The Equestrian Connection

Martha Cook is the managing director of Trafalgar Square Books, a publishing company serving the horse industry with beautifully illustrated, well-written books to supplement the growth and development of horse people. Martha runs the daily operations of Trafalgar Square Books, as well as handling contracts, print buying, rights, and promotion and marketing. Trafalgar Square Books believes that, with the help of their authors, we can all learn to ride better; teach our horses to perform better; feed them and house them more in accordance to their needs; care for them when they fall ill and help them recover from injury; and above all, treat them in a fair and just manner, as they deserve. On this episode, we’re chatting all about books and the publishing of education materials to support the growth of the horse industry. Connect with Martha and Trafalgar Square Books: Website: https://trafalgarbooks.com/

Cheryl Eriksen is an author, blogger, horse midwife, and eternal student of the horse-human connection. While earning her MSW from Western Michigan University, Cheryl took a special interest in the effects of trauma on the developing brain, and she applied that learning, along with her personal experiences as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, into her memoir, Follow Me, Friend. Additionally, Cheryl has spent decades as an equine professional and extensively studied equine behavior and how it is influenced by what the human brings to the relationship. Through her work in the field of equine assisted psychotherapy and learning, Cheryl has seen and experienced firsthand the healing power of the horse-human relationship. Her books (current and upcoming) and her blog explore this powerful relationship. Cheryl has also developed and taught continuing education courses on Equine Assisted Psychotherapy as a viable adjunct therapy, and on Trauma, Resiliency, and Horse Sense for social workers. Connect with Cheryl: Website: http://www.followmefriendbook.com/ Blog: http://www.peacehorsejourney.wordpress.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CherylLEriksenAuthor YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathofthepeacehorse6037

Steven Wilde travels the world to talk about horse sport. He grew up in the sport of show jumping with his mother, an international rider, and began equestrian sports commentating in 2001. Steven has had great success organizing shows as well. With a long list of events on his resume, Steven has commentated at many shows including multiple Olympic Games, European Championships, World Championships, over 100 World Cup Qualifiers, and over ten years on the Longines Global Champions Tour. His voice is a staple at WEF and other shows in the US and abroad. Connect with Steven: X: https://x.com/stevenwilde1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.wilde.127/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenwilde1/

Over two decades ago, Amber started a successful business focused on helping performance horses with behavioral issues. However, she soon realized that a major part of the horses' problems stemmed from the humans, and at that time, no one was addressing how to support the human side of things. While Amber knew there was a disconnect, she wasn't sure what to do about it, so she continued to train horses to be safe for humans instead of also working towards making humans safe for horses. Years later, Amber experienced a life-changing moment that helped her understand the power of energy. It inspired her to bridge the gaps that she observed throughout her career working with horses. To broaden her perspective and enhance her ability to assist others, she pursued several certifications, including coaching, ThetaHealing at multiple levels, and Somatic Breathwork. Amber has since combined these modalities to create a unique approach to healing. Whether it’s through meditation, somatic experiences, or tailored interventions, Amber works with individuals both in groups and one-on-one. Connect with Amber & find out more about The Art of Equine Alchemy event: Website: https://www.amberlydic.com/ The Art of Equine Alchemy event registration page: https://www.amberlydic.com/The-Art-of-Equine-Alchemy The Art of Equine Alchemy Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/532608742570210/?ti=ls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_amber_lydic_/

Lauren Maas is the executive director of Canter California and Canter USA, non-profit organizations providing retiring Thoroughbred racehorses with opportunities for new careers by helping to place, rehabilitate, and retrain these amazing athletes. It began leasing her first love, a 1985 OTTB gelding named Sunny, just before her eleventh birthday. Lauren’s love of thoroughbreds has continued and grown ever since. After holding multiple volunteer positions throughout the years, Lauren became the executive director of 501c3 thoroughbred aftercare organizations CANTER California and CANTER USA, which has placed more than 25,000 OTTBs in a new home. Lauren has been hard at work to revamp the adoption and listing program and plans to continue to grow CANTER’s presence and place an even greater number of OTTBs into their forever homes. Amongst all that, Lauren is now also a first-year veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College in England. Connect with Lauren & CANTER: CANTER California Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canterca/ CANTER USA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canterusa/ Lauren’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equineendeavor/ Website: https://www.canterusa.org/

*Important to note: This podcast episode was originally recorded in June 2024 in German for the wehorse podcast. We used translation software to dub the episode for our English podcast, The Equestrian Connection. Please excuse any imperfections in the conversation as a result. Richard Vogel is a German rider who started riding horses at the age of four, following in the footsteps of his family who have always had a strong passion for horses. He began competing at the age of seven and since then has has achieved numerous national and international successes. After a riding apprenticeship and valuable years of training with Ludger Beerbaum starting in 2015, today Richard Vogel is the No. 1 German show jumper and sits at No. 10 in the world rankings. Currently, Richard continues to compete internationally and represents Germany in various equestrian competitions. At the same time, he runs a business together with Sophie Hinners and David Will; a sports and sales stable in Hesse with two locations, known for the first-class training of show jumpers. Richard's philosophy can be summarized by his motto "The more you work, the luckier you get." In this podcast episode, Richard Vogel tells host Christian Kröeber how he worked for his success from an early age, why his business partners rarely compete in the same competitions as he does, what he thinks makes a good rider, and what he thinks needs to change if we want to still be able to experience equestrian sport in 20 years. Connect with Richard: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_richardvogel_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardVogelsporthorses

The purpose of EquUSCAN is to engage equestrians (specifically in the US and Canada, though everyone is welcome) in social justice work and global activism. EquUSCAN is a resource hub, highlighting and amplifying important humanitarian causes around the world and providing actionable avenues through which you can get involved and contribute to making a difference, help those who need it most, and reduce harm and suffering for vulnerable and targeted populations. EquUSCAN believes that your voice matters and they want to empower you to use it for the greater good! Founders Kait Miller and Elsie Reford truly believe that aligning equine advocacy work with social justice and global activism is the next evolution of the horse-human partnership and they are excited to be creating a platform that intentionally fosters the merging of those spheres. Connect with EquUSCAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equ.us_can/ Website: https://equuscan.my.canva.site/

Rebekka Klubien graduated from Roskilde University in 2021 and started working at the public broadcast tv station TV2 in 2022. Currently, she holds the position as a TV producer in the investigative journalism department. In 2023, Rebekka went undercover as a groom to see firsthand the daily operations at the Danish base of Helgstrand Dressage, which also has locations in Germany and Florida. Inside the barn, Rebekka found horses with welts from whips, mouth sores that were not given time to heal, and spur marks that were disguised with shoe polish when customers visited. She also filmed Helgstrand riders riding aggressively in training sessions with tight draw reins and the use of rollkur. Later that year, the documentary “The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire” aired on Danish national televisions station TV2, resulting in the indefinite suspension of owner Andreas Helgstrand from the Danish National Dressage Team. These stories are becoming all too common, and is a very important topic of discussion within the industry. On this episode, we chat with Rebekka about her experience, the welfare issues within the industry, the future of the sport, and her advice on speaking up. Connect with Rebekka: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebekkaklubien/ TV2 Article: https://nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2023-11-20-operation-x-afsloerer-voldsom-behandling-af-heste-hos-milliardaer “The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire” Documentary: https://play.tv2.dk/serie/operation-x-tv2/hestemilliardaerens-hemmeligheder-del-1-32b5280a-8f89-4052-b653-6eb52b230f1d

Connie Flores is a certified Equine Nutrition Advisor and the owner of 17 Hand Equine Nutrition. Her goal is to help horse owners understand the purpose behind every ingredient in their horse’s diet and to help develop a personalized feed program specific to the horse as a unique individual. Connie works independently of any feed company and provides unbiased feedback and recommendations, as well as keeps the owner’s goals in mind. On this episode, we discuss Connie’s why behind empowering owners to understand their horse’s nutrition, advice for both hard and easy keepers, hay testing, and so much more. Connect with Connie: 17 Hand Equine Nutrition Website: https://www.17handequine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/17handequinenutrition/ The Forage Porridge Website: https://theforageporridge.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theforageporridge/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connieincolorado/

Mary Ann Simonds has worked as a researcher, educator, coach and consultant for over 40 years in the fields of human and animal behavior, communication, consciousness and ethology. Lecturing and consulting nationally and internationally primarily on horse-human interactions, her work blends the application of science with intuition integrating cultural issues and finding solutions for the well-being of people and animal. She has produced numerous educational materials including videos and books and has a new book “A Horse by Nature” recently out. Currently living in Wellington, FL, Mary Ann has retired from a rigorous teaching with the Institute of Integrated Sciences and the Whole Horse & Equestrian Science Institute to focus on writing and speaking. Her pioneering work has focused on stress management in animals and how humans influence animal behavior both in the wild and in captivity. Integrating a whole systems approach to interspecies psychology, Mary Ann has worked with governments, communities, businesses, non-profit organizations and universities. On this episode, we discuss signs of stress in horses, horse personality assessments, skills of a good horseperson, welfare, and the future of the sport. Connect with Mary Ann: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equinesbynature/ Website: https://maryannsimonds.com/ Order the Book: https://maryannsimonds.com/a-horse-by-nature-release/

Miah O’Cain is an equine sports massage therapist and the owner of Highland 3:5 Equine Services. She has a vast knowledge of additional supportive techniques and modalities - many of which we’ll discuss today. This includes redlight therapies, Tuning Forks, Bemer, and cryotherapy. Her ultimate goal is to find the root cause of pain and dysfunction and then fix the problem at the core, not mask it. She does this by bringing body, mind, and soul back into alignment. On this episode, we discuss the different body work modalities and technology, how to know what is best for your horse, and so much more. Connect with Miah: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highland35equineservices/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089139490856

MD Equestrians is a company that designs and sells bitless bridles and accessories, as well as their new bareback pads. With products available in sizes from miniature to extra-large, the mission is to make this way of working with horses accessible for everyone. The founder, Marloes Blok, is a young entrepreneur who had the idea of starting this company after going on her own bitless journey when her horse was showing signs that he didn’t want to wear a bit. On this episode, we discuss what it’s like to start and run your own business, her advice to other young equestrian entrepreneurs, being a social media influencer, getting started with bitless riding, the differences between side-pull bitless bridles and hackamores, and so much more. Connect with Marloes: Website: https://www.mdequestrians.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diegoandmarloes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@diego.marloes MD Equestrians Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdequestrians/ MD Equestrians TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdequestrians

Kerri’s early awareness included a natural ability to communicate with animals and all of life in subtle realms of consciousness, through energy and presence. With wisdom, guidance and communication from many teachers (human and non-human), she assists to help you recognize your capacity to experience connection and communication through presence, through the heart. Without dependence on a modality or system, Kerri has blazed a new trail on the road to freedom from limitations and conditioning. On this trail, all species are welcome and integrate through frequencies of communication. The greatest gift she can give to you is her own purity of expression, sharing her own journey, to help you see that if she can do it... so can you. On this episode, we hear Kerri’s inspiring journey and discuss horse-human communication, becoming more aware of your own intuition, and so much more. Connect with Kerri: Website: https://www.generateharmony.com Activating and Facilitating Feel - Live Q&A (May 27th): https://www.generateharmony.com/events/activating-and-facilitating-feel-live-qa

Jenn Savage is an equine bodyworker and educator with the mission to help educate and empower horse owners who want what’s best for their horses above all else. She believes in the importance of giving back as much as we can to our equine athletes, especially when we ask big jobs of them. So, she’s on a mission to empower others with knowledge and resources to help prehab their horse while training like a Savage. In this episode, we discuss signs your horse may need body work, what your warm-up routine may be missing, the importance of prehab, building a community of like-minded horse people, and so much more. Connect with Jenn: Website: https://www.savageequineservices.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savageequineservices Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavageEquineServices/

Paul Court is a renowned horse trainer and gained fame for his notable achievements in the racing world. He made history as one of the youngest trainers to win the esteemed New Zealand Cup, guiding Terror To Love to victory for three consecutive years—an accomplishment matched by only two other horses and not seen since 1960. With 32 wins and earnings of $2.5 million, Paul's exceptional training abilities shone through. His expertise transcends borders, earning him respect across Australia for his versatile methods. Paul's success extends to Australia and Canada, demonstrating his proficiency in managing bustling stables and keeping owners satisfied. Starting his journey at 29, Paul's experience handling 40 to 50 horses simultaneously has provided invaluable insights into effective communication and dedication required for success. His dedication to improving the industry led to the creation of Stable Hub, aimed at enhancing stable management and supporting fellow trainers. Learn more about Stable Hub: Website: https://stablehub.ca/

Wendy’s desire to understand the function of both horse and human, her curiosity, and her love of teaching have led her to be able to help both the horse and the rider. She combines her creative talents with her scientific training to break down larger concepts of horseback riding as well as horse health into simple, easy-to-understand, bite-sized “chunks” for students of all ages, abilities, and disciplines. Her ability to make learning enjoyable, engaging, and fun through in-depth presentations helps her students connect the dots and achieve their goals. Wendy’s willingness to embrace new ideas led her to develop the SURE FOOT Equine Stability Program and SURE FOOT Equine Balance Pads, which allow horses to reprogram their own brain in order to feel more grounded, secure, and confident so they can become a more willing partner. In this episode, we discuss nervous systems, balance, SURE FOOT pads, personal experiences, giving the horse a say, and so much more. Connect with Wendy: Murdoch Method Website: https://murdochmethod.com/ Murdoch Method Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdoch_method/ Murdoch Method Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MurdochMethod SURE FOOT Website: https://surefootequine.com/ SURE FOOT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surefootequine/ SURE FOOT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SUREFOOTEquineStabilityPads SURE FOOT Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/338470610073519

Gabriela, aka Gaby, Reutter is the reigning #1 female Chilean show jumper. Her career is decorated with accolades, including more recently the team Bronze Medal at the 2022 South American Games in Paraguay, as well as victories in FEI classes, Nations Cup events, and European tours. Gaby’s career is a true testament to her spirit and unwavering dedication. From leading performances at Spruce Meadows and The Hampton Classic to securing top ranks at junior/young rider South American Games, her journey is filled with impressive accomplishments. Notably, her partnership with Rocky saw them on top in prestigious competitions in recent years. In 2018, Gaby founded Lumiere Horses Inc., a testament to her vision and entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout the year, you can find her travelling across the United States, Canada, and Europe, fueled by her ambition to become the first Chilean woman show jumper to represent her nation's colors at the Olympics since 1972. In this episode, we discuss all things ambition, balance, staying on track with big goals, and so much more. Connect with Gabriela: Website: https://www.lumierehorses.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriela.reutter/

Dave Thind is the founder of the Dave Thind Method, otherwise known as DTM, which is the breakthrough combination of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® and the German classical training system. DTM helps you improve your seat, feel what your horse is communicating and improve the effectiveness and clarity of your aids. Originally from Canada but now living in the US and spending summers in Germany, Thind has himself competed at the Grand Prix level in dressage and jumping. He is a noted equestrian biomechanics authority, with several published articles and appearances as an expert guest or lecturer to his credit. He received his German 'Trainer A' license in 2007 with a nearly perfect score awarded to him from the German National Federation. He holds an International Trainer Passport Level III and is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, which means he is able to teach both Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement and the hands-on work, Functional Integration. With DTM, you’ll awaken your body’s innate ability to ride softer, with greater feel and better results. You’ll learn how to release the physical and mental tension, as well as “over-effort” that blocks the full expression of your horse’s talent. In this episode, we discuss common riding challenges, self-carriage of the human, and Dave walk us through an exercise to introduce us to Feldenkrais. Connect with Dave: Website: https://www.davethindmethod.com/ Save 20% on the 14-Day Challenge: Unlock Your Hips and Swing With Your Back, or the 60-Days to a Better Seat course. Use coupon code WEHORSE (offer valid until June 1, 2024)

Holly Barnett is a professional Breathwork Facilitator with a background in Applied Neuroscience, and the founder of her method, Intero Breath. You may recognize Holly from episode #31 where we chatted about saddle fit. Holly has been a saddle fitter and equine bodyworker for two decades but was beginning to notice a shift in herself and a shift in the way she worked with horses. Holly used her knowledge in breathwork and applied neuroscience to create a modality to reduce stress, manage emotions and regulate the nervous system. Holly’s method, which she calls Intero Breath, is a practice that combines the profound healing and regulating properties of Interoception & Breathwork. In this episode, we discuss Intero Breath, how it can change our relationship with our horses, how it can impact us as equestrians and humans, the ability to heal, and so much more. Connect with Holly: Website: https://www.interobreath.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holly_barnett_wellness/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/holly.barnett.505

Ian Benson’s focus is the relationship between horse and human. He believes that all change comes from us as humans. This means: “We need to be the change we want to see in our horse”. The method of Humanship is about the whole relationship between you and your horse, all the parts of each of our characters coming together to create the relationship as it is now. Humanship includes a comprehensive philosophy and a practical approach with everyday exercises from the ground and from the saddle. The focus of the exercises is on implementing them in everyday life with the horse and on refining communication from horseback. Connect with Ian: Website: http://www.humanship.co.nz/