Claim OwnershipBe Your Best Horsemanship
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© Phil Haugen
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"Be Your Best Horsemanship" is hosted by professional horse trainer and clinician, Phil Haugen. Inspired by his “1% better everyday" training philosophy, Phil explains the methods, mindset, and performance tips that drive continuous learning and growth in horsemanship, as well as in life. Join us each week as Phil shares his experiences over the past 30+ years in the horse training industry, discussing the methods that have helped him bridge the language barrier between horse and rider to enhance understanding and performance from foundation to finish.
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This is a republish of one of our most listened-to episodes, focused on the misconception that multitasking leads to more productivity. This is a topic that I wanted to bring up again because, especially this time of year, the temptation to multitask grows even stronger.As we head into the busy spring and summer seasons, it’s easy to feel pulled in a lot of different directions. When we're busy, we naturally look for ways to stack our tasks and get more done. But in horsemanship, dividing your attention often does more harm than good.In this episode, I break down why doing less, with more focus, leads to better results and a more productive day.
In this episode, I'm joined by one of my long-time friends and fellow horsemen, Mark Upton, as we discuss the importance―and challenges―of staying true to the process, both in life and horsemanship. Mark shares his perspectives on balancing his passion for horsemanship with his corporate career at Central Life Sciences and how he finds time to make meaningful progress with his horses. Join us as we chat about our individual processes for progressing a horse from foundation to finish and some of the key parts of our training process that make all the difference.
In this episode, I sit down with Merck Animal Health’s Dr. Chrissie Pariseau to discuss what we learned from last fall’s EHV-1 outbreak and how it reinforces the importance of maintaining regular vaccination and booster schedules. Dr. Pariseau breaks down common vaccine programs, including core and risk-based vaccines, along with best practices for foals, pregnant mares, and newly purchased horses. We also discuss the importance of minimizing the spread of infectious diseases and maintaining strong biosecurity—both at home and on the road—especially for training facilities with horses coming and going regularly. This is a must-listen heading into the spring season, when increased hauling and exposure can elevate disease risk.
When you’re roping on young horses, introducing the right fundamentals early is key to building confidence, consistency, and setting them up for long-term success. Tune into this episode as I get into the basics of starting rope horses and some of the things to watch for that early on that can create bad habits down the road. I also touch on the tie-down vs. no tie-down conversation and what to consider when integrating this tool into your training routine.
In this episode, I talk about how every response we get from our horses comes back to us—our thoughts, our body position, and the signals we give. That's why it's so important for us to stay sharp and in-tune throughout the training process. When we lack awareness, it often creates anxiety and frustration for the horse. Issues people blame on the gate, the box, or the environment are usually not about the obstacle itself—it’s the discomfort the horse associates with what happens after they’re there. Whether it’s helping your horse get into the right body position or recognizing when something physical might be bothering them, awareness matters. If you learn to listen, your horse will tell you exactly how good of a job you’re doing.
In this episode, I talk about something many trainers struggle with—perfectionism. That drive for perfection can contribute to high performance, but if we’re not careful, it can also become a roadblock to our horses’ progression. Tune in as I share a conversation I had with my interns this week about managing perfectionistic expectations and how to stay focused on a progress-oriented mindset instead of getting stuck chasing perfect outcomes.
In this episode, I talk about something I’ve learned over decades of trial and error — you don’t always have to do it the hard way. I’ve spent a lifetime figuring things out the long way. My interns don’t have to. They’ve chosen to step into an environment where they can learn from the mistakes, adjustments, and experience that took me years to develop. That’s not weakness — that’s wisdom.No matter what you’re trying to get better at, look for ways to shorten your learning curve. Use the resources available to you. Seek out people who are where you want to be. Ask questions. Commit. Put yourself in the room.Progress doesn’t happen by accident. You have to create opportunities for yourself. And sometimes the smartest thing you can do is decide you’re done trying to figure it all out alone.If you’re serious about improving your horsemanship — or any skill — this one’s for you.
In this episode, I'm talking about what we’re doing to prepare our colts as they progress toward the next phase of their training―which, in this case, is the roping disciplines.The goal is to prepare them through solid foundational training and exposure to new obstacles in the roping pen, so when it’s time to add cattle, those colts are mentally ready.No matter the discipline, the process is the same: strengthen the foundation, prepare their mind, and let consistent repetition build the confidence they’ll need for the next phase.
I just returned from a clinic in Stephenville, Texas, with one of the most―if not the most―elite and diverse groups of trainers I've ever had at a single clinic. Regardless of the discipline these trainers specialized in, there was one piece of advice that resonated with everyone: work as hard on yourself as you do your horsemanship. Join me for this episode as I share more about this philosophy and how I've seen this become a life-changing concept in more than one person's life―including my own.
In this episode, I talk about what I call separators—and why they matter if you want to keep progressing. A separator isn’t always about being better than someone else. A lot of times, it’s about separating yourself from the person you used to be. It’s the attitudes, habits, and effort you choose when things aren’t easy that create that separation. If you want to keep moving forward—no matter how slow the progress feels—you have to find those little factors that push you past the point where the old version of you would’ve stopped. Tune in as I share some inspiration around this topic.
In this episode, I talk about the relationship between a horse’s mind, body, and feet—and why understanding that order matters in training. Tune in as I explain why everything starts with the mind, how the body follows, and how real control of the feet comes from clear communication. When you understand how a horse thinks and how their mind connects to their body and movement, your training becomes more effective and consistent.
In this episode, I talk about what actually creates softness and collection in a horse—and why the saying “soft hands create soft horses” doesn’t tell the whole story. Softness isn’t about avoiding pressure or having light hands; it’s about precision, clear signals, and consistent releases. I explain why horses don’t learn from pressure—they learn from the release—and how improving your timing and clarity can completely change your horse’s response. If you want a horse that stays connected, balanced, and soft through their body, this episode will help you cut through some common horsemanship clichés and focus on what really matters.
In this episode, I talk about the importance of developing a clear training strategy for every horse you have in your program. Goals are important, but you can’t just put a goal on the calendar and expect it to happen—you have to build a plan and continually refine it along the way. Tune in as I share why regular check-ins, honest evaluation, and time spent in the saddle are what bring clarity to your approach. The more present you are in your training, the clearer your strategy becomes—and the clearer your strategy is, the more likely you are to achieve the results you’re working toward.
Each year, I always pick a word to guide my focus and my efforts for the coming season. This year, my word is: believe. Join me for this episode as I share the inspiration behind this choice and how making simple mental shifts can change your outlook, self-belief, and follow through on your goals and plans. Whether you are a trainer, horse enthusiast, or are just looking for a little motivation to send you into the new year, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I'm talking about my first time welcoming interns into my training program. From training young horses to learning the ins and outs of facility management, responsibility, and work ethic, this episode is about more than riding—it’s about mindset, commitment, and understanding what it truly means to make a living training horses.
Challenging conditions have a way of exposing holes in your foundation—both in your horsemanship and your mindset. Those who are willing to saddle up on the days that others might not be have a unique opportunity to accelerate their growth in meaningful ways.Tune in as I share a story from the training pen this week where my interns and I braved the elements on a day with less-than-ideal weather conditions—and what we learned in the process.
In this week’s episode, I'm recapping my recent trip to Las Vegas for the World Series of Team Roping Finale. The week didn’t end with a win—or a big paycheck—but it also wasn’t a loss. It was an opportunity to learn.Tune in as I share some reflections on my preparation, how I showed up in the arena, and why I can still be proud of the way I competed. I also tip my hat to the NFR competitors and the level of performance, resilience, and professionalism they displayed through the ups, downs, and moments of adversity on the biggest stage. At the end of the day, there are no true failures—only lessons that help us grow.
During the ten days of the NFR in Las Vegas, we all get to watch the product of a year-long—and often lifelong—journey to the Thomas & Mack. What we don’t always see is the small army behind each competitor who helps make that run possible.In this episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with Lorissa Jo Merritt— sister of Katelyn Scott and sister-in-law to Halyn Lide, who both qualified for this year’s National Finals Rodeo. While Lorissa is a talented horsewoman herself, her role behind the scenes is one we don’t talk about enough—and it is a pivotal role in the road to the NFR.Lorissa shares how she's embraced her role as the “horse finder” and “accountability partner" in Katelyn's journey, the story of how Peanut Seed—Katelyn’s main mount for this year’s finals—came into their lives, how he got his name, and the team effort that goes into an NFR qualification.
In this episode, I am pleased to welcome Chrissie Pariseau, DVM, MS, DABVP (Equine Practice), cVMA with Merck Animal Health to share some perspectives on the current EHV-1 outbreak.Join us as Dr. Pariseau unpacks the myths and facts about EHV-1 and EHM, including her professional recommendations for monitoring symptoms, testing for the virus, protecting healthy horses in your herd, and caring for those that have been exposed or infected.
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about the importance of playing to your horse’s strengths. One of the biggest responsibilities we have as horsemen and women is to be good leaders — and a big part of leadership is recognizing the strengths of those we lead. Just like people, every horse has a different set of strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Our job is to identify what those are and set them up for success.Tune in as I share tips for how to identify your horse’s natural tendencies and why doing so can strengthen their confidence, willingness, and longevity.
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