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 was to many, we unpacked some of our time together in her Art of Equus program, and we discussed the value of curiousity, kindness, clarity and following your hunches. We also pulled a card from her co-creation, the Way of the Horse Council Oracle deck. Get your tissues out. This is a goodie!  Sandra Wallin is a psychotherapist and educator who walks the wild edge where science and psychology meet the wisdom of earth and hoof. Her Chiron's Way programs offer experiences that invite people to rewrite old stories, reconnect with what matters and take the lead in their lives, often in the company of horses. Her work weaves together the psychology of transformation, the biology of belief, and the mythic terrain of the heart through which change becomes less about force and more about listening – deeply and reverently to what already knows how to grow. A teacher of teachers and a lifelong student of the horse, Sandra brings warmth, depth, and a fierce Grace to every conversation. In this episode of the Whole Horse Podcast, she reunites with Alexa Linton to explore how real change happens … through relationships, gentle noticing, and a willingness to get your boots a little muddy along the way. To learn more about Sandra, along with her new cocreation, The Council of Horses Wisdom Cards and Guidebook, go to https://www.sandrawallin.com or join her on Instagram at https://instagram.com/chironsway

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 land here and create cool stuff make sure to follow my IG @alexalinton

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 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.  Carmen Spagnola is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef turned trauma recovery practitioner, clinical hypnotherapist and kitchen witch. Carmen has taught intuition development and earth-based spirituality to hundreds in her online mystery school, The Numinous School, from 2013 - 2021, as well as retreats and workshops. Carmen's work cross-pollinates themes of attachment, animism, myth and justice, supported by extensive training, certification, supervision and mentorship. Carmen has hosted The Numinous Podcast since 2014. She is author of Spells for the Apocalype: Practical Magic for Turbulent TImes (2025) and The Spirited Kitchen: Recipes & Rituals for the Wheel of the Year (2022). Website: https://www.carmenspagnola.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenspagnola/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscarmenspagnola Podcast: https://crspagnola.podbean.com/

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 vibrational remedy is, how they work, and how they relate to horses, this is the episode for you! Sabina shares all about why she founded her company almost 40 years ago, how vibrational remedies work, why every being, including every horse, can benefit, and how she became the first person to make a sea essence. This is a true "teaching" episode, and I'm truly grateful that I met Sabina almost 20 years ago - she is a remarkable human and has dedicated her life and her work to supporting others. Hope you enjoy this chat and learn a thing or two!  Sabina Pettitt is the founder of Pacific Essences® and a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As well as introducing the first sea essences in the world Sabina has spent over 40 years building a system based on TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) that explains how essences work to the prevailing allopathic model. Essences balance and harmonize our energy anatomy and energy physiology and promote optimal well- being. She is committed to assisting humans to understand their deep and constant connection with Mother Nature, the energy template of their human form and how to work with energies to stay healthy, and the possibility that each of us came here with “a mission” and that essences can assist us to discover and fulfill that mission. Learn more at https://pacificessences.com/

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 changes he regularly recommends to his equine clients (spoiler alert: I loved his answer!). I also couldn't help but ask him about miniature horses and ponies and what they need to stay healthy, now that I've got a little in my world.  Listen all the way to the end of the episode to hear about a very exciting life update for my herd and I, and how you can support to make my biggest dream come true. Thanks for listening and hope you enjoy this chat!  Dr. Tomas Teskey is a human, native to Arizona and the second oldest of five siblings in a six-generation ranching family. He received a Bachelor's degree in Botany from Northern Arizona University in 1991, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1995. He has practiced large animal medicine and surgery in Arizona since graduation, with the majority of his work focusing on horses. Taking a special interest in equine podiatry since 2001, he became a passionate supporter or the barefoot performance horse, and published “The Unfettered Foot, A Paradigm Change for Equine Podiatry”, in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science in February, 2005. This sparked greater attention, discussion and interest within the veterinary community about the benefits of a more holistic and natural approach to hoof care versus the more antagonistic approaches of conventional farriery. Numerous other articles have continued to explore these not-so-new ideas. Tomas specializes in natural horse care, and hold Holistic health lectures world wide, providing professional veterinary support for individuals, horse clubs, families and communities seeking Real Answers about keeping horses healthy. More on Tomas and his work www.insighttoequus.com

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 contracts between horses and humans and we finish up by discussing her learning and work with the Akashic records (and what they are!). I love edge-pushing and thought-provoking conversations, and this is definitely in that category!   Brittany Ashworth is an Animal Communicator, Akashic Records Reader, Horse Medicine Leadership faculty member, and dedicated Educator. With a profound passion for bridging the gap between humans and animals, Brittany is committed to fostering understanding, communication, and genuine partnership across species. Her practice is deeply rooted in her intuitive connection, the guidance of animals, and passion for educating others. Brittany's work blends physical and spiritual approaches, creating transformative experiences for both humans and animals.   Her practice is deeply intertwined with the guidance of animals, her intuition, and her passion for educating others. In her work, she strives to support both humans and animals along their journey in a way that's authentic to each being, bringing both the physical and spiritual worlds together. As a lifelong learner, Brittany is dedicated to her craft and the evolution of people's understandings and partnerships with themselves and their animals. Through each exchange, she hopes to support and empower positive change and growth in the lives of both humans and animals.   Whether working one-on-one or in group settings, Brittany's goal is to inspire positive shifts that enrich lives on both sides of the human-animal partnership. Learn more about Brittany's work at https://www.sacredechos.com

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 about, and some of the physiology playing out when postural mechanisms become a problem. She is indeed a wealth of knowledge. I hope you enjoy our chat!   Access to a PDF for Whole Horse listeners - Equine Dentistry Handout   Dr. Karen Gellman is a graduate of Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, and has a doctorate from Cornell in animal locomotion biomechanics. She has advanced training and certification in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary chiropractic, and has practiced these and other modalities since 1995.  She is the educational director of DVM Detective, which offers the Postural Rehabilitation training course for veterinarians and other equine professionals. She is also Research Director of Maximum Horsepower Research, and principal investigator on a study on equine posture funded by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation.   Dr. Karen Gellman holds DVM and PhD degrees from Cornell University in animal locomotion biomechanics. She has advanced training and certification in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary chiropractic, and has practiced these and other holistic modalities since 1995.  Dr. Gellman has taught in multiple professional CE venues, lecturing on posture, biomechanics, and holistic therapies to veterinarians in North America and Europe.  She has been a featured speaker at annual conferences for AHVMA (2014), AVCA (2021), IVCA (2015), IVAS (2012), Danish Veterinary Chiropractic Association (2013-2014), Wild West Veterinary Conference (2010), Norwegian Veterinary Chiropractic Association (2020), Hawaiian State Veterinary Association (2022), New York State Veterinary Medical Society and more.  With Dr. Judith Shoemaker and Elizabeth Reese, she founded “Postural Rehabilitation”, a professional education venue.  Her lectures are featured on The Equine Documentalist, Centaur Biomechanics and Equidemia. Dr. Gellman's company DVM Detective offers professional training in equine posture to horse professionals, in online and in-person formats, and provides a world wide directory of professionals trained in restoring equine neutral posture.   Learn more about the Postural Rehabilitation Professional program or head to http://www.equinesportsmed.com  

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 being the keys to real results in the industry.  Holly is a professional Breathwork Facilitator with a background in Applied Neuroscience. When faced with a sudden surgery she used her knowledge to create a modality to reduce stress, manage her emotions and regulate her nervous system. This method prepared her for a major surgery which resulted in the ideal internal environment for healing. Interoception is the ability to sense, interpret and integrate signals from your body. It is well researched as a fundamental aspect to physical and mental well-being. This practice activates your body's innate healing capabilities and is foundational for self-awareness, self-regulation and self-trust. Breathwork is the conscious awareness and manipulation of your breathing patterns that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being. InteroBreath combines the profound healing and regulating properties of Interoception & Breathwork. Each session is unique, and participants report feeling deeply peaceful post session. Holly leads InteroBreath Club which offers live sessions twice a week. Members (many of whom joined back in January) include equestrians, equine veterinarian, farrier, bodyworker and all report a deeper connection with equine companions and clients through InteroBreath. Holly's mission is to empower people around the world to find inner peace and power by connecting them to their breath and inner state. Equestrians have the added advantage of cultivating even deeper relationships with their equine partners during co-regulation and shared heart space. Holly resides in Puslinch, ON (just west of Toronto, Canada) with her shepherd Jazz, Siamese Cliff and her horses Whiskey & George. Catch up with Holly on her socials, or sign up for her breath club via her website: https://www.interobreath.com   @regulate_with_holly  @equineconsultant  

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 for this deck to this moment, how Kim and Sandra chose which mythical and modern-day horses to include, what it meant to create a lasting legacy for many of the horses and herds included in this deck, and how art can be the deepest expression of essence, energy and emotion. Kim also unveils one of her original works of arts included in the deck, the Mythic Horse, which I've shared on my main podcast page.  This chat was a walk through the past as it caught up with our present, and it was a chance for reflection on what a journey it has been for both of us! Definitely one of my favourite conversations to date, and as you can hear, I love the perks of this job, like being gifted a gorgeous horse oracle deck created by two women I hold very dear. I love the way this deck doesn't tip toe around the tough stuff - and the way Kim continues to be a fierce advocate for the horse.  Kim McElroy has been drawn to horses since childhood, and as soon as she could hold a crayon, this manifested as her art. For more than thirty years, she has been known for her intuitive understanding of the sentient nature of horses and her ability to infuse her art with their spiritual energy. She distills this energy into expressions of the horses' quintessential essence in ways that transcend how they are traditionally defined. Through her incredible mastery of pastels, and her talent in writing about her visionary insights, she conveys the power and beauty of the horse's form—yet more than that, she offers us a timeless glimpse of its soul. Kim is the co-author and illustrator of The Council of Horses, illustrator and co-creator of Way of the Horse: Equine Archetypes for Self-Discovery deck and guidebook by Linda Kohanov, the author and illustrator of the Way of the Horse Journal, and From Heart to Art: A Chronicle of the Experiences, Philosophies, and Inspirations behind the Artwork of Kim McElroy In 2000, Kim and her husband, Rod, created SkyeLandeSea sanctuary in Washington State, where they provided loving forever homes to rescued horses and a menagerie of other animals. Now that their beloved horses have joined the Council, their sanctuary is home to a resident herd of wild but well-fed deer, and two capricious housecats. Kim offers studio tours by appointment. Visit her website at spiritofhorse.com.and her eCards website spiritofhorsecards.com Facebook: Spirit of Horse Gallery https://www.facebook.com/SpiritOfHorseGallery/ Instagram: spiritofhorse https://www.instagram.com/spiritofhorse/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spiritofhorsegallery

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 episode that explores the relationship between horses, ourselves and the world around us, and the ways in which we have the ability to make positive change.   Lori Halliday is a highly esteemed Equine Energetics Expert and Leadership Coach, with over 23 years of expertise in intuitive horsemanship and 18 years as a certified Equine Experiential Learning trainer. Grounded in deep reverence for the profound connections between humans and horses, Lori's approach is built on creating congruent, safe spaces where transformative leadership and relational skills are nurtured. At her ranch, Horse & Heart, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, over looking the Monterey Bay. Lori offers a sanctuary for adults, children, and LGBTQIA+ to grow and thrive under her expert guidance. Through her programs, such as Chiron Master Class, Congruency Coaching, EEL and Intuitive Horsemanship, she fosters environments of deep soul care, emphasizing leadership and relational skills that are rooted in respect, consent, and love. Connect with Lori on Instagram @wisehorsewoman and @horseandheartranch or via her websites https://wisehorsewoman.com/ and https://www.horseandheart.org/ 

Today on the podcast, I had Lucie Klaassen back on for the first time since Season 1 (!) and we had a chance to catch up on all the ways her work has evolved since that first conversation.  Lucie's new book, Wired for Connection: Transform your Horse Training with the Polyvagal Principles, just came out over the weekend, and I was excