Ask An Expert: Horse Care and Riding Advice

Your horse can't tell you when something hurts, but the way they move can. In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine veterinarian and author Dr. Bob Grisel explains how to read your horse's movement, spot lameness earlier, and support their soundness and longevity.Episode Highlights:Why lameness isn't as simple as "sound" or "lame," and how a horse's movement can point to where a problem is coming fromThe difference between weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing lameness, and what each can tell youWhy catching problems early makes such a difference, and how sending video clips to your vet can help between visitsHow X-rays fit in, and why what shows up on an image doesn't always match what your horse feelsHis thoughts on joint injections and icing, and what rehab can look like after a hind suspensory injuryMeet the Expert, Dr. Bob Grisel Dr. Bob Grisel graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and has more than 30 years of experience with sport horse medicine and surgery. He built the Atlanta Equine Clinic, worked as a vet at the 1996 Olympic Games, and is the author of Equine Lameness for the Layman.Ask an Expert Is Brought to You by Ride iQRide iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.Members also get:Weekly live Q&As with equestrian expertsExclusive podcast episodesDressage test prep resourcesA supportive learning communityStart your free 14-day trial and get 20% off your first month or year when you sign up at askrideiq.com

Positive reinforcement training isn’t just about treats and clickers. It’s about helping your horse feel safe enough to learn. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Shawna Karrasch, a pioneer in the field, and trainer and breeder Jessie Hillegas explain how it builds more confident, trusting horses, how to bring it into a horse who was trained traditionally, and how it can help with everything from separation anxiety to vet care.Please note: Shawna shares a personal story in this episode that includes a mention of childhood sexual abuse.Episode Highlights:What positive and negative reinforcement actually mean, how clicker, target, and food-based training fit in, and why they affect a horse’s brain and emotions differentlyHow to bring positive reinforcement into a horse who was trained traditionally, and how it fits with dressage, eventing, hunters, and jumpersWhy separation anxiety happens and how to build a new association with being apart, one small step at a timeHow cooperative care and giving your horse a choice can make vet visits, handling, and grooming easierSimple ways to enrich your horse’s turnout and keep them mentally engagedMeet the Experts, Shawna Karrasch and Jessie HillegasShawna Karrasch is a pioneer of positive reinforcement training in the equestrian world, bringing humane, effective behavior techniques to professionals and amateurs alike through her teaching, books, and global clinics. She began her career training marine mammals like dolphins, sea lions, and orcas, where voluntary participation made reward-based methods essential, and later recognized how these same principles could transform horse training. She is the author of You Can Train Your Horse to Do Anything.Jessie Hillegas began her riding career in traditional hunter jumper programs, spending 20 years working with large A-rated show barns on the East Coast, where she trained young horses, coached Bucknell University’s equestrian team, taught lessons from beginner through advanced, and prepared horses for competition. She later launched her own warmblood breeding and training program in Pennsylvania, breeding top hunters that have won prizes at venues like Warrenton, Upperville, and the Devon Horse Show. After a filly she bred came back to her with PTSD-like behavior, she turned to positive reinforcement, and today she and Shawna work as partners through Shawna Karrasch Equine.Ask an Expert Is Brought to You by Ride iQRide iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.Members also get:Weekly live Q&As with equestrian expertsExclusive podcast episodesDressage test prep resourcesA supportive learning communityStart your free 14-day trial and get 20% off your first month or year when you sign up at ⁠askrideiq.com 

Is your horse’s personality working with your training or against it? In this episode of Ask an Expert, Grand Prix dressage rider and author Yvonne Barteau breaks down the four core horse personality types and shows you how to figure out which one you’re dealing with, and how to adjust your handling and riding to match.Episode Highlights:The four core personality types (social, fearful, aloof, and challenging), and how to read your horse’s true personalityHow personality, energy level, and intelligence combine to shape your training plan, plus the passive-to-aggressive scale and why some horses show two personalitiesHow to find a horse that fits you as a rider, how to train each type, and Yvonne’s book recommendationsMeet the Expert, Yvonne BarteauYvonne Barteau is a lifelong horsewoman, USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist, and FEI trainer and clinician. She’s the author of Ride the Right Horse and The Dressage Horse Manifesto, and the founder of Horses Without Humans, a horse rescue and rehabilitation organization.Ask an Expert Is Brought to You by Ride iQRide iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.Members also get:Weekly live Q&As with equestrian expertsExclusive podcast episodesDressage test prep resourcesA supportive learning communityStart your free 14-day trial and get 20% off your first month or year when you sign up at ⁠askrideiq.com 

Are you making the right choices for your horse’s digestive health, or is their internal ecosystem suffering in silence? In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Mary Beth Gordon, Senior Director of Equine Technical Innovation for Purina Animal Nutrition, demystifies the equine microbiome and explains how it impacts every aspect of your horse’s well-being. Episode Highlights: 9:04: What the microbiome actually is, why it matters, and how it functions as your horse’s hidden health driver 18:24: Real-world warning signs your horse’s microbiome may be out of balance and key links to behavior, immunity, and colic risk 25:31: How fiber, feed, stress, and even travel or medications can shape the gut 30:18: The difference between prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics - and how to spot products that actually work Meet the Expert, Dr. Mary Beth Gordon Dr. Mary Beth Gordon is the Senior Director of Equine Technical Innovation at Purina Animal Nutrition, where she leads research focused on equine nutrition, exercise physiology, and digestive health. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Delaware Valley University and her PhD in Animal Science, with a focus on equine nutrition and exercise physiology, from Rutgers University. In addition to her work in research, Mary Beth is active in the horse world as a dressage rider. Episode Sponsor Connaway & Associates The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance. Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options.  Brought to you by Ride iQ  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Ride iQ is currently offering a special Kentucky Legacy Rate - a 20% lifetime discount on membership, available for one week only. Use code LEGACY at Ride-iQ.com to lock in your savings for as long as you remain a member. What if your horse’s happiness is the missing piece in your performance? In this episode of Ask an Expert, renowned Grand Prix dressage rider and clinician Karen Rohlf shares her holistic approach to creating joyful equine athletes. Blending classical dressage with natural horsemanship, Karen dives deep into what real partnership looks like, how to recognize true happiness in your horse, and why everyday choices make a difference. Episode Highlights: 11:56: Introducing the Happy Athlete Training Scale and why happiness and harmony come before communication, biomechanics, and sport 19:44: Concrete ways to add more choice, enrichment, and mental stimulation to your horse’s daily routine 27:37: What true harmony feels like, how to “join up” with your horse, and why being present and patient matters more than you think 34:11: The nine habits of excellent horsemanship and why a sense of humor is a secret weapon for riders at any level 44:16: Understanding healthy biomechanics, practical tips to find your horse’s “sweet spot,” and why trust and curiosity fuel athleticism Meet the Expert, Karen Rohlf Karen Rohlf is the founder of Dressage Naturally, an internationally recognized clinician, and the author of multiple books on training and horsemanship. She is known for her approach that prioritizes partnership, empowers riders as students, and blends classical dressage with relationship-based training. Karen focuses on developing the mental, emotional, and physical connection between horse and rider, with a goal of helping both horses and humans thrive. Episode Sponsor Connaway & Associates The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance. Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options.  Brought to you by Ride iQ  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com.