concurred – having the student feel relaxed and safe yet engaged. As Jen said, learning is at its heart is emotional because learning is a journey of discovery. It’s precious territory.

I worked at the local sale barn last week, riding the pens. First time I’d done something like that. It was fast-paced and involved a lot of opening and closing gates, working cows, calves and bulls, listening to the radio for pen assignments, and moving my horse with agility and quietness. I was lucky and honored to have a few folks, good riders and good humans, bringing me up to speed on how things go there with patience and calm. If it wasn’t for them, my horse and I would not have done well. So thank you kindly to AJ and Sheldonna.

It takes a lot of investment of time, thought, and energy to become a good teacher and I really love celebrating horsemen and women who excel at both horse and human connections. Sounds like Jen is one of those people.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all.

Mary Ann Simonds - Horses and Humans Jan 13, 2024

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover skills, strategies, tools, ideas, and insights for better connecting with their horses, with all horses and for getting work done.

We love to hear from listeners, we think this might be an episode that fosters a lot of conversation, and contacting us is easy through the contact button on best horse practices dot com.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 16 of Season 4 and in it, Jec interviews author Mary Ann Simonds. This is a good one because I am at odds with some of what they talk about, which is a good thing. I love that we can have folks on the show that Jec embraces and I don’t. Or vice versa.

Mary Ann has spent years studying horse behavior and horse-human interaction in competitive show barns and has worked with many clinicians. So, I understand that she comes from a very different world than me.

I think it’s important to steer clear of language that attempts to give horses human inclinations. She says, for instance, that horses like to create drama and that horses can be on the autism spectrum. Those are anthropomorphic assessments that give me pause.

Mary Ann talks about love and care for our horses as if that were a clear idea. Love and care for someone who keeps her horse in a stall at a boarding facility looks a lot different than how a Wyoming rancher may consider love and care.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for the generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. Order yours and have it for the spring riding season. You will look sharp!

Considering love and care and how we make progress with our horses. Wow, what a tough subject.

Just like the greater American social world, I can here all kinds of judgment from the recreational or sport community towards the working community or from suburban to rural, from dressage to rodeo on what it means to love, care and make progress with our horses. Years ago, I ran a business taking care of other people’s horses in Maine. I was taking care of a woman’s horses for a week and she apologized for practicing what she called “affectionate neglect.” She felt a bit ashamed that her horse routine was so simple. They had the run of the pasture. They were together. They didn’t get blankets or stalls or grain. They basically had space and were kept together. My response was, "this is terrific! what are you ashamed of?"

Temple Grandin, who has come in and out of fashion over her many years, has been extremely helpful to me. Language, she has said, can get in the way. Even the word “humane” means different things to different people. The assessments that Mary Ann is developing for horses’ mental health will be interesting to learn more about.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all.

Medicine Horse, Evidence-Based Therapy with Horses Dec 15, 2023

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover skills, strategies, tools, ideas, and insights for better connecting with their horses, with all horses and for getting work done.

We love to hear from listeners and contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 15 of Season 4 and in it, Jec interviews Dana Schultz, a therapist at Medicine Horse, a therapeutic facility in Longmont, Colorado. So, yes, this episode is a bit out of our purview. But then again, we have been talking about mental health lately and Medicine Horse in particular seems to be an outfit that connects good science with good horse work. So there ya go.

Also, if this is the season of gratitude, then this episode is perhaps a good reminder of what we owe our horses. With all the busyness of the season, we could, you know, just stop for an extra minute, or maybe even an extra hour, to just BE with them and perhaps connect in a way that says, ‘thanks.’

Also, thanks to you, dear listeners, for buying books and donating to our cause. There is still time to order books from us. Visit Jec Ballou and Cayuse Communications for many fun options. At Cayuse, you can get a free book with every order. I’m recording this on December 15 and there is still time to get books to you by Christmas.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for the generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. Order yours and have it for the spring riding season. You will look sharp!

Sounds like Medicine Horse is doing good work and that their horses have good lives. I’ve always been interested in the impact therapy sessions have on the horses. We know that cortisol, commonly called the stress hormone, is lowered for humans in horse-human interactions. But what about the horses? It’s my understanding, from talking with equine therapy folks as well as canine therapy workers, that the animals can only handle a certain amount of this kind of work each day. My mom trained her dogs for therapy work. When 9/11 happened, she told me about the dogs who were called in to work at the centers set up for families to pick up death certificates of those who died in the towers. She said the dogs could only handle an hour before they needed a break.

Read this article on a WSU study of kids and equine facilitated therapy.

All to say, it’s so good to give our animals jobs, but let’s be careful.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

A Note about the Pause Dec 05, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 14 of Season 4 and it’s a short one. Why?

To be blunt and to speak in general terms, I’d say life and death are having their ways with us.

I’m sorry to let you know that Jec lost her mother last month. As you might imagine, that’s been pretty trying for her. I lost my mom just over a year ago. While our mother-daughter relationships were very different, we both owe it partly to our mothers for what we do now. Horses would not be so much of our lives or so much of our identity, if it weren’t for our moms. That, I think makes the remembering and the grieving process a bit more in-your-face than it might be otherwise.

They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. You’ve probably heard of them. Here at the Best Horse Practices podcast, we are dealing with some of them, or maybe none of them, but with feelings that are related. Or mixtures of them.

It’s a process. And as one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Del Barber, would say: "there is no straight path."

I think the holidays, the shorter days and longer nights can be challenging, too. It can be harder to get out and ride when it’s 15 degrees and dark is just an hour away. A cup of hot cocoa or a glass of wine can seem like a much better idea.

What are your challenges?

How do you make the most of winter riding?

What are some winter hacks you have for dealing with ice, snow, cold, and short days?

We would love to hear from you!

Also, I want to remind you about the mental health initiative that the Best Horse Practices Summit is developing. Thanks in part to a grant from the LOR Foundation, there will be a mental health forum called Buck the Trend taking place here in southwestern Colorado in mid-February, 2024. You can learn more about that here. and help us vote on the logo, too!

This is a bit about Buck the Trend that I shared recently:

Buck the Trend is a forum for working cowboys, trainers, farriers, clinicians and others in the horse community. It is a pilot project to address the mental health challenges specific to our community. It is founded on the idea that a small, peer-focused group, hosted in a safe, relaxed setting, and led by experienced mental health professionals, is an effective way to nurture conversations, build skills, and affect positive change.

A little bit about the why and the how:

Many of us have acknowledged that our work can be isolating and demanding and that there are cultural, logistical, economic, and social impediments to getting help and being well.

Our mental health and wellness impact not just us, but those around us, including family, friends, coworkers, and, of course, the animals.

Horses may be “therapeutic.” They can make us feel better. But they can’t necessarily help us build skills to navigate interpersonal relationships and feel better about ourselves.

The solution:

This forum is focused on skill-building and elevating the mental health conversation in our community. It’s an opportunity to focus on ourselves for a moment, so that we can enhance and improve what’s around us (specifically, the well-being of those close to us, humans and non-humans alike, as well as the greater horse community).

If you would like more information or would like to support Buck the Trend, please contact us.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for the generous sponsorship. Sampson makes hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta, and is taking custom orders now.

Hey, just a heads up that Jec and I have some great books for your Christmas shopping. Check out Jec's website and Cayuse Communications. Please consider supporting us with a few book buying clicks.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

On the Fence: State of Our Horse Worlds Nov 07, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 13 of Season 4 in which Jec and I have an On the Fence segment. We are returning to a little theme that has been running through our shows, in which we ask the question (and take stabs at answering it) how are we doing? How is the horse industry doing? How are the trainers and other horse professionals doing? Our hunch is that burnout is real and financial struggles are real and that any alleviation of these difficulties is elusive.

We’re turning to our listeners for answers, too, and everyone who reaches out is in the running for Patagonia WorkWear. Heck, we’re also throwing in stickers, Redmond Equine products and a complimentary book from Cayuse Communications. So let us hear from you!

Jec mentions Karen Rohlf and her show interview.

I mention mental health challenges and the mental health forum, taking place here in southwestern Colorado in mid-February, 2024. Learn more about that here and here.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

Also, check out Chill Angel for luxurious superfine merino wool loungewear. We love their stargazer and reverie tops.

We are really looking forward to hearing from you to bolster this conversation with your experiences. Our colleague Katrin Silva is having a related conversation around what’s wrong in the dressage world and the show world. We know it’s not just the judges. We know it’s not just the trainers. Is it a systemic problem? If so, how can we best address it? Do we all need to be a little bit more knowledgeable and accountable? Sometimes the horse industry seems a bit like a freighter. Very hard to correct its course.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for the generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. I received a new sage green cowboy hat with a dark green bound edge last month and it’s been on my noggin for several rides already. Check out the best horse practices blog post for this show to see pictures.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

Wendy Murdoch, No Stirrup November, Plus Colt Starting Nov 02, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 12 of Season 4 in which Jec interviews Wendy Murdoch, creator of the Murdoch Method and author of several books. Check out her online Whole Rider course here.

Before this marvelous interview, I thought I’d share a few bits on my work with two young horses. It’s a departure of sorts, but I hope you enjoy it. We love to hear from listeners. Contact us here.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

Because writing and talking helps me to better synthesize and appreciate experiences (and progress and hiccups and trepidations and failures and successes), I wanted to share some words on my time starting two youngish horses, Tuesday and Table.

Tuesday is four or five. She came to me as a free-to-a-good-home, dark buckskin, club-footed quarter horse.

Table, who was called Lorenzo until this nickname overpowered me, is a five-year old mustang from the Devil’s Garden herd management area in northern California. I acquired him from a gal who seemed afraid to handle him and before that he was with a man who mistreated him, or at least that’s what I was told and, based on Table’s behavior, I’d say is accurate.

Both had been handled very little, had never been ridden, and were overweight.

That’s where the similarities end.

Tuesday had a disrespect for my personal space and was pretty klingy to her herdmates. With work, like creating clear boundaries, testing them, letting her make a mistake and learning from it, those elements of her behavior are improving nicely. She’s a sweet horse and I think it can be tempting to invite her in for some rubs and loving. But for now, it’s more important for her to learn she can be happy with boundaries. She was unsafe in how she encroached, and it would be easy to make her unsafe again.

Table tends to be wary of everything, from a phone that suddenly plays music to me wearing a cowboy hat instead of a baseball hat. And even after lots of good work around tying, he still has a tendency to set back.

While I am a competent rider and have helped several horses who have come from bad situations, I have never started a horse from the ground up. As luck would have it, my friend, Jessica Munn, came to visit for a month. Jess is a colt starter, with a background in dressage as well as cowboying. It hadn’t been our plan to dedicate so much time to Table and Tuesday, but I’m so grateful that we were both able to commit to this focused work. Her help has been fundamental to our progress and I am deeply indebted to Jess for the knowledge and encouragement she brought to the pen. Oh, and she relearned me on the bowline knot, which I learned as a kid but had a hard time tying it as a horse-tying knot. If you have a horse that might set back, a bowline is a better knot to tie than a quick release knot.

Over several weeks, we worked every day to get both of them more comfortable with many aspects of this horse-human thing. Like, for instance, being tied for decent periods of time (20 minutes or more), being hobbled, being led, being tacked up, having feet handled and trimmed, and being away from herdmates.

That’s a broad brush and it’s tempting to think this checklist was ticked off in an afternoon. Far from it. Getting these horses to be better citizens was a road full of frost heaves and potholes. We worked every day, for one or two hours with each horse. We built on the previous days’ work and almost always revisited what we’d done in days past.

There is a great deal of repetition in good horse work. We do this so the horse knows what to expect in the form of boundaries and performance: when I apply pressure, you move away from it. When I tie you, you get to chill. When the other horses go out to pasture, you get to stay here, pay attention, and have fun.

Jess helped me with essential groundwork, which has included lunging and driving, as well as important techniques for riding horses who’d never been ridden, like being able to have them flex when I step up into the saddle. Stepping into the saddle is done from both sides, by the way. There was some learning for me around how to carry the reins more safely and how to sit better on a young horse.

She has encouraged me to take time to do everything well. As I have helped the horses become more patient, she has taught me the value of fence-sitting and taking more time with, well, everything. “It’s not time-consuming,” Jess reminded me. “It’s patience-building.”

I have learned some hacks for making progress and being less fearful. Singing, playing ridiculous music, and talking to my horses has helped shake off the brace and elevate my confidence. Taking videos has helped me see my penchant for leaning forward. When it feels like I’m leaning back, I’m actually pretty erect in the saddle. Jess has reminded me to be a confident leader. But what does that look like and how can I relate this to you all, who have different pictures in their heads about what confidence looks like?

I see the best results when I am decisive and clear. But being clear means knowing what you’re doing, so I have needed help with technique. Being clear is also wound up in confidence and mental habits, too. It’s easy to say, “work with confidence and clarity,” but it’s harder to do it in a way that is effective for the horses. “Black and white makes light. Be sparingly demanding.” says Jess. Whether with groundwork or riding, it is an everyday challenge to be clear, not vague, to ask succinctly, and not to nag.

Our work together, these daily sessions over a month, along with the sitting around, talking about what worked and didn’t have helped me a lot in this vein. Now that I’m doing the daily work on my own, I find I have to commit even more diligently: to get out there every day and to stay focused and intentional.

Of course, there has been unintentional nagging. Of course, I can beat myself up over tough afternoons. It’s all part of the process.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for the generous sponsorship. You can order one today and have it by the holidays!

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

Dr. Doug Thal and the Equine Vet Crisis Oct 16, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 11 of Season 4 and in it, Jec interviews Dr. Doug Thal, owner of Thal Equine, a veterinary practice and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Doug was tapped to present a great topic at the Best Horse Practices Summit one year ago, but came down with Covid just prior to our event. He and I have had a lot of conversations around what vets need to know, especially around horsemanship, and, what horse owners need to know to be better owners and to be able to communicate best with their vets. I was so looking forward to his presentation but here, in this interview about the vet shortage crisis, Doug gets into this a bit.

Check out his app, Horse Side Vet Guide.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. Check them out at lucernefarms.com.

Also, thanks to Skratch Labs, makers of hydration drinks and snacks for athletes. I especially like their chocolate milk, which is great after a hard, long ride. Yes, heat it up and make hot cocoa, by all means. Use besthorse25 for 25 percent off your order.

Whenever I see horses on TV, handled by newbies, most in the Netflix show Sex Education, I cringe. But then I think about the enormous learning curve that people have coming to horse work, horsemanship. And there is always more to learn. When I think of how little I knew when I was riding and taking care of horses as a girl, I’m astonished more bad stuff didn’t happen. In working with my young horses now, I’m astonished at how much more I need to learn and be confident about.

Do you have stuff in your truck? Have you had moments of steep learning curves? Tips for fellow horse owners? We would love to hear from you.

Here are articles to check out:

Ownership

First Aid Essentials

First Response Tips

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for the generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. I am extremely excited to receive a hat I ordered a few months ago. It’s sage green, has a three and a half inch brim trimmed out with dark green bound edge. When I get it, I’ll post pics. You can order one today and have it by the holidays.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Patagonia just came out with a hemp tool bag that is awesome for tack and barn stuff, from hoof picks to brushes, sprays, and hobbles. It is reversable so the many pockets can live on the inside or outside. The hemp was grown in the US and the bag was sewn in the US. AND...we are giving away two of them! Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

Coaches' Corner with Amy Skinner: Body Work and other forms of care Oct 06, 2023

This is Episode 10 of Season 4 and in it, Jec holds a Coaches’ Corner with our frequent and friendly guest, Amy Skinner. The two horsewomen discuss body work and as well as other services that can be hired and provided to your horses.

What do you think?

We’ve had Jim Masterson, founder of the Masterson Method, present at the Best Horse Practices Summit twice. The evidence is certainly strong for this kind of body work helping horses. And Jim is a wonderful, generous presenter who has put hands on thousands of horses and mentored scores of Masterson Method providers. BHPS 2022 presentation. BHPS 2021 Presentation.

But Jec and Amy are on to something when they talk about the possible red flags or, say, caution flags, when it comes to body work, chiropractic work, acupunture, as well as supplements, and other extra-care type elements of horse ownership. Are they worth it? Is there another reason you might be subscribing to it?

I was listening to a podcast about self-care. Actually, it was about the industry of self-care, of all the stuff you can buy to care for yourself, of music to listen to, of essential oils to smell, of chairs and sunglasses, and, well, stuff! When really, though, self-care isn’t about stuff at all.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain. Check them out at lucernefarms.com.

Also, thanks to Skratch Labs, makers of hydration drinks and snacks for athletes. I especially like their chocolate milk, which is great after a hard, long ride. Yes, heat it up and make hot cocoa, by all means. Check them out at skratch labs com Use besthorse25 for 25 percent off your order.

Dr. Sherry King, in an article for Best Horse Practices, wrote that horses may not want or need the stuff Amy and Jec mentioned. She said:

When we misinterpret our relationship with our horse, when we move beyond the role of caring steward to treating the horse like an extension of ourselves and our family, we err to the detriment of the horse. We end up loving it badly.

The next time you catch yourself doing “something special” for your horse, stop. Think. Are you really doing this for your horse, or are you doing it for you? If it is really for you, is it also good for the horse?

Beware false prophets of equine welfare – what they preach may actually be bad for horse’s health.

This is not a clarion call to stop all the extra stuff you’re doing for your horses. But maybe cast a critical eye on it?

Oh, I mentioned the podcast on self-care: The two women kind of dissected the self-care industry as appealing to our consumerist nature, that if we can just buy something that someone assures us is comforting and soothing, then we will be comforted and soothed. But, they pointed out, the ultimate comfort comes from turning inward not outward. It is doing the things that don’t cost anything but time and effort. Like maybe meditation or really thinking about life priorities and then consciously shifting your days to better represent what you want and what you need. Like maybe riding more or giving your horses’ more exercise since we know that’s almost always of great benefit to the horses.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for the generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. You can order one today and have it by the holidays.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Patagonia just came out with a hemp tool bag that is awesome for tack and barn stuff, from hoof picks to brushes, sprays, and hobbles. It is reversable so the many pockets can live on the inside or outside. The hemp was grown in the US and the bag was sewn in the US. AND...we are giving away two of them! Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

Lee McLean on Wild versus Domestic Sep 28, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 9 of Season 4 and in it, Jec welcomes back Lee McLean to our show. It’s a great interview in which the two horsewomen discuss observations around domestic versus wild horse lives and the possible management practices around them. They get into their observations, which are insightful, as well as weighing in on the sometimes problematic online side-taking around this issue.

