Equestrian Voices

Introducing, Dear Horse World... Oct 10, 2024

Hi Equestrian Voices listener, we are so grateful for all your support of this podcast over the last few years, but as they say, all good things must come to an end.

But we're not done with the podcast world!

Dear Horse World is the brand new podcast from NOËLLE FLOYD.

After 12 years of productions, I, Noëlle, am returning to my roots – being on the ground, learning from horse people.

I’ll be diving into the heart of horsemanship, connecting with cowboys, Olympians, veterinarians and everyday riders to challenge conventions and redefine our practices.

We’ll explore every corner of the horse world, confront its shifts, and unite over our shared passion. Get ready for raw, insightful conversations that push boundaries and ignite change every single week.

Head to your favourite podcast app and hit subscribe to never miss an episode of Dear Horse World. Find it now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and all major streaming platforms.

Just before you head to Dear Horse World - I do have some amazing news to share with you all! Equestrian Voices has been selected as a finalist for the 3rd Annual Signal Listener’s Choice Awards, and we couldn’t have done it without your incredible support.

Now, we need your help one more time to bring home the win by voting for us! Every single vote counts and is only open until October 17th.

Sexual Abuse in the Horse Industry: A Conversation with Annette Paterakis on Isolation, Hope, and Healing May 07, 2024

TW: Descriptions of grooming, sexual abuse as a minor. Listen with care. Growing up in the Netherlands, Annette Paterakis rode ponies competitively and had Olympic aspirations. However, transitioning to riding horses was difficult, and teenage Annette found herself going from top placings to being eliminated in the show ring. With dreams and investments on the line, Annette needed some help. Unfortunately, it came in the form of a predator.

In this forthcoming interview, Annette shares how she was groomed into a sexual relationship with her trainer, who was thirty years her senior. It’s a story about a quest for worthiness, exploitation by a trusted figure in her life, and the crushing isolation of secrecy. Still, and more importantly, Annette’s experience is about resilience, hope, and healing.

Caroline and Annette leave no stone unturned and also discuss:

Her trainer’s unreasonable pursuit for Annette to represent Greece at the Athens Olympics.
How the grooming process started and what the red flags were.
How Annette found the courage to leave the relationship six years later.
How friends, acquaintances, or sexual abuse prevention programs for athletes might support victims in similar situations.

It’s extremely challenging for victims to come forward and share their stories, but in doing so, they raise awareness and reduce stigma. If you or anyone you know is being impacted by sexual abuse in the US, this is a list of resources for getting help via We Ride Together: https://www.weridetogether.today/get-help/crisis-resources

Why Play Is Key for Building “Try” in Your Horse, and How to Do It with Tik Maynard Mar 26, 2024

When you picture adding “play” into your horse’s training, what comes to mind?

Do you imagine your horse chasing around a large ball or nosing carrots out of a container? Or maybe you see your horse trotting joyfully behind you as you run?

The fact is, play can look like a lot of different things, but it doesn’t have to be any of the above. Play’s purpose is to teach your horse how to “try”–and in the process, both horse and trainer achieve a cooperative partnership.

Equestrian Masterclass instructor (and newly minted Road to the Horse Champion!!!) Tik Maynard is a horsemanship and upper-level eventing coach who sees ‘play’ not as a series of exercises, but as a beneficial mindset. In the final episode of Equestrian Voices, Tik and Caroline discuss why play is crucial to horse training and how to incorporate it into daily interactions. They also cover:

The difference between anxiety and playfulness in horses, and why it’s easy to confuse them.
Using the social rules of play to ensure both you and your horse are winning the game.
Bringing play and thoughtfulness into daily activities like leading your horse.
What play is not–drilling, a chore, or hard work!
Why it’s important to slow down and take a puzzle-solving approach.
Rewarding softness and effort during play. Adding play into our training can teach us to be better observers, facilitate better communication, and reignite our passion for horses. If you loved this episode, watch for Tik Maynard’s latest Equestrian Masterclass, which launches in May.

This is our final episode of Equestrian Voices. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here.

It Doesn't Have to Feel This Stressful: What Your Nervous System Has to Do with Performance, with Natalie Hummel Mar 12, 2024

Why do competitions make our hearts hammer, mouths go dry, and hands tremble? We may never get nervous riding at home, but as soon as we step into that show ring (or clinic, or in front of peers, or riding a difficult horse), it can feel like something primal just takes over.

As it turns out, that is exactly what’s happening. Competition (whether you’re actually at a show or not) is deeply rooted into our biology and the presence of it can cause our bodies to fight, flight, or freeze. Certainly not the modes we want to be in when we’re trying to remember a course, or relax our tense horses. Thanks, evolution.

The good news is that our nervous system doesn’t have to hinder us, in fact, it can help us. But it takes some work, and some information.

Natalie Hummel is a high performance coach specializing in nervous system regulation. In this episode, she and Caroline discuss how we can improve our results by creating our own sense of safety and expanding our capacities for stress and pressure. They also cover:

The three different nervous system states and why some of them make learning new things biologically impossible.
How to process uncomfortable emotions like fear, shame, or anger, so you can get back to a performance state.
Why shame and feelings of “not enoughness” may be holding you back, even if you’re not aware of them.
Why overworking, perfectionism, and knowledge-seeking, are actually avoidance strategies.
How to recognize ineffective coaching.

Thank you to our sponsors, Equestrian Masterclass and Nikovian.

Toplines: Spotting Pain, Dysfunction, and Myths that Need to Be Busted with Ansley Bevan Feb 27, 2024

Muscle tension and underdevelopment are a precursor to injury, making topline development crucial to keeping horses healthy and sound. Elasticity through the back allows horses to move freely, support riders, and meet our performance expectations. So why do so many performance horses have underdeveloped muscles and signs of discomfort?

Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge, overlooking pain symptoms, and the absence of species-appropriate care keeps many horses in constant tension–but we can change that.

In this conversation, Caroline is joined by licensed equine bodyworker and educator Ansley Bevan, who shares her knowledge of equine biomechanics and identifying pain to sustain a healthy topline. They cover a wide range of topics and solutions, including:

Assessing your horse’s topline by observing them in motion and palpating their muscles.
Signs of pain you may have missed.
Why poor saddle fit can cause atrophy and compensatory movement.
Whether nutrition has a role in topline management.
What is species-specific care, and why it’s critical for supporting the horse's natural movement and digestive system.
How to rehabilitate the topline with saddle fit, groundwork, and movement.

If you love this podcast and want more visual demonstration, Ansley’s course on assessing and rehabilitating the topline will be available on EquestrianMasterclass.com on March 4, 2024.

Tempo, Pace, and Rhythm: It’s Not Just Semantics. With Hunter/Eq Judge Rob Van Jacobs Feb 13, 2024

“More impulsion!” Most of us have heard our coaches cry – usually accompanied by a hearty clap or imitation of riding forward. But what does ‘impulsion’ actually mean to you, your trainer, or the judge scoring you?

By listener request, we’re breaking down riding terms that have mystified riders for years. Caroline is joined by Rob Van Jacobs, a USEF “R” Rated judge for hunters and equitation. As a judge, trainer and rider, Rob interprets the differences between rhythm, tempo, pace, and speed not as semantics but as part of a show ring strategy.

Understanding these terms can improve your communication as a rider or trainer, and influence your decisions moving forward. For instance, knowing ‘tempo’ can help you select which show rings your horse can thrive in and offer important considerations for buying horses. We’ll also cover:

Why pace is more helpful than speed in the jumper ring
The difference between natural vs. created impulsion
What “hacking” actually means and how it relates to recovery and fitness
How to make a good first and last impression on a judge (yes, judges do notice if you forget to pet your horse!)

Caroline and Rob also dive into some hot topics like whether or not judges need to have equivalent riding experience to the classes they are judging and where we may need to draw the line on draw-reins.

It’s 4:30 AM and Your Goals are Calling, with Paralympian Amelia White Jan 30, 2024

Amelia White was just 18 years old when she was the victim of a traumatic car accident that changed her entire life. A university student and active eventer, Amelia suddenly found herself out of school, out of the saddle, and in ongoing surgeries. Despite doctors’ best efforts, Amelia was left with a permanent disability that required her to change her goals and aspirations.

In this inspiring episode, Amelia sits down with Caroline and reflects on her journey that took her from lying in a hospital bed, to achieving her Master’s, to trotting down the centerline at the Paralympic Games.

Amelia’s ambition, sense of humor, and dedication are nothing short of extraordinary, and you won’t want to miss her insights on:

How focusing on what you can control can help you through traumatic or difficult times.
Why mental health detriments may come years after an accident.
Her initial resistance to becoming a para-rider.
Why Olympic success does not guarantee an easier path.
How to balance a career with your equestrian ambitions.
What personal sacrifices it takes to make it to the top.

Support our show by supporting our sponsors:

Nikovian - Luxury apparel for equestrians (use code noellefloyd15 at checkout!)

Connaway and Associates - Equine Insurance Services

Equestrian Masterclass - go to equestrianmasterclass.com/voices for $50 off an annual membership!

How to Change a Spooky Horse into a Thinking Horse, with Josh Nichol Jan 16, 2024

There’s no taking the spook out of a horse. As prey animals, horses will always want to run away first. Combine this fact with modern breeding programs that produce lighter, more responsive horses and many of us may find ourselves riding with a pounding heart and sweaty palms, fearing that inevitable spook.

But a spooky horse isn’t a problem; it’s the symptom of a problem that starts with your relationship.

Josh Nichol has helped countless of riders develop healthy partnerships with their horses through his method of Relational Horsemanship™. He joins Caroline for a thought-provoking conversation about how meeting your horse's needs can forge deeper connections, encourage softness, and reduce spooking. They also cover practical and key techniques like:

Meeting your horses’ self-preservation needs with mind, space and pressure.
Encouraging a horse to think with pressure and softness.
Using mindfulness to manage your reactions to your horse.
Recognizing where a horse stores tension in their body.
Understanding the difference between masculine and feminine energy in horse training.
Why doing own own internal work can strengthen our partnerships

Support our shoy by supporting our sponsors: Nikovian - Luxury apparel for equestrians (use code noellefloyd15 at checkout!) Connaway and Associates - Equine Insurance Services Equestrian Masterclass - go to equestrianmasterclass.com/voices for $50 off an annual membership!

Evolve Your Student/Trainer Relationship, with Annette Paterakis Jan 09, 2024

Thinking about all the ways our sport needs to evolve can be overwhelming. When there are so many organizations, individuals, and stakeholders we want to inspire change in. However, evolving the sport doesn’t need to start at the top. It can start with you right now; with your mindset as a rider or trainer.

Annette Paterakis is a mindset coach for equestrians and the author of “Winning Habits – How Elite Equestrians Master the Mental Game.” Annette helps all levels of riders, including Olympians, build confident, consistent, and powerful mindsets and behaviors.

In this episode, Annette and host Caroline speak about the student-trainer relationship and how introspection and vulnerability can move us closer to our goals. They also dive into:

The mental difference between top riders and everyday equestrians (spoiler alert: it’s not as much as you might think!)
What is the student’s responsibility, and what is the trainer’s
Practical tips for getting the most out of the student/trainer relationship (whether you’re the student or the trainer).
How the relationship should shift from ‘parent/child’ model, to ‘adult/adult’ and become more reciprocal
Our most important responsibility as riders

Support our show by supporting our sponsors: Nikovian - Luxury Equestrian Apparel Equestrian Masterclass - Empowering Equestrians Everywhere

Rewind the Year With Us! 5 Favorite Moments of EV from 2023 Dec 26, 2023

It was a record-breaking year for Equestrian Voices, as we won two more awards (W3 Awards) and topped the Goodpods chart. We couldn’t have done it without you, our listeners! From the entire EV team - THANK YOU.

