WH136 | Contact nutrition for the horse-human relationship with Carmen Spagnola
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
Release Date: 04/29/2025
WH139 | Let the horses show you the way with Sandra Wallin
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
I spend this episode with my mentor Sandra Wallin riding waves of emotion - as you'll hear in our chat, this is our first time connecting for a good chat in almost a decade and it felt so good to be back in her depth of presence, the very same presence that supported me so essentially during my year as her student almost 20 years ago. What an honour to have Sandra on the podcast and what a pleasure to share her wise self with all of you. In this episode we travelled back through time to remember her mare Grace, now walking in spirit, but a very key part of my learning and growth as she...
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WH138 | Storytime with Alexa - finding our new home and farm
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
This is a short and sweet episode and it's just me, which I haven't done since the very beginning of season one! In this episode, I sit out with the herd and share the story of how this space and land came to be for us, the horses and our other animals, as it definitely was a miracle how it all came together. I also go into our hopes and dreams for this space (hint: it involves you!) It's just 20 minutes long, have a listen and let me know what you think of our new farm name which I share publicly for the first time in the episode. Enjoy! If you'd like to follow our journey here as we...
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WH136 | Contact nutrition for the horse-human relationship with Carmen Spagnola
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
As we continue this season's mentorship series, this conversation with one of my current mentors was as potent as I had imagined. Carmen Spagnola has been a support, guide, teacher and esteemed colleague for over 12 years, and I have benefitted greatly from her depth of presence, attunement, clarity and nuance. She has spent time with my mares Diva and Raven, and has recently, and excitingly, become the steward of two geldings. Her love and care for horses (and humans) spills forth in this conversation and in her many offerings. In this conversation, we unpacked the concept of attachment...
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WH135 | What flowers have taught me about horses and healing with Sabina Pettitt of Pacific Essences
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
Welcome to the first of my mentorship series. where I have conversations with some of my most important mentors, allowing you to access some of the goodness and wisdom that I was so supported by on my journey. The first in this series is my teacher and friend Sabina Pettitt, who is the founder of Pacific Essences, a company here on the west coast of Vancouver Island that makes vibrational remedies. Many of us have heard of Rescue Remedy, which is the most commonly used flower remedy, but have perhaps not looked too much further into what it is and how it works. If you are curious about what a...
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WH134 | A whole horse perspective on veterinary care with Dr. Tomas Teskey
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
This conversation with Dr. Tomas Teskey blew my mind in the best possible way, as he shared about what veterinary care looks like for him (and truly, what I would love to see much more of) - as he puts it, examining every square inch of a horse and what's impacting their health, including hooves, teeth, environment, feed, supplements and more. Tomas opens up about what a typical day looks like for him, why he started to focus on hoof care many years ago, and how shifting the environment has started to be one of the most important aspects of his care plan. Listen in to find out what simple...
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WH133 | Sacred contracts with horses and how to recognize them with Brittany Ashworth
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
Season 8 of the Whole Horse podcast is here! To start us off right, I chatted with my friend and colleague Brittany Ashworth of Sacred Echos and we headed right into some wild and wonderful territory. Rewinding back almost 12 years, Brittany shared about how she met her horse Duke, after never being a horse person, and how his presence and his story changed her path in a potent way. We reflected on their powerful and immediate connection starting her in the direction of her life's work, animal communication. Throughout our chat, Brittany shares in depth about the fascinating topic of soul...
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WH132 | Understanding equine postural mechanisms with Dr. Karen Gellman
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
In this episode, marking the end of season seven of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Karen Gellman. What an incredible journey she has been on, culminating in her dedicating her life and veterinary practice to the study of equine health as it relates specifically to postural mechanisms, as well as sharing this body of knowledge with others. During our conversation she shares some of the keys to supports horses to live well in gravity, how to support your horse to be healthier and happier through simple changes to their inner and outer environments, what postural rehabiliation is all...
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WH131 | Shifting how we think about breathing with Holly Barnett
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
In this episode with Holly Barnett, I learned all about the new style of breathwork she created called InteroBreath, which is a way of working with the breath that focusses on our sixth sense, interoception. Holly walks us through the definition of this breathing practice, including what interoception is, how she developed it, why it's so powerful for our health and well-being, and the impact practicing it can have on our horses' well-being! We also discussed Holly's top not-so-secret secrets as a bodyworker and saddle fitter of over 20 years' experience, and what she's noticed as...
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WH130 | Horses as muses, teachers, and guides with artist Kim McElroy
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
As we wrap up season 7, I was honoured to sit down for a conversation with the artist Kim McElroy. As you'll hear in this episode, I met Kim in 2007 through a series of synchronistic events, and was struck by her presence even then. I then had the opportunity to be inspired by her art as I regularly pulled cards from the Way of the Horse, her collaborative deck with Linda Kohanov. In this episode, timed for the release of her newest collaboration with one of my mentors Sandra Wallin, the Council of Horses Oracle deck, you'll learn about the almost 20 year journey from first inspiration...
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WH129 | Unmasking sensitivity to be better (horse) people with Lori Halliday
The Whole Horse Podcast with Alexa Linton
This conversation with the wise and wonderful Lori Halliday certainly touched into some tender places! Lori offered her perspective on the fall from grace of a notable rider this past summer, which led us into a powerful discussion on the personal responsibility we all hold to be accountable for our history and allow it to inform our present-day actions. She shined a light on how trusting our intuition and exposing our sensitivities is how we get the good work done, while being mindful to remember the importance of not sacrificing our health in the process. Tune in for another fantastic...
info_outlineAs we continue this season's mentorship series, this conversation with one of my current mentors was as potent as I had imagined. Carmen Spagnola has been a support, guide, teacher and esteemed colleague for over 12 years, and I have benefitted greatly from her depth of presence, attunement, clarity and nuance. She has spent time with my mares Diva and Raven, and has recently, and excitingly, become the steward of two geldings. Her love and care for horses (and humans) spills forth in this conversation and in her many offerings.
In this conversation, we unpacked the concept of attachment theory, and specifically how secure attachment in any relationship can be facilitated by understanding and prioritizing contact nutrition, essentially nourishing ourselves and others through presence, attunement, co-regulation, safe touch, and empathy. How we interact with our horses, as fellow mammals, and their nervous systems, impacts the quality of our relational experince, and their sense of feeling safe, secure, and soothed. There are so many nuggets of goodness in this hour and it reminded me once again why I am so grateful to have Carmen in my life! Grab a tea, some chocolate, a shedding comb, or a manure fork, and enjoy this sweet chat.