This is a compelling topic. At the Best Horse Practices Summit, the board and I talked a lot about how best to cultivate best practices – and by that we mean practices that are in the best interest of the horse -- through Summit presentations. Horsekeeping involves making decisions around space, diet, hoof care, your horse’s socialization, riding. As Jec and Lee mention, we can get pretty tribal about what we think is best – that’s a shame because in my observation, the tribalism is often distinct from horses’ actual experiences.

After listening to Jec and Lee, maybe you can take a critical look at how you keep your horses and what improvements might be made for their sake. We’d love to hear from you.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. A great addition or substitute for your hay or grass and way better than grain.

Also, thanks to Chill Angel, a Colorado company that makes luxurious superfine merino wool sleepwear, perfect for these cooler nights.

It’s true – horses in the wild can appear to be doing just fine and we should remember that humans have done a great job of wrecking horses’ feet, nervous systems, temperments and confirmation as we have domesticated them for our purposes. Of course, we have elevated their lives, too. As Lee mentions, wild horses have tough lives and a lot of the not-so-pretty events are never witnessed. Also, the various governments and agencies charged with managing wild horses have not done a stellar job here, nor have they used science to roll out optimal policy. It’s a political mess, also known as, yep, tribalism.

If we zoom out, we see that the swing from wild to domestic can be smooth or startling, depending on what lens we look through, what year, what culture, what eduation, what motivation folks have.

A lot of people, especially on properties with more acreage (especially, on acreage with diverse topography), keep their horses naturally (air quotes here) with great success. People with less space have gotten creative with hacks to improve their horses’ mental and physical well-being – I’m thinking of pasture design and footing as well as group housing.

Here are articles:

Wild Horse topics

Dr. King: Horses want fewer gifts, better care

Care

Ownership

Last week, after 15 years and 700 newsletters, I suspended the Cayuse Communications newsletter. It was a good stretch and thanks to all those who subscribed. While a page has turned, you can still find great articles on the Cayuse Communications sites, which include HorseHead, NickerNews, BestHorsePractices, and HighCountryOutsider. And, as ever, we have great books available at the Cayuse Communications library.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works, for the generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. You can order one today and have it by the holidays.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

On the Fence: Expertise & the Beginner's Mind Sep 15, 2023

We love to hear from listeners and this week would especially love to hear about your horse work journeys, your comfort zones and stretching of them. Contacting us is easy through the contact button on best horse practices dot com.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 8 of Season 4. It’s an On the Fence show and in it, Jec and I talk about what it means to be an expert, the need for a beginner’s mind and the benefits of expanding the aforementioned comfort zones.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds, extremely handy and healthy bales of alfalfa, timothy, and grass blends. They also make Koop Clean chicken bedding. Check them out at lucernefarms.com.

Also, thanks to Chill Angel, a woman-owned, Colorado company that makes luxurious superfine merino wool sleepwear, perfect for combatting hot flashes.

Jec mentions Kevin Haussler of Colorado State University. A related website is here. She also mentions Adam Till. In a Facebook post, he writes: "So many people just care about how good a horse is to ride and barely make an effort to make sure training holes are filled....Make sure a six year old kid you don't know can handle your horse."

I’m reminded of something Randy Rieman told me years ago:

If you’re not expanding your comfort zones, you’re shrinking them. That’s true for humans and horses alike.

In the newsletter this week, we have a great guest column about the Pony Express Re-Ride, a relay event that covers all 1,800 + miles of the historic trail.

And, as ever, we have great books available at the Cayuse Communications library.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for their generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. You can order one today and have it by the holidays. That’s at prairie wind hat works.com

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Trish Trips - Different Kinds of Horse Work Aug 30, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 7 of Season 4, and in it, Jec talks with Trish Lemke, a Colorado horsewoman who leads amazing horse-riding trips across the globe and is a certified Equine Interactional Professional in Education and certified Martha Beck Life Coach. Find her website here and her Facebook page here.

This conversation is a great one to wedge into a series of episodes in which we’re talking about, not just mental health, but our comfort zones, expanding our comfort zones, and being aware of our place in horse-rider partnerships. Expanding comfort zones can mean all kinds of things, whether its skills or geography, new horses or new disciplines. Here, as Jec and Trish discuss, it often comes back to the ‘why.’ What is your intention?

And speaking of horses and mental health...Many of you already know that our horse vets are facing a real crisis. It is a stressful job and there’s a vet shortage, especially in rural areas. Vets have high suicide rates. Daniel Dauphin aired a lengthy interview with Dr. Mallory Preston about all this which you can listen to here. And we are teaming with Patagonia WorkWear to show our support. If you know of a vet who could use a lift, contact us here.

Thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Those bales of alfalfa and timothy and other blends are great for taking with you on comfort-expanding horse camping trips, by the way.

Also, thanks to Chill Angel, a Colorado company that makes luxurious superfine merino wool sleepwear. Use Cayuse20 for a 20 percent discount. And thanks to Skratch Labs, which makes fantastic drinks and snacks for our athletic endeavors. Use BestHorse25 for a 25 percent discount.

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for their generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. Design your perfect hat and place your order to have it on your head before the holidays.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

Hey – Fall is in the air here in Colorado. The geese are gathering and setting up, it seems, for their long migrations south. What are your fall plans? We’d love to hear from you.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Kerry O'Brien and the Meeker Mustang Makeover Aug 21, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 6 of Season 4, and in it, Jec talks with Kerry O’Brien, a Colorado trainer who is competing in the Meeker Mustang Makeover.

Kerry has been on the show before in which she talks about using positive reinforcement as a training method. We're glad to have her back!

First, thanks to many of you who connected with us to offer feedback from last week’s show and the mental health initiatives we are talking about.

Second, thanks to our title sponsor, Lucerne Farms, Maine producers of quality forage feeds. But did you also know that they make chicken bedding. It’s called Coop Klean and it's not your everyday chicken bedding.

Also, thanks to Chill Angel, a Colorado company that makes luxurious superfine merino wool sleepwear, perfect for combatting hot flashes.

I was really glad to hear about the Meeker Makeover. Some of you who follow Best Horse Practices or get the Cayuse Communications newsletter, might have heard WiseAssWallace talk about colt starting competitions. A lot of times, Wallace says, it is not set up for the success of the horse. And that’s a shame. Seems like Meeker and Kerry have the horses’ best interests at heart. So good to hear!

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for their generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. Here he is talking about some regional distinctions. He starts when I ask him to consider with Alberta and hat preferences there. But then he expands on the preferences of certain parts of the US. I’m coming to know that what’s true with horses is also true with hats: the more you learn, the more you realize there’s a lot to learn.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Coaches' Corner with Amy Skinner, plus Mental Health Aug 16, 2023

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover skills, strategies, tools, ideas, and insights for better connecting with their horses, with all horses and for getting work done.

We love to hear from listeners and often incorporate listener questions or suggestions for topics and guests into our podcast. So, let us hear from you. Contacting us is easy.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 5 of Season 4, and it’s a good one.

We have Jec and Amy talking about trail-riding preparation in their Coaches’ Corner. When I saw this topic, I was doubtful. I mean, What’s to know? What’s to prepare? Out here in rural Colorado, where the closest arena is 20 miles away, my horses and I would definitely experience more trepidation heading to the fairgrounds and an arena, than heading out on National Forest.

There, we travel on gravel roads and dirt paths. We often bushwhack across country. We meet bikers, hikers, trucks, cars, dogs, and other horses. Last weekend, as I was ponying my young horse, we rode through cows and stopped to cool off at a pond.

But Jec and Amy’s conversation gave me a whole new insight to what’s involved in successful trail rides. It pointed out some holes in my training and areas where I could definitely make improvements. Regardless of your riding routines, I think you will love it.

Check out Amy's Six Weeks to Calm, Forward, and Straight.

First, though, I’m following up on last week’s mention of mental health and horse work.

Recently, the LOR Foundation, a philanthropic organization serving the mountain west with an office here in Cortez, awarded the Best Horse Practices Summit a small grant to help with a two-day mental health forum for working cowboys and horse professionals.

This project has been on my mind for a few years. I’ve been wanting to organize a gathering like this and am excited that the LOR Foundation recognized the purpose and the niche need. Being awarded the grant is a huge step forward. We hope to offer this forum, (all expenses paid to attendees thanks to LOR!) to a small group of working horse professionals this winter. Interested? Contact us here.

For some thoughts on how horses, horse work, best practices, and mental health weave together, read more here.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. It’s hay season, the rain has let up for a while, and the James family is busy in the fields of northern Maine. That’s where they’re cutting, tedding, and baling alfalfa and timothy. The forage, wrapped tightly in plastic, is perfect for traveling to competitions or horse camping vacations.

Thanks to Chill Angel, maker of superfine merino loungewear and sleepwear. Love their jammies!

We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for their generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. In our next show, we’ll talk more with Sampson about the finer points of ordering and, for him, making a custom felt hat. We’ll talk about regional preferences for hat wearers, brim size and shape, crowns and creases.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

From Cowboy to Showjumper to Cowboy: Pete Reinholz Aug 09, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 4 of Season 4, and in it, I talk with Pete Reinholz. Maybe this is a departure of sorts. Pete does not have a website or a book or anything to sell. He does write songs. He sings and plays guitar, and that’s the context in which I met him several years ago in Elko, Nevada.

Pete graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology. Since then, he’s been mostly horseback, working in southern Montana and northern Wyoming. But last year, he made the leap to the showjumping world as a trainer.

To me, that seems like a big, interplanetary leap, so I was happy to talk with him for a bit. I think it takes a lot for a cowboy to step out of jeans and away from big country and pull on a pair of breeches and work in an arena. Pete was pretty philosophical when I asked him about it.

"Being a more refined and versatile rider never screwed anybody up," he said.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. It’s hay season, the rain has let up for a while, and the James family is busy in the fields of northern Maine. That’s where they’re cutting, tedding, and baling alfalfa and timothy. The forage, wrapped tightly in plastic, is perfect for traveling to competitions or horse camping vacations.

We also thank Chill Angel, makers of superfine merino loungewear, and Prairie Wind Hat Works, where Sampson Moss crafts custom-built, felt hats to your specifications.

After I stopped recording, Pete mentioned that, oh, by the way, he played polo for three years at MSU. Turns out Sheridan, Wyoming, not far from where he lives now, has quite the polo scene. Riders have been playing there since the 1890’s, he said, making it the oldest polo venue west of the Mississippi.

Hey, in past seasons, we have talked a bit about mental health and how it may or may not interfere with our horse work. We know there is a connection with wellness and the therapy horses offer us. But I’d be the first to admit that horses aren’t there to magically solve our problems. Horse pros and working cowboys, along with horse vets, can be strained and stressed by their work. I’m guessing you know of a friend, or a friend of a friend in your horse circles who has struggled with substance abuse and/or suicide.

While Jec and I want to steer clear of discussions around aromatherapy or crystals, we would like to be open to ideas and conversations and strategies for improving the mental health situation in our horse communities. So, if you have any thoughts in that vein, hit us up with an email here.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Weaning Strategies with Lynn Acton Aug 02, 2023

We love to hear from listeners and often incorporate listener questions or suggestions for topics and guests into our podcast. So, let us hear from you. Contacting us is easy here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

Hey, it’s hot out there and I wanted to direct your attention to an article I wrote about dogs, horses, and us managing heat. How to help. What to be aware of. With comments from a Harvard dog expert and an accomplished endurance rider. Read more.

This is Episode 3 of Season 4, and in it, Jec talks with Lynn Acton, author of “What Horses Really Want.” Lynn and Jec discuss the behavioral and physical consequences of weaning early and how healthy weaning should go. Even if you don’t have or aren’t thinking of acquiring a young horse, I think this show will still interest you.

We try to steer clear of any anthropomorphizing, but you’ll hear that sometimes Lynn and Jec refer to horses in a human-y manner, which makes the topic more approachable without being romantic or inaccurate. Weaning how-to’s are closely associated with an article I wrote on imprinting. That’s a technique that some misguided professionals, including Dr. Robert Miller and Clinton Anderson, performed and advocated in what I sincerely hope are gone-bye days.

After that segment, we hear from Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works, as he discusses the finer details of crafting a custom hat.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. It’s hay season, the rain has let up for a while, and the James family is busy in the fields of northern Maine. That’s where they’re cutting, tedding, and baling alfalfa and timothy. The forage, wrapped tightly in plastic, is perfect for traveling to competitions or horse camping vacations.

I have written a lot about the power of a good start and the hazards and pitfalls of a bad start. Mostly, I’ve talked about my experiences with restarting horses who have been in bad homes or with neglectful or abusive owners or trainers. But this weaning conversation gives us a whole new perspective on what good and bad starts can mean.

Dr. Sheryl King, professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University and a perenial favorite Best Horse Practices Summit presenter oversaw many weanings and had this to say:

“At the University we weaned at about four or five months and did so by removing one mare from the mare/foal pasture at a time until there were finally no adults in with the foals. After trying a number of weaning methods, this seemed to be the one that worked best for us and created the least stress for the foals."

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

On the Fence: Pet Peeves. Plus, Prairie Wind Hat Works Jul 19, 2023

This is Episode 2 of Season 4, and in it, Jec and I reconnect after some time off and have an On the Fence chat in which we talk about some summer projects, those of our listeners, and personal pet peeves, specific to our horse worlds: "analysis paralysis", group rides, not having rider etiquette, and underestimating our equine partners, for examples. (Oh, but we have more ;)

Did you know?

Jec has a great shop here, where you can find the fantastic exercise and conditioning books she's written.

Cayuse Communications has a library full of great books, too, by Yours Truly as well as Amy Skinner, Katrin Silva, as well as a terrific, horse-y mystery series by Mark Stevens.

Check out listener summer plans and projects here.

After that segment, we hear from Sampson Moss and Prairie Wind Hat Works. In upcoming episodes, we’ll feature snippets from an interview I did with Sampson and you can learn about all the many aspects of hat making and what goes into crafting the perfect custom hat.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. It’s hay season, the rain has let up for a while, and the James family is busy in the fields of northern Maine. That’s where they cut alfalfa and timothy for their products. The bales, wrapped tightly in plastic, are perfect for traveling to competitions or horse camping vacations.

And thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Tying Trials & Confidence Building with Daniel Dauphin Jul 13, 2023

Welcome to Season Four!! of Best Horse Practices with Jec Ballou.

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover ways, skills, strategies, tools, ideas for better connecting with their horses, with all horses and for getting work done.

Our shows are short and concise, or, at least, shorter and more concise than many shows out here in the digital universe.

We love to hear from listeners and often incorporate listener questions or listener suggestions for topics and guest into our podcast. So, let us hear from you. Contacting us is easy through the contact button here.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

In this Episode, I chat with Daniel Dauphin, a trainer in Louisianna, a Best Horse Practices Summit presenter, an expert in horse mouth anatomy and bits. We talked about setting back, pulling back, and trials with tying. It’s a quick topic that I think you will really enjoy.

Also, we have a new sponsor in Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. In upcoming shows, we’re going to talk with Sampson about the details and finer points of ordering and, for him, making a custom felt hat. We’ll talk about regional preferences for hat wearers, brim size and shape, crowns and creases. Check out his beautiful hats on Instagram or at Prairie Wind Hat Works .

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. It’s hay season, the rain has let up for a while, and the James family is busy in the fields of northern Maine. That’s where they cut alfalfa and timothy for their products. The bales, wrapped tightly in plastic, are perfect for traveling to competitions or horse camping vacations.

So, listeners, thank YOU for all the summer news on plans and projects and progress. Some great goings-on and we were excited to hear about them all, notes from horsewomen in Canada, Michigan, Washington, and elsewhere. Check them out here.

As mentioned during the segment, I have been working with my young gelding, Lorenzo, but probably not as diligently as I should. We have been ponying, packing, day grazing on National Forest. I trim his feet. We work on little things and big things. He’s making progress and is being handled in one way or another every day. I try to be cognizant of how I’m being when I’m with him – what am I bringing into the dry lot when I halter him? What kind of behaviors and energies and I sending his way? What am I conveying? How can I help him trust me and gain confidence? I think he’s coming to understand that I am not going to throw anything at him that he can’t handle and that he can know me as a level-headed partner.

But. My subconscious and my partner, Shane, gave me a pretty hilarious perspective the other day:

First, the dream. I am a trainer and walk into my astroturfed arena that’s full of riders and horses, ready for my tutelage. Apparently, I have instructed them to all recline with their steeds and there they are – horses and riders all lounging on the astroturf. One guy is wearing flipflops. One brought his St. Bernard. Because he didn’t have a horse? I remember thinking, in my dream, what the heck am I going to teach these folks? I woke up.

Shane said: You? Teaching people how to relax?

Yeah, I have my own personal challenges with being present and calm and I don’t exactly see myself as a zen-ish instructor. We are all works in progress.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode and another season in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Prelude to Season 4 Jun 27, 2023

Hi there, this is Maddy Butcher, producer of Best Horse Practices with Jec Ballou.

We’re taking a little break before launching our fourth season, but we wanted to say "Thank You" to our listeners and to our sponsors.

It’s been a great 90-show journey in which we’ve talked about hooves, brain science, property management, parasites, gender gyrations, fitness, and much, much more. We’re pretty pleased with our content. We’re also excited that so many listeners have reached out to make suggestions or even sometimes become part of the show. It’s great to be engaged with our audience. So, yes, thanks for your emails.

Coming in Season 4, we plan to continue with listener suggestions, and tackle topics we haven’t discussed, and return to some popular subjects. As usual, our conversations will have a heavy helping of common sense approaches to riding and horse work, supported by science, and devoid of the niche-y-ness that can so often contaminate horse spaces. We all love horses, so let’s focus on that and on trying to optimize what’s in horses’ best interests.