To celebrate this remarkable year, host Caroline Culbertson is rewinding 5 favorite moments of the pod in 2023 with colleague and longtime media friend, Sally Spickard.

Many of you will already know Sally Spickard–you’ve definitely read her content before. Sally has written over 4000 equestrian articles, currently produces Equestrian Masterclasses for NOELLE FLOYD, and is the co-publisher of Eventing Nation.

Sally and Caroline are breaking down our most memorable moments in 2023, including:

How more equestrians can embody athletic identities to match the fitness expectations we have for our horses
How we can merge honoring our horses’ best selves with our own ambitions
What it means to be confident in the saddle, and how self-awareness and self-dialogue can get you there
How we can begin to repair our relationships with our horses and with ourselves

Listening to this recap will ensure you don’t miss some of the most powerful, transformative moments of the year. Not only can these clips uplevel your riding, but they can enhance the way you relate to your horse, yourself and the sport.

Why Michael Pollard Quit the Sport at the Height of His Career Dec 12, 2023

Michael Pollard had what most of us could only dream of - a meteoric rise in the discipline of Eventing (including winning a Pan Am Games team Gold Medal in 2011), a string of talented horses, a strong non-horse business that supported his riding career, and a supportive group of sponsors, friends and family.

But then, to the surprise of many, Michael retired from the sport in 2016, selling all of his horses. He went from spending most of his time training and riding, to not sitting on a horse for several years.

In a strikingly candid conversation, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Michael to get the story behind this difficult decision; the events that led up to it, the immediate aftermath, and how he’s come back to the sport now as not only a different rider, but also a different person.

This special, not-to-be-missed discussion also touches on many taboo, yet common, aspects of horse sport, including:

A frank dialogue about addiction, and how it nearly derailed his entire early riding career
Financial strain of competing, especially at the top level
Addressing the holes in your training
Dealing with the loss of a horse (and in Michael’s case, multiple horses at once in a devastating trailer accident)
Balancing riding with family, and the tough calls that are made along the way
How to allow yourself to be OK with changing paths while deciding what truly matters in your life
Why taking a break from horses doesn’t have to be a thing you avoid doing at all costs
3 little things to do if you’re getting back into riding after a break

Why a Hot Bran Mash Doesn’t Keep Your Horse Warm, and other Blanketing Myths Busted with Dr. DeBoer Nov 29, 2023

As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, the time comes once more for the biggest decision of the winter: Do you blanket your horse, or not? And, which one? (Heavy, medium, medium-light, neck or no neck?!)

Some riders put a sheet on at the slightest sign of a chill, while others keep their horses bare regardless of outside conditions. And of course, there are the temperature charts that pop up each year, which are meant to apply hard and fast rules to blanketing, but never actually seem to.

In this episode of Equestrian Voices, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Dr. Michelle DeBoer of the University of Wisconsin, who has a PhD in Animal Science and whose research delves into this singular question of horse ownership.

In their extremely informative discussion, they discuss all things blanketing, and some of the ancillary topics blanketing invariably brings up, including:

Thermoregulation, and how horses use it to keep themselves warm (and how clipping alters that process)
Why thinking that if you’re cold, then your horse is also cold, is incorrect
How breeds, body size, and age should affect your blanketing choices
Why a hot bran mash doesn’t actually help keep our horses warm (though it does warm our hearts!)
Whether or not blanketing early in the season means you have to continue to blanket all season
What outside factors to take into consideration when thinking about blanketing besides just the weather

To learn more about Dr. DeBoer's work, check out her Equine PhD page. You can read a summary of the Norway study referenced in this episode here.

Can We Help Horses Heal from Trauma and Grief? Using Physical Touch to Heal Emotional Wounds with Good Shepherd Gabriel Nov 14, 2023

Horses are well known for their power to heal. The positive feelings we have after spending time with our horses are, after all, one of the main reasons why we ride, and equine therapy is used to treat a wide range of physical and mental health challenges.

How often, though, do we think about the flip side of the coin - how do our actions help, or hinder, our horses’ mental and emotional well being? How can we as horse lovers be more in tune with the spiritual needs of our partners, and show up for them in a state that disrupts their natural way of being as little as possible? How can modalities like bodywrok help our horses heal when they need it?

This week, host Caroline Culberston sits down with Gabriel Gandzjuk, better known as Good Shepherd Gabriel, to discuss his work healing horses with both mental and physical injuries in their lives mainly through shiatsu massage and acupressure. Their deep conversation also delves into:

What “healing for horses” means, both physically and mentally
How horses process touch, and how it figures into his work
The ways in which horses process grief, and how we can support our horses when they experience it
Pain and stress behaviors in horses from the perspective of a practitioner who grew up outside of the horse world and didn’t come to them until adulthood
How you can support your horse spiritually, physically, and emotionally

Changing Your Goals, Finding a New Horse, and “My-horse-itis” with Chelsea Canedy Oct 31, 2023

You’ve just left the barn after another frustrating lesson, and you don’t know what to do. You know that your horse is more than capable of achieving the goals you’ve set for your riding, but in your heart, you also don’t feel like your horse is having fun in the process. How do you go about deciding when it’s time for a new direction for both you and your horse? What are the feelings that come up during the process, and once the decision is made, how do you move forward with a new partnership?

In our latest Equestrian Voices episode, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Equestrian Masterclass instructor Chelsea Canedy to talk about all of this and more, as Chelsea shares her first hand experience of selling her long time partner, Albert, and transitioning to a new (and very different) mare, Lila. They also discuss:

Evaluating your goals as a rider
Deciding whether or not those goals line up what your horse enjoys doing
Getting a handle on your ego as it relates to your partnership with a horse (new or otherwise)
Finding your own, unique joy as a rider
Integrating a new horse into your life
The emotions wrapped up in purchasing a new horse, and selling an old one

If this episode resonates with you, Chelsea Canedy has a new Equestrian Masterclass training program available now that walks you through the first 30 days with a new horse, or gives you tools for a "relationship reset". Go to www.equestrianmasterclass.com/newhorse to purchase the bundle for $27.

Is the Forward Seat Still Relevant? Peter Wylde on Rider Style, Feel, and Evolution of Position Oct 10, 2023

Americans are known for their smooth, forward positions on the horse, so much so that it became known as the ‘American Forward Seat’. But how has it evolved over the years as our light, sensitive Thoroughbreds have blended with the heavier horses of Europe? Does it still provide the same effective foundation today as it did before, or is it less relevant today?

In this episode, Caroline sits down with Olympic Gold Medalist and former top show jumping rider, Peter Wylde. Peter, whose depth and breadth of experience also includes coaching top eventing like Boyd Martin and Liz Halliday Sharp, digs into all of the above questions, and so much more. The amount of knowledge covered in this special episode is truly astounding, and includes topics such as:

How the American “Forward Seat” originated, and how it’s blended with the European style of riding to create a more modern, effective version
The effects of globalization of the sport on rider position
Why modern course design has had a direct impact on how riders position themselves in the saddle
A list of riders who Peter believe are excellent riders to study and emulate
Defining what “riding style” actually means and encompasses
The role that confidence plays in developing (and keeping) a positive riding style
The differences in both environment and rider culture between top 3 Day Eventing and Show Jumping competitions.
The nuances of coaching elite level riders

It’s worth noting that if you like what you hear, Peter Wylde has an Equestrian Masterclass available now that’s all about how to become an effective, smooth rider. You can get $50 off an annual membership by going to www.equestrianmasterclass.com/voices

Support our show by supporting our sponsors!

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What It’s Really Like to Run a Horse Rescue (All Seated in a Barn & Storeybrook Farm) Sep 26, 2023

We’ve all seen the pictures: the emaciated horse who looks ancient, but in actuality is in their prime, their coat dirty and their eyes dull. We’ve all also had the desire to just hook up our trailer (or commandeer one) and take them home to a better life.

Unfortunately, few of us have the resources or the means to follow through on that impulse - so how do we go about helping all of the horses who are in dire need? And what are the lives like of the people who do follow through and take the one (or in one of our guest’s case…more than one) horses back home - what do they want everyone to know about their lives and organizations? What do they really need from us to succeed and keep their doors open?

In this episode of Equestrian Voices, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Tahlia Fischer from All Seated in a Barn and Olivia Alcorta from Storeybrook Farm.

In their candid, heartfelt, conversation, Caroline and her guests discuss many of the seen (and unseen) aspects of the horse rescue world, including:

How they came to each run horse rescues.
The common misconceptions about rescues that people carry with them.
The day to day reality of what it takes
What horse rescues can (and cannot) provide for the horses they receive.
An open kimono discussion about vet bills, and the overall costs of running an organization that regularly brings horses back from the brink.
Most importantly, how you can best help these critically important organizations in their work.

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Equestrian Masterclass - Empowering equestrians everywhere. #1 in digital equestrian eduction in North America. Go here for $50 off an annual membership.

Why Doesn’t Riding Have An Athletic Culture? Embracing Rider Wellness with Ifa Simmonds Sep 12, 2023

When you go to a horse show, you can see riders diligently warming up their horses prior to competition, making sure their partner is both mentally and physically ready for the task ahead. But you rarely (if ever) see those same riders warming themselves up before they mount up, making sure they are just as prepared. Why is there such a vast disconnect between horse preparation and wellness and rider self-care, and how is it affecting our sport?

On today’s podcast, Caroline is joined by Ifa Simmonds of Ifa Fit. Ifa’s Equestrian Fitness Academy (EFA) is a holistic online program with categorized fitness training, nutrition, and mindset programs geared to improve riders from the inside out. The program's signature system helps riders in the 4 pillars equestrians often look to improve upon (Stability, Suppleness, Strength & Stamina). He also believes in a holistic approach to fitness - not just lunges and crunches.

In their wide-reaching, thoughtful discussion, Caroline and Ifa touch on many topics around fitness and wellness in the equestrian world, including:

What it truly means to be an “Athlete” - and how to determine if you are one (or not)
If there is an Athlete’s Culture in equestrian sport (or not)
The concept of “wellness” and what it fully means
Consistency, and how to use it effectively
The difference between intention and action, and how it affects our riding
Habits, and how early adoption can help ingrain helpful ones (and not-so-helpful ones!)
Trigger warning - body weight, and how Ifa feels it does or doesn’t correlate to performance
Rest, recovery, and how to think about both as part of your overall performance and fitness

Amy Skinner: “If you don’t understand pressure, you’ll be forced to overuse it.” Aug 29, 2023

There are many ideas about what good training looks like with horses. We imagine a well-trained horse as one who is able to perform its job at a high level, and view subsequent competition results as a validation of correctness. But what if that same horse can’t be mounted without being held, or has trouble loading onto/unloading off the trailer? Can we still say the horse is well trained if it’s not able to navigate the world around it with confidence?

These questions, and so many more, are explored in our latest podcast episode, where Caroline sits down with Amy Skinner of Amy Skinner Horsemanship to dig into what “good training”, pressure, and horsemanship means in the equestrian industry.

Amy Skinner is a highly sought after trainer and rider who gives clinics around the country, as well as being the author of two books around her training methods and unique background in the sport. She specializes in “problem” horses and helping horses and riders find better connections. Centering her philosophy around Classical Dressage and postural rehabilitation, Amy is a unique voice with deep insights into horses, training, and life in general. In their intimate (and funny) conversation, Caroline and Amy discuss a wide variety of topics, including:

The concept of “pressure” and how it plays into the lives of both horses and humans
Why competition results aren’t always the best litmus test for good training
Where we fall short in training our horses, and how we can become more self aware of our own gaps
Appropriate training levels for young horses, and why our hyper competitive space can break horses down early
The concept of a training “bank account”, and how our actions either pull from it, or deposit into it
Why horses who are trained solely through pressure and pain responses will never be truly safe.

Understand Your Competitive Drive So That It Doesn’t Work Against You (Or Your Horse) Aug 08, 2023

For most of us, competition is a large part of why we choose to ride, and also for most of us, we allow this drive to steer our behavior without really giving it too much thought.

But science shows that our competitive drive is not a mystery. In fact, learning about this powerful force behind our motivation can help us shape it towards positive, growth-minded outcomes, and avoid the potential negative consequences it can also bring.

In our latest episode of Equestrian Voices, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Dr. Stephen Garcia, a professor in the Graduate School of Management at UC Davis and an expert on the psychology of competition, judgment, and decision-making. They discuss:

Why you feel competitive with some people, and not with others.
What to know about your own competitiveness when you’re involving another party (in our case, the horse) to reach your own goals.
Why some high performing athletes are also some of the most arrogant ones
Growth Mindset, and how it can be a positive force when paired with a competitive drive
Looking at those who outperform you with admiration sometimes, and other times with envy (and the potential outcomes of each viewpoint)

4 Ideas to Make Show Jumping More Engaging (and Why That Matters) Jul 25, 2023

While many riders need no excuse to tune into a livestream to watch the top show jumping athletes of our day duke it out at the FEI level, there are a lot of people who consider themselves sports enthusiasts who are nonetheless pretty lost when they try to watch the upper levels of the sport. Let’s not even start on how many of our friends and family would politely decline an invitation to a 5* Grand Prix viewing party. They would rather spend the weekend watching a football or basketball game - two sports of many that draw far more eyeballs and dollars despite (in our opinion) not being half as exciting to watch. So what’s the disconnect between the top levels of FEI show jumping and the meager sponsorship and viewership that it rakes in? In this podcast, sport scientist Dr. Tim Worden and grand prix rider Sean Jobin – both of whom have an interest in the sport’s long term health and future – bring forth their 4 ideas for bringing in more funding for the top showjumping competitions, as well as more people viewing them.

In this podcast, Caroline, Sean, and Dr. Worden discuss:

Proposed updates to the FEI ranking system, and why they would benefit horses, riders, and spectators
Making horse purchase prices available to the public, and why it would increase interest in watching them go
How better analytics could engage new fans of the sport
Updating the current FEI class structure (and why the current structure might not be the best for the sport in the long run)
Why it matters that show jumping become more interesting for the fans that watch it
The challenges that come with prize money not increasing in proportion to the expense of the sport

What do you think? Email us - info@noellefloyd.com, DM us on social, or call us and leave us a voicemail: +1 (236) 428-7868‬

“Age Is Not A Disease”: Considerations for Caring for Aging Horses with Dr. Katie Sheats Jul 11, 2023

There are stereotypes for just about everything when it comes to the horse world, and aging horses are no exception. We picture a hard keeper becoming increasingly thin over time, or maybe we imagine a recently retired athlete going out to a big pasture with a herd of other horses and immediately feeling content. But just like with every stereotype, these perceptions do not tell the full story, and can actually be harmful in the long run to our equine partners.

In this episode, we dive into all things Golden Oldies. We aim to clarify the physiology behind the equine aging process, and debunk some common myths in the process (spoiler alert - not all old horses struggle with weight loss!).

Our guest this week is Dr. Katie Sheats, an assistant professor of Equine Primary Care and a specialist in Equine Internal Medicine at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to specializing in the care of older horses, Dr. Sheets also owns two senior horses in their 30s who live in her backyard. In short, she has an immense amount of both clinical and real-world experience when it comes to this topic, and she has an accordingly vast amount of knowledge to share.

Here are just a few of the topics Caroline and Dr. Sheats discuss in this week’s episode:

What causes aging in horses? It’s more than just the passing of time...
How weight plays into horse health as they age
How teeth condition and gut health factors in older horses
Tips and tricks for good preventative care
Common chronic illnesses in older horses (and how you can get the jump on them far before your horses turn Sr.)
Arthritic and orthopedic issues in older horses
Deciding when to retire your horse, and what that retirement might look like for them (it’s not always just a big field and no work!)
How to navigate the difficult decisions and conversations that one must face as horses near the end of their life

The Horses, Breeding, and Evolution of Show Jumping with Helena Stormanns Jun 27, 2023

There’s no question that the show jumping horses of today are different from the horses of 30, even 20 years ago. As courses continue to get increasingly technical and fast, breeders are producing increasingly athletic horses to match…or is it that cause/effect relationship the other way around?

And what about the horses who are bred to jump 1.60, but either through a bad start or through genetics (or both), never reach that level - can a horse bred for a top Olympian still be rideable enough for the everyday amateur?

To help us answer these questions (and so many more), we turn to Helena Stormanns, one of show jumping’s most respected coaches, horse-rider matchmakers, and breeders who was a top rider herself.

In addition to talking about show jumping breeding today, and how it’s changed from the breeding of yesterday, Helena and Caroline also dive into:

How Helena thinks about breeding for, or selecting horses for, the elite pro versus the amateur rider
Show jumping stallions and breeding lines that Helena personally loves, some proven and some quite new
New horse-rider partnerships, from the POV of both the rider and the horse
Bits, and how they factor into developing a young horse
Why no one is doing enough flatwork
Helena’s views on The Olympics and the role BigEq plays in developing riders for top levels of show jumping sport
Why buying a horse “off the rack” is never the good idea it can sometimes appear to be

Symmetry, Strength, and Optimizing the Rider's Seat Jun 13, 2023

There’s so much more to your seat and symmetry in the saddle than meets the eye. It’s not just about good equitation or looking pretty in the saddle. Your horse’s health, musculature, and soundness are profoundly impacted by your balance while you ride.

Also, it’s just plain miserable to constantly be fighting your own position while you ride. If you’re constantly focusing on just turning your toes in, or not falling off the left side of your horse, there’s little hope to be effective and clear with your aids, thereby growing your partnership with your horse.

But, here on Equestrian Voices, we have good news! One, there’s a lot you can do out of the saddle to fix position issues that you’re having in the saddle. (Yes, in this regard, you truly can become a better rider from your living room!) Two, most problems with seat and position come down to 3 main symmetry issues, and we talk all about them in this ep.

We’ve turned to Maeve Sheridan MCSP, owner/operator of Activate Your Seat. Maeve is a highly specialized physiotherapist - for both people AND horses - with over 20 years of experience treating musculoskeletal disorders and sports injuries.

Caroline and Maeve tackle:

The three main symmetry issues (front to back, side to side, and rotational) and how they manifest both in and out of the saddle
How asymmetry in the saddle greatly affects your horse (and how it can sometimes lead to injury)
The main muscles involved in producing symmetry in your own body - spoiler alert, it’s not your core.
Basic exercises you can do out of the saddle to strengthen your sense of symmetry in the saddle
How your own anatomy affects body position in the saddle (all rider’s who turn out their toes, this is for you..)
How saddle fit and design helps (or hurts) how symmetrical you can be in the tack

You can also check out Maeve’s instagram account for more exercises and information on how to strengthen your own seat.

Asking the Hard Questions: A Conversation with Noëlle Floyd May 30, 2023

If you’re listening to this podcast, then you probably know the name of the company producing it: Noëlle Floyd. What you might not know, though, is that this is also the name of our CEO and Founder. Noëlle started her namesake business as a personal blog meant to detail her career and experiences in the world of show jumping, and since then it’s become what you know today - a hub for media, discussion, and education, now in its 11th year.

Caroline Culbertson sat down with Noëlle to talk about the evolution of the industry and sport as she sees it, and the hard questions she’s had to ask herself along the way. This special behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of Noëlle Floyd also dives into:

Noëlle’s experience as a working professional in the show jumping world
What she learned when she stepped away from being on the competition "hamster wheel"
How the tone has shifted in the horse world (mostly for the better)
The concept of “social license” and how it fits into the equestrian space
The role and responsibility of the media in horse sport
A candid conversation about grief
The balance of life and horses, and how to navigate that tension

Deep Dive: Understanding Kissing Spines May 09, 2023

Your horse is cold backed and unpredictable at the mounting block. Under saddle, he goes around inverted, and can sometimes even kick out or spook suddenly. One of your friends casually says, “Maybe he has Kissing Spines,” and your heart skips - you’ve heard of it before, and know that it’s definitely not good.

Kissing Spines disease in horses has been increasingly diagnosed in recent years, and can even be a reason why some people pass on a horse during a pre purchase exam - but we know more about diagnosing, treating, and managing this condition than we ever have. In this conversation, Dr. Kara Brown helps us break down the in/outs of this disease, as well as what you should be worried about (and what you shouldn’t) if your horse is diagnosed with it.

Along with listener questions, Caroline and Dr. Brown discuss:

The anatomy of the back, and how it relates to Kissing Spines
What we know (and don’t) about what causes this condition
The grading system vets use to assess severity
How to properly palpate your horse’s back
The best (and most recent) diagnosis methods
Surgical and non-surgical treatment options
Longer-term management and strengthening methods

The book referenced with regard to rehabilitation and strengthening: Activate Your Horse’s Core by Hilary Clayton and Narelle Stubbs

A bit about Kara Brown, VMD, DACVSMR: Dr. Brown attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania and completed specialty training (including a fellowship in Large Animal Cardiology and Ultrasound and residency in Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation) at the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center. She is also a diplomate of the American College of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and will be joining the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in July. She has a special interest in complex poor performance in the sport horse, and has published research on varied topics within this subject.

Bitting Roundtable: Liza Towell Boyd, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Betsy Steiner, and Stephanie Brown-Beamer Apr 25, 2023

If you’re a regular to the Equestrian Voices podcast, you know that bitting is a subject we return to time and again. This is because bits have such a dramatic impact on a horse’s happiness and performance - and it’s an area we still have so much to learn about!

So we decided to come back to this topic, this time bringing together top professionals from the Hunter/Jumper, Eventing, and Dressage disciplines to discuss how their ideas about bits and bitting developed over the course of their careers, and to see if there were any common threads between disciplines that could shed some new light on how to approach bitting for our own horses.

During this roundtable, our four special guests also focused on how bitting differs (and is more often the same) between different areas of our industry, as well as misconceptions/pitfalls for each specific concentration. We also talk about how education plays such a huge role in choosing bits for our equine partners, and where we might be falling short as an industry in that area. GUESTS: Liza Towell Boyd

Liz Halliday-Sharp

Betsy Steiner

Stephanie Brown-Beamer

Additional resources:

[LISTEN]Bits, Behaviors and Teeth: Misconceptions About Your Horse’s Mouth
[LISTEN]What’s Your Horse Trying to Tell You About His Bit? (Part 1) (Part 2)
If you want to do some more exploration on your own, head to the Nueu Schule Knowledge Base (not sponsored) and nerd out on the topic of bits and bitting. Your horse will appreciate it!

(Part 2) Creating Openness and Growth in the Horse/Rider Relationship Apr 11, 2023

When it comes to riding, more often than not the focus is placed on the horse - what are they doing, how are they feeling, what can we improve with them, etc. But we all know that the horse is only 50% of the equation - the other 50%? You: the rider. So why does it always feel like focusing on yourself, especially out of the saddle, is somehow selfish or irrelevant in terms of your time and effort? In the second of this two-part podcast, host Caroline Culbertson continues her conversation with Dr. Paul and Justin Haefner of Riding Far LLC to discuss the human part of the equation. Specifically, how being self-actualized and self-regulating can have a wildly positive influence on how our horses respond to us (and their environment) both on the ground and while being ridden.

During this continued conversation, Caroline, Dr. Paul, and Justin also discuss:

Why investing in yourself as a self actualized person is also an investment in your riding.
The mix of patience and process in the horse/rider relationship.
How truly powerful it can be when a trainer claims both their place and their competence in the larger industry.
The way in which disintegration can exacerbate moments of fear or tension in the saddle, and how to overcome it.
The Polyvagal Theory (we’re getting very technical and we love it!) and how it applies to riding.
The difference between a “brilliant” horse and a horse that just doesn’t self regulate very well.
How a horse’s job is more than what it does in the ring, and why that’s important to keep in mind.
Why every rider has a responsibility to be aware of their ability (and their horse’s ability!) to self regulate in a given situation.

Creating Openness and Growth in the Trainer/Student Relationship (Part 1) Mar 28, 2023

If you’ve ever taken a riding lesson, you know that it goes something like this: Your trainer stands in the middle of the ring giving you instructions, and you’re on the horse trying your darndest to follow those instructions precisely.

It works… kinda. But bridging that gap between your trainer’s instructions and feeling/understanding can be challenging. Additionally, it can put the rider in a mindset of listening to the instructor which can, in turn, tune out the horse. So why does it continue to be pretty much the exclusive teaching method? Is there more to know when it comes to developing an effective back and forth between trainer and student?

In the first of this two-part podcast, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Paul and Justin Haefner of Riding Far LLC to discuss the many aspects of the student/trainer relationship, and how it can potentially change for the better into something more dynamic and fluid.

Paul Haefner, PhD. is a licensed clinical and sport psychologist with more than 30 years of professional experience. His son Justin Haefner is a professional trainer who comes from a background in vaquero style natural horsemanship and specializes in the training and handling of young performance horses. Together, Dr. Paul and Justin help people create powerful opportunities for riders to transform their relationships with themselves and their horse in large and small ways.

During this powerful conversation, Caroline and our guests discuss:

The difference between knowing your subject matter and effectively teaching it.
Why it's important to be aware of the many sensory inputs you experience while riding.
Why understanding learning styles (and having trainers understand them, too!) can play such an important part in rider development.
The gap between seeing a skill and experiencing a skill, and how to bridge it.
Teaching “feel”, and why it’s critical to develop this skill sooner than later.
The difference between doing something successfully and doing something well.
Why the “Mean Trainer” should be a thing of the past.
How trainers can think about their students seeking education outside of their barn.

Do We Need More Toughness, or More Softness? With JJ Tate Mar 14, 2023

Most riders desire to develop a horse who is a happy, willing participant in whatever task or discipline they’ve set out towards. But where the training narrative used to revolve around making sure the horse knows who’s the boss, newer methods value give and take and making sure your horse is heard in the conversation.

The balance of toughness vs softness in riding has never been more at the forefront of discussion. We want our horses to respect boundaries and listen to our requests (especially for safety’s sake!). We also want our horses to learn from a place of mutual respect and understanding, not fear and retribution. The line isn’t always an easy one to walk, especially when preparing a horse for a results-focused competition.

To help walk us through this landscape, we talk with top International Grand Prix Dressage rider JJ Tate. JJ has been competing at the highest levels since her junior years and has vowed to herself to train without shortcuts, with integrity and principles that are aligned with how horses think, move, and learn. She runs a USDF University Accredited online program called Team Tate Academy so anyone can access her expertise regardless of where they live, and was also mentored by the great Charles de Kunffy (she shares with us some of the wisdom she’s learned from him along the way, which is particularly special).

In this broader conversation, JJ and host Caroline Culbertson discuss hardness and softness in training, and why it’s possible (maybe even necessary) to have both. They also dive into:

The concept of “rider merit,” and how it should be assessed beyond just the competitive accolades a rider achieves
What is “horse sport” really about, and what universal qualities does it share with other sports?
Riding as character growth for both horse and rider
The sort of rider you need to become to have the horse volunteer for you, and why it’s something we should all strive for
How science is backing up the classical methods that have always worked
Why being clear with your horse is actually in the long run being kind
The “Growth Mindset” and how to achieve it as a rider
How methods of horse training in the EU differ from methods in the US, and how both have their strengths and weaknesses

Archie Cox on Generational Knowledge, Tradition, and Trainer Responsibility Feb 28, 2023

You hear it all the time: “Young riders today don’t know about horsemanship.” “Kids today just want to get on and ride.” “There are no more barn rats.” These complaints point to a larger potential issue of losing generational knowledge. Is it something we, as horsepeople, should be concerned about?

To help us answer this question, we turned to Archie Cox, owner and head trainer at Brookway Stables. Along the way, our broad conversation covered a lot of ground that should hopefully make us all feel a little better about the future, and a little more empowered about how we can all become better horsemen.

Archie has been immersed in the horse world his entire life, and has operated Brookway Stables for 23 years. During that time, he’s coached numerous horses and riders to national titles and wins at the biggest shows in the country, and remarkably through it all, he’s kept the same manager, farrier, and vet. His daily routine revolves around starting early (as in 3am!), staying consistent, and keeping things simple - all of which he says contributes to his amazing success in the industry.

In the conversation, host Caroline Culbertson and Archie discuss:

Whether riders in 2023 know as much about horse management as riders in 1983
The role of “tradition” and its connection to safety and function
How passion acts as the driving force for those who seek out knowledge
Social media, and why it’s such an important tool in horse education
Archie’s two C’s: Consistency and Curiosity
How to find your “flavor” of riding, and why the industry needs all types of riders
The responsibility of trainers in teaching horse management as well as riding

What Makes a Good Vet (& How to Be a Good Client) Feb 14, 2023

Vets are one of the unsung heroes of horse sport. Horses are unfailingly creative (and effective) at hurting themselves; from a mystery lameness to a sudden colic to every type of laceration you could dream up, a day that goes by without some sort of injury is a good day by default.

Because of this, having access to a good vet is a critical part of horse ownership, but the criteria for what makes someone a “good” vet is cloudy at best. How responsive and available should your vet be? What sort of equipment should they use? Is it better to work with one vet, or a team of several, and how do you go about putting that team together? And just how late is too late to text them?

In this episode, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with equine veterinarian Dr. Lauren Schnabel (who is, by all accounts, a Good Vet) to try to get some clear answers to these questions.

Dr. Schnabel is the Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NC State University, and has over 20 years of equine clinical experience, and over 15 years of both equine and human research in the field of Sports Medicine.

They discuss:

How important are credentials? Hands-on experience? Personality/bedside manner? What else?
Rules of communication for the client/vet relationship
Questions to ask when screening a new vet
How to handle mistakes when they happen
The steps to creating a good “team” for your horse, and who should lead that team
The best way to break up with your vet, should that step need to be taken
How important equipment and diagnostic tools are when choosing a vet
What if a vet has a troubling “red flag” in their past?

Let’s Talk About That Helmet Study Jan 31, 2023

If you ride horses and have been on the internet in the past two months, chances are good you’ve heard about “that” helmet study -- specifically, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab’s Equestrian STAR Helmet Rating Project.

On the plus side, we learned that a fancy helmet wasn’t necessarily any safer than a basic, no frills (and much less expensive) helmet when it comes to protecting against brain injury and concussion. On the not so plus side, many of us suddenly found ourselves with lower scoring helmets and no clue what to do next.

We had questions that we hadn’t seen answered yet - not just about the study and its findings, but about helmets in general. Host Caroline Culbertson sat down with Dr. Barry Miller and Sydney Moriarity to tackle things like:

What should the average rider take away from this study? How do riding helmets compare to helmets in other sports? What does Sydney, a rider herself, make of these findings and how could it inform our helmet shopping approach? What about helmets for different disciplines and levels? (Yes, there are differences!) Dr. Miller joined the VA Tech Helmet lab in 2018 as their Director of Outreach and Business, and was a part of the study from start to finish. Sydney Moriarty received her BS degree in Neuroscience from VA Tech and brought her first hand, practical experience to the table as an accomplished rider in the Hunter/Jumper discipline.

In this discussion, we also dive into:

The study’s methodology, and what the STAR rating means
What was so surprising about some of the outcomes
High Energy Impact vs Low Energy Impact falls, and why each type plays a huge role in helmet construction and safety
How hair length and style plays into helmet fit and safety (spoiler alert, long hair is ok!)
Why you probably shouldn’t put your helmet in the dishwasher…
How helmet companies are responding to the study, and what next steps for the sport might be

If you would like to see the full study, including the methodology, please head to the official Equestrian STAR Helmet Rating Project results and documentation page. Here’s a summary of how the final Equestrian STAR Ratings was determined by Dr. Stefan Duma.

Riding from the Inside, Out and Understanding Confidence with John Haime Jan 10, 2023

Mindset Check! Welcome to 2023. We're kicking off with a mindset conversation because even if you're riding less in the cold, dreary month of January, you can still be doing major work to improve your riding. This conversation will inspire you to pour some time, effort, and energy into yourself, not just your horse. (If you, perhaps, would like some equestrian-specific mindset coaching, EquestrianMasterclass.com offers courses on consistency, fear, and more.)

Today we speak with human performance coach and author of Ride Big, John Haime. John is a former pro golfer turned corpororate executive and athlete coach who has an interesting bird's eye view on equestrian sport. As he began to coach riders following a serendipitous request from an executive he was working with, he realized that equestrians frequently struggle with confidence. In this conversation, host Caroline Culbertson and John discuss: - John's take about the unique challenges riders face versus other athletes - An explanation of confidence - what it is, where it comes from - The reason you shouldn't say you "lost your confidence" - Why "fake it til you make it" doesn't work, and much more.

5 Listener-Chosen Moments - Rewinding the Year of Equestrian Voices Dec 27, 2022

That’s a wrap on 2022! In this episode, two Equestrian Voices listeners join Caroline to count down 5 of their favorite clips and moments from the pod this year.

We can’t wait to learn, question, discuss, and celebrate more with you in 2023! Happy New Year!

(Part 2) Is Saddle Fit a Bigger Deal Than We Think? Dec 13, 2022

As promised, we’re back with Part 2 of Caroline’s conversation with Amanda Anderson of Saddlefitting.us. We know many of you have been eagerly awaiting the rest of this chat, so let’s dive right into the good stuff.

In this episode, host Caroline Culbertson and Amanda discuss:

When it may be warranted to stay off your horse entirely (a hard truth, we know)
A case for checking your horse daily - including your saddle
Why it shouldn’t be considered “normal” for a horse to have one “good” direction and one “bad” direction.
The balance between saddle fit evaluations in the crossties versus under saddle with the rider up
Half pad choice and how it can make or break saddle fit
Sweat marks - good for evaluating saddle fit or no?
How often to have saddle fit checked
And more.

Is Saddle Fit a Bigger Deal Than We Think? (Part 1) Nov 29, 2022

Are we collectively aware of how profoundly saddle fit can affect our horses?

As today’s Equestrian Voices episode guest would argue, probably not.

Saddle fit can cause real (and, as far as we know, potentially irreversible) damage to your horse’s body. That’s the bad news.

The good news is, a well-fitting saddle doesn't have to be expensive or complicated - it just has to respect the horse's anatomy. And (for some this might feel like a relief, and for others it might be a point of worry) it has a lot more to do with the rider than most of us account for. That’s right - one of the most important parts of saddle fit is how you ride. Eeeek!

Amanda Anderson of Saddlefitting.US has a unique combination of experience, certification and degrees in human and equine anatomy, bodywork, saddle fitting, and even traditional chinese medicine that have led her into a career of thinking critically (and outside the box) about saddle fit as it relates to equine wellbeing and performance.

In this episode, host Caroline Culbertson and Amanda discuss:

What can we learn about saddle fit from equine necropsies
The biggest problem with today's saddle market and saddle fitting approaches
A couple of signs you can look for in your own horse that indicate scapular restriction as well as a way to test it
Why a saddle fitting program that respects the horse’s anatomy is usually very simple and doesn’t require a bunch of fancy half pads and gadgets
How poorly fitting saddles and girths can be directly counterproductive to what we're asking the horse to do
Why the rider is the most important part of saddle fit

A Chat About Travel Stress in Horses, with Dr. Kevin Keane Nov 08, 2022

Before you hit the road with your horse again, give this ep a listen. Your horse will thank you.

Travel can be stressful on your horse and, in some cases, even harmful for his health. For the humans, traveling with our horses can be daunting because there are lots of elements you can’t control (traffic, how well your horse eats or drinks on the trailer, weather, accidents, etc.).

Never fear. The thrill of those early-morning trailer trips to your favorite destination can still be yours, because there’s actually a lot that you can control and can do to help your horse fare as well as possible.

Today’s guest is an extremely experienced traveler with horses both as a veterinarian and as a rider. Kevin Keane, DVM has the unique perspective of being both a 5* three day eventing athlete as well as an equine veterinarian for over 40 years. Dr. Keane has served as the team veterinarian for the US show jumping team, the Australian eventing team, and the Ecuadorian eventing team. He has a number of olympic caliber clients and has his own practice in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In this episode, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Dr. Keane for a mix of information and practical tips that he’s gleaned from veterinary science but also his own years of experience. A few of the topics they discuss:

The horse’s immune system and how travel affects it
Shipping fever and respiratory concerns while traveling
What you need to know about hydration and caloric intake while traveling
The horse’s experience in the back of a trailer (hint: it’s loud, and a lot of work for them to balance!)
How the horses’ dispositions and prior travel experiences come into play
Thoughts on shipping boots, wraps, tail wraps, and trailer configurations

A Dressage Queen and a Cowboy: Kasey Perry-Glass and Dana Glass Oct 25, 2022

Kasey Perry-Glass and Dana Glass may be married and in business together, but their backgrounds in horses couldn’t be more different. But, that’s what makes them interesting – and what makes their business work. In fact, it’s almost like their secret weapon.

What can dressage and horsemanship learn from each other? How did they decide to integrate their businesses together, and how does it work? How did they meet, in the first place?

Today on Equestrian Voices, Caroline Culbertson sits down first with Kasey to dive into some dressage-related fan questions, and then with the couple together, to chat training progress, rider fear, differing philosophies, and why you’ll never catch Dana on the back of Kasey’s Olympic mount, Dublet.

They discuss:

Tips from Kasey on: the sitting trot, downward transitions, and working through tension with an OTTB
Competitive dressage versus classical dressage, and why they need to become one in the same (or at least more similar than they are now)
How to handle tough moments with your horse when you feel like you should get off (they’ve got differing views on this!)
What it’s like when they ride each others’ horses
How when you’ve achieved great things like winning a bronze medal at the Olympics or a silver medal at the WEG, your business still isn’t necessarily “made”
And more

Understanding Trauma + Therapy Through A Rider’s Experience Oct 11, 2022

If you’re in the horse world long enough, you or someone you know will probably experience trauma. For almost all of us, it has been – or will be – a part of life and the horse world is no exception. And horse people are really, really good at trying to ignore it or “tough it out”.

Many of us can miss the signs of it or feel confused about why we’re feeling overwhelmed, or irritable, or can’t sleep, or just don’t feel like ourselves. Horse people value grit and toughness and think that means ignoring those feelings and signs. But here’s the thing: healing from trauma will improve your experience as a rider… and as a human.

What is trauma? Where do we begin?

In this episode host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Lisa Weiss, LCSW, and Meredith Varie, an amateur hunter-jumper rider. Through the lens of Meredith’s experience, we explore:

What trauma is and how it affects the brain
The symptoms of trauma to look out for
Meredith’s experience with trauma evolving into more complex and very concerning symptoms
Why we can’t rely on white-knuckling our way through trauma
Talk therapy vs EMDR for trauma
What happens in a therapy session, how to get started, and how to break up with your therapist if it’s not working out
How medication can factor into the equation (sometimes, but not always)

Note: if you’re looking for therapy and need help navigating the process, MiResource is an excellent place to start. Founded by an equestrian, too! If you or someone you know is in crisis, please go to https://988lifeline.org/

All About the Flying Change with Shannon Dueck Sep 27, 2022

Have you ever whispered a silent prayer to the flying change gods to please let this change be clean? Have you ever felt a twinge of temptation to throw your weight to get the change, or pull on the inside rein?

Flying changes don’t have to be dependent on luck (although luck always helps) – but many of us don’t understand the flying change as deeply as we could.

There’s a LOT to know about the flying change and this in-depth dissection will help you understand, train, and execute the change better – whether you’re a dressage rider, jumper rider, eventer, western rider or beyond. International dressage rider and competitor Shannon Dueck is here to take us to the school of flying lead changes.

In this episode, Shannon and host Caroline Culbertson dive into:

How changes differ between the disciplines
The prerequisites both the horse and rider must have before starting flying changes
How to introduce them
What exactly are the horses’ legs doing in a flying change, anyway?
A good flying change vs a great one
How should it feel? How should you sit? What’s the correct timing of the aid?
How to get a change you can RELY on
A great canter exercise to build the canter that you need for a good change

Staying Focused on What Matters with Young Horses, w/ Piggy March Sep 20, 2022

What do you need to focus on in those 3- and 4-year old years? How do you cope with the pressure to “not mess up” a young horse? What matters most in the early years for a horse? Top British eventer Piggy March has an FEI record the length of a novel and has had many illustrious wins to her name including Badminton, Burghley, the European Eventing Championships and the World Equestrian Games, to name a few. But she knows that there are millions of moments, steps, and decisions in a horse’s life before their name will ever be painted across a leaderboard, and she’s one of Britain’s most respected producers of young event horses. Today on Equestrian Voices, Piggy joins host Caroline Culbertson to give a peek inside her program and philosophies with young horses. They discuss: Exactly how they go about the initial “breaking in” process at Piggy’s farm Assessing the potential and talent of a 3-year-old (or whether to look the other way until they’re a bit older!) The mindset to have as a rider and trainer of young horses Tack, equipment, and management tips for the young horse What to keep in mind when they go to their first show And much more. You can learn more about Piggy and her training at PiggyMarch.com or go to PiggyMarch.tv for her online learning platform.

Horseperson vs. Businessperson: On Priorities, Chasing Dreams, and the Money Problem w/ Erin Lane and Paige Jardine Aug 30, 2022

Being a successful rider in this sport is an uphill battle — and not just in terms of the skills and time necessary to make your way up the ladder. The ups and downs can be extreme and unpredictable, it’s often “one step forward, two steps back”, and money more often feels like a problem than a solution. And for many ambitious riders like our guests today, there is a palpable tension between “businessperson” and “horseperson”.

Today on #EquestrianVoices, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Paige Jardine and Erin Lane: two show jumping professionals who are putting in the hard work, making the sacrifices, and navigating conflicting emotions as they chase big dreams. In this conversation, they explore:

- When putting the horse first isn’t always the “easy” thing to do in terms of business

- Grappling with the feelings of “why not me”?

- Staying connected to your purpose, and thinking about your legacy in the sport (regardless of whether you’re a pro, amateur, or recreational rider)

- Why finding your niche as a pro is crucial

- Why riders can struggle to find owners and the problems with relying on other people to own your horses

- The question of whether there’s really enough room at the top of the sport

Buying and Selling Horses Under $40K Aug 09, 2022

What if you don't have $100k to spend on buying a horse? Join the club - there's a whole lot of us!

It's time to give this portion of the horse market some air time.

What's the buying or selling experience like in the, say, $40,000USD and under range? How do we find good quality horses in budget? Where do we look? What's a PPE like in that price range? How are those horses valued?

Today on the podcast I have the lovely Pippa Moon to walk us through this. Pippa has described selling horse under 40k as the “bread and butter” of her business. While she is originally known as a top level eventer having competed up through the (old) CCI4* level, her business now is heavily focused on sales in the hunter/jumper, eq, dressage, and eventing disciplines. Her home base is in Aiken, SC where she sells roughly 30 horses a year, although this year she’s set to far exceed that number.

In addition to the questions above, Pippa and I chat about:

What types of horses and clients she sees searching under 40k
Trends in horse prices in each discipline and how they compare to one another
How the horse market has changed in the past 3 years in her view
Tips for people who are searching for a horse in this price range

The Barefoot Vs. Shod Debate Jul 26, 2022

We’re taking on a spicy topic this week! (But why is this such a heated debate? We’ll get to that, too!)

If horses are born without shoes, why do they need them? Are we disrupting their natural gait/growth/biology by putting shoes on them, or are we actually helping them cope with their lifestyle and demands by nailing some steel on their feet?

Rich Affonso is a seasoned farrier and Equestrian Masterclass instructor who has worked for decades on horses of all disciplines, from working ranch horses, to fancy dressage horses, and everything in between. You name it, he’s probably seen it. He’s also done his own research into why barefoot

With host Caroline Culbertson, Rich dives into:

Why do folks like to argue about this topic so much?
What is barefoot trimming versus regular trimming?
If you’re going to try going barefoot, what do you need to know about the transition?
What supplements/hoof topicals are useful?
Will we see more unshod horses after Peder Fredericsen’s performance with All In at Tokyo Olympics last summer?
What about shod up front, barefoot behind?
And more…

Bringing a Scientist's Approach to Your Horse Jul 12, 2022

Are you an expert on your horse? Do you see your peers or even your trainer “winging it” when it comes to structuring rides, or figuring out why that rail fell down, or why your horse seemed tired in today’s ride? We’re learning about ways to use science and data to drastically improve the performance of ourselves and our horses – and it’s exciting.

On this episode of Equestrian Voices, Dr. Tim Worden and Nicole Lakin from the Equine High Performance Sports Group join us to discuss how we can use what we’ve learned in recent decades from human sport, and use it to our benefit in horse sport.

This can sound a little intimidating at first, but there are simple practices to bring a “scientist’s approach” to your horse’s care and training. In fact, you probably use a data-focused approach in your horse’s training and management in small ways without even realizing it.

Along with your host, Caroline Culbertson, Nicole and Tim dive into:

Why and how horse sport is behind in using science and data to improve athlete performance (that is, we mostly think of it to fix problems or injuries that have already happened)
Why data and intuition can coexist - because the horseman’s intuition is also a powerful thing!
Small, easy ways that you can start to “log data” about your horse and how that can help you
Rethinking how we use video to determine where our horses’ weaknesses are (hint: it’s more than just having your friend video your round at a horse show!)

What's Going on with Horse Slaughter in the U.S.? Jun 28, 2022

Do you know what’s going on with horse slaughter in the States?

Most of us don't - or didn't. And that includes me, your host, Caroline. The equestrian community is pretty good at turning a blind eye to this issue. It's easy to think, "those horses aren't our horses." I did it, too. But today, we're going to bring some transparency to horse slaughter in a way that doesn't aim to feel divisive, or inflammatory, or set out to shock you. This is an emotionally charged topic with implications for horse welfare and public safety, but this episode tries its best to present some facts so that we can find common ground on which to improve outcomes for horses and humans alike. Because what's happening currently is unacceptable. In this episode, Caroline Howe from Horse Welfare Collective joins us to discuss: - Why the state of horse slaughter is so dire right now, despite the fact that it's effectively banned in the U.S. - Understanding what drives the horse meat market - Where many horses who end up on trucks originate from - The "unwanted horse" and what happens to a surplus of horses when slaughter is banned - Safety issues around using horses for meat - Financial incentives around horse slaughter

A Tale of Two Pros: Very Different Routes to Careers in the Industry Jun 14, 2022

There are a million ways to “make it” - depending on what “making it” means to you. While many riders might dream of winning a gold medal in a pinque coat on a shiny, impeccably braided horse, sometimes you’ll find an even more fulfilling way to be in the horse industry that you hadn’t considered before.

Today on the podcast, we have two equestrian professionals with very contrasting backgrounds, journeys, and careers reflecting on how they found their way in the horse world.

Nikko Ritter was the trainer’s kid; in fact, his entire family is in horses. He had loads of opportunities handed to him from the time he was small (and yes, he was on the show Horse Power - Road to Maclay on Animal Planet). He’s ridden for folks like Mclain Ward, Missy Clark, Frank Madden and most Peter Leone. Now, he and his wife operate Nikko Ritter Showstables in Wellington, a boutique training and showing operation with one main sponsor for financial backing, as well as some sales and breeding. He produces horses for all 3 rings.

Anne-Sophie Milette had a vastly different path. She had really supportive parents, but they had no experience in horses which meant that she spent a lot of her young rider years learning as she went. She studied computer programming while she continued chasing her riding dreams, and then tried opening her own 30-stall stable for a few years before realizing she really wasn’t happy. She shifted her focus to sales and acting as an agent for horse buyers, and coupled with her computer programming background, started Europa Horse Agency while still bringing along a few horses on the side as well - what she describes as her perfect balance.

They discuss:

- How Anne Sophie and Nikko's differences in backgrounds led them in 2 different, but both successful and fulfilling, directions

- Being the trainer's kid versus coming from a non-horsey family

- Nikko's personal reflections on how, as a young rider, he lacked the ability to see the opportunities he took for granted

- Mentorship and whether it's really available to anyone who seeks it in our industry

- The attitudes towards young professionals in Europe vs. North America

- What happens when self-doubt comes into play

Bits, Behaviors, & Teeth: Misconceptions About Your Horse’s Mouth May 31, 2022

As important as the horse’s mouth is for his health, as well as our riding, most of us don’t know much about it. For many of us it’s a long, black tunnel of mystery that we try to understand by experimenting with a variety of feeds or anatomical bridles or bits or… you name it.

Today, we’re shining a metaphorical light up into that mouth to give you some information that we bet you didn’t have (we sure didn’t know all of this!). Dr. Bess Darrow, a DVM, certified equine dentist and Equestrian Masterclass instructor, is going to debunk some of the common myths and misconceptions about the horse’s mouth as they relate to bitting, behaviors, and overall health.

If you’ve ever wondered about your horse dropping grain, or if sticking his tongue out is related to his teeth, or if he really has a “low palate” and what the heck that means… or if you just want to hear some crazy stories about what she’s found in horses’ mouths, this episode is for you.

Make or Break? Discussing the Importance Placed on Riders' Junior Years May 10, 2022

In our sport, you can go to the Olympics when you’re 21… or when you’re 60. Or, you can never make a team but still have a profound impact on the athletes around you and equestrian sport as a whole.

Success in horses is a lifelong endeavor, but our sport in the U.S., places a huge emphasis on riders 21 and under. What are the effects (both positive and negative) of focusing so many resources on that age group?

And what about the pros in their late 20s, their 30s, and beyond who are trying to build sustainable businesses?

In this episode of Equestrian Voices, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Diann Langer and Kirsten Coe to better understand this topic as it applies to the hunter/jumper/equitation disciplines.

Diann and Kirsten are a mother-daughter pair who operate Red Top Farm and have a deep understanding of the development pathway that children, juniors, and young riders may choose to follow in order to become top riders. Diann is the USEF Show Jumping Youth Chef d’Equipe, and Kirsten chased an illustrious junior career before becoming a professional rider and representing the U.S. in team competition on numerous occasions. They discuss:

What the pathway is for children, juniors, and young riders up through 25
How getting spotted early on usually takes place, and the role of parents and trainers
The upsides and downsides - and understanding that it’s not a perfect system, but in many cases it produces successful riders
The sport’s unfortunate shift to focus on competing more than training at home
Diann’s reflections as a mother of watching her daughter chase success in her junior years, and Kirsten’s reflections on how things have changed since she competed as a junior in the late 90s.

Note: If you’d like to learn more about the youth and developing Jumping pathway in the U.S., the following resources will help you:

Benchmarks and Markers for Riders through Age 21 A list of US Jumping programs, many of which apply to youth

What Goes Into Building & Running a Boarding Business Apr 26, 2022

It seems like at least once a week, you'll see a social media post or an announcement about another boarding barn closing its doors. A lot of boarding barns that are up and running have long wait lists, and it calls into question what boarding barns are up against. To understand that, you have to understand all of the things that go into running them.

In this episode of Equestrian Voices, Caroline Culbertson chats with Julia Tucker who owns Ardenwood Farm in Chapel Hill, NC, about the realities of running a boarding-only (i.e., without a head trainer) business. There’s the financial side, the staffing and labor side, and even the emotional side. Running a boarding business is not for the faint of heart, but horse owners deeply rely on these operations, since keeping horses in our backyard isn’t a reality for most.

In this episode, Caroline and Julia discuss:

How Julia built her farm from an uncleared piece of land to a full-fledged boarding facility
The decision to raise board
What daily life as a barn owner looks like for Julia
How to be a great boarder and make your barn owner feel appreciated
Advice for other barn owners for staying on top of finances
Some listener questions

What Does 'Doing Better' Mean? Reflections on Horse Training Following the Mark Todd Video (with Anne Kursinski, Matt Brown & Jeremy Steinberg) Apr 12, 2022

Several weeks back, a video from a Mark Todd clinic circulated around the internet - it was a clip taken during a clinic, and it caused a lot of conversation and controversy on social media. This podcast is not about that video in particular, but the video did spark some reflection and larger conversations around what we deem acceptable in horse training, what we don’t, and how those standards are set and upheld.

In this episode of Equestrian Voices, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with eventer Matt Brown, show jumper Anne Kursinski, and dressage rider Jeremy Steinberg to discuss. They discuss:

How they felt when they watched the video or read the community’s response
Whether or not the rules that govern our sport reflect what we culturally deem acceptable in horse training
Defining abuse and delineating between what challenges a horse and what constitutes abuse
How things have changed in the past few decades
How this very question changed the course of Jeremy and Matt’s lives and careers
Turning insight into action and what each one of us can do and consider moving forward

Supplements: Worth the Money? Do We Need ‘Em? Mar 29, 2022

It has become pretty much the norm to keep our horses on supplements, especially if we ride them. But so many of us are clicking the checkout button on a supplement with little more than a hope and a prayer that it does something for our horse, and proves to be worth the money.

There’s so much marketing to wade through with equine supplements that it’s hard to determine what’s legit and what isn’t. So often we feel like more is better, so more supplements and nutrients must be better for our horses, right? (Unfortunately, nope!)

The good news is that this episode will help you wade through the mass of information and possibly - even probably - save yourself a good amount of money in the process.

Dr Jyme Nichols is a certified Professional Animal Scientist in the Equine discipline through American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. She joins host, Caroline Culbertson, to tackle four big thinking points when it comes to navigating supplements for your horse:

How to make an informed decision on whether or not your horse needs supplements, even if you’re not an equine nutrition expert.
Ulcer/digestive supplements - do they work?
What’s the evidence behind calming supplements?
Why hay analysis may be the most important part of this puzzle.

Grief in the Horse World (Part 2): Lessons from a Grief Professional Mar 10, 2022

If you missed part 1 of this 2-part episode on grief, start there!

What can we learn from someone who watches grief unfold on a daily basis?

Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with pediatric chaplain and equestrian Jessica Shannon to pass on the lessons that she has learned by sitting with countless children and parents in the darkest moments of their lives. What she shares is truly beautiful, poignant, and hopeful.

They discuss:

Why we’re so uncomfortable talking about grief (either our own or others’)
The many different forms that grief can take
What the heck is “anticipatory grief”?
What to say, and what NOT to say, to someone who is grieving
Resources after loss

Grief in the Horse World (Pt. 1): What's Happening to Us When We Grieve? Mar 08, 2022

If you’re in the horse world long enough, you’ll see or experience many, many different types of grief and loss. It’s an innate part of existing in a community, as equestrians do, and it’s an inevitable part of loving these animals who are very good at finding traumatic and expensive ways to injure themselves or die.

And yet, we haven’t gotten that good at talking about our grief. Most of us also lack the tools to support our friends and loved ones through their grief journeys, too – not for lack of intent, but for lack of understanding and fear of the uncomfortable moments.

In Part 1 of this 2-part episode, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Dr. Jenny Susser to break down what is happening inside our brains and our bodies when we experience grief.

They discuss:

What grief, as a human process, actually is. What’s happening that makes us feel the way we feel after a loss?
Why grief can take place after events besides death and loss.
How do we find closure in grief? How long will it take?
Why it’s important to laugh during your grief
Why the first year of grief is often the most challenging

3 of Your Biggest Flatwork Woes with Silva Martin Feb 22, 2022

We know, we know… flatwork is so crucial for training and athletic development, but boy can it be frustrating when you’re dealing with an ongoing training or behavioral issue. Good flatwork feels amazing; bad flatwork feels like the longest 45 minutes of your life.

In this episode, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Team USA’s Silva Martin to dissect 3 common flatwork woes. Ride horses long enough, and you’ll probably encounter all three. Hooray!

The horse that jigs at the walk.
The horse that is stiff in one direction (or easier to bend in one direction).
The horse that leans on the forehand.

They discuss how to think about these problems, what is happening biomechanically, what doesn’t work (tempted though we may be), and what exercises to focus on instead. Silva has seen it all, and each of these problems can be improved greatly. There’s hope for us yet!

Are We Over-Competing Our Horses? With Max Corcoran Feb 08, 2022

There are more opportunities to show and compete than ever before. If you wanted to, you could theoretically spend nearly 52 weeks of the year in the show ring, chasing qualifications and year-end awards and prize money. On top of that, we have more cutting edge veterinary knowledge and technology than we’ve ever had available to us, and much of it is geared towards performance horse soundness.

Both of these things are great! But, as the old saying goes, ‘Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’. We have to gut-check ourselves: Are our horses paying the price for our drive to compete? Is the idea of giving our horses a real break from work becoming ancient history? What’s causing this shift, and how do we get ourselves back to a time where horses, like pro human athletes, have an on- and off-season?

Equestrian Masterclass instructor and President of the U.S. Eventing Association, Max Corcoran, joins host Caroline Culbertson to discuss:

What has contributed to the rise of competing too much, too hard, too often (finances, geography, pressure and more)
How burnout shows up in the horses mentally and emotionally
Common overuse injuries
What we can learn from human athlete performance and what it has to do with horses
Why we do need to “reinvent the wheel”
Grooms’ roles in identifying an overworked horse
Max’s rule of thumb for giving our horses time off

Getting Unstuck & My Own Baggage with a Sensitive Horse (with Chelsea Canedy) Jan 25, 2022

Riders with baggage, gather 'round! This week's episode is less of an interview, and more of a (personal) conversation. Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with her own trainer, Chelsea Canedy, to discuss how the past several months of working with Caroline's hot, sensitive horse have unearthed some old, unproductive ways of thinking about riding, training, and progress. In this chat, they discuss: - How Chelsea's background informs how she works with horses and how she approached Caroline's roadblock - What training horses has to do with meditation, social work, and Buddhism (?!) - How sometimes, being successful (or unsuccessful) with certain horses has little to do with your skill - The challenge of "doing nothing" with a sensitive horse - Why getting off the horse is not a failure, it's a strategy (and other old ways of thinking we need to let go of) This episode is a great listen for anyone who has ever wanted to ask for help but felt worried, or struggled with a horse they felt they had no business on, or anyone who has ever felt hopelessly "stuck" in training with their horse. So, probably 95% of us. Enjoy.

Don’t Let the Lindas Hold You Down with Sydney Collier Jan 11, 2022

Need a dose of inspiration and positivity to start the new year? Meet US Paralympian Sydney Collier. You’re going to love her.

Sydney’s story truly has to be heard to be believed. Sydney was living an active, horse-filled childhood when her very rare syndrome was discovered at a routine eye appointment. The next several years included experimental treatments and surgeries, devastating strokes, and resulted in her physical disability. All the while, she remained focused on finding ways to ride with her limited left side and left arm, which she semi-affectionately named Linda.

And ride, she did. Sydney earned a spot on the US Para Dressage team and was the youngest competitor at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France. At age 18, she won the 2016 US Para-dressage National Championships and became the youngest member in the equestrian portion of the 2016 Paralympics in Rio as a part of Team USA.

Sydney walks us through the constant hurdles, the seemingly perpetual changes to her body and her disability, and how she found ways to adapt and thrive at every turn (and even logistically, how to work with horses who are not familiar with para riding). She has become an outspoken advocate for riders with disabilities and para dressage, and finds ways to spread support and positivity to riders of all abilities, everywhere she goes.

2021 Roundup: 7 Favorite Moments from EV This Year Dec 28, 2021

To close out the year, we're rounding up 7 of our favorite (and your favorite!) moments from the inaugural year of the Equestrian Voices podcast. We are so grateful for each and every one of you who listens, and can't wait for the conversations and episodes in store for 2022. See you in the new year!

In no particular order, the clips are from these episodes:

Student/Trainer Relationship: It’s Complicated with Dr. Jenny Susser
Horse Market is Bananas, Let’s Discuss with Hope Glynn
A Real Life Horse Nerd with Karl Cook
Mental Health Roundtable
What Riding in a Frame Really Means with Jacqueline Brooks
Natural Horseman, Meet Practical Rider with Tik Maynard
The Seen & Unseen Realities of Going Pro with Lauren Sprieser

If We Can’t Talk About It, We Can’t Prevent It: Sexual Abuse in Horse Sport Dec 14, 2021

[Content Warning: Discussions of sexual misconduct and abuse of minors]. If we can’t talk about it, we can’t change it. Today on the podcast, we’re taking on a tough topic to think about, speak about, and navigate emotionally, but it’s critical to shine a light on in order to make the sport (and all sports) safer for our kids and athletes.

Host Caroline Culbertson is joined by two women who have witnessed and experienced the devastating fallout that sexual abuse of minors can have on young men and women, their families, and their communities. Carrie Kehring, creator of the #weridetogether campaign to end sexual abuse in sport, and Kendall Bourgeois, a professional equestrian who experienced grooming and abuse as a junior, discuss:

The environments in which grooming and eventually abuse can take place
Navigating what to do when you hear “gossip”
Why abuse is often underreported by victims or ignored by bystanders
The role of SafeSport and law enforcement
Why we may feel defensive when learning that someone we know did something wrong
The power of sharing survivors’ stories via the #weridetogether campaign

If you are in need of help, resources, or want to read stories of abuse survivors from horse sport and beyond, go to www.weridetogether.today

Can Positive Reinforcement Training Work in Horse Sport? Nov 30, 2021

You’ve probably heard of positive reinforcement training or “clicker training” in the context of dog training, but what about for horses? Over the years, the use of positive reinforcement in the equestrian world has drawn attention and interest, but most of us are still unaware of exactly how this training works, and how it can fit into our own training and riding journeys.

There’s actually a lot of science backing this type of training, and it’s used to train countless species of animals in a way that promotes happy, feel-good hormones and in turn, lower levels of fear and anxiety in the training process. So, is it time we see more of this training in the horse world?

Shawna Karrasch is a pioneer in the use of positive reinforcement training in horses after extensive experience researching and practicing the training with marine mammals. She has now helped countless horses and riders reframe their training by helping riders and trainers understand the science behind R+ raining, and perhaps most notably helped Beezie Madden’s ride, Judgement ISF, overcome his fear of the water jump.

In this episode, Shawna and host Caroline Culbertson (@caroline.culbertson) discuss:

They discuss:

The two major components of positive reinforcement training: the brain and body
Why R+ training can elicit an eye roll from some trainers in the industry, and where the negative stereotypes come from
How you can borrow the essence of this training in a way that works for you
How the training can work in the most competitive realms of horse sport

Passenger, Partner, Boss, Dictator: Who Are You to Your Horse? Nov 09, 2021

Ever wonder what your horse thinks of you? What his personality is? How he likes for you to communicate with him?

Many (most) of us might not have given this less obvious aspect of riding and training too much thought, but it might be a big key to unlocking potential and success (whatever that means for you and your horse). International level dressage rider/trainer and Equestrian Masterclass instructor, Mette Larsen, breaks down what it means to be in successful partnership with your horse, how to determine the type of communication style your horse needs and how to bring self awareness back to your riding.

With host Caroline Culbertson, they discuss:

Mette’s personal riding journey and how it led to her a deeper understanding of this topic
Determining your current communication style with your horse
The problem with focusing on always asking for more with your horse
Where to simplify communication with your horse
How using the correct communication style with your horse can give lasting results

Live Roundtable: How Culture in Equestrian Sport Impacts Mental Health Oct 26, 2021

The culture surrounding equestrian sport is, by and large, not generally welcoming to conversations about mental health, nor is it accommodating for participants who need to seek help + resources for mental illness or hardships.

There are barriers for those who struggle with mental illness that are particular to our community and to its customs and beliefs - in some cases, the culture not only impedes mental wellness, it can even degrade it. If you’re part of the equestrian community, we suspect that you can personally identify one or more aspects of equestrian culture that could exacerbate mental turmoil or illness in riders, grooms, vets... you name it.

In this live roundtable discussion recorded during Equitana USA, Equestrian Voices host Caroline Culbertson is joined by four special guests to summarize those particular challenges. Then, they look to uncover actionable ways that we can shift culture and in turn, begin to remove the barriers to help and recovery.

GUESTS: Dr. Jenny Susser Shawna Karrasch Carleigh Fedorka, PhD Mikhail Proctor

What's Changing with Modern Pentathlon Since the Tokyo Debacle? Oct 12, 2021

In an episode released on August 12, we addressed the troubling display of poor riding during the equestrian portion of the Modern Pentathlon with Rick Maynard, Tik Maynard, and Peter Holmes - all of whom have been very involved in the sport either currently or previously.

Now, we're following up and seeing what's in the works. What proposed changes are coming down the pipeline to help Modern Pentathlon evolve into a sport that can support good riding, good horsemanship, and reasonable expectations of those horses and riders? Are they enough? What aspects of the problem do they address? Canadian National Champion, Development Coach, and member of the Riding Working Task Force, Joshua Riker-Fox, joins us alongside fellow Canadian National Champion Pentathlete Tik Maynard. Along with host Caroline Culbertson, they discuss: - A look inside the proposed changes and what needs to happen next. - What we can learn about making change in our own sports and disciplines. - A case for keeping the equestrian portion in Modern Pentathlon - Personal reflections on how changes happen in sport, who is in charge of them, and what the equestrian community can learn from this turning point in MP.

The Horse Market Is Bananas. Let's Discuss. (With Hope Glynn) Sep 28, 2021

By all accounts, the horse market today is unlike one we’ve seen before. It’s a big double edged sword that requires some special consideration and a good dose of savvy to navigate smartly. It also requires being comfortable with talking frankly about money, which we’re going to do in this episode.

To guide us through these often intimidating waters, we have one of the most well-known hunter/jumper and equitation trainers and judges in the U.S.: Hope Glynn. Hope has decades of experience buying and selling horses and serving as an agent for riders who are looking for their next equine partner which is now her primary business with Hope, LLC.

Whether you’re currently buying or selling, or just hearing friends’ stories about their experiences, this episode is a FASCINATING listen because it’s jam-packed with reflections about how our sport exists in the world today, what’s driving our industry, and even a few truths that can be difficult to hear, but need to be said.

Hope and host Caroline Culbertson discuss:

Expenses to plan on incurring during the process and the ‘why’ behind them
How to choose the people who will help you in horse shopping (and why you shouldn’t try to go it alone)
How the current market is unlike one we’ve seen in recent memory
Price: fair or unfair?
Current trends around horse prices in the hunter, jumper and equitation rings.
How to ask questions and keep your relationships healthy
The trainer’s role in your buying journey
The power of paperwork: vet records, trials and contracts

What a Saddle Fitter/Equine Physio Wants Every Rider to Know Sep 14, 2021

Your horse nips at the girth. He shivers when you run the brush over his lumbar. He’s always on the forehand no matter what you do.

Wouldn’t it be great if horses could just tell us what was going on inside their bodies? What ached, what felt sticky or clicky, what caused them to start stopping at jumps they used to do with ease?

Most of us are clued into the fact that when horses start demonstrating some behaviors, a physical investigation must come first. Saddle fit and pressure distribution are a big part in what can contribute to (or take away from) our working horses’ comfort, and there are some common culprits and themes that experienced saddle fitters and equine physios see a lot of.

Enter: Carolyn Cohen. She’s an equine bodyworker, biomechanics expert, and independent tack fitter who founded her company, CC fits, in 2018. In this episode, Carolyn and host Caroline Culbertson walk through 4 things that Carolyn wants every rider out there to know about their horse’s body and tack.

They discuss:

The crucial importance of girthing systems and what to look out for
How saddle fit issues can manifest in less obvious places in the horse
The problem with focusing on the saddle only fitting the horse
Where to begin with building your team of support people for your horse’s athletic journey (hint: you don’t have to do it ALL)

The Seen & Unseen Realities of 'Going Pro' With Lauren Sprieser Aug 31, 2021

Host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer, Lauren Sprieser, to discuss the seen and unseen realities of becoming a professional rider. Lauren worked her way up in the business, including years as a working student, and learned much along the way. They discuss:

- The characteristics it helps to have in this business - The big elephant: MONEY. How much does it matter? - The horses you should/shouldn’t be riding - Structuring your business in a way that plays to your strengths - Marketing and branding yourself - Advice for when it feels like things are falling apart around you.

Addressing the Troubling Scenes During Modern Pentathlon at the Tokyo Olympics Aug 12, 2021

The show jumping portion of the women's modern pentathlon at the Tokyo Olympics is making headlines - and not in a good way. It was so stressful to watch, there were many rider falls, and lots of stressed out horses who clearly didn’t understand what was expected of them.

How do we make heads and tails of this? Are there solutions? Host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Tik Maynard, Rick Maynard, and Peter Holmes - who cumulatively have decades of experience in pentathlon as athletes, coaches or course designers - for a roundtable discussion in response to this troubling display of riding.

What’s Your Horse Trying to Tell You About His Bit? (Pt. 2) Aug 10, 2021

In the second of our 2-part episode about bits, FEI rider/trainer and certified bitting specialist, Stephanie Brown-Beamer of http://horsebyhorse.com, and host Caroline Culbertson continue their chat from last episode (so listen to that one first!) as well as answer some listener questions.

In this portion of the episode, they discuss:

The type of mouths we’re seeing on many of today’s horses
What about tongue relief bits?
How do we properly size our bits when we’re buying them?
Demystifying the dull-mouthed horse
How to know when a bit is “as good as it gets” and to stop searching

What’s Your Horse Trying to Tell You About His Bit? (Pt. 1) Jul 27, 2021

Is it just us, or can finding the right bit for your horse feel like a shot in the dark?

Sure, we have a general understanding of how certain bits work, and maybe you know a little about your horse’s mouth. But for most riders, the knowledge stops there. And that’s because historically, we haven’t HAD much information about bit and bridle fitting and function the same way we now have info about saddle fit, for example.

FEI rider/trainer and certified bitting specialist, Stephanie Brown-Beamer, and host Caroline Culbertson get into the weeds of bit and bridle fit and function in this two-part episode. They discuss:

How horses tell us the bit they have isn’t working
What happens when the noseband is too tight to compensate for a bit they don’t like
Debunking the idea that “thicker is milder and thinner is harsher”
How the tongue’s function affects the horse’s entire self carriage, head to tail.

Doug Payne, You're About to Ride in the Olympics! Jul 21, 2021

In this Bonus episode, host Caroline Culbertson catches up with with US Eventing team rider, Doug Payne, as he is on his way to Tokyo for the Olympic Games with his horse, Vandiver.

Luciana Diniz on Keeping the Joy in Your Riding Jul 13, 2021

Riding and training horses is a long game. You can work on it for a lifetime and still won’t know it all. This is one of the best things about the sport, but it also means that - just like a long marriage - we have to work at keeping our minds right and continue to find the joy.

This can be even more profound when you’re a top athlete in the sport and are often faced with major disappointment, heartbreak, loss, and tough decisions that come with advancing up the leaderboard, buying and selling horses, etc.

Luciana Diniz has managed to keep the joy alive in her own riding by making her connection to her horses a pillar of her training. Only a few weeks out from the Tokyo Olympic games where she’ll represent Portugal, host Caroline Culbertson and Luciana talk all about why this mindset matters and how it gives her an added edge.

They also discuss:

How we balance our priorities around advancing in our sport with our innate desire to connect with the horse - and why those two things can sometimes feel like they’re at odds
Simple practices that make Luciana more bulletproof in her own riding
How ego can interfere and Luciana’s own personal work around this
How to bring joy into our riding even when daily care and training is a grind, and when things go wrong
Luciana’s advice to riders everywhere

What Riding in a Frame *Really* Means w/ Jacqueline Brooks Jun 29, 2021

“I can’t get this horse into a frame!”

“Pick up the reins and put your horse in a frame, it’s time to work!”

We’ve all heard some variation of these phrases. But let’s break down what FRAME really means and refers to. There’s so much more to it than just the shape of the horse.

Who better to break it down than Jacquie Brooks, a 2x Canadian Olympian who has trained 30+ horses (!!) up through the Grand Prix level in dressage. She coaches jumpers and eventers as well and knows all about the horse’s frame across disciplines.

Warning - this episode is CHOCK full of detail and information. You may want a notepad for this one, y’all.

Jacquie and Caroline discuss:

What ‘frame’ really refers to (hint: it’s not about the head and neck).
An effective visual exercise to understand your horse’s energy and balance better
At what point in a horse/rider’s training do they need to worry about ‘frame’?
How to tell if the horse is looking posed versus actually working effectively
The magic of a neck rope

'Thin to Win': The Toxic Culture of Body Shame and Diet in Equestrian Sport Jun 08, 2021

[Trigger Warning: This episode discusses disordered eating and eating disorders.] We asked you, the community, whether or not you've experienced pressure around weight, body shame, or witnessed diet culture in action in equestrian sport. The response? Overwhelmingly yes - especially those in hunter and equitation rings, and especially those who were or are competing.

There's a lot at risk here - mentally, physically, and emotionally. We can't usher young participants into this sport and continue to have this toxic paradigm reinforced through trainers, judges, teammates, and beyond. The cost is too high and, as you'll hear in this episode, the effects are lasting. Join host Caroline Culbertson and Natalie Gavi, MS, RDN, as they unpack this topic and why it's so harmful and dangerous for athletes.

Elyse Hart: Horses Saved Me after Addiction Nearly Killed Me May 25, 2021

They say that everyone will know someone, love someone, or be someone who struggles with an addiction at some point in their lives. This is an important conversation that isn’t talked about enough.

This week on the Equestrian Voices podcast, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by Elyse Hart, a 31-year-old dressage whose addiction to alcohol and drugs nearly killed her - multiple times. Now, five years sober, she has delved deeper than ever into her riding and horses in order to help maintain her sobriety. Elyse opens up and tells the harrowing story of the darkest years of her life and the perspective she has gained - and how that makes her the woman, mother, and rider that she is today.

Caroline and Elyse also discuss:

Giving yourself grace as you make progress (and how progress is never linear - in horses or in life)
Show ring anxiety and fear, and how to contextualize it
How the horses helped ground her after the most out-of-control times in her life, and why that’s a lesson she’ll always come back to.

Is a Young Horse Right for You? With Kama Godek May 11, 2021

Have you ever dreamed of, seriously considered, or actually bought a young horse? *Raises hand*

Most of us fall somewhere on that spectrum, enticed by the seemingly infinite possibilities that the unknown of a young horse offers. With low or no “miles”, young horses are exciting because we don’t know what their ceiling is - and it makes us expand our minds on what our limits are, too.

Host Caroline Culbertson (@caroline.culbertson) is joined by 5* show jumper Kama Godek, who works with young horses on a daily basis and also has years of experience pairing horses and riders together. Kama understands what works, what doesn’t, and what young horses require.

In this episode, they discuss:

Main reasons why people seek out young or undeveloped horses (money is a big one!)
Understanding if you have the setup and the skills for a young horse
Kama’s mental exercise of three main things to consider when considering a horse to buy
Pre-purchase exams on young horses and what really matters

Your Horse Is a Mirror. Do You Like What You See? Apr 27, 2021

Do you know those riders, trainers, or grooms that horses just love being around? What is it about them that makes horses so drawn to them?

And how do we all become one of those people?

Dr. Sam Fielding coined the term “energetic intelligence” and much of her performance coaching focuses on how your mental state affects your horse. So, how do we become aware of how our nerves, or anger, or distractedness, are affecting our horses? And once we’re aware, how do we fix it?

Host Caroline Culbertson and Dr. Fielding also discuss:

How mares and geldings differ in their mannerisms and energy, and why some people don’t seem to connect as well with mares
Why there’s a lot you can do from home to improve your performance in the saddle
How the same things that get in your way in the saddle, are probably showing up in other areas of your life

Expectation Vs. Reality: What New Parenthood as an Equestrian Is Really Like Apr 20, 2021

After baby is born, we return to normal, right? NOPE.

New parenthood is filled with looming questions. From the small (will my breeches ever fit again?) to the profound (who am I in this new existence?), we’re talking about the reality of our journeys becoming new moms.

Join host Caroline Culberson and guest Kate O’Hara discuss the realities of postpartum, getting back into the saddle, and navigating parenthood while balancing their careers.

Birth, Body Image, & the Unknown: Being a Pregnant Rider Apr 13, 2021

Being a pregnant person is a wild ride. Being a pregnant adult amateur rider while trying to navigate riding/horses, your career and how it will be affected by maternity leave, and doing it during a pandemic? Yeah, it's a lot.

Host Caroline Culbertson is joined by guest Kate O'Hara to discuss the physical, mental, and emotional parts of this very delicate, exciting, and confusing time in life.

A Real Life Horse Nerd: Karl Cook Mar 30, 2021

After an extraordinarily successful young rider career, Karl Cook wasn't sure what future he really had in the sport. In order to right the ship, he went full horse nerd and started learning everything he possibly could about feeding, riding, training, biomechanics, veterinary care... you name it. Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Karl to talk about what this process looked like for him and how there's more to learn than we think or know.

Plus, Karl teaches Caroline how to taste bourbon (or in her case, wine), he tackles some Equestrian Masterclass member questions, and manages to relate riding to food - always a win in our book.

You Don't Have to Show to Be Here w/ Young Black Equestrians Mar 09, 2021

There are a million ways to exist with horses. You can: compete or not compete, own a horse, not own a horse, ride every day, or never ride (just petting horses is pretty darn great).

Sometimes it feels like we only hear the stories of the competitive riders, but it's so important to hear stories of all types of equestrians. That's how we connect to each other and find 'our people' in this big world.

In this episode, we'll hear from Abriana Johnson and Caitlin Gooch who have built their lives and careers in horses without ever stepping foot in a show ring, and have found an abundance of fulfillment and meaning in a cause that's larger than themselves.

Their podcast, the Young Black Equestrians podcast, is a crucial act of recording black history as it's happening - and in doing so, they've helped black equestrians who interact with horses in all sorts of ways find community with each other, too.

Abriana and Caitlin's story of linking up with each other is also a testament to the power of the "horse girl connection" and their clarity in their mission and 'why' in this sport will inspire you to solidify your own.

Why Is Colic (Still) Such a Big Problem? Feb 23, 2021

It's 2021. Soon, we'll see autonomous cars on the road. But we still can't predict or prevent colic?

Whether the horse you love is a pasture puff living on grass 24/7, or he's an international competition horse with a groom waiting on him hand and foot, he's susceptible. Why is colic still so prevalent in horses? Do we just have to accept that it is? What are we missing?

Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Dr. Paul McClellan, DVM, to unpack this big question.

Natural Horsemanship, Meet Practical Rider Feb 09, 2021

When we learn to ride as children or as adults, we learn how to do just that: ride. But when do we learn how to understand our horse's behavior? Why he does what he does? How he views the world and what we're asking of him?

Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Tik Maynard, who has made a career out of marrying competitive riding with groundwork as an avenue to gaining a deeper understanding about the inner workings of the horse's mind. It has made him more successful (even with the most complicated horses), more patient, and most of all, more fulfilled in his work.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why groundwork is the key to gaining a deeper understanding for your horse, which will help greatly in your ridden training.
Why this isn't included in the standard curriculum for riders.
How you can apply this to your own program without dedicating an overwhelming amount of time to it.
Lots more... it's a deep dive episode!

The Student/Trainer Relationship: It's Complicated Jan 26, 2021

The trainer/student relationship is perhaps the most important relationship you'll have in horse sport (besides the one with your horse). Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with equestrian and sport psychologist, Dr. Jenny Susser, to help us understand the complexities of this multidimensional match and how it can completely shape your experience, success, enjoyment, and confidence in riding. Whether you're a pro, an amateur, or completely new to riding, this episode is for you.

Introducing Equestrian Voices Jan 06, 2021

Equestrian Voices dives deep into the emotions, lives, stories, and everything we don't talk about when it comes to life as an equestrian. Join our host, Caroline Culbertson, for vulnerable, different, and sometimes hilarious chats with riders from all backgrounds. We want to get the 'human' out of horse people. Thanks for being here.

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