The Equestrian Connection

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/

Dr. Tracy Rainwaters holds a very long list of education and credentials, including but not limited to a Doctor of Chiropractic and Animal Chiropractic certification, Neo-Shamanic Breathwork Practitioner certification, and so much more. Her mission is to bring harmony between horses and their humans. She utilizes a whole-being approach to healing by looking at an issue from the perspective of the physical, mental & emotional as well as the energetic & the spiritual. With that, she combines her medical knowledge as an human and animal chiropractor with her intuitive abilities as an interspecies intuitive and shamanic practitioner to bring whole-being healing to both horse and rider. Through this approach, she is able to help improve harmony, performance, connection and health.

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.

Maddie Houser is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist with her now retired Dutch Warmblood mare, Leah, and since 2021 has been focused on helping shed light on the versatility of the Quarter Horse and their place in the dressage ring. Maddie’s Instagram account, The Blonde & The Bay, showcases her training progressions, the ups and downs of horse and farm ownership, equestrian fashion, and more. In this episode, we’re focusing on the new year. Maddie didn’t have the year she expected with her horses, and rather than taking that energy into 2024, we’re talking about how to realign goals, set expectations, pivot when necessary, and stay on track when things get hard. This is the perfect episode to listen to for new year inspiration, whether you need a fresh start like us, or whether you just want to hear different perspectives on the goals and often “highlight reels” of the equestrian world.

For over 30 years, Buck Brannaman has been working with horses and their owners and today is one of the world’s leading practitioners of handling horses based on classical concepts from the California vaquero tradition; which includes working with the horse's nature, as well as using an understanding of how horses think and communicate to train the horse to accept humans and work confidently and responsively with them. One of his goals is to help horses feel safe and secure around humans so that the horse and rider can achieve a true union. In this episode, we discuss common issues in today’s horse world, his inspiration as a horseperson, career highlights, and more.

Jess Roberts is the owner and trainer of Harmonized Horsemanship, an approach to horse training designed to be fulfilling and rewarding for both horse and human. Jess combines a variety of different training techniques and approaches to create a deeper connection that results in a willing and happy equine partner. Jess has studied directly with some of the world’s renowned liberty trainers, and has immersed herself in many different training approaches and styles in her lifetime. This experience, combined with a degree in psychology and years of watching and interacting with hundreds of horses, helps Jess to be a translator between horse and human. She focuses on some of the subtleties of horse behavior that are often missed or overlooked, giving the horse a voice and a choice throughout the training process. In this episode, we discuss the horse-human connection, the power of energy, “what to do if” scenarios, how to navigate changing your approach to working with your horse at a barn that might not “get it,” and so much more.

Alexa Linton is the founder of the Whole Horse Apprenticeship, a culmination of almost 20 years of learning about all things equine wellness. She is also the creator and host of the Whole Horse Podcast, and she has written a variety of articles for Horse Journals. Alexa also specializes in supporting with transitions, including death and dying, but also herd, human and barn changes, and physical transitions including illness, injury and aging. Alexa wrote a book to support those who are navigating the death of their animals called Death Sucks: The Straight-up Guide to Navigating Your Pet’s Final Transition. In this episode, we discuss navigating those transitions. It can be a tough subject but Alexa’s advice and wisdom is something that all of us could benefit from at some point in our lives.

Lockie Phillips is the founder of Emotional Horsemanship, a training method that recruits 3 fundamental lenses; Science, Empathy & Feel. Originally starting his career as a professional dancer, Lockie has since transitioned into an international clinician, trainer, and coach. He focuses on both the horse and the human in a groundbreaking approach that allows for a safe learning environment for all. In this episode, we discuss what “feel” really means, the importance of body awareness, holding space for both horses and humans, and so much more.

Sarah Louise Lilley is a clinical EFT Practitioner and EFTU Mentor who specializes in helping equestrians overcome their fears and find confidence after traumatic falls. EFT is an evidence-based, trauma-, and polyvagal-informed stress reduction technique which combines modern western psychology and the ancient eastern art of accupressure. And, it’s an easy tool anyone can use to emotionally regulate and show up with integrity in all areas of their life, including their time at the barn! In this episode, we discuss rebuilding confidence after traumatic events, such as falls, as well as how EFT can support riding goals by releasing shame, limiting beliefs, procrastination, and so much more.

Kelly Artz is the founder and CEO of Entrigue Consulting. An avid eventer turned FEI dressage rider, with a knack for marketing and branding, her connections in American Thoroughbred Horse Racing, Dressage, and Eventing led her to help equestrian brands and professional riders across horse sports strategize their digital identity. Kelly has represented many Olympians and top riders and has collaborated with some of the largest organizations in equestrian sports including the Kentucky Derby, Breeder's Cup, Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and Longines Global Champions Tour. In this episode, we discuss the importance of marketing in the success of the equestrian industry, the current challenges and potential places of improvement in the equestrian industry today, the Ingrid Klimke Masterclass happening December 2023 in California, and so much more.

Kathy Sierra is the creator/curator of Intrinzen and the Pain Science Workshop, and she’s well known on Instagram as PantherFlows. Kathy has ten years working in human sports medicine as a training director in Los Angeles. She then went back to school for computer science, working after as a game developer and software architect. Kathy eventually worked in Hollywood and taught “interaction design for intrinsic motivation” at UCLA Entertainment Studies and Universal Studio, and went on to create an educational book series in technology that sold over 2 million copies. Horses have been a lifelong passion, but not her profession. However, when her beloved horse Draumur was nearly euthanized, Kathy felt it was her fault, so she took everything in her background on motivation, learning psychology, neuroscience, and movement science, and synthesized a path forward to help him when conventional methods failed. In this episode, we discuss movement motivation, the nervous system, pain science, and so much more.