While we move on Season 4, we hope that you might consider dropping a tip in the proverbial tip jar. Yes, we have some support from sponsors and are grateful. But shows take a lot of effort to produce. There are platform fees, equipment, software, and most of all, time. And as they say, time is money.

Thanks again and stay tuned for Season 4. It's going to be great!

Lee McLean on Nurturing Fun, Versatile Horses Jun 08, 2023

Jec interviews Lee McLean from Alberta Canada. Lee likes to approach horse work with an eye on common sense, pragmatism, and fun. She grew up in a ranching family, but is savvy in side saddle, dressage, and other disciplines. While there was probably no end to topics for Jec and Lee, they picked one that I think we can all relate to, that is, how to nurture well-being for our horses in a holistic way, in a way that conjures athleticism and good movement without the snootiness and specificity that folks say is plaguing our circles.

Can you ride and do yoga and play tennis or soccer? Well, your horse could and should be versatile like that, too.

I really love the idea of mixing it up with our horses. Trying new things. Asking them to do something, as Lee says, outside the box. Especially outside the sandbox of an arena. You know, for me, the arena is actually the novel space. So, this interview reminded me to get our butts down to the fairgrounds for some exploratory time there. And, yes, Lee, I will make it fun!

Check out her NickerNews guest columns here: 10 Hard Truths and Riding as We Get Older.

Visit her website or Facebook page.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. It’s hay season and the James family is busy in the fields of Aroostock County, Maine. That’s where they cut alfalfa and timothy for their products. The bales, wrapped tightly in plastic, are perfect for traveling to competitions or horse camping vacations.

Oh, before signing off for a few weeks, I want to remind you to check out the links in the show notes for discounts on Chill Angel, Bobo’s, and for reviews on Duckworth, Patagonia, Hoka, Helle and Kershaw knives, and more.

Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

Enjoy your summer! We hope to hear from you. Stay tuned for Season Four in a few weeks.

DIY Projects May 25, 2023

This is Episode 29 of Season 3 and in it, Jec interviews Donna-Maria Flood of DMventions. Donna Maria has scores of simple fixes and DIY projects for your horse spaces and equipment. Most are inexpensive and don’t require a year-long carpentry apprenticeship. Make it in 10 minutes, for less than 10 bucks is more like it.

This episode may require you to do some visualization, and, if you’re interested. Check out Donna-Maria’s website for instructions and videos on many of the projects. We also have a few DIY projects on NickerNews, for saddle racks and headstall hangers.

Oh, one more thing:

This is a busy time of year for trying out gear and getting more active. For instance, Jec and I are trying out some new styles of Hoka running shoes. The best brand, in our humble, for trail running. Also, Duckworth and Chill Angel are two fantastic brands using fine wool and making clothing in the US. We like wool because it’s more durable and a whole lot less body odor-y than other fabrics. I’m wearing Duckworth’s hooded henley in spruce green. Like Chill Angel’s sleepwear, it is warm when I need it to be and cool when I need it to be. Kind of magical.

Head here for giveaways and discounts.

Also, I want to mention Helle knives, made in Norway and perfect for your horse camping or glamping set up.

Oh, and stay tuned after Jec’s interview for another poem by Sampson Moss, our Canadian friend, working cowboy, and occasional rodeo competitor who runs Prairie Wind Hat Works in Alberta, Canada.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement feed for your hard keeper.

And thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Coaches' Corner on Round Pens with Amy Skinner May 18, 2023

This is Episode 28 of Season 3 and in it, Jec interviews Amy Skinner for another Coaches’ Corner. This interview concerns the use of round pens and I found it very insightful. Like many of you, I have used round pens for working my horses. It was especially a go-to place years ago. I feel like I knew less and had images of several roundpen-using clinicians in my head. So I was, like, yeah, of course, I’m headed to the round pen to do some fundamental ground work. Like ya do.

Turns out, like so many things, what you do in a round pen and even IF you use a round pen, needs much more consideration.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement feed for your hard keeper.

We have a new sponsor in Chill Angel! Chill Angel is a Colorado-based company that makes luscious, super-fine merino wool sleepwear and loungewear. Jec’s trying out the Essential Tank and says it’s super comfortable, “like I’m wearing a soft, little cloud.” More on Chill Angel in upcoming shows.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Check out the all season vest or the light and soft but tough ranch jacket – two great tops for this time of year. Both are made of hemp which has an already-broken in feel while also being super durable.

Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Mother's Day Special: Super Short & Horse-y Fiction May 11, 2023

This is Episode 27 of Season 3. I decided to do something a bit different with this episode. While I’m mostly a journalist, I have had some fun dabbling a bit with fiction. This story was published in my first book A Rider’s Reader. You can find it exclusively in the Cayuse Communication library. Scroll to the bottom.

I think it’s a good one for Mother’s Day. If you enjoy it, let me know.

A few notes from sponsors:

We have several discounts going on. Check out Best Horse Practices sister site, NickerNews, for codes to stuff, including: Bobo’s Bars for your saddle bag. Zealios for your glamping. And Chill Angel, for your apres ride.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement feed for your hard keeper.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Check out the all season vest or the light and soft but tough ranch jacket – two great tops for this time of year. Both are made of hemp which has an already-broken in feel while also being super durable.

Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Considering Science with Dr. Sheryl King May 04, 2023

This is Episode 26 of Season 3 and in it, Jec and I talk with Dr. Sheree King about science, specifically equine research. But it’s also a conversation of how to consider science in today’s world of scholarly access, social media, and, quite frankly, the troubling politics around scientific information.

For most of my life, I have embraced science, research, the power of the scientific method, putting ideas out there and testing them. I’ve conducted research and I’ve assisted others with research projects. In case you were noodling on just what science is -- it is the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories against the evidence obtained.

I am happy to approach my horse work with a critical eye nurtured, I think, by my science-y background. Do you consider your horse work like this? We would love to hear from you.

Dr. King is a founding board member and a keynote presenter at the Best Horse Practices Summit. We wanted to chat with her about how horse studies can influence riders and horse owners, how equine research can inform or, unfortunately, mislead folks, and how as information consumers, we really need to have an open mind and a critical eye towards horse studies.

We talk specifically about a Equine Guelph study involving 20 ponies and their ability to "read facial expressions" of humans. Here is the study and here is a YouTube video with the studies' author, Dr. Katrina Merkies.

We also talk about how to tell good science from, well, less good science. Check out some Best Horse Practices articles calling out sketchy science here and here.

A few notes from sponsors:

We have several discounts and reviews on our web pages, so head to this page to grab the codes and check out reviews on some great new products:

Bobo’s oat bars area made here in Colorado. They are gluten free and use non-GMO ingredients.
Also, Zealios makes makes sunscreen, anti-chafe, and shower products especially for athletes.
Chill Angel makes deee-lightful sleep and loungewear and Camelbak has outstanding options for saddle bags and road trips. Check 'em all out here.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement feed for your hard keeper.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Check out the all season vest or the light and soft but tough ranch jacket – two great tops for this time of year. Both are made of hemp which has an already-broken in feel while also being super durable.

Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

On the Fence: Breed Bias and the Stories We Tell Ourselves Apr 12, 2023

Welcome to Best Horse Practices with Jec Ballou. My name is Maddy Butcher. I produce this podcast and I would love to know what you think of our intro:

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover ways to better connect with their horses. Plus, we like to feel safe and have fun. Fitness, of mind and body, the ability to think critically about our horse work as well as embracing a beginner’s mind, are all parts of this lucky equine equation that Jec and I hold dear.

So, yes, let me know what you think.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 25 of Season 3 and in it, Jec and I have an On the Fence discussion around a number of topics, including a great question sent in by a listener. We talk about breed bias and the stories we tell ourselves, we talk about best practices within a barn’s lesson program, and more. As always, reach out if you would like a question answered or to give us feedback.

A few notes from sponsors:

We welcome Bobo’s Bars to the show. Bobo’s are oat bars, made here in Colorado. They are gluten free and use non-GMO ingredients. My fav is peach, but consider stashing peanut butter chocolate chip or cranberry orange in your saddle bag or glove compartment. Use “BESTHORSEVIP” for 20 percent off your order at EatBobos.

Speaking of good items for your saddle bag or glove compartment, Jec and I will be reviewing products from Zealios soon. Zealios makes sunscreen, recovery, anti-chafe, and shower products, especially for athletes. They have zinc sunscreen without the white, chalky mess. Check them out at TeamZealios and use the code ‘besthorsepractices’ for 20 percent off.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement feed for your hard keeper.

Here's the Washington Post op-ed.

An important point that Jec has brought up is exercise and how, really, that should be prescribed more than drugs or injections or whatever. If you need more convincing, check out her books here. I have several books, too, and you can find them here.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Check out the vest or the ranch jacket – two great tops for this time of year. Both are made of hemp which is soft and already broken in while also being super tough. Barbed wire resisant!

Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Daniel Dauphin and Jec discuss Equine Pain Apr 05, 2023

This is Episode 24 of Season 3 and in it, Jec interviews Daniel Dauphin of Dauphin Horsemanship. He was also a 2022 Best Horse Practices Summit presenter. It’s a great conversation, in part, because in their work Jec and Daniel are not seeing the same clients or the same horses. At all. Jec is in California and works with dressage and endurance riders. Daniel is in Louisiana and his students are mostly Western riders.

They talk about pain – what it means to the horse and what it means to the horse owner. As it happens, I’ve written about pain and thought a lot about how we interpret or fail to interpret representations of pain in our animals. For generations, I feel like many owners did a pretty good job of ignoring signs of pain in their horses. Now, especially in quarters dominated by women, the trend is toward being overattentive around pain. Injections, supplements, even blankets and body massage appointments are all efforts to limit or avoid possible pain for our beloved equines. We can be guilty of killing horses with overcare, overkindness – that is, treating them with things when what they really need is movement and a herd, forage, and more movement. Both Daniel and Jec cite examples of horses’ problems being solved with more movement.

Motion is lotion.

We will link to several articles on Horse Head and Best Horse Practices. There’s an article on the grimace scale, an attempt by a team of international researchers to delineate pain through facial expressions. And there is an article about components of pain for us humans – like anticipation, distraction, and how pain becomes chronic.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding. Check them out here or at your local feed store.

I imagine that you have reactions around this interview and the points Jec and Daniel hit upon and I would be happy to hear them.

It just so happens that I have been thinking a lot about how different people, with different backgrounds, effect change for horses. Daniel brought up the legislation around soring and how, because of the crafted language, it had the potential to bring into question every aspect of horse keeping – right down to whether or not we should be riding.

This spring, here in Colorado, we had a state legislative effort around horse slaughter. You might be thinking – horse slaughter is bad, any legislation around horse slaughter is a good thing. But I read the legislation. It was absurd and had the potential, I think, to have the opposite impact that the authors intended. More suffering, instead of less.

Consider the horse Daniel inherited as a total loss, after spending years isolated and in a stall. And how his stiffles healed with turnout. I was thinking about this on my drive to town, during which I drive past a horse, who has been wearing a blanket the entire winter. That horse has had a blanket on since November, in zero degrees and on this day, 50 degrees and sunny. Its human, I’m sure, feels she’s doing good. But I don’t know. I felt really bad for this horse.

Certainly, I think, we need to acquire and use as much knowledge around horse behavior, horse anatomy, horse physiology to take care of them well. But we also need be extra mindful of killing them with kindness. Overfeeding, overindulging, and basically replacing their simple needs with our more complicated, material, and immediate-gratification oriented mindsets.

Read more about colic.

Take the Equine Guelph colic risk calculator quiz.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your feed, especially for harder keepers.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em. Redmond Equine sends a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty nifty and a $15 value.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

Also, all donors are automatically entered to win our monthly Patagonia Workwear giveaway. That’s where we give away two items – jackets, shirts, vests, pants – every month to folks who engage with our podcast. You don’t have to donate. You can also suggest an interviewee or a topic or just let us know how we’re doing. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation.

Coaches' Corner with Lynn Acton Mar 23, 2023

It's good to remind listeners of our mission once in a while. Here it is:

Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover ways to better connect with their horses. Plus, we like to feel safe and have fun. Fitness, of mind and body, the ability to think critically about our horse work as well as embracing a beginner’s mind, are all parts of this lucky equine equation that Jec and I hold dear.

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 22 of Season 3 and in it, Jec interviews Lynn Acton, the author of What Horses Really Want, for Coaches’ Corner, to answer a listener question. Our listener, Ann, writes about her recovering-from-injury mare and the vet’s guidance of slowly getting back to more exercise. The concern is around Ann’s horse being too exuberant, rip-roaring to get back to exercise and movement that might compromise her careful rehab. What options and strategies does she have?

It's an interesting conversation and I admit that there are things I would not have thought of. But there are also things that I thought of that aren’t mentioned. For instance, ponied the rehabilitating horse. Or jogging with her. Stay tuned for the outro as I have a question for you!

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding.

There were a few minutes that were edited out because of audio quality. But during that time, Jec and Lynn talked a bit about music and how incorporating it into your horse work can be helpful and engaging to the horse. Jec has found, for instance, that horses she has trained for musical freestyle work can learn to cue to the music. There is some research around the effects of music on horses, but in my opinion it is more click bait than good science and it has been frustrating to see that kind of work get a lot of unmerited attention.

Anyway, I put it to you: What are your thoughts around music and horses?

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. Also, everyone who donates is automatically entered to win our monthly Patagonia Workwear giveaway. We give away two items – jackets, shirts, vests, pants – every month to folk who engage with our podcast. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Kristen Vlietstra on Saddle Fit and More Mar 16, 2023

This is Episode 21 of Season 3 and in it, Jec is back and interviewing Kristen Vliestra, who runs Saddlery Solutions in California. Jec and Kristen have talked before about saddle fit and in this episode, Jec asks some particular questions that have been bugging her for a while.

As I found out while recruiting Kristen for the saddle fit elective at the Best Horse Practices Summit, she knows a lot. A lot about how people ride. A lot about horse anatomy. A lot about saddle construction and the consequences of an ill-fitting saddle.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding.

Lots to consider here in this interview, especially as it’s spring and a lot of us are starting back up with our equines, after a long time off. It’s good to remember that you can’t just jump on as if it were September. And it’s good to consider fitness – not just your horse’s but yours, too. Read articles on Rider Fitness.

And what do you think about bareback riding? I ask because I spent several years when I was a girl just riding bareback. My pony was over 14 hands and I was about 120 pounds. She never got lame. Maybe I just got lucky? Maybe I was light and athletic enough so that my weight didn’t aggravate her back? Anyway, I credit all the time bareback riding for giving me a bit better balance and feel than I think I would have had.

Let us know if you have any thoughts around bareback riding.

And big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Stories & Poetry, II Mar 08, 2023

Please accept my apologies as we initially uploaded an erroneous file for this great episode. Sorry times ten!

We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is episode 20 of season 3 and we have the second and final installment of Summit storytelling! These stories were recorded at the Best Horse Practices Summit, the conference that I direct.

Last week on the podcast, we featured Josh Nichol, Katrin Silva, and Nahshon Cook. Today, it’s Daniel Dauphin, Patrick King, and Amy Skinner.

Our storytelling sessions are roughly based on the following parameters: stories must be around 10 minutes or less. They must be true and told in first-person. They must not be a rant of any kind.

I think you will agree that these stories help us appreciate that even very successful horsemen and women, people who may be our role models and mentors, are still human, with their own paths and struggles, successes and failures. It’s nice to take a break from our typical podcast fodder, I think, and dive into the stuff that has shaped who these clinicians are at this point in their lives and careers and how they got there.

You’ll also here board member Marika Saarinen in this recording, as she served as our emcee. Oh, and stay listening after the storytelling as we have another poem by Sampson Moss, a talented horseman and hat maker from Alberta. He’ll recite his poem, Fixin’ Fence.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding.

Sampson Moss is a cowboy, cowboy poet, hat maker, and heavy duty mechanic. He majored in agribusiness in college and was raised in southern Alberta, Canada. Did I mention he makes beautiful hats? For information on ordering a custom hat, head over to Prairie Wind Hat Works.

Read Sampson's poem, Fixin’ Fence.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

By the way, Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all.

Summit Stories and "Heirloom" by Sampson Moss Feb 28, 2023

We offer this podcast for free. If you find it worthy of your support. Please contribute here.

This is Episode 19 of Season 3 and it’s another special detour of sorts, this time to the storytelling that was featured on Saturday night at the Best Horse Practices Summit at Spy Coast Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, late last year. The storytellers are Josh Nichol, Katrin Silva, and Nahshon Cook. Also featured at Spy Coast that evening were Daniel Dauphin, Patrick King, and Amy Skinner. You’ll hear their stories on another upcoming show. Our storytelling sessions are roughly based on the following parameters: stories must be around 10 minutes or less. They must be true and told in first person. They must not be a rant of any kind.

I think you will agree that their stories help us appreciate that even our heroes and role models are still human, with their own paths and struggles, successes and failures. It’s nice to take a break from typical podcast fodder and dive into the stuff that has shaped who these clinicians are at this point in their lives and careers.

Apologies for the challenging audio quality. The files came to us from video recordings.

You’ll also here board member and emcee Marika Saarinen in this recording. Oh, and stay listening after the storytelling as we have another treat. Sampson Moss, a talented horseman and hat maker from Alberta, will recite his poem, Heirlooms.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding. Check them out at Lucerne Farms.com or at your local feed store.

Sampson Moss is a cowboy and hat maker I met over the past year or so. He writes:

The first time I started playing around with felt hats was in 2015 when I began reshaping them for myself and friends in my college dorm kitchen. This eventually developed into rebuilding hats for folks all around North America.

At the start of 2020, I drove down to Newcastle, Utah, to apprenticed under Chaz Mitchell, who runs Chaz Mitchell Custom Hatz. It took me about a year to get my ducks in a row with tools, suppliers, and materials. In January of 2021, I produced Number One of Prairie Wind Hat Works. Since then, each hat I make has an accompanying serial number and my client’s name stamped into a goatskin sweatband.

Aside from being a hatmaker, I’m also I’m also a dayworking cowboy, cowboy poet, a musician, and heavy duty mechanic. I majored in agribusiness in college. I was raised in southern Alberta and am currently situated near Pincher Creek.

For information on ordering a custom hat, head over to Prairie Wind Hat Works.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

By the way, Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Fear to Joy: On the Fence with Jec and Maddy Feb 15, 2023

We offer these shows for free. If you think they're worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it.

This is Episode 18 of Season 3 and it’s an On the Fence segment in which Jec and I discuss a prompt from Art, a listener in Michigan. It concerns how best to introduce a non-horse-y person to the horse experience. I think we have some good starting points and will look forward to any suggestions you all might like to add.

Just a humble disclaimer here: I finally got Covid. Or, should I say, I have finally run into the energy-sapping, isolation-requiring wall that is Covid. It's had me sleeping half the day, coughing up a fit, and it has robbed me of brain cells I thought I had. I’m starting to feel better, but, boy, it’s been a haul. I sure hope you all are healthy and staying warm this winter.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding. Check them out here.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

By the way, Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Coaches' Corner with Amy Skinner Feb 09, 2023

This is Episode 17 of Season Three and it’s time for another Coaches’ Corner with Jec and Amy Skinner. They answer a listener question from Lisa, who asks about proper lunging practices. It’s a great back and forth, short and to the point. Or I should say points, because there are several.

Before I get to sponsor mentions, I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about a few things I’ve been up to and pondering. Last week, I traveled to Elko, Nevada, as I’ve been doing for each year for over a decade. I attended the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, met up with a bunch of horse folks, checked out the great gear shows – where they sell everything from wild rags to ropes to four thousand dollar saddles. This year, a group called the Outside Circle Show held a panel discussion around mental health and substance abuse in the cowboy community. As far as I know, it’s the first time this community has done something like this. Panelists told their stories of addiction and pain and the struggle to get help. It’s a topic that's dear to me and something I’ve written about, so it was great to see the conversation get started. So, maybe you are saying, wwaaiitt a minute, Maddy, this sounds like the very warm and fuzzy kind of topic you disdain. What’s up with that?

Warm and fuzzies, as we mentioned in Episode 10 of this season, are strategies, practices, ideas, methods, marketing, and proclamations that may indeed serve the human and her need to feel connected and in a relationship, but, in fact, don’t serve the horse one bit. Or, even worse, they confuse or neglect the horse.

Mental health and substance abuse challenges matter because unwell owners and riders affect their horses in myriad ways. And not everyone is able to leave their stuff, their bad mojo, their violent tendancies, their pain, their reactivity in a handy paddock mailbox before they get with their horse. (My reference is to a fun video that Best Horse Practices Summit presenter Daniel Dauphin shared, in case you’re wondering.) If we can become a more supportive, a more listening, a more resourceful community, I think the horses would be better off. So hats off to those starting the conversation. It’s overdue, for sure.

One more little item -- just a vernacular clarification regarding the use of the term ‘motorcycling’ that Amy and Jec mention. That’s when a horse falls through a turn. The horse is out of balance and dropping the inside shoulder. Direction and speed become difficult when a horse is motorcycling, Amy described to me.

How to fix it? That’s a topic for another upcoming Coaches’ Corner and not addressed here.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding. Check them out at Lucerne Farms.com or at your local feed store.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think your horses will love them.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

And this just in – Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our podcast, please consider making a donation. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

BHPS presenters discuss, II Feb 01, 2023

This is Episode 16 of Season Three. Another special episode!

We offer this week another recorded Question and Answer session with presenters at the Best Horse Practices Summit, an annual conference I direct, with academic and arena presentations. In this session, Dr. Sheryl King moderates and presenters Josh Nichol, Patrick King, and Jec Ballou offer answers. Dr. King also chimes in with her thoughts.

The questions for this session are:

What are five basic skills your horses should know to set them up for success?
Is it ever appropriate to have physical correction?
What are the five skills that horse owners should have in order to interact well with vet and other equine professionals
What are the skills every vet or other equine professional should have?

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding. Check them out at Lucerne Farms.com or at your local feed story.

Oh, and two more little bits:

I want to mention Steeped Coffee. It’s a new company based in Santa Cruz. Near Jec Ballou, in fact. Steeped sent over a box of their coffee bags, with several different roasts. Delicious.

And Jack Wolfskin. It’s a German company with excellent gear for outdoors-y people, which we all are, of course. Years ago, I met the owner when I was working on a guest ranch in Montana. And I’ve been keeping tabs on the company ever since. I’m testing the Waldsee Jacket as a winter layer and I love it.

Just a note, in case you didn’t recognize some additional voices: that’s presenter Pepper Landson, who speaks about the large animal vet shortage and offers a potential solution. And then I add some thoughts on the para vet paradigm in Afghanistan.

Big thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope. We think you’ll love ‘em.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

Just a gentle reminder that we have a donation page set up. If you get something of value from our podcast, please drop a tip in the jar for us. We sure would appreciate it.

BHPS presenters discuss! Jan 26, 2023

This is Episode 15 of Season Three. A special episode!

You listeners might know that I direct the Best Horse Practices Summit, an annual conference with academic and arena presentations. This year, it was held in Kentucky and we had many fabulous presenters on everything from colic to stockmanship to saddlefit. At the last minute, however, Dr. Doug Thal, a veterinarian from New Mexico, came down with Covid and was not able to present. We needed to improvise quickly and decided to fill his presentation slots with two Q and A sessions. We asked attendees for questions and we had a group curate them – basically weeding out questions that were inappropriate or directed at just one presenter.

Pepper Landson, who delivered a great women’s leadership elective during the Summit, agreed to moderate it. So the voices you will hear are Pepper, Amy Skinner, Daniel Dauphin, Katrin Silva, and Nahshon Cook. At the very end, you’ll hear Allanna Salmon, a Summit steering committee member, who speaks up with some thoughts.

In case you have any trouble hearing the prompts. Here they are:

Do you have thoughts on bringing a horse from a harsher form of training to this better, more attuned way of training. Are there things to be cautious about?
Exercises or ways for keeping yourself regulated, centered, and to maintain energetic clarity?
What are your thoughts around training young horses in today’s modern settings and facilities?
How do we open up our community to a more diverse population?

This is a bit longer than most of our episodes, and the sound is not as spiffy, but I promise, it is well worth it.

Thanks to the Summit board for giving us permission to air it here.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding. Check them out here or at your local feed story.

And thank you, Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. My favorite product from Redmond is Rock on a Rope. I’m actually watching one of my horses lick this chunk of salt right now. They love it.

And Summiteers may be familiar Pharm Aloe because many found complimentary Pharm Aloe pellets in their swag bags. Check out links to their pages in our show notes.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

And, hey, thank you, thank you to those who donated last week. Yep. We have a donation page set up. If you get something of value from our podcast, please drop a tip in the jar for us. We sure would appreciate it. Donate here.

WiseAssWallace on Helmets and Colt-Starting Jan 18, 2023

This is Episode 14 of Season Three. And in it, we give Wise Ass Wallace the mic again to talk about two juicy topics: helmets and colt starting competitions. Wise Ass got some help from the likes of Mark Rashid and Amy Skinner on the colt starting bit. And around helmets, he had some communication with the board of the Best Horse Practices Summit.

WiseAss is having his day because of what Jec and I see as a troubling trend we are in the horse world. There seems to be an increased focus on what we’re calling the warm and fuzzies.

We define the warm and fuzzies as strategies, practices, ideas, methods, and proclamations that may indeed serve the human and her need to feel connected and in a relationship, but don’t serve the horse. Or, even worse, they confuse or neglect the horse.

We sometimes see this audience sucked into the belief that they are making real connection and real progress with their horses. The reality looks a whole lot different; the horse is left in the dark and the so-called journey is nefarious at best. The result is a whole lot of sanctimonious feel-good sessions among this population of warm and fuzzy followers. How is the horse helped and what’s getting accomplished? We are not sure.

WiseAssWallace is a long-time, beloved guest columnist for Cayuse Communications. From his pasture in southwestern Colorado, he’s on a quest to improve horse-human connections and make lives better for his fellow equines.

WiseAssWallace has a series of videos and articles which we will link to in the show notes. In this episode, we’re featuring two short pasture monologues. WiseAss has an entire library of recordings, videos, and articles. We’ll link to them in the show notes.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Forage is chopped, packaged hay. Sometimes it’s alfalfa, sometimes timothy, sometimes blended, and sometimes with a touch of molasses. Always scrumptious. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative and a great way to supplement your winter feeding. Check them out at here or at your local feed story.

And thank you, Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – two sponsors with no-nonsense products for your horses. Check out links to their pages in our show notes.

We thank Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

And, hey, we have a Donation Page set up. If you get something of value from our podcast, please drop a tip in the jar for us. We sure would appreciate it.

That’s it. Another episode in the can and out of the barn. Thanks for listening, y’all!

Hoof Rehabilitation with Alicia Harlov Jan 04, 2023

Jec interviews Alicia Harlov, owner of the Humble Hoof and the Humble Hoof podcast.

In their conversation, Jec and Alicia talk a lot about horse management - things that might not seem like they have anything to do with hooves. But, of course, everything has to do with hooves and hooves are like canaries in a coal mine. I mean, the wellness of a hoof can tell you a lot about the whole horse, its environment, its diet. If the hoof is unwell, then something is likely off in the way that horse is being kept, like too much grain or not enough exercise. It’s a really great interview and I hope you enjoy it.

Otherwise…How are you doing?

I’m smiling here because Jec and I have spent several recent episodes talking about the cool and clear, not the warm and fuzzies. So perhaps you all have thought that we don’t really care about how horse owners are doing. As in: If warm and fuzzies are about feelings and Jec and Maddy are contesting the value of warm and fuzzies in horse owning and riding sphere, then that must mean they don’t care about feelings or how horse owners are doing or any of that.

Of course, that’s not what we meant. In a nutshell, our lean towards cool and clear has to do with what’s best for horses. But, of course, we’re interested in how our listeners are doing. Let us hear from you. Would you like to give us any push back around our push back of the warm and fuzzies? Are we off the mark?

Winter is dark and cold. It can be hard to ride or spend any quality time with our horses. At the moment, there are history-making floods in California. Jec reports that her horses have been in standing water, with nowhere to go. Here in Colorado, we’ve spent about a week shoveling and have about two feet of snow.

We would love to hear from you. Send us an email and let us know how you’re getting through these long nights.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Lucerne is a small company in Aroostock County in northern Maine. They make forage, from timothy and alfalfa, a great option if you are looking to add calories to your horses’ diet this winter. Check them out here or at your local feed store.

I wanted to clarify a few things Jec and Alicia mentioned.

At one point, Jec states that when horses have a hoof concern sometimes their back muscles deactivate. By this, she means that the small stabilizing muscles switch off. She sees it especially in Western Pleasure horses. You may see a stillness or kind of a numbness to a horse’s back. One telltale sign is that the end of a horse’s tail will be still when ideally it should be swinging from side to side.

Alicia mentions ECIR. That’s the Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group.

We thank Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – two sponsors with no-nonsense products for your horses.

We thank Patagonia WorkWear, which makes some pretty awesome gear for crappy weather and hard work. Like the new waffle crew. A great baselayer. Order a size up as it fits snuggly. Our next Patagonia WorkWear giveaways – two of them – will be awarded to folks who give us feedback around the warm and fuzzy versus the cool and clear conversations we’ve been having.

We're starting up a donation page. Please support our podcast. It's a labor of love and we keep the sponsorships to a minimum so we don't have to muck up our episodes with a lot of talk about selling and buying of stuff. Consider sending a few bales of hay our way.

Coaches' Corner with Amy Skinner Dec 20, 2022

This is Episode 12 of Season Three and in it, Jec interviews Amy Skinner for a Coaches’ Corner.

Jec and Amy continue a thread that we have recently introduced to our podcast. It’s a pushback from what we see as a trend towards the warm and fuzzies in horse circles. By warm and fuzzies, we mean attending to methods, promotions of hacks, and proclamations that may indeed serve the human and her need to feel connected and in a relationship, but, in fact, don’t serve the horse one bit. Or, even worse, they confuse or neglect the horse.

Can we respond to the warm and fuzzies with cool and clear conversations and practices? Yes, we can.

I’m starting to form theories around how we in the horse community got to this place. It’s a pendulum thing, for sure, away from a dominance-based approach. But it’s also a result of the pandemic and how very hard that has been for us. When we zoom out, it’s completely understandable to see that the next pandemic would be or already is around mental health. When we acknowledge mental health challenges, we look to self help, self improvement, and being open to understanding what ails us. Since horses are a big part of our identities, we rope them into the equation.

What do you think? We are eager to hear from you. Let us know by commenting or contacting us here.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Lucerne is a small company in Aroostock County in northern Maine. They make forage, from timothy and alfalfa, a great option if you are looking to add calories to your horses’ diet this winter. Check them out at lucerne farms.com or at your local feed store.

Furthermore:

We all have our biases in how we consider our horses and our horse time. I like to think I’ve gotten closer to what matters by having a decent foundation in the more science-based aspects of horsemanship and horse keeping. For instance, what I know about horses’ digestion, metabolism, and physiology supports how I take care of them. Developing a good seat and good hands improves as I learn better to recognize how my horse is carrying himself and how I impact that carriage, for better or for worse. There is feel, there is study, and there is overlap.

Sometimes we muddy the waters by working on ourselves while also trying to do right for our horses. I get that! Sometimes it can be downright maddening to consider the levels of awareness we might bring to our partnership. I think Amy and Jec did a great job of elucidating the challenges for riders in today’s world. I’m excited for them as they’re headed to Portugal with Patrick King for some work and fun. Professional development. Riding with Luis Valenca in Lisbon.

We thank Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – two sponsors with no-nonsense products for your horses.

And, hey, our next Patagonia WorkWear giveaways – two of them – will be awarded to folks who give us feedback around the warm and fuzzy versus the cool and clear conversations we’re having.

Dr. Sheryl King - Mythbusting our horse keeping ways Dec 15, 2022

This is Episode 11 of Season three and in it, Jec interviews Dr. Sheryl King, this year’s keynote speaker at the Best Horse Practices Summit in Kentucky.

In this conversation, Jec and Dr. King discuss a few myth-busting ideas around horse management. It’s a good segue from last week’s introduction to the anti-warm and fuzzies campaign-- maybe we should call it the cool and clear-zies dialogue? Cool and clear are what nights are like lately, here in Colorado. Maybe not just cool. Downright cold. Single digits.

My guess is that a lot of folks want to put their horses in when it’s cold like this. I don’t know if this makes sense to me. For starters, stalls aren’t that much warmer than run-in shelters. Secondly, horses need to move and be with buddies. They need to move to help their digestion. Moving helps keep them warm. Moving is what prey animals like to do. In my observation, moving helps lower their stress.

Years ago, when my horses and I were living in Maine, we had a hurricane come through. I had big stalls without doors and watched them choose to be out in that weather, rather than in. During a hurricane.

Jec and Dr. King talk a lot about the need to check ourselves when we consider horse habits versus human inclinations. “Tucking in for the night” is not a thing for horses. I mean, it IS a thing because some of us make it so, but it’s not a thing for horses left to their own devices.

Also, blankets.

Putting blankets on horses takes away horses’ natural ability to thermoregulate. Except in very few specific cases, horses are decidedly not better off with blankets. Save your money, listeners. Yes, they will benefit from extra hay in the winter. But spare them the “storm shield” or “viking extreme weather” garments. Please.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Lucerne is a small company in Aroostock County in northern Maine. They make forage, from timothy and alfalfa, a great option if you are looking to add calories to your horses’ diet this winter. Check them out at lucerne farms.com or at your local feed story.

For links to King's research and other myth-busting articles, head to this Best Horse Practices page.

We thank Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – two sponsors with no-nonsense products for your horses.

Don’t forget to check out the great selection of books at Cayuse Communications and on Jec’s store page. There is still time to order books for Christmas and Cayuse has a Buy one get one free offer going on.

The Warm & Fuzzies and introducing WiseAssWallace Dec 08, 2022

This episode marks the beginning of what Jec and I believe will be intermittent commentary on a troubling trend we are seeing in the horse world. Led by certain entities - and by entities, we mean individuals, teams, and the programs and platforms they generate - there’s an increasing focus on what we’ll call for shorthand the warm and fuzzies.

Let’s define the warm and fuzzies here as strategies, practices, ideas, methods, marketing, and proclamations that may indeed serve the human and her need to feel connected and in a relationship, but, in fact, don’t serve the horse one bit. Or, even worse, they confuse or neglect the horse.

The target audience for the warm and fuzzies is the recreational woman rider. We sometimes see this audience sucked into the belief that they are making real connection and real progress with their horses. The reality looks a whole lot different. The horse is left in the dark and the so-called journey is nefarious at best. The result is a whole lot of sanctimonious feel-good sessions among this population of warm and fuzzy followers. How is the horse helped and what’s getting accomplished? We are not sure.

We’ll be talking about this development in On the Fence segments as well as Coaches’ Corner episodes with guest trainers. If we are striving make horses’ lives worthwhile and productive, we feel it’s incumbent on us to call out bad practices – even and really, especially, if they make us humans feel good.

Who better to kick off the conversation than our own WiseAssWallace. WiseAssWallace is a long-time, beloved guest columnist for Cayuse Communications. From his pasture in southwestern Colorado, he’s on a quest to improve horse-human connections and make lives better for his fellow equines.

WiseAssWallace has a series of videos and articles. In this episode, we’re featuring five short pasture monologues as WiseAss holds forth on the concept of feel, on gear, and naughty habits humans develop. We’re running them one after another, in short order. You can read and watch all five here or if you’re so inclined, just circle back and listen to Wallace again here.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. And Lucerne is this fantastic company in northern Maine. And forage is chopped, packaged hay. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative. Way wiser than grain. Check them out at here or at your local feed story.

And thank you, Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – two sponsors with no-nonsense products for your horses.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Comment or send us a suggestion and you'll be qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear drawing.

