Equestrian Voices

Equestrian Voices dives deep into the emotions, lives, stories, and everything we don't talk about when it comes to life as an equestrian. Join our host, Caroline Culbertson, for vulnerable, different, and sometimes hilarious chats with riders from all backgrounds. We want to get the 'human' out of horse people. Thanks for being here.

Introducing, Dear Horse World... 10/10/2024

Sexual Abuse in the Horse Industry: A Conversation with Annette Paterakis on Isolation, Hope, and Healing 05/07/2024

Why Play Is Key for Building “Try” in Your Horse, and How to Do It with Tik Maynard 03/26/2024

It Doesn't Have to Feel This Stressful: What Your Nervous System Has to Do with Performance, with Natalie Hummel 03/12/2024

Toplines: Spotting Pain, Dysfunction, and Myths that Need to Be Busted with Ansley Bevan 02/27/2024

Tempo, Pace, and Rhythm: It’s Not Just Semantics. With Hunter/Eq Judge Rob Van Jacobs 02/13/2024

It’s 4:30 AM and Your Goals are Calling, with Paralympian Amelia White 01/30/2024

How to Change a Spooky Horse into a Thinking Horse, with Josh Nichol 01/16/2024

Evolve Your Student/Trainer Relationship, with Annette Paterakis 01/09/2024

Rewind the Year With Us! 5 Favorite Moments of EV from 2023 12/26/2023

Why Michael Pollard Quit the Sport at the Height of His Career 12/12/2023

Why a Hot Bran Mash Doesn’t Keep Your Horse Warm, and other Blanketing Myths Busted with Dr. DeBoer 11/29/2023

Can We Help Horses Heal from Trauma and Grief? Using Physical Touch to Heal Emotional Wounds with Good Shepherd Gabriel 11/14/2023

Changing Your Goals, Finding a New Horse, and “My-horse-itis” with Chelsea Canedy 10/31/2023

Is the Forward Seat Still Relevant? Peter Wylde on Rider Style, Feel, and Evolution of Position 10/10/2023

What It’s Really Like to Run a Horse Rescue (All Seated in a Barn & Storeybrook Farm) 09/26/2023

What It’s Really Like to Run a Horse Rescue (All Seated in a Barn & Storeybrook Farm) We’ve all seen the pictures: the emaciated horse who looks ancient, but in actuality is in their prime, their coat dirty and their eyes dull. We’ve all also had the desire to just hook up our trailer (or commandeer one) and take them home to a better life. Unfortunately, few of us have the resources or the means to follow through on that impulse - so how do we go about helping all of the horses who are in dire need? And what are the lives like of the people who do follow through and take the one (or in one of our guest’s case…more than one) horses back home - what do they want everyone to know about their lives and organizations? What do they really need from us to succeed and keep their doors open? In this episode of Equestrian Voices, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Tahlia Fischer from and Olivia Alcorta from . In their candid, heartfelt, conversation, Caroline and her guests discuss many of the seen (and unseen) aspects of the horse rescue world, including: How they came to each run horse rescues. The common misconceptions about rescues that people carry with them. The day to day reality of what it takes What horse rescues can (and cannot) provide for the horses they receive. An open kimono discussion about vet bills, and the overall costs of running an organization that regularly brings horses back from the brink. Most importantly, how you can best help these critically important organizations in their work. - Innovative equestrian equipment driven by research and technology. Use discount code "voices" at checkout for 5% off. - Maker of the ultimate riding glove and the smartphone-carrying saddle pad. - Personalized coverage with competitive rates for equine mortality, major medical & surgical coverage, and more. - Empowering equestrians everywhere. #1 in digital equestrian eduction in North America. Go for $50 off an annual membership. /episode/index/show/noellefloyd/id/28132934

Why Doesn’t Riding Have An Athletic Culture? Embracing Rider Wellness with Ifa Simmonds 09/12/2023

Amy Skinner: “If you don’t understand pressure, you’ll be forced to overuse it.” 08/29/2023

Amy Skinner: “If you don’t understand pressure, you’ll be forced to overuse it.” There are many ideas about what good training looks like with horses. We imagine a well-trained horse as one who is able to perform its job at a high level, and view subsequent competition results as a validation of correctness. But what if that same horse can’t be mounted without being held, or has trouble loading onto/unloading off the trailer? Can we still say the horse is well trained if it’s not able to navigate the world around it with confidence? These questions, and so many more, are explored in our latest podcast episode, where Caroline sits down with Amy Skinner of Amy Skinner Horsemanship to dig into what “good training”, pressure, and horsemanship means in the equestrian industry. Amy Skinner is a highly sought after trainer and rider who gives clinics around the country, as well as being the author of two books around her training methods and unique background in the sport. She specializes in “problem” horses and helping horses and riders find better connections. Centering her philosophy around Classical Dressage and postural rehabilitation, Amy is a unique voice with deep insights into horses, training, and life in general. In their intimate (and funny) conversation, Caroline and Amy discuss a wide variety of topics, including: The concept of “pressure” and how it plays into the lives of both horses and humans Why competition results aren’t always the best litmus test for good training Where we fall short in training our horses, and how we can become more self aware of our own gaps Appropriate training levels for young horses, and why our hyper competitive space can break horses down early The concept of a training “bank account”, and how our actions either pull from it, or deposit into it Why horses who are trained solely through pressure and pain responses will never be truly safe. /episode/index/show/noellefloyd/id/27872409

Understand Your Competitive Drive So That It Doesn’t Work Against You (Or Your Horse) 08/08/2023

4 Ideas to Make Show Jumping More Engaging (and Why That Matters) 07/25/2023

“Age Is Not A Disease”: Considerations for Caring for Aging Horses with Dr. Katie Sheats 07/11/2023

“Age Is Not A Disease”: Considerations for Caring for Aging Horses with Dr. Katie Sheats There are stereotypes for just about everything when it comes to the horse world, and aging horses are no exception. We picture a hard keeper becoming increasingly thin over time, or maybe we imagine a recently retired athlete going out to a big pasture with a herd of other horses and immediately feeling content. But just like with every stereotype, these perceptions do not tell the full story, and can actually be harmful in the long run to our equine partners. In this episode, we dive into all things Golden Oldies. We aim to clarify the physiology behind the equine aging process, and debunk some common myths in the process (spoiler alert - not all old horses struggle with weight loss!). Our guest this week is Dr. Katie Sheats, an assistant professor of Equine Primary Care and a specialist in Equine Internal Medicine at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to specializing in the care of older horses, Dr. Sheets also owns two senior horses in their 30s who live in her backyard. In short, she has an immense amount of both clinical and real-world experience when it comes to this topic, and she has an accordingly vast amount of knowledge to share. Here are just a few of the topics Caroline and Dr. Sheats discuss in this week’s episode: What causes aging in horses? It’s more than just the passing of time... How weight plays into horse health as they age How teeth condition and gut health factors in older horses Tips and tricks for good preventative care Common chronic illnesses in older horses (and how you can get the jump on them far before your horses turn Sr.) Arthritic and orthopedic issues in older horses Deciding when to retire your horse, and what that retirement might look like for them (it’s not always just a big field and no work!) How to navigate the difficult decisions and conversations that one must face as horses near the end of their life /episode/index/show/noellefloyd/id/27422304

The Horses, Breeding, and Evolution of Show Jumping with Helena Stormanns 06/27/2023

Symmetry, Strength, and Optimizing the Rider's Seat 06/13/2023

Symmetry, Strength, and Optimizing the Rider's Seat There’s so much more to your seat and symmetry in the saddle than meets the eye. It’s not just about good equitation or looking pretty in the saddle. Your horse’s health, musculature, and soundness are profoundly impacted by your balance while you ride. Also, it’s just plain miserable to constantly be fighting your own position while you ride. If you’re constantly focusing on just turning your toes in, or not falling off the left side of your horse, there’s little hope to be effective and clear with your aids, thereby growing your partnership with your horse. But, here on Equestrian Voices, we have good news! One, there’s a lot you can do out of the saddle to fix position issues that you’re having in the saddle. (Yes, in this regard, you truly can become a better rider from your living room!) Two, most problems with seat and position come down to 3 main symmetry issues, and we talk all about them in this ep. We’ve turned to Maeve Sheridan MCSP, owner/operator of . Maeve is a highly specialized physiotherapist - for both people AND horses - with over 20 years of experience treating musculoskeletal disorders and sports injuries. Caroline and Maeve tackle: The three main symmetry issues (front to back, side to side, and rotational) and how they manifest both in and out of the saddle How asymmetry in the saddle greatly affects your horse (and how it can sometimes lead to injury) The main muscles involved in producing symmetry in your own body - spoiler alert, it’s not your core. Basic exercises you can do out of the saddle to strengthen your sense of symmetry in the saddle How your own anatomy affects body position in the saddle (all rider’s who turn out their toes, this is for you..) How saddle fit and design helps (or hurts) how symmetrical you can be in the tack You can also check out for more exercises and information on how to strengthen your own seat. /episode/index/show/noellefloyd/id/27120513

Asking the Hard Questions: A Conversation with Noëlle Floyd 05/30/2023

Deep Dive: Understanding Kissing Spines 05/09/2023

Deep Dive: Understanding Kissing Spines Your horse is cold backed and unpredictable at the mounting block. Under saddle, he goes around inverted, and can sometimes even kick out or spook suddenly. One of your friends casually says, “Maybe he has Kissing Spines,” and your heart skips - you’ve heard of it before, and know that it’s definitely not good. Kissing Spines disease in horses has been increasingly diagnosed in recent years, and can even be a reason why some people pass on a horse during a pre purchase exam - but we know more about diagnosing, treating, and managing this condition than we ever have. In this conversation, Dr. Kara Brown helps us break down the in/outs of this disease, as well as what you should be worried about (and what you shouldn’t) if your horse is diagnosed with it. Along with listener questions, Caroline and Dr. Brown discuss: The anatomy of the back, and how it relates to Kissing Spines What we know (and don’t) about what causes this condition The grading system vets use to assess severity How to properly palpate your horse’s back The best (and most recent) diagnosis methods Surgical and non-surgical treatment options Longer-term management and strengthening methods The book referenced with regard to rehabilitation and strengthening: A bit about Kara Brown, VMD, DACVSMR: Dr. Brown attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania and completed specialty training (including a fellowship in Large Animal Cardiology and Ultrasound and residency in Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation) at the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center. She is also a diplomate of the American College of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and will be joining the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in July. She has a special interest in complex poor performance in the sport horse, and has published research on varied topics within this subject. /episode/index/show/noellefloyd/id/26756169

Bitting Roundtable: Liza Towell Boyd, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Betsy Steiner, and Stephanie Brown-Beamer 04/25/2023

(Part 2) Creating Openness and Growth in the Horse/Rider Relationship 04/11/2023

Creating Openness and Growth in the Trainer/Student Relationship (Part 1) 03/28/2023

Creating Openness and Growth in the Trainer/Student Relationship (Part 1) If you’ve ever taken a riding lesson, you know that it goes something like this: Your trainer stands in the middle of the ring giving you instructions, and you’re on the horse trying your darndest to follow those instructions precisely. It works… kinda. But bridging that gap between your trainer’s instructions and feeling/understanding can be challenging. Additionally, it can put the rider in a mindset of listening to the instructor which can, in turn, tune out the horse. So why does it continue to be pretty much the exclusive teaching method? Is there more to know when it comes to developing an effective back and forth between trainer and student? In the first of this two-part podcast, host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Paul and Justin Haefner of to discuss the many aspects of the student/trainer relationship, and how it can potentially change for the better into something more dynamic and fluid. Paul Haefner, PhD. is a licensed clinical and sport psychologist with more than 30 years of professional experience. His son Justin Haefner is a professional trainer who comes from a background in vaquero style natural horsemanship and specializes in the training and handling of young performance horses. Together, Dr. Paul and Justin help people create powerful opportunities for riders to transform their relationships with themselves and their horse in large and small ways. During this powerful conversation, Caroline and our guests discuss: The difference between knowing your subject matter and effectively teaching it. Why it's important to be aware of the many sensory inputs you experience while riding. Why understanding learning styles (and having trainers understand them, too!) can play such an important part in rider development. The gap between seeing a skill and experiencing a skill, and how to bridge it. Teaching “feel”, and why it’s critical to develop this skill sooner than later. The difference between doing something successfully and doing something well. Why the “Mean Trainer” should be a thing of the past. How trainers can think about their students seeking education outside of their barn. /episode/index/show/noellefloyd/id/26321961

Do We Need More Toughness, or More Softness? With JJ Tate 03/14/2023

Do We Need More Toughness, or More Softness? With JJ Tate Most riders desire to develop a horse who is a happy, willing participant in whatever task or discipline they’ve set out towards. But where the training narrative used to revolve around making sure the horse knows who’s the boss, newer methods value give and take and making sure your horse is heard in the conversation. The balance of toughness vs softness in riding has never been more at the forefront of discussion. We want our horses to respect boundaries and listen to our requests (especially for safety’s sake!). We also want our horses to learn from a place of mutual respect and understanding, not fear and retribution. The line isn’t always an easy one to walk, especially when preparing a horse for a results-focused competition. To help walk us through this landscape, we talk with top International Grand Prix Dressage rider JJ Tate. JJ has been competing at the highest levels since her junior years and has vowed to herself to train without shortcuts, with integrity and principles that are aligned with how horses think, move, and learn. She runs a USDF University Accredited online program called so anyone can access her expertise regardless of where they live, and was also mentored by the great Charles de Kunffy (she shares with us some of the wisdom she’s learned from him along the way, which is particularly special). In this broader conversation, JJ and host Caroline Culbertson discuss hardness and softness in training, and why it’s possible (maybe even necessary) to have both. They also dive into: The concept of “rider merit,” and how it should be assessed beyond just the competitive accolades a rider achieves What is “horse sport” really about, and what universal qualities does it share with other sports? Riding as character growth for both horse and rider The sort of rider you need to become to have the horse volunteer for you, and why it’s something we should all strive for How science is backing up the classical methods that have always worked Why being clear with your horse is actually in the long run being kind The “Growth Mindset” and how to achieve it as a rider How methods of horse training in the EU differ from methods in the US, and how both have their strengths and weaknesses /episode/index/show/noellefloyd/id/26217036

Archie Cox on Generational Knowledge, Tradition, and Trainer Responsibility 02/28/2023

Equestrian Voices

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