Canter Therapy

In this episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley and Kat speak with Stacey Wallace about one of the most rapid and grounded transformations she has witnessed in a horse owner.Stacey returned to horses as an adult, postpartum, without a pony club background and with a young, reactive horse that challenged her confidence and skills from the outset. Over a relatively short period of time, Stacey developed exceptional handling skills, sound decision-making, and the ability to calmly navigate complex situations that derail many horse owners. Her progress was supported not only by structured learning, but also by her own background in cheerleading and the Air Force, which shaped her discipline, ability to practise methodically, take responsibility, and stay calm under pressure.A central theme of the conversation is how working within Shelley’s framework, through the Complete Reboot program and the Calm Willing Confident Horse Society, helped Stacey cut through the noise of conflicting expert advice. Rather than becoming dependent on opinions, Stacey learned a process for observing, testing, and refining her approach. She also speaks openly about the role of trusting her gut, particularly when expert advice conflicted or did not align with what she was seeing in her horse, even when faced with soundness issues, hoof concerns, injuries, and management challenges.This episode offers an honest and practical look at what is possible for first-time and adult horse owners who never went to pony club, do not have the “perfect” horse, and are trying to build real capability in a confusing horse world.If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe. And if you’d like to support it in a more tangible way, visit the Canter Therapy website to explore Shelley and Kat’s education resources, clinics, and events. There’s also merchandise, because nothing says “I appreciate critical thinking and horses” quite like a hoodie!Visit www.cantertherapy.com.au for more information.

In this episode, Shelley sits down with horseman and educator Peter Cowell, the “man of a thousand sayings” who quietly delivers some of the most grounded, practical horsemanship insight you’ll hear.Peter shares how he found his way into horses (yes, it started with a girl), the three formative mentors who set his standards early, and why real learning is built in layers rather than slogans. The conversation explores what Peter calls the “ragged edge” of practice: handling weanlings year after year in the same facilities, with the same bloodlines, and refining timing, feel, and risk management through relentless repetition.You’ll hear honest discussion about trade-offs (there are no complete solutions), why context matters more than certainty, and how skilled horse people can unintentionally skip teaching because they do not realise how much they are doing in the micro-moments. Peter also explains how his use of a flag evolved from driving horses to helping them think forward, and why “that’s a goal, not a method” should probably be written on half the walls in the horse industry.Peter will be returning for a part two. Homework has been assigned.​How early mentors shape standards and decision-making​Practical expertise versus simplified “science flag” thinking, and why long-term patterns matter​Weanling handling as a real-world laboratory for repetition, refinement, and risk reduction​Timing, including “rewarding the thought” and recognising the earliest onset of behaviour​“No complete solutions, only trade-offs” applied to tying, handling, and training​The missing middle ground in the horse world, and why it is where most people actually liveYou can find out more about Peter Cowell here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConundrumHorseHandlingEmail: conundrumhorse@hotmail.comTo learn more about the Canter Therapy Podcast, suggest an episode idea, or support the show, visit:www.cantertherapy.com.auTo find out more about Dr Shelley Appleton and support her work, visit:www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.auTo find out more about Kathryn Christieson and support her work, visit:www.firenzapark.com.auIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with friends. It helps us bring thoughtful, skilled voices to the forefront of the equestrian world.

Horses did not evolve for stalls, separation, transport, or high-pressure routines, yet this is the reality most horses live in today. That mismatch creates chronic stress, and the consequences do not stay hidden. They show up in digestion, behaviour, performance, soundness, and long-term health.In this episode, Dr Chris Mortensen (Poseidon Animal Health) explains why stress and gut health sit at the centre of so many modern horse problems, and why missing this link keeps people chasing symptoms instead of causes. We unpack what the hindgut actually does, how stress alters digestion, and why the gut microbiome plays such a powerful role in how horses cope with domesticated life. Chris also clearly explains the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, cutting through common misconceptions that cost horse owners time, money, and progress.If you care about making better decisions for your horse, this conversation will change how you think about stress, feeding, and what “supporting the horse” really means.Show Notes:Dr Chris MortensenDr Chris Mortensen is a PhD-qualified equine nutritionist and international educator specialising in stress physiology, gut health, and equine performance.Poseidon Animal HealthPoseidon Animal Health develops evidence-based equine nutrition and gut health solutions, working with leading scientists to support long-term horse health and resilience.To find out more about Dr Chris and Poseidon Animal Health Products visit the Poseidon Animal Health website:https://poseidonanimalhealth.com.auTo receive 10% off Poseidon Animal Health Products Click HERE or use code SHELLEYAPPLETON at checkout.

In Episode 97 of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley and Kat walk straight into controversy and unpack one of the horse world's most heated topics: what does freedom really mean for domestic horses?Using a spicy young chestnut filly with dangerous kicking habits as a case study, they explore how early handling, feet care and smart use of pressure can free a horse from a lifetime of stress, conflict and labels like "dangerous."From the ideology of giving horses "freedom to" choose, consent and say no, to the more practical and welfare focused idea of giving horses "freedom from" pain, insecurity and chronic stress, Shelley and Kat pull apart the assumptions behind popular narratives about agency, choice, barefoot feet, laminitis and turnout.This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about cognition, ethics and reality for horses living in a human world, and it will absolutely ruffle a few feathers.To learn more about Shelley and Kat and the balanced, evidence based approaches they promote for horse training and care, visit their websites:Dr Shelley Appleton: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.auKathryn Christieson: https://firenzapark.com.auFor more information about the Canter Therapy Podcast, to suggest episode ideas, or to enquire about sponsorship or advertising, head to:https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

Kat has just come back from a three-day equine dissection in Wagga hosted by Dr Heidi McGraw and led by Dr Raquel Butler (with nods to pioneer Sharon May-Davis). We unpack what anatomy really looks like (spoiler: nothing like the textbook), why fascia and “everything’s connected” matters, how X-rays can miss early change, mares’ ovaries, the ethics/wicked-problem of riding, and Shelley’s new tech toys—from the Lami-Tag for digital pulses (laminitis) to Equestric Saddle Clip for gait/HR tracking - plus what’s coming up in Shelley’s “Teaching People How to Work with Horses” course and "Whole-Horse" workshops and more!Episode Information:Find Shelley's Clinics and Workshop Information here: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au/clinicsFor Information on Shelley's "Teaching People How to Work With Horses" click here:https://calmwillingandconfidenthorses.thinkific.com/bundles/teaching-people-how-to-work-with-horses-the-human-side-of-equestrian-learningFor information on the Equestric Saddle Clip (use coupon code SHELLEYAPPLETON15 to get 15% discount) click here:https://www.equestic.com/ref/45/?apply_coupon=SHELLEYAPPLETON15For information on the Lami-Tag (IMPORTANT: Shelley is still testing and has not yet confirmed the benefit or accuracy of this device) click here: https://www.lami-tag.comTo find out more about Shelley, her teachings, resources and how to learn from her, click here:https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au/To find out more about Kat and her services, courses and workshops, click here:https://firenzapark.com.auTo find out more about Canter Therapy Podcast and put in suggestions for episode topics, click here:https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

After a little hiatus (and 100,000+ listens—thank you!) Shelley and Kat are back. Inspired by an episode of The Canine Paradigm, they explore “vibe”: how our energy, presence and intention shape every interaction with a horse—and with people. From the “volume knob” of our presence (too big vs too small) to practical ways to lift or soften energy, they dig into awareness, rope skills, and why the skill is in returning after you drift. They talk pivoting when you’re on the wrong train, embracing the awkward stage of learning, and why “meditation in motion” (hello, groundwork) counts. Plus: book chats—Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, Born a Crime, Man’s Search for Meaning, and Tiny Beautiful Things. It’s honest, pragmatic, a bit cheeky, and very Canter Therapy.

Horseman and educator Steve Halfpenny (Light Hands Equitation, SA) joins Canter Therapy to talk being a “horse’s lawyer,” why the mind comes before the body, building trust without force, connection and feel, and why balance comes first. We cover permission in coaching, awareness over labels, matching horses to humans, and practical ways to avoid triggering prey instincts while creating willing movement.

Kat and Shelley are joined by Tami Elkayam to share highlights from her Canberra workshops on keeping horses sound. They talk about moving beyond just spotting lameness to understanding the whole horse—posture, movement patterns, and prevention. The chat also touches on simple tools for owners and how hormones can affect mares’ performance.To find out more about Tami and her owners course discussed in the episode go to:https://equinetensegrity.com/

In this episode we wrap up 2024 with a look back at the highlights of the year, including our experiences at Equitana and the incredible visit from Tami Elkayam. We reflect on what we’ve learned, the connections we’ve made, and how these experiences are shaping our plans for 2025. Plus, we share some exciting goals for the new year and discuss our favorite book recommendations.

Daniel Dauphin Horsemanship is someone you need to know. He should be on your radar—not only because he is an exceptional horseman who has started thousands of colts, trained high-level performance horses, and conducts clinics worldwide, but also because he is the host of the popular Adult Onset Horsemanship Podcast and an expert on bits. Daniel can explain bits from every angle! He knows his engineering, physics, and anatomy. Daniel is also extremely entertaining, and you’re sure to learn a lot from this interview. To find out more about Daniel Dauphin: Website: https://dauphinhorsemanship.com Bit Course: https://thebitcourse.com Facebook: Dauphin Horsemanship

In this episode we talk to the lovely Carol Layton from Balanced Equine. Carol had brought mineral supplementation into the everyday horse owners repertoire. We talk about the importance of specific minerals and their place in our horses diets as well as how to put together a basic diet that suits the average horse.If you want to find out more about Carol Layton or the products she has available, her website is balancedequine.com.au

Anna Minogue is back!In this episode we talk about everything dentistry and bit fitting from the differences in mouth shape between breeds to the different actions of bits.

In this episode Shelley explains two terms she wishes to bring into the vehicular of the equestrian world. "New Home Syndrome" to bring attention to what horse's can experience when they are moved to a new home. And, "New Horse Syndrome", which is to bring attention to what happens to people when they get a new horse and how the unfamiliarity of the new horse can set the scene for distrust to occur.

In this episode Kat and Shelley talk about finding motivation to ride when there are so many things that make it hard. Things such as the weather to a lack of company. They explore what they have learnt about motivation and how doing something you want to do is more about being strategic than waiting around to feel ready. In this podcast four (4) books that contain interesting insights into motivation and habits were mentioned. They are: 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins Atomic Habits by James Clear Can't Hurt Me & Never Finished by David Goggins

In this episode Kat gives some great tips about hoof care in winter. We go over ways to look after your farrier during the wet weather as well as how to look after your horse’s hooves. Kat also tells us the exciting news about her new course she has released, "Hoof Care Basics - The Essential Guide to Understanding & Caring for your Equine’s Hooves". Kat has created this course as a resource for owners to improve their understanding of hoof care and how to monitor hoof health and management choices. Listeners of this podcast can use the coupon code CANTERTHERAPY to get 20% off the listed price. Click here to find out more and enrol: https://calmwillingandconfidenthorses.thinkific.com/courses/hoofcarebasics

In this episode Shelley and Kat talk about "cookie cutter" training approaches for horses. They discuss why they are criticised but also about why they have merit.

Mel Stewart has over 30 years of experience working in psychology and she brings a wealth of knowledge to this episode. We delve deep into the human mind, exploring the nuances of mental health and behaviour, and how that relates back to horses.

We are joined in this episode by the gorgeous Jodie Luck from Almarzan Stud in Birdwood, South Australia. Jodie is an experienced and successful endurance competitor, as well as a breeder of Arabians, Warmbloods and German Riding Ponies. Jodie is a dedicated learner and she takes us on a journey into how she worked stuff out. To find out more about Almazaan Stud: Facebook @almazaan stud Website: http://www.almazaanstud.com.au/

We had the privilege of talking to Dr. Raquel Butler from Integrative Veterinary Therapeutics. Raquel is an absolute wealth of knowledge in the industry, having initially trained as a veterinarian before immersing herself in equine bodywork and biomechanics. In this episode we talk about the role of functional posture how it goes hand in hand with soundness. Find out more about Raquel on Facebook: Integrative Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://integratedvettherapeutics.mykajabi.com

Learning to ride as an adult is harder than you think! This episode delves into the unique challenges faced by adults learning to ride horses. In this episode, we engage in a conversation with Sam McGilvray, unraveling her journey into horsemanship. Sam shares her experience and frustrations of navigating the world of riding, offering insights into self-discovery and some of life's lessons.