Don’t forget to check out the great selection of books at Cayuse Communications and on Jec’s store page. There is still time to order books for Christmas and Cayuse has a Buy one get one free offer going on. So git to it!

Thanks for listening, y’all!

Andria Massie - Rehabilitation and Integrative Therapies Dec 01, 2022

This is episode 9 of season three and in it, Jec interviews Andria Massie, an integrative therapist who works with her husband, Dr. Keaton Massie, in Oregon. Together, they run Massie Veterinary Service.

Here, Jec and Andria discuss rehabilitation and also the trend in collaborative care, one might even call it palliative care for horses. Some interesting ideas, especially for high level performers and well-resourced owners.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. And Lucerne is this fantastic company in northern Maine. And forage is chopped, packaged hay. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative. Way wiser than grain. Check them out at Lucerne Farms.com or at your local feed story.

It makes sense, right? Everything is connected to everything. We can help our horses by knowing more about differing aspects of their being – from anatomy to physiology to nutrition to conditioning and biomechnics and hoof care. As Jec and Andria point out, we can insist that the professionals talk to one another and reach some common course to follow. But we can also arm ourselves with at least a junior scientist-level knowledge, empowering ourselves and helping our horses in the process. And…who knows, maybe saving some money in the process.

We thank Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe to our sponsorship family. Redmond mines ancient sea salt in Utah. My horses have been licking it and loving it for over 10 years. Pharm Aloe produces the most effective aloe vera products for gut health. Check out the many testimonials, sent in from owners of healthy horses.

Dr. Stacie Boswell Talks about gastric ulcers and other stress-related ailments Nov 30, 2022

Jec interviews Dr. Stacie Boswell, a vet and author based in Montana. Stacie wrote The Ultimate Guide for Horses in Need, a book about the care, training, and rehabilitation for rescues, adoptions, and horses in transition.

Here, Jec and Stacie discuss horse stress:

How does stress manifest in horses? How can we help them?

As you might imagine, I have two cents on this. Most stress for horses is caused by us humans. How we handle them and how we keep them directly impacts their physical and mental well-being – or, as Dr. Boswell describes it, emotional and physiological state.

Fresh off the brilliant keynote address by Dr. Sheryl King at the Best Horse Practices Summit in Lexington, we know that keeping horses on grain, in stalls, and away from a group setting all put horses at risk for colic. The Three F’s are what I keep in mind: Freedom, Friends, and Forage.

All the supplements in the world won’t help a horse as much as turnout with other horses.

Jec makes reference to EHV1, that acronym stands for Equine Herpesvirus, an extremely common virus among horses which most of the time has little or no serious impact on horses. When it flares up, however, it can cause respiratory, neurologic, and other harmful effects.

One more thing: Thank you, thank you for all the feedback on our last episode. It was overwhelming, gratifying, and heartwarming to hear your messages of support and to learn about your journeys and how you’re working through them.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. And Lucerne is this fantastic company in northern Maine. And forage is chopped, packaged hay. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative. Way wiser than grain. Check them out at Lucerne Farms.com or at your local feed story.

We welcome back Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe to our sponsorship family. Coincidentally, both Redmond and Pharm Aloe offer products related to reducing stress-related complications in horses.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Don’t forget to check out the great selection of books at Cayuse Communications and on Jec’s store page.

Thanks for listening, y’all!

Episode 7, Death Comes Nov 07, 2022

A departure from our usual episode, in both format and content, in which producer Maddy Butcher visits with listeners about recent deaths in her world.

Check out the interview with Francis Weller, an article called the Geography of Sorrow in The Sun magazine.

Molly Gloss Oct 12, 2022

In Episode 6 of Season 3, Jec interviews Molly Gloss, an author from Oregon. She has been decorated with numerous awards. She wrote The Hearts of Horses, a novel based around 1917 in Oregon. Martha, the main character, is a colt starter in rural Oregon while many cowboys were in Europe, fighting in World War I. I was keen to hear about her research for this project.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. And Lucerne is this fantastic company in northern Maine. And forage is chopped, packaged hay. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative. Way wiser than grain. Check them out at Lucerne Farms.com or at your local feed story. Oh, and they will be at the Best Horse Practices Summit, too.

We thank Skratch Labs for their support. Skratch Labs makes drinks and energy bars and chews. They all have less sugar than most sports drinks. Oh, and their snacks are great, too. Use ‘besthorse25’ and get 25 percent off.

Hey don’t forget to follow us as we head to the Best Horse Practices Summit. The conference is on Facebook and Instagram. We already have dozens of presentations available to stream. Head over to the Summit site for more info.

We welcome back Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe to our sponsorship family. What do they have in common: both are . More about horse-focused American companies with solid research and very simple, straight forward offerings. Simple is best!

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Don’t forget to check out our Fall & Holiday Review page on NickerNews . Jec and I have books! Check them out here and here.

Maintenance Work with Amy Skinner Sep 22, 2022

In this episode, Jec interviews Amy Skinner for a Coaches’ Corner around maintenance. It’s a funny concept to shake up a routine, right? Because routines are, by definition, repeated, standard procedures. It is such a fun discussion and I know it will have significant points and ideas for any and all.

A little something about our last episode on calming signals. It’s been kind of bothering me. And that’s despite the fact that we got some excellent, positive feedback from it. Thank you for that!

My struggle with the focus on calming signals is connected, I think, to all the ways in which we can supposedly connect with our horses but not actually get anything accomplished. There are A LOT of people talking about neurology and breathing and ears and trigeminal nerves and that’s fantastic. To have this information and gain better understanding of how horses think and behave is essential to optimizing their well being.

But what are we doing with it? How are we using this information to optimize their movement, their physical and physiological well-being?

I hear my mom’s voice ringing in my head. She trained dogs her entire adult life and rose to the national level in hunt tests with one of her black labs. She and her dogs also competed in agility and flyball. In later years, she was active with them as therapy dogs. They traveled to nursing homes, schools, libraries, and the VA hospital in Augusta, Maine. She believed a productive life, a learning life, an active life framed therefore happy lives for her dogs.

We know for instance that in order to be well, horses need to move. And we also suspect that they get bored with their domesticity. It’s incumbent on us to get out there and do stuff with them. If they don’t have jobs, their arena time or trail ride can still be loaded with made-up challenges. How’s your gate opening and closing, for example?

Just a few thoughts…I will be happy to hear yours.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. And Lucerne is this fantastic company in northern Maine. And forage is chopped, packaged hay. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative. Way wiser than grain. Check them out at Lucerne Farms.com or at your local feed story. Oh, and they will be at the Best Horse Practices Summit, too.

We thank Skratch Labs for their support. Skratch Labs makes drinks and energy bars and chews. They all have less sugar than most sports drinks. Oh, and their snacks are great, too. Use ‘besthorse25’ and get 25 percent off.

We welcome back Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe to our sponsorship family. More about both of these horse-focused American companies in upcoming episodes.

As for this Coaches' Corner interview:

It could be that we’re all a bunch of pot stirrers here. I really appreciated Amy’s notion that there is always always something to work on. It echoes Randy Rieman, who said, “if you’re not stretching your comfort zone, you’re shrinking it.

This is especially relevant as we get older – 20 to 30 or 50 to 60 – and it applies equally to our physical and mental and yes spiritual or emotional elements of our well-being.

Stay lively, folks, and keep your horses lively, too!

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Anna Blake, Calming Signals Aug 26, 2022

In this episode, Jec interviews Anna Blake, a Colorado horsewoman with a popular blog and several volumes of her life with horses, in prose and poetry.

The two focus on calming signals. More on that in a sec, after I mention two terrific sponsors quickly.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. And Lucerne is this fantastic company in northern Maine. And forage is chopped, packaged hay. After hay and grass, it’s pretty much the best alternative. Way wiser than grain. Check them out at Lucerne Farms.com or at your local feed story. Oh, and they will be at the Best Horse Practices Summit, too.

We thank Skratch Labs for their support. Skratch Labs makes drinks and energy bars and chews. They all have less sugar and a bit more sodium than most sports drinks. If you are sweating, which I bet most of us our doing these days, you need to replace your electrolytes. Try the powered sports drinks. Pineapple is my fav. Use ‘besthorse25’ and get 25 percent off.

So, calming signals. Call me literal and narrow-minded, but I struggle with the definition of calming signals. Does it mean that the horse is giving off signals that indicate calmness? Or is it the opposite? Or is it the human’s body language and what we’re conveying to the horse?

Turns out Anna is borrowing the term from dog trainer Turid Rugaas. Calming signals describe “the social skills or body language that dogs use to avoid conflict, invite play, and communicate a wide range of information to other dogs."

"Calming signals in horses are somewhat similar and include looking away, having lateral ears, yawning, stretching down, licking lips or eating in order to calm themselves. Calming cues communicate stress, and at the same time, release stress. It is modeling behavior for us; they want us to drop our stress level or aggressiveness," she writes.

I would place this episode in the tools for the toolbox category. It’s always good to hear new thoughts on horse-human interactions. If it helps or if we can harmlessly experiment with a new idea, why not? More tools, wider perspectives is always good – unless it makes a big clutter in the toolbox. And by that I mean if we become inconsistent or if our work becomes unpredictable or difficult for our horses to understand, then it’s probably time to declutter or have a better, more honed approach. Mostly, this interview stresses the need to observe. It pays off when we are quiet and listen.

What do you think?

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Thanks for listening y’all!

On the Fence: Adult Learning Aug 17, 2022

In this episode, we talk about adult learning. It’s a topic suggested by Natalie in Montana and we got help bouncing it around with Liz and Chris in California.

Natalie is working on a ranch and taking riding lessons. She sees roping calves and doctored and asks: Can I ever succeed at that level?

As it happens, co-host Maddy Butcher was doing some adult learning with a few lessons with Katrin Silva in Santa Fe. Katrin's book, Ride with Feel: A Guide for the Rest of Us will be out soon!

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. I talked with Hannah James the other day. She helps run Lucerne and was up in Aroostock County, near their fields. Aroostock County is better known as “the county” in Maine. At over six thousand square miles, it is by far the biggest county east of the Mississippi.

It is a very busy time of year for a forage company and Hannah had to keep it short because there was so much to do. But she let me know that Lucerne continues to be super supportive of what we’re doing here AND of what we’re doing at the Best Horse Practices Summit, the non profit education conference in Kentucky this October. So thank you, Lucerne Farms.

We also thank Skratch Labs. If you’re sweating, you should be staying hydrated with Skratch labs powdered drinks. So much healthier than gatorade or the shady rainbow collection of colored, sweet sports drinks out there. Oh and they have drinks for after a big workout, too. Like chocolate milk, but better. Enter "besthorse25" and get 25 percent off your order.

Also, check out our BOGO offer at Cayuse Communications. Buy any book and get a FREE copy of A Rider's Reader: Exploring Sense, Science, & Sentiment.

Here is a great article on adult learning.

Top points to keep in mind, as mentioned by Liz:

Find a great mentor and stay away from yahoos.
Trust your instincts around safety, money spending, etc.
Realize it's going to take time. Be patient. Build your toolbox for every situation.

Also, she said: keep your beginner's mind.

Chris Ellsworth’s suggestions:

Over time you're going to gain a bit of natural ease with what you do. It’s important not to worry about it. Worrying tends to get in the way.
Get past thinking that there is only one way. Think critically.
A good mentor is someone who would be happy to see you surpass their ability someday.
Reg Flags: Disrespect from a trainer or having him/her teaching something that does not improve you.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Ali Kermeen and Working Equitation Aug 09, 2022

In this is episode, Jec chats with Ali Kermeen about working equitation. It’s a relatively new discipline that’s open to riders of all disciplines and Ali has a new book about it. Find her Working Equitation book here.

If you’re thinking that working equitation sounds a bit like ranch versatility, you are correct although we’re not diving into the details in this episode.

I hope you’re curious about it. In fact, I hope you’re curious in general! Jec and I have been talking about adult learning a lot lately and you might have noticed a slight tweak in our intro, about embracing a beginner’s mind. Yep. As it happens, I’m broadcasting this week from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I’m taking a few lessons from Katrin Silva (who has an upcoming book coming out: Ride with Feel: A Guide for the Rest of Us). I’m excited and nervous as it’s been a long time since I’ve had lessons.

We have a question specifically about adult learning from Natalie, a listener who was raised on the East Coast but now works on a ranch in Montana. So stay tuned for that.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. And Lucerne is this fantastic company in northern Maine. We’ll be talking more about Lucerne in upcoming episodes.

We also thank Skratch Labs. If you’re sweating, you should be staying hydrated with Skratch labs powdered drinks. So much healthier than gatorade or the shady rainbow collection of colored, sweet sports drinks out there. Oh and they have drinks for after a big workout, too. Like chocolate milk, but better.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Season 3 Premiere Jul 21, 2022

Welcome to Season 3! Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover ways to better connect with their horses. Plus, we like to feel safe and have fun. Fitness, of mind and body, the ability to think critically about your horse work as well as embracing a beginner’s mind are all parts of this lucky equine equation that Jec and I hold dear. We hope you do, too.

This episode is our kick-off for Season Three. In it, Jec and I chat about what we’d like to accomplish, and we discuss some listener input.

Before segueing to our conversation, though, I’d like to give a few shoutouts – not just to our generous sponsors, but to us!

Did you know that Jec and I have written books? Yep. Jec has a whole, library that is focus on exercises, movement, and conditioning. I have books that I’ve written on brain science, best practices, as well as titles from Katrin Silva and Amy Skinner. Find 'em here.

Also, I’m really digging Handful. It’s a small sports company that makes excellent bras for running, riding, and however else you’re being active. They support, literally and monetarily, women with breast cancer. And, well, the bras are great – stylish and functional.

Skratch Labs makes drinks and energy bars and chews. They all have less sugar than most sports drinks and have more sodium. If you are sweating, which I bet most of us our these days, you need to replace your electrolytes. Try the sports drinks. Pineapple is my fav.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. And Lucerne is this fantastic company in northern Maine. We’ll be talking more about Lucerne in upcoming episodes.

Here is the Cliff Schadt bit that I mentioned:

Horsemanship and humanship are so similar one to the other. I can’t expect to build a partnership with a young horse if I only go out and work with him occasionally or when I think of it. The partnership is built and cemented in the fact that I go out there almost every day and spend some sort of time with that horse, even if it’s only running a brush over his hide. Friendships are made through the investment of time and sometimes when we have so little time to give is when we make the biggest investments by giving it anyway.

Good horses and good friends are not made only in the good times. Good horses and good friends are made when you go through the fire together. It’s the tough moments that show you what you really have and show you what you have been investing in all along.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Season Finale - Running and Riding Jun 22, 2022

This episode is dedicated to a listener question from Julie in New Mexico. Her question has to do with cross training. A lot of us like to do other activities aside from riding – yoga, swimming, or, in this case, running.

As it happens, Jec and I are both runners. So is Katrin Silva, a Best Horse Practices Summit presenter and part of the Cayuse Collaborative Clinic initiative.

Together, we chat about cross-training in general and running specifically. We talk about the importance of core strength for riding and running. I've always felt that core strength and paying attention to the fitness of tiny little core muscles, not just those typical six pack abdominal muscles, is where a lot of us could stand to dedicate a bit more attention and time.

We have some excellent articles from guest columnists on best horse practicesdot com and I will link to them in our show notes.

Also. We thank Skratch Labs for sponsoring this episode. Skratch Labs makes drinks and energy bars and chews. They all have less sugar than most sports drinks and have more sodium. If you are sweating, you need to replace your electrolytes.

Every ingredient has a purpose. No junk. Good-tasting products that your mouth and your belly and your brain will appreciate. Check out their Summer Peach Sport Hydration drink mix and their Raspberry Energy Chews.

See you later, Season Two! This is our 30th episode and our 60th since we started this shindig less than two years ago. We’ll be back soon for our third season.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Lucerne is this outstanding little company in northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also thank Redmond Equine for being part of our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah.

And we welcome back Pharm Aloe. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, and immune system.

Do you consider yourself an athlete?

Do you feel connected to your body?

Maybe these are weird questions. But I’m truly curious about the intersection of horse work and athleticism. I’ve observed that a lot of riders don’t seem to consider themselves athletes and don’t consider riding a sport as much as a job, pastime, or recreational activity. That’s a shame, I think. When we hold our own fitness, training, conditioning, and body awareness to a higher standard, we necessarily elevate our connection to our horses and make it possible to do more, be more, connect more. It matters. Short term and long term. In the moment and over the years. Fitness and agility matter. What do you think?

LINKS to Core Fitness articles

Core Insight from Katrin Silva

Developing the Intelligent Core

Core Strength Moves with David Stickler

We LOVE hearing from you. While we take a little break before our third season, send us your thoughts. Topic suggestion? Training question? Or maybe you just want to share something great or not so great that happened with you and your horse. All good. Looking forward to your emails.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Listener Speaks on Power, Personality, and Horses Jun 16, 2022

Hello listeners!

Since I last recorded an episode, there has been the death of my mare, Shea, the wedding of my son and his new wife, a trip to Denver and some cow work. Along with a few minor emergencies. In other words, life hit a bit of a streak!

I continue to be buoyed by feedback and engagement from listeners. One of our listeners is Art, a rider and retired engineer from Michigan. He has a horse named Bandit. Art got in touch with me after Episode 25, a short bit I did on Sex, Power, and Best Practices.

What follows is a quiet conversation on how this topic looks from one man’s perspective. It was refreshing. Some of you may know that I write op-ed pieces about life in the rural west for the Washington Post. While I have a policy of not reading the comments, I am aware of the vitriol. And I was so pleased to talk with Art about gender, bullying, and personality styles with a civil, friendly back and forth.

While many of you might not agree with me, with Art, or with our other podcast interviewees, we hope that you can find common ground and take a moment to consider different perspectives.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Lucerne is this outstanding little company in northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also thank Redmond Equine for being part of our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah.

And we welcome back Pharm Aloe . Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, and immune system.

Additional notes:

The Outdoor Retailer happens twice a year and brings together outdoor recreation brands, vendors, and buyers for everything from Osprey packs to tents to jeans to camp lights and freeze-dried good. I go to represent the horse community and make the argument that us horse owners are more outdoors-y than anyone else. Right?

Here are some folks that stood out:

Bertucci watches. I challenge you to find a Made in America watch that is as tough and reliable as a field watch from Bertucci. And when do you ever see the owner and founder of a company – in this case, Mike Bertucci – at a trade show? I particularly love the Super illuminated model. Two ways to light up the face. Perfect for late night barn checks and midnight emergencies.

Also. Kimes Ranch Jeans. I’ve been singing their praises for years as a Made in America company that gets us. And by us, I mean riders. They continue to grow and can be found online and in stores like Big R, Murdochs, and other farm and ranch type stores. Loving their new style, the Lola.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Bitless Options with Ben Longwell May 23, 2022

In this episode, we respond to a listener question about bitless options. Ellie writes from Zimbabwe. Pretty nifty, huh? She says: my question is about ‘bitless’ bridles, side pulls, or the bosals or any other type of ‘bitless’ bridle that you may have had experience with. Which would be most suitable for what horse, temperament, type of exercise or work. I am in the process of starting a horse. We are in first rides with rope halter and rather than bit him for our first rides, I thought maybe I could just train him to a more subtle bridle.

So, one of the people I thought of when I read this question was Ben Longwell who runs True West Horsemanship with his wife, Natalie. Ben is now based in Montana and I sometimes see his videos, working horses in a rope halter or hackamore, on social media.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Lucerne is this outstanding little company in northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also thank Redmond Equine for being part of our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah.

And we welcome back Pharm Aloe! Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, and immune system. Check out the testimonials here.

There is a LOT to consider when we are contemplating going bitless. As I hope we make clear, it always has to do with your hands. How educated are they? How little pressure through the line or mecate or reins can you use to convey your request? How sensitive are your hands when the heat is on? Just a few of many questions we might ask ourselves as we contemplate our horse-rider interactions. Of course, your hands are connected to the rest of your body. Your hands can express what you’re thinking and how you’re being. So of course these are loaded questions. Know what I mean?

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Horsekeeping in a Changing Climate with Alayne Blickle May 11, 2022

In this episode, Jec visits with Alayne Blickle of Horses for Clean Water. Alayne is a former Best Horse Practices Summit presenter based in Idaho. Here, she talks about many strategies we can use to address best practices around horse management. Got ticks? Got mud? Got mice? Got flies? Got wind? There are great insights here. I hope you enjoy the show. Watch her BHPS presentation on Sustainable Solutions here.

When I first heard the word biosecurity being used in horse-related conversations, I thought it applied to strictly vet hospital settings. But even if we are trailering or trail riding with friends, we should be aware of simple biosecurity protocol. I am thankful, too, for Alayne’s ideas around working with nature to create better environments for our horses, and, of course, for the wildlife with which we interact – knowingly or not.

A few additional show notes:

We’ve heard from listeners around a few very interesting topics which we are going to address in upcoming episodes as we round out our second season:

-- Julie wrote in to ask about cross training. In particular, she’s wondering how running and riding can get along. So since Jec and I are both runners and since our friend Katrin Silva is an accomplished runner, we’re going to talk together as a trio. Just to be clear: Jec and Katrin are quite good. I am a solid walk/run/walk runner who is just happy to be out there on the trails.

-- Ellie asked about the various forms of bitless bridling, including using a rope halter, a hackamore, or a bitless bridle. We’re going to visit on that with Ben Longwell, who I interviewed for early in Season Two and who’s recently moved from New Zealand back to the States.

So stay tuned!

Watch Alayne Blickle's BHPS presentation on Sustainable Solutions here.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Lucerne is this outstanding little company in northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also thank Redmond Equine for being part of our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Thanks for listening y’all!

Coaches' Corner with Lynn Acton: Treats May 05, 2022

In this episode, Jec visits with Lynn Acton for a Coaches' Corner discussion around treats. I am really pleased that they are taking this topic. Like you, I have an opinion around treating that has been reinforced by experience and experimentation.

In general, I don’t feed treats. I think it can absolutely create a safety problem and I believe there are much better ways to reward a horse. But. I have found that specific, knowable treats are really handy. For instance, I often head out many miles into the backcountry and hobble all four horses to let them graze while I read or cat nap. Hobbles are great but horses can still go pretty fast in them if they want to. What helps, when I am rounding them up to head home, is the crinkle of the familiar green wrapper of granola bars. (The bars, if you must know, are simple oat and honey Nature Valley granola bars.) They hear the crinkle. They see the bar. They stand contented as I get the hobbles off and lead them to my saddle horse. This was also a handy conditioning when, um, three of them got loose early the other morning.

Treating also leads into a conversation about petting and what you do with your horse and what you should do or, more importantly, not do, with other people’s horses. But that’s another episode, right? Please let us know what you think!

Like you, I’ve been around friends and other horse owners who feel way different that I do when it comes to treating. Lynn and Jec have great insight. So, in our usual podcast style, we’re putting forth some reasonable opinions and look forward to hearing from you.

As a follow up to my episode about Power, Sex, and Best Horse Practices, I want to say that I was really encouraged by the feedback. In particular, I heard from Art, a rider in Michigan and we’re looking forward to getting a little male perspective on an upcoming show.

Also, check out the Nicker News page for our Riding Season reviews. There you will not only find reviews of gear from Camelbak, Nomadix, Duckworth, Outdoor Pantry, Patagonia, and others. But also you can get online discounts with special codes for us to Chill Angel, Kate’s Real Food Bars and, one of my very favorite guilty pleasure sites, Bronwen Jewelry.

Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds. Lucerne is this outstanding little company in northern Maine, founded by his George and Susie James, I have known their son and Lucerne's current owner Rich James and his wife Hannah for years and have sung their praises just as long.

We all know that forage, whether it’s grass or hay, is what horses evolved eating. Not too much has changed over thousands of years. What has changed is our horses’ access to pasture land which, of course, provides them with the forage they need on any given day. This is where Lucerne Farms comes in. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also thank Redmond Equine for being part of our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Sex, Power, and Best Horse Practices? Yes Apr 26, 2022

Best practices. Most of the time, we are talking about the very tangible, practical matters of care and riding and management and handling. All that stuff is endlessly important and we are very keen on getting that information out on the airwaves and into your ears. But lately, we’re also interested in sharing thoughts on how we build ourselves up as competent, empowered, open-minded horse owners and riders. Maybe call it Ground Work for Life

How do we assemble and nurture good, even great horse-rider partnerships from the inside out?
How do we build a community of good, even great people within the horse-owning community? How can we be supportive of that goal and supportive of each other?

Ultimately, it is You and Your Horse that Jec and I are interested in connecting with and in helping. This goal, this purpose, we’re coming to realize, is a pretty deep and intricate challenge.

Visit sponsors Lucerne Farms and Redmond Equine.

Many of you might have heard about the series of collaborative clinics that I’m producing with Jec, Amy Skinner, and Katrin Silva as clinicians. We had one in Santa Fe in February. We’ll have one in North Carolina in October and another in California in December. Next year, we’ll have six Cayuse Collaborative Clinics, mostly in western states.

The goal of these clinics, I think, is revolutionary, if revolutionary can be quiet and fun.

First of all, one leader for many students tends to develop an Almighty Trainer mindset for both the teacher and the students. Jec likes to call this Guru Following and it ain’t good. Research shows that experts heralded as experts get more and more dogmatic over time. They also get less open minded to other ideas, opinions, and perspectives. It also happens that pragmatically, not enough people get individual help and often the most needy or the most extroverted get the most attention. You know the deal.

Oh, and another thing: the leader is usually a man, which, given the history of male-dominated work settings, teaching settings, everything else settings, makes the guru following worse and by worse I mean more dysfunctional and less empowering to the student (which in the case of our industry is predominantly female).

A note to guys listening – this is NOT a male-bashing deal. We are interested in having men be part of the conversation. Helping women, empowering women, and leveling the playing field doesn’t mean tamping down men or silencing their voices. By talking about sexism or power dynamics we want to open up the conversation for everyone. It’s not a hen party. It’s not a woe-is-me gathering to commiserate. That’s not how we’re going to tackle the dysfunction. We want to get things out on the table. It’s a table to which all are welcome as long as they’re decent at listening.

With the clinics, we are interested in how best to connect with our horses. So this is, in fact, all about Best Horse Practices. Creating a healthy, functional, open learning environment is best practices.

I would posit (and hope that you agree) that the best communication and progress comes from someone who knows herself deeply and has a good handle on her emotional states, recognizes good/bad/high/low energy, and pays attention not only to her own inner workings but to the developments, spontaneous or static, around her.

Our podcast will still of course continue to focus on tools we need to be the best owners and riders – knowledge, physical fitness, balance, the responsibilities of ownership, including financial and educational considerations, etc. etc. It’s all important stuff and since you’re listening to our podcast, I think you think these things are important, too. Yay for us.

But we would like to put forth this theme, that I think is going to overarch the podcast as well as the collaborative clinics: Know yourself. Know your horse. Know your greater circles in order to do your best.

I hope you got a chance to listen to Episode 22 of our second season. It's with Astrid Larsen, a psychology professor and former therapist. And I’m sure you’re familiar with Amy Skinner from Jec’s Coaches’ Corners. In upcoming episodes, I’ll be talking with both of them again to discuss power dynamics and gender in our community.

Some of this direction has been spurred by conversations with Amy, Astrid, along with other colleagues and friends. Some has been motivated by reading and research. Recently, I watched a 3-part Netflix documentary, kind of an educational series, called the Principles of Pleasure. I know. How the heck does a Netflix show on sex, specifically women’s sexuality, connect with a podcast on best horse practices?

The program talks a lot about the inherent sexism in our society AND the related lack of awareness and lack of empowerment among women when it comes to knowing our own bodies and asserting our needs. For someone like me, of a certain age and with a certain upbringing, discovering and prioritizing what feels good is kind of a new concept, which seems crazy. But there you have it. One of the first things I did (after texting girlfriends and say, hey, watch this) was to email my three sons and say, hey, you owe it to yourselves and the women in your life to watch this. It was received, I’m sure, with multiple eye rolls. But hey, I cop to being a newb and the older I get, the less embarrassed I get about embarrassing things. Plus, I believe in planting seeds and if I’m awkward as I do it, so be it.

As Astrid said in a recent email, an all-important connection can be made here, when considering sexuality with every day living. If we shift, modify our thinking around what we feel/what we need as women, we also make connections to critical thinking and awareness and to being in the moment.

How do I feel in my body? Safe? Happy? Energized? Empowered?

Don’t we need to feel things like this when we are working with horses and dealing with a teacher or a student, and with pretty much all the relationships we have with other humans in our horse work and horse ownership?

Every interaction matters. Those interactions also have ramifications with our personal identity, our surroundings, our communities, and the larger cultural mores.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question at besthorsepractices.com/podcast and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Please follow our sponsors and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. Also, check out Jec Ballou's site and Cayuse Communications to learn more about our educational books. And visit the Riding Season Reviews page for bits and links to new gear and products.

Mary Ann Simonds Apr 13, 2022

In this episode, Jec visits with Mary Ann Simonds in a discussion around how to keep horses happy in their domestic spaces. It’s a wide ranging interview and Mary Ann well versed in a wide range of subjects. While her work is mostly with sport horses and competitive riders, there are a lot of take-aways for us more ordinary riders with our more ordinary horses.

I think you will also dig the Riding Season Reviews page on NickerNews. Every year, we dedicated space and time to review gear – clothing, horse camping and saddle bag must haves. We have products from Camelbak, Patagonia, Nomadix, Outdoor Pantry, Hoka, Duckworth, and more.

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also thank Redmond Equine for being part of our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah.

This interview really got me thinking about creative ways to enhance a horse’s day. My four horses are in a dry lot most of the time. It is about 80 by 150 feet and has a run-in shed. They get turned out to several acres of pasture, which in the high desert of southwestern Colorado, is mostly dirt, for a few hours every day.

I have panels in the dry lot that they go around and use strategically if they want to get away from another horse. I see that space awareness is definitely an effective language of my social herd.

Just this winter, the geldings started entertaining themselves by playing with small rubber tubs (that I use to put soaked alfalfa cubes in). They have this funny game of picking up the tubs, playing of tug of war and generally being goofy. So I know that sometimes enhancing a space can come about through chance and observation. Anyway, I thought Mary Ann’s points around the need for lots of social interaction was spot on.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Coaches' Corner with Amy Skinner Mar 23, 2022

In this episode, Jec visits with Amy Skinner for a Coaches’ Corner. Always a good listen!

As listeners may know, I come from a different place than Amy and Jec and, it seems, their students. I rarely ride in an arena. I don’t compete. I lack a specific game plan for myself and my horses. BUT. I am starting to go to the fairgrounds once a week, taking my two geldings, and doing stuff (which, by the way, includes tying each of them to the side of the trailer or somewhere in the arena so that he can be chilling regularly while tied. And I am getting them legged up, in better condition for warmer months when we might ride 10-20 miles on any given day.

I’ll do the sponsor bits now but I just want to give you one little phrase that I’ve really taken to heart for myself and my animals. I heard it first from a physical therapist and then a really great body worker: Motion is Lotion.

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also thank Redmond Equine for being part of our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah. It’s more sustainable and affordable than salt from a Himalayan company 8000 miles away. And factory salt? Bleck.

Lots of great information in this episode. Us humans can get so worried over issues that often work themselves out if we let them and if we ride more often and are in better tune with our horses. As Jec said, horses rarely move better if movement is taken away from them. Ride on, folks!

Also, just a quick note about kissing spine. I was chatting with Kristen Vlietstra, who runs Saddlery Solutions, and was a Season 1 guest. Aside from the therapeutic riding that Jec and Amy discussed, Kristen mentioned that sometimes a back issue, and even a kissing spine diagnosis, might benefit from proper saddle fit.

So there’s that.

Have fun and keep an open mind and enjoy the warmer weather and the chance to get you and your horses in great shape.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question at besthorsepractices.com/podcast and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Astrid Larsen and Humanship Mar 08, 2022

Humanship. It’s an idea that has been tossed around the horse world for a few years now. During the Cayuse Collaborative Clinic, for instance, we added a bit of humanship by having a noontime session with Trish Lemke on how to be the best person for your horse. It was an introduction to thinking about our intentions and peace of mind whenever we’re around horses. Now comes Astrid Larsen. Astrid is a college psychology professor in the Seattle area. We connected over the work I sometimes do around brain science, this article and this article in particular. Turns out we’re both pretty intrigued by how your past, which may include Big T trauma or little t trauma, can impact how you behave and interact with whoever, your horse, your friend, your partner, your coworker, and strangers. What we came to agree on, as we went back and forth via email and zoom, is that doing the work – which for many of us involves connecting with a therapist – is vital if you want healthy, positive outcomes. As Astrid says, you've got to do the work in order to do the work. This is a far-reaching interview and one that includes discussions of trauma, including intergenerational trauma and the impact it can have -- even on one’s DNA. We really really hope this will spur some conversations and feedback from you. So please hit that contact button at besthorsepractices.com

Karen Rohlf Feb 28, 2022

One of the things Jec and I are working on, here on the podcast, in writing, on social media, at at the Cayuse Collaborative Clinics, is humanship. We think that in order to be best for your horses, you have to be best for yourself.

In an oversimplified, generalized way, this means when you interact with your horse, it’s best if you come into his or her presence without ego, without agenda, with a keen interest in listening, paying attention, and interacting in that moment. Also, sometimes you’ve got to recognize that “feeling safe and having fun” (which we advocate right here) sometimes needs to take a backseat to the discomfort you might feel with the very necessary need for growth and stretching our skills. Those skills might be physical, but they can also be mental and emotional.

Jec, along with Amy Skinner, and Katrin Silva weave these ideas into their teaching, which is one reason it’s so much fun to work with them.

Running parallel to this development, Karen Rohlf has been her own journey of self-discovery. The former Grand Prix rider has done a fair amount of deconstruction and reconstruction to her thinking around what makes for great riding. She has a vast reach for helping riders online and in person. More recently, she’s addressed the struggle of many horse professionals to find balance and boundaries, to make money while being happy as a trainer.

Even if you’re not a trainer, I imagine there are many, many take-aways for you. It’s a great interview with Karen. Hope you enjoy it!

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also thank Redmond Equine for being part of our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah. It’s more sustainable and affordable than salt from a Himalayan company 8,000 miles away.

You can find links to Karen’s programs here and the 15 Things to Stop Doing Right Now here.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know? All you got to do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Cathy Woods - Yoga & Riding Feb 16, 2022

For this episode, Jec interviews Cathy Woods. Cathy teaches yoga to riders and has a book on this intersection of riding and yoga, called, you guessed it, Yoga for Riders.

Even if you don’t dive into horseback yoga movements, the conversation nicely reminds us that it’s all about awareness. Awareness is what makes us better riders. And it definitely helps us appreciate our time with horses.

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We also welcome back Redmond Equine to our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah. It’s more sustainable and affordable than salt from a Himalayan company 8000 miles away and wwaayy better than factory salt.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. All ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question here. You’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway.

Buy some rocks from Redmond Equine and check out our favorite flavor, dark chocolate mint, at Kate’s. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing.

Dr. Doug Thal Jan 25, 2022

For this episode, Jec interviews Dr. Doug Thal of Thal Equine in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I first started talking with Doug a year or more ago. He came highly recommended by Katrin Silva as someone personable and knowledgeable on all things horses and vets. And boy isn’t he. Thal created Horse Side Vet Guide, a free online resource for equine medical questions. Oh and this news, hot off the press: Dr. Thal will present at the 2022 Best Horse Practices Summit in Kentucky this October.

In this conversation, Jec and Doug discuss the relationship, the skills, and the communication that must exist between horse, owner, and vet. It is something we have written recently here and here.

Having good rapport with your horse and your vet might be the most important element of your ownership. When a crisis comes along – and that’s a when not an if – it’s essential that you get along with both your horse and vet. Of course, both vet and owner need to have essential skills around handling and treatment. Doug and Jec talk about that, too.

Hubris, it seems, is the frequent ill of so many interactions. There are so many take-aways from this conversation and it’ll be great to visit again with Dr. Thal down the road. But for now, remember to stand up for your horses, make sure you can handle them well in all sorts of situations, and know when to say, ‘this isn’t working.’

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We’re also thrilled to welcome back Redmond Equine to our sponsorship family. Redmond rocks and other offerings come straight from their mine in Redmond, Utah. We think it’s way more sustainable and affordable than salt from a Himalayan company 8000 miles away.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Did you know that all ya gotta do is comment or suggest a podcast topic or send us a training question at besthorsepractices.com/podcast and you’ll be automatically qualified for our monthly Patagonia WorkWear giveaway?

Buy some rocks from Redmond Equine and check out our favorite flavor, dark chocolate mint, at Kate’s. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing.

Coaches' Corner with Amy Skinner Jan 10, 2022

Welcome to episode 18 of season two and thank you so much for listening. As you have probably heard, our show is an enlightened space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover ways to better connect with their horses. Plus, we like to feel safe and have fun.

And speaking of feeling safe and having fun, we're doing a series of clinics this year with Jec, Amy Skinner, and Katrin Silva. The three Cayuse Collaborative Clinics feature these talented horsewomen helping students of all disciplines. The first one is in Santa Fe next month and then later in the year in North Carolina and California. Hope to see you there!

For this episode, Jec visits with Amy Skinner for a Coaches' Corner. They discuss socialization for horses. This topic includes ideas around taking a horse from his buddies as well as getting along with other horses on a ride or in a clinic, for instance.

Barn sourness is often labelled as a vice, but I like to consider it an opportunity to make some progress and to expand a horse’s comfort zone. After all, horses are meant to be in a herd. That is where they have evolved over millennia and that’s where they feel safest. Do you have a bunch of strategies for working with a horse who’s fussing a bit when leaving the barn? How big is that compartment of your horsemanship toolbox?

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

Got questions? Email us.

Got stories to share? Email us.

We thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia Workwear for their continued support and we welcome back Redmond Equine. Redmond, based in Utah, has several simple, superior products for your horses, like rock salt and clay for digestion. Buy some rocks on rope from Redmond, check out the new flavors at Kate’s and check out the WorkWear sales. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing.

Thanks for listening y’all!

Positive Reinforcement with Kerry O'Brien & Kimberly Loveless Dec 27, 2021

For this episode, I take the mic from Jec and visit with Kimberly Loveless and Kerry O’Brien, horsewomen I admire for their ongoing journey of learning and making progress with their horses. In addition, they have both been generous supporters of the Best Horse Practices Summit.

The three of us have been visiting back and forth about positive reinforcement. Years ago, I featured an article that was pretty much anti-positive reinforcement, with several guest commenters. I also published a piece by horseman Tim McGaffic on combined training, that is, using negative and positive reinforcement.

Here is a bit of information on Kimberly and Kerry:

Kimberly retired from her work as a Federal Agent for nearly 30 years, She has owned, ridden and trained horses since she was a young girl. She has a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, a Masters in Education, and has taught at the college level.

She is a Bureau of Land Management Wild horse mentor and volunteer and she also gentles mustangs for the Mustang Heritage Foundation. She has seven personal mustangs and one rescue molly mule, ranging in age from six to 16. She lives in Virginia.

Kerry lives near me in Colorado and is a lifelong student of animals, behavior, and brain science. But before that, she had a bodywork and functional movement practice in Los Angeles for over 25 years. She is an "integrator" who believes in having a big toolbox. Friends call her "The Digger." She's also an accomplished photographer, storyteller, and Mustang Heritage Foundation Tip trainer.

Sponsors:

Lucerne Farms

Kate's Real Food

Patagonia WorkWear

Resources:

Video: Kerry works with Coco on accepting dewormer

Learning Schools and How to Avoid Tribalism

Tim McGaffic on Combined Training

Past Article on Clicker Training

Additional suggestions from Kerry O'Briand:

Dog training virtual mentor Susan Garrett was fortunate to have Bob Bailey I think as her graduate advisor. Watch video.

Smithsonian article on animals trained by Brelands and Bailey for espionage.

A 4.5 hour video on the background and history of operant conditioning.

Trailer for a longer movie.

What Horses Want for the Holidays Dec 21, 2021

Welcome to Episode 16 of Season 2

This episode is an On the Fence segment with myself and Jec. We’re talking about what horses really want for Christmas. Or Hannukah. Or Kwanzaa or whatever.

We talk about education and expanding comfort zones, building confidence and we’re giving away a Beyond Horse Massage Jim Masterson's book and DVD set. So contact us if you would like to be in the running.

Granted I’m biased, but I do think this is one of the best episodes yet. I hope you enjoy it!

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

Without further ado, here’s our episode on what horses really want.

Important links:

Equine Fitness and other books by Jec.

Masterson Method

Dr. King – Horses want fewer gifts, better care

Ownership

Cayuse Collaborative Clinics. Sign up for Santa Fe clinic in February and start your 2022 off well.

We would like thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Please support them as they support us and what we’re doing.

Ann Firestone - Save Your Ass Rescue Dec 07, 2021

In this episode, Ann Firestone of Save Your Ass Long Eared Rescue joins Jec in California-to-New Hampshire phone conversation. Ann has been ardently devoted to this mule and donkey non profit for years. I remember profiling her for NickerNews a decade ago when I was living in Maine. Here's a more recent post.

As the holiday season is upon us, I think it’s important to remember that non profits like SYA need help 12 months out of the year. I’m thinking also of the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, which this year took in 20 horses that were surrendered to the state. It’s sad and uplifting at the same time – sad that people can be incorrigible and do horrible things to animals and uplifting that folks at so many rescues are doing right by these animals.

Hope you enjoy the brief chat with Ann and Jec. And maybe consider opening your wallet a tad and donating to your favorite rescue or split what you can afford and donate to two.

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

We would like thank Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Please support them as they support us and what we’re doing.

Please tell friends about our show. Subscribe to us. And why not review us (5 stars please!). Thanks for listening y’all!

On the Fence - The Best Horse Practices Summit Nov 11, 2021

This episode is an On the Fence segment, a time for Jec and me to talk about what’s up lately. And lately it has been all about the Best Horse Practices Summit. This is the conference I direct and where Jec presented. The Summit has been in Colorado and Maine and this year we held it at Spy Coast Farm in Lexington Kentucky.

Our roster included Jec and eight other presenters, giving academic and arena presentations on everything from hooves and worms to biomechanics and foundational horsemanship.

We had more attendees than ever and while the weather wasn’t ideal, the ambiance was. You’ll hear more the conference as well as a bit about my new book, Beasts of Being, Partnerships Unburdened.

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay, an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture or when you need to add calories and nutrients to your horses’ diet.

You can learn more about the Summit, a 501 c 3 non profit organization, here. You will find links to dozens of full presentations as well as trailers from past years. All 2021 presentations will be available in early 2022.

We would like thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Please support them as they support us and what we’re doing.

Lynn Acton and Investigative Behavior Oct 20, 2021

Welcome to Episode 13 of Season Two and thank you so much for listening.

As I talk into the mic from my Colorado home office, we’re about a week away from the kickoff of the Best Horse Practices Summit in Lexington, Kentucky. It’s exciting and the days are chock full of tending to details: airport transportation for presenters, coffee for the Airbnb’s for the presenters. Audio-video fine points. Table linens. Dietary restrictions for certain attendees. Power point reviews. Trade show set up.

Suffice to say, when it comes to skill sets, this is not my usual fare. It helps, though, that I have done it before and that I have people around me – volunteers, board members, and presenters – that I know and trust. It’s a crazy time, but for the most part, I feel safe.

That all has something to do with this episode. I couldn’t be more pleased to produce this show which centers on Lynn Acton and investigative behavior as well as her new book, What Horses Really Want.

I think you might agree that raising healthy, confident horses is a bit like raising healthy confident kids: Give them freedom and space to discover and experiment. Help them feel safe in new environments. Great interview!

We thank Lucerne Farms and Pharm Aloe Equine for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay. It’s decidedly not grain and has been shown to be an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture.

Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. They have profiles of the quality of their products online.

We would like thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food (which, by the way, was recently voted number one among energy bars by Outdoor Gear Lab) and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. WorkWear has a new ranch jacket. It’s made of the same hemp-polyester blend as the popular barn coat, but is cropped short and is unlined. Jec and I have been trying it out and here are some features we love: it has a big zipper that you can use without taking off your gloves. It has lots of pockets that are baling twine and cell phone friendly. It is cut trimly and because of the hemp/poly blend, it’s soft and requires no break in. Check it out here.

West Taylor Oct 06, 2021

For this episode, Maddy talks with West Taylor. West runs Wild West Mustang Ranch in central Utah and has been a Best Horse Practices Summit presenter twice. He has scores of videos on his site as well as on YouTube and Facebook. Check out his 2018 and 2019 presentations in the Best Horse Practices Summit video library. West specializes in work with wild horses and uses what he knows about brain science to optimize the experience for these mustangs, through, essentially, maximizing relaxation, releasing pressure, and – as you will hear – more strategies involving polyvagal theory, something Maddy writes about in her new book, Beasts of Being: Partnerships Unburdened. He said that the three main factors required for better downregulation or engaging the parasympathetic nervous system (which is a way of talking about relaxation) is 1. Feeling safe, 2. Social engagement and 3. Reciprocity. It’s pretty nifty that he’s working on that with horses and we are working on that with the podcast. A very informative session.

It was great to reconnect with West and we think you’ll find what he has to say enlighting and insightful.

We thank Lucerne Farms and Pharm Aloe Equine for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay. It’s decidedly not grain and has been shown to be an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. They have profiles of the quality of their products here.

We also thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Stay tuned for a review of the new women’s ranch jacket from WorkWear. It is as stylish as you can get for a hard-working horse owner’s layer.

Virtual Lessons Sep 30, 2021

For this episode, Jec invites Patrick King, the renown clinician and trainer with a very active online presence, but who travels widely, too. They talk about the pros and cons of virtual lessons. It’s pretty cool because Jec actually took a virtual lesson from Patrick and part of their discussion is about how that went.

I’d heartily agree with them that us horse riders are behind the times when it comes to using technology to optimizing our situations. We can be a curmudgeon-y group, can’t we?

And, really, why work smarter when you can work harder and spend more money?

Earlier this year, I had a friend video tape my work with my horse, Barry, and sent several minutes of footage to Amy Skinner. Her insight was very helpful and enabled my horse and me to make progress we surely would have not made otherwise.

Can riders get better from the comfort of their yard, without pushing their comfort zones and going to new places with their horses?

Will the growing popularity of virtual lessons and virtual clinics mean that clinicians can just spend the day on their couches, instead of tooling around the country?

I’m exaggerating, of course, but it will really be interesting to see how technology shifts the horse rider student teacher dynamics and possibilities.

We thank Lucerne Farms and Pharm Aloe Equine for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay. It’s decidedly not grain and has been shown to be an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture. Also, Lucerne bales, wrapped in plastic, are pretty much perfect for being on the road with horses.

Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. They have profiles of the quality of their products on their website.

Hey, did you know? We recently passed the 30K listener mark for this show, hatched just over a year ago. Thank you so much for listening. And as usual, send us your comments and suggestions here.

We would like to thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Buy some rocks from Redmond, check out the new flavor at Kate’s and check out the WorkWear sales. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month and every month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out!

Dr. Geoff Tucker - Nutrition Sep 22, 2021

For this episode, Jec invites Dr. Geoff Tucker of The Horse's Advocate to chat about equine nutrition. It’s probably our most science-oriented episode yet and it might be challenging for some. I think you will hear that Dr. Tucker’s findings agree with some things Jec and I have aired in other episodes. And what he’s saying echoes also what Dr. Erika Lacher elaborated on in Season One of our show.

To paint in broad strokes, the message is clear. Just as processed foods and lots of sugar are not good for humans, grain isn’t good for our horses. Listen to Dr. Tucker’s analysis of why this is so. It’s a bit like confirming why having three square meals of donuts is a bad idea.

You can check out his No Grain Challenge.

I bet many of us wish we lived with our horses 100 years ago, with open range and lots of pasture. That’s not an option but there are lots of strategies we can use with nutrition, pasture management, keeping horses in groups, and other elements to can keep your horses AND your wallets healthy. So keep learning, y’all!

We thank Lucerne Farms for their sustaining sponsorship. Lucerne is a forage company based in northern Maine. Forage is chopped hay. It’s decidedly not grain and has been shown to be an excellent option when you can’t have your horse on pasture. Also, Lucerne bales, wrapped in plastic, are pretty much perfect for being on the road with horses.

Do you have a suggestion for our podcast? Comments about our episodes? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you.

We would like to thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Buy some rocks from Redmond, check out the new flavor at Kate’s and check out the WorkWear sales. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. Enter our monthly contest to win Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners.

Daniel Dauphin Sep 08, 2021

For this episode, I’m taking the reins, like ya do, from my colleague Jec, to talk with Daniel Dauphin. Dauphin is a Louisiana horseman who lives about halfway between Houston and New Orleans.

He has an engaging website that caught my attention for the depth of information he puts out there. Most specifically, he’s written a treatise on bits. Actually, it is manifested in video, in his More Than A Bit…’of Information DVD and download. It’s informative, well-researched, and funny. Not often folks manage that trifecta.

Thankfully, he told me, and in case you were wondering, Hurricane Ida blew East of his area. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. They have profiles of the quality of their products on their website, so check that out at Pharm Aloe Equine. That’s Pharm with a ph.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. This summer, are you traveling – maybe going horse camping or heading to a competition, Lucerne bales, wrapped in plastic, are pretty much perfect for being on the road with horses. Check out their blends and distribution at lucernefarms.com Or Find Lucerne Farms at your feedstore and ask for it by name.

You can also find links to all our sponsors here.

Do you have a suggestion for our podcast? Got something you want to get off you’re your chest? Let us know! As always, we would love to hear from you.

We would like to thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Buy some rocks from Redmond, check out the new flavor at Kate’s and check out the WorkWear sales. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out here.

Rider Fear Sep 01, 2021

As we like to say on the show, this is an enlightened space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover ways to better connect with their horses. Plus, we like to feel safe and have fun. And speaking of feeling safe and having fun, this episode is about Rider Fear.

Maybe it’s more common among women. Maybe it’s just more openly talked about among women. Maybe what we do, ride an animal that’s about 10 times our weight is a good, cold fact to consider. According to folks out there who do risk assessment, riding is risky -- about as risky as riding is fun, safe, rewarding, and something we feel deeply passionate about.

Rider fear for many of us might be one element that’s part of a greater calculus. We hope it’s down there with the paper clips, you know, tiny bits in the big cluttered drawer that is how we feel about horses. For some folks, though, we know it can be all-consuming.

Rather than invite experts in emotions, therapists or researchers, or whoever, Jec and I along with Amy Skinner share our thoughts and experiences. Please note that we are definitely NOT experts or therapists and this episode should not be interpreted as such. We also want to thank Connie Crawford for suggesting the topic

A few new shoutouts – Chill Angel makes luxurious dreamware of superfine merino wool. It’s breathable and soft. It’s cool when you need it to be cool and cozy when you need it to be cozy. That’s the brilliance of wool. Check out the sleepwear and loungewear and drop in cayuse20 to get 20 percent off.

Outdoor Pantry makes delicious meals and then freeze dries them. The bags of Venison Hunters Pie and Jamaican Jerk Chicken are excellent, with zero crappy ingredients. Try Pumpkin Pie or Beef Stroganoff. Drop in cayuse10 for a discount.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. They have profiles of the quality of their products here.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. This summer, are you traveling – maybe going horse camping or heading to a competition? Lucerne bales, wrapped in plastic, are pretty much perfect for being on the road with horses. Check out their blends and distribution here.

Apologies in advance for a few audio glitches.

As always, we would love to hear from you.

We would like to thank Kershaw knives, Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Buy some rocks from Redmond, check out the new flavor at Kate’s and check out the WorkWear sales. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out here.

Larry Whitesell Aug 23, 2021

In this episode, Jec interviews Larry Whitesell of Baxter, Tennessee, east of Nashville. Larry is renowned in the gaited horse world. What distinguishes him is his interest and pursuit of classical methods. He’s well-traveled down the dressage road and a well rounded, well educated horseman.

Over and over, Larry reminds us that gaited horses are horses, first and foremost. So relaxation is pretty much the key to making progress with them and their gaiting. Force and pressure are not answers. Nor is speed.

I had to laugh (again) because I really think my dear colleague, Jec, is nudging me - perhaps not so subtly - to make some changes. As you might have heard in our last episode on cross training, she and Amy Skinner reminded us trail riders, of the merits of arena work.

Here, she and Larry talk about slowing down and paying attention to the fine points of gaited movement and how to help gaited horses find relaxation. In past phone calls, I’ve talked with Jec about my nervous, rescued Tennessee Walker, Barry and how I was challenged by his pacing.

There are great insights in this show and I’d love to refer you to Jec’s book, 55 Corrective Exercises. If you, like me, have a horse who’s tight in the shoulder, neck, and poll, try exercises 3, 13, 16, 18, 35, 37, 40, and 45. Have fun!

And hey! We want to know what you’ve been up to this summer. What have you learned? What have you been working on? Send us a note and you’ll qualify for not just a Patagonia WorkWear item, but a knife from Kershaw and a pair of merino socks from Grip6. We’ll be talking about summer adventures and learning in an upcoming show, so let us hear from you!

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. More and more folks are realizing that forage is an ideal option for their horses. Superior to grain and often handier and more nutritious than hay

We also thank Kershaw knives, Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food, and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support.

Thanks for listening y’all!

Coaches' Corner: Cross Training Aug 19, 2021

Season 2, Episode Six is a Coaches' Corner with Amy Skinner in North Carolina.

Here, Jec and Amy visit about cross training. It ties into our last episode in which we discussed what horses and riders need to know. It comes down to the need to always expand our comfort zones. As Randy Rieman told me, if you’re not expanding your comfort zone, you are shrinking it. Dearest listener and reader, think about it. I really think this idea has merit. And not just for horse work, but for life. Expanding our comfort zones, facing fears, having confidence or building confidence in yourself and your horse surely has a lot to do with cross training.

There are ways to tackle various impediments or hurdles to better horse work. Here are a few:

Ask for help

Avoid foreseeable pitfalls (as mentioned and for example, riding in big groups or riding with people who cannot support you if you need help is avoidable)

Or, if you’re a trail rider, maybe check out Jec’s books for some exercises to make arena work more engaging. Katrin Silva’s Dressage for All of Us has ideas, too.

If, in contrast, you’re hitting the trail and you find that worrisome or boring, there are tons of ways to get busy and give your horses tasks that will challenge both of you and keep you partnered up rather than checked out.

If you’re new to the trail, connect with riders who have some understanding of trail riding and the etiquette around it – for instance, ya don’t ride off when someone is stepping up into the saddle. If you are riding through gates, trade off opening and closing them.

We would like to thank Pharm Aloe Equine, Lucerne Farms, Kershaw knives, Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Buy some rocks from Redmond, check out the new flavor at Kate’s and check out the WorkWear sales. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing.

What Horses & Riders Need to Know Jul 31, 2021

This episode is episode 5 (sorry about the error on the audio, in which we identified it as episode 4) and an On the Fence segment – a show in which Jec and I discuss something that’s been on our collective and virtual desk, asking to be checked off.

Here we visit about what horses and humans need to know. By that we mean the skills and the knowledge that horse and rider need to have in order to, as we say as part of our podcast mission, feel safe and have fun.

I hope you all bear in mind that this ain’t dogma coming down from above. We could be wrong. Our work with horses is constantly evolving and we build on experience, on successes as well as mistakes. As we acknowledge, this is tip of the iceberg stuff. We hope you’ll write in to give us your tip of the iceberg stuff. Some lean towards principles while other ideas are more technical. In the best mix, they meet at a place which emphasizes SAFETY and GOOD RELATIONS with the horse.

Some things horses should know:

To load easily into a trailer
To remain tied for decently long periods of time without getting overly stressed
To pick up feet easily
To stand when mounted and not walk off
To yield to pressure
To accept new stimuli without ‘losing it’

Some things riders should know:

To take vital signs (respiration and heart rate, temperatures, and to know signs of dehydration) and to be able to do basic doctoring
To mount from the ground
To be fit enough to ride confidently (and to call yourself an athlete!)
To recognize how our energy and actions impact our horses

There are many videos and pages to consider around these topics. Check out Amy Skinner's YouTube channel.

Read about Ownership here.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their fantabulous support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. They have profiles of the quality of their products on their website.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Are you traveling – maybe going horse camping or heading to a competition, Lucerne bales, wrapped in plastic, are pretty much perfect for traveling. Check out their blends and distribution at lucernefarms.com Or find Lucerne Farms at your feedstore and ask for it by name.

I sure hope this got ya thinking. Let us hear from you.

We would like to thank Kershaw Knives, Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Buy some rocks from Redmond, check out the new flavor at Kate’s and check out the WorkWear sales. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out here. besthorsepractices.com/podcast.

Thanks for listening y’all!

Read about the Care Continuum here.

Dr. King writes: Horses Want Fewer gifts, Better care

Dr. Rebecca Husted - Equine Emergencies Jul 27, 2021

In this episode, Jec talks with Dr. Rebecca Husted, president of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue, and a past Best Horse Practices Summit presenter. I’m a big fan.

As you’ll discover, Rebecca is a straight talker and someone who is passionate about doing right by the horse in the most critical situations.I first met Rebecca over a decade ago, when I took her days-long TLAER course in Maine. We had academic presentations and worked on several great simulations of emergencies.

I cop to being a stickler when it comes to preparedness. It’s something Jec and I are going to talk about in our next On the Fence episode – as a responsible horse owner, what do you have to know and be good at? What does your horse have to know Rebecca touches on it here: Can you trailer load quickly? Will your horses self-load? Do you own a trailer? Can you drive a trailer? Can your horse stay unbothered tied to the side of a trailer for a llloonnngg time? In pitch dark, can you do everything you need to do with your horse?

Just stuff that’s on the tip of my personal iceberg.

Don’t stress. Just practice. It’s like the little saying I used to repeat to my kids when they were trying to blame me for their stuff: "Your lack of preparation is not my emergency."

I love this episode and hope you do to – have fun checking boxes and don’t be bummed if you identify any shortcomings. Just shore them up.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their continued support. . Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Lucerne has an array of products, with timothy or alfalfa or timothy and alfalfa, with a touch of molasses, or not, for feeding your horses. Feeding forage is wwaayy better than feeding grain. That’s research based, but of course, your horses will tell you, too.

Dr. Martin Nielsen Jul 15, 2021

Jec talks with Dr. Martin Nielsen, a parasitologist at the University of Kentucky and one of our super-fantastic presenters at the Best Horse Practices Summit in Lexington, Kentucky, Nielsen’s backyard, in October.

Martin has a host of popular YouTube videos that debunk deworming. Deworming is the traditional, not-best-practices method that many of us are familiar with.

Perhaps you, too, have ordered that value pack from some website with four different dewormers for four times a year deworming. Yeah, that’s not the best thing to do for your horse, turns out.

There might be more misinformation about deworming than there is about the 2020 election. I kid you not.

Anyway, Nielsen has great insight here. Apologies for some less than ideal audio.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their continued support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. When you are looking for aloe products, the high quality and effectiveness of active ingredients are really important. Pharm Aloe’s got that.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Lucerne has an array of products, with timothy or alfalfa or timothy and alfalfa, with a touch of molasses, or not, for feeding your horses. Feeding forage is wwaayy better than feeding grain. That’s research based, but of course, your horses will tell you, too.

We would like to thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Buy some rock salt from Redmond, some trail bars from Kate’s and check out the WorkWear sales. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out here.

Grooming Pros and Cons - Robin Foster Jul 07, 2021

In this episode, Jec talks with Robin Foster, a certified applied animal behaviorist and a professor at the University of Puget Sound in Washington State.

Foster cites an interesting study on grooming by Lea Lansade, a researcher in France.

There is a broad range of grooming concerns among us. Myself, I put almost no effort into grooming. I might brush where the saddle goes. Or instead, I might run my hand over that area. I check their feet and pick out any pebble that might have wedged into the frog area. Sometimes I might spray them with bug spray. But mostly I saddle up and go.

I have seen that grooming, especially when it’s done after trailering somewhere and before a ride, has the effect of getting a horse pretty antsy.

There are a lot of things we humans do, from even before we collect them in the paddock to when we ultimately ride that amounts to what Warwick Schiller would call 13 Rabbits. Check out his Best Horse Practices Summit presentation on that here.

Fellow BHPS presenter, Amy Skinner, calls it trigger stacking. It’s the piling on of stressors that sometimes results in a bit of a cluster.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their continued support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in northern Maine. Lucerne has an array of products, with timothy or alfalfa or timothy and alfalfa, with a touch of molasses, or not, for feeding your horses. Feeding forage is wwaayy better than feeding grain. That’s research-supported.

A little interview review:

Yay for ground tying. And yes, don’t trim those whiskers (which by the way are known as vibrissae and as Jec mentioned, are individual nerve conductors which send information to the brain about things like the texture and condition of what they come in contact with). Read more here.

And yes, if the haltering or taking out of the paddock or tying are things that stress the horse, then perhaps do something that will help your horse relax instead of forging ahead. Remember, the forging ahead is itself a human construct that horses don’t necessarily relate to.

There are a lot of things to consider when we interact with equines. The balance between being mindful of our impact on them and then actually getting stuff done – riding and what not, is something we waver over all the time. It’s good to hear folks articulate the variables and maybe this’ll spur some conversations.

We would like to thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continuing support. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out here.

Thanks for listening y’all!

Ben Longwell and a Sufferfest Sidenote Jun 23, 2021

Even though we haven’t really taken a break, we’re calling this Season 2. That makes this episode, episode 1 of Season 2. Thanks for carrying us through to another season.

Okay, so I wanted to share with you a heat and drought scenario that unfolded with me, my horse and dogs recently. It definitely pushed against the ‘what is safe whilst riding in the heat’ protocols.

Even though it was forecast for hot and dry, for a moment it got overcast and windy and it seemed like it’d be like that for several hours. I saddled up and headed out with my horse, Barry, and two dogs. I took two liters of water, snacks, and a book. We were headed to the river where I'd hobble Barry to graze and the dogs and I could chill for a few hours before heading back. It’d be a 12-mile round trip.

Listen to learn more.

Okay, so for Episode 1 of our new season, we welcome Ben Longwell of True West Horsemanship.

Ben and his wife, Natalie, live in New Zealand where they run lessons and clinics and produce an online video library. They also come to the States most years to do guided ranch tours – it’s pretty neat, a trip for New Zealanders to ride on working ranches, learn horsemanship and apply some stockmanship, and even to shop at stores like IFA and Big R – where you can get gear and clothes that you just can’t get in New Zealand.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their continued support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. When you are looking for aloe products, the high quality and effectiveness of active ingredients are really important. Pharm Aloe’s got that in spaces. Check out the research and the compelling back story at Pharm Aloe Equine.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Lucerne has an array of products, with timothy or alfalfa or timothy and alfalfa, with a touch of molasses, or not, for feeding your horses. Feeding forage is wwaayy better than feeding grain. That’s research based, but of course, your horses will tell you, too.

Find Lucerne Farms at your feedstore and ask for it by name.

You can also find links to all our sponsors here.

We also thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food, and Patagonia WorkWear for their continuing support. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out here.

Thanks for listening y’all!

Horse Shows Jun 15, 2021

I’m feeling pretty pleased that here we are at Episode 30. Thirty! It was about a year ago when Jec and I first started bouncing around the idea of a podcast. We were decidedly not interested in just throwing one out there for the heck of it or having it be a gab session or a chance to share just our own deal and our own little opinions. Nope, we wanted to be careful with it.

What followed was many phone sessions and emails to map out how it would look and to basically shape a mission. I’m a big fan of missions or mission statements. They allow an initial vision to become concrete without being too rigid. Think rubber concrete.

A goal without a plan is just a wish, so we planned and mapped and bounced around ideas.

This podcast is still, as ever, a work in progress and we always always welcome your suggestions and comments.

So thank you listeners. You rock. Like we’ve said before, contact us with suggestions, comments, questions -- We are looking forward to tackling one suggestion from Marika in Washington State on paddock design and horse health. Great tip, Marika!

This milestone episode is a Coaches' Corner with Jec, Amy Skinner, and Katrin Silva. They have a lot to say about the state of horse shows.

Are they good for you?

Are they good for your horse?

Are they good for the horse industry?

Yes. No. Maybe. It depends. If you compete regularly, this conversation will interest you. If you don’t compete, it’ll interest you, too.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their continued support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes. When you are looking for aloe products, the high quality and effectiveness of active ingredients are really important. Pharm Aloe’s got that in spades.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Lucerne has an array of products, with timothy or alfalfa or timothy and alfalfa, with a touch of molasses, or not, for feeding your horses. Feeding forage is wwaayy better than feeding grain. That’s research based, but of course, your horses will tell you, too. Also, check out Koop Clean for your chickens.

Find Lucerne Farms at your feedstore and ask for it by name.

We would also like to thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continuing support. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out at besthorsepractices.com/podcast.

Whit Hibbard Jun 07, 2021

Today, Jec loans the mic to me for an interview with Whit Hibbard, a fourth generation Montana rancher and low stress stockmanship professional. I met Whit many years ago when he was passing through Colorado, giving presentations on low stress stockmanship and livestock handling.

There’s a strong parallel I see with the shift in handling cows and the shift of handling horses as we move away from physical and domineering ways to the mental, partnership type of work. But it’s interesting because when you go to a horsemanship clinic nowadays, it’s populated mostly by women. When you go to a stockmanship clinic, it’s mostly men. Which is the tougher audience, I wonder?

Whit is doing impressive work with National Parks, big private ranches like those owned by Ted Turner. Turner Enterprises consists of 18 ranches and two million acres. Most recently, Whit has focused on bison and has helped livestock handlers design structures that incorporate low stress handling into their overall system.

Pretty cool. Even if you don’t work cows or have an interest in working cows, there are helpful, insightful reflections here around how we operation. By the way, Whit also publishes the Stockmanship Journal and you can find links to a free download on besthorsepractices.com.

Many thanks to our Title Sponsors, Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms forage. Learn more about them here.

Also, we thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continuing support. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing. This month, we’re giving away a Patagonia WorkWear item to two lucky listeners. Check it out here.

Jane Myers & Equiculture May 25, 2021

Today, Jec interviews Jane Myers. Jane runs the educational website Equiculture with her husband, Stuart. The couple, based in England but also having spent many years in Australia, offer advice on everything from riding to getting along with your horse to horse keeping practices. As for the latter, we’re happy to report that Jane aligns quite well with Alayne Blickle, the Best Horse Practices Summit presenter and owner of Horses for Clean Water. At the last Summit, Alayne presented on horse keeping and climate change.

In this interview, Jane talks about how change in horse keeping can have an enormously beneficial impact on horse welfare and behavior. So, here in Colorado, most of us keep horses on acreage and with buddies. There aren’t a lot of isolated or stalled horses. In much of the world, though, that’s not the case. Whether it’s a cultural thing or an urban or suburban space limitation thing, it’s a problem that has behavioral, physical, digestive, physiological and other fallouts. What’s to be done? Well, if you didn’t know already, you’re gonna learn.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their continued support. . Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes.

Lucerne Farms is a forage company based in Northern Maine. Lucerne has an array of products, with timothy or alfalfa or timothy and alfalfa, with a touch of molasses, or not, for feeding your horses. Feeding forage is wwaayy better than feeding grain. That’s research based. But, of course, your horses will tell you, too. Also, check out Koop Clean for your chickens.

Also, we thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continuing support. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing.

Don’t forget to check out details on the Yeti/Nomadix giveaways.

Thanks for listening y’all!

Mare/Gelding Bias May 21, 2021

Episode 27 is an On the Fence segment. That’s where Jec and I meet on the virtual fence to talk about an issue or topic. Maybe it’s been bugging us or exciting us or simply asking us to give it a good run around the airwaves.

“On the fence” is sometimes used as a phrase to indicate undecided, which is funny because us two gals are pretty decided when we meet On the Fence.

In this segment, we kind of continue - tangentially anyway - with our Gender Gyrations project to talk about mare/gelding bias in the horse world.

Yep. Mares are mare-ish and geldings are not. Or geldings have studdy behavior. Or whatever.

And, yes, I’m using the word ‘whatever’ to draw attention to and maybe poke fun at the myriad ways in which we can discriminate against or judge horses by their gender. I think a lot of times it is fun. But it’s fun in the way making fun of someone from Texas is fun. It’s fun in the way making fun of someone who rides English is fun. Which is to say, it really just shows off how uninformed and maybe how ignorant we can be.

Blaming a behavior on gender is a good way to let ourselves NOT be accountable for learning the facts and appreciating the larger picture of who this horse is and what its needs are.

We thank Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms for their continued support. Pharm Aloe offers aloe pellets and gel and other products to support horses’ GI health, immune system, and other processes.

Lucerne Farms is the fantastic forage company based in Northern Maine. Lucerne has an array of products for feeding your horses as well as Koop Klean, for chickens. They both come in handy bales. By the way, feeding forage is wwaayy better than feeding grain. That’s research based. But of course, your horses will tell you, too.

Also, we would like to thank Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continuing support. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing.

Don’t forget to check out the Yeti/Nomadix giveaways.

Please tell friends about our show. Subscribe to us. And why not review us (5 stars please!).

Thanks for listening y’all!

Toby Cross and Josh McElroy May 17, 2021

A lot has been said about the benefits of therapy work with equines. They help us immensely. Clients with mental and physical challenges have been gravitating to equine programs for years. Therapeutic riding centers have increasing been supported by the mainstream, including insurance companies and generous donors.

PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) has grown to a community of nearly 5,000 certified instructors and 900 member centers. It's great stuff!

But what about the horses? What mental and physical compromises do they make as they support these clients?

We talk with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope's Toby Cross as well as Josh McElroy to learn more about horses in these programs, their well-being, and safe guards that can ensure their healthy lives.

With thanks to Lucerne Farms Forage Feeds and Pharm Aloe Equine, as well as additional thanks to Patagonia WorkWear, Kate's Real Food, and Redmond Equine.

Coaches' Corner with Amy Skinner May 11, 2021

We have a scintillating coaches’ corner with Jec and Amy Skinner. Amy is a trainer and Best Horse Practices Summit presenter based in North Carolina. Here, the two discuss a saddling concern sent in by a listener in Michigan:

"When Bandit, a Missouri Foxtrotter, joined our little herd a few years ago, he showed us that he didn't like the saddle. I spent some time his first winter working on a sort of desensitizing: plopping the thing on him over and over until he gave no reaction. It could be that he was "trained" by someone strapping a saddle on him and letting him buck until he quit. Early on we reached his previous trainer who said that Bandit "had a mind of his own so you need to let him know who is in charge."

Whatever the case, I decided to go back and let him express what the problem was. Previous saddlings may have been "successful" because he would sort of check out with his eyes half-closed.

But later, when letting him explore more, we saw some pretty fierce biting and kicking, first at the saddle pad and then at the saddle..."

I think Art and our listeners will find excellent insight from this episode.

Check out the website for freebies from Yeti and Nomadix. Details found here.

Even though this Coaches’ Corner is about saddling, it's also about seemingly isolated concerns -- maybe it’s saddling or being tied or hobbling or going in and out of gates.

We can often see that those bigger issues can be broken down to smaller concerns. Paying attention is key. When we observe and experiment with what helps, when we allow ourselves and our horses to make mistakes, progress often follows. By the way, I love mistakes. Being wrong is something I’m good at.

We would like to thank title sponsors, Pharm Aloe Equine and Lucerne Farms as well as Redmond Equine, Kate’s Real Food and Patagonia WorkWear for their continuing support. Please follow these brands and buy their stuff as they support us and what we’re doing.

Don’t forget to check out our site for freebies and details.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Best Horse Practices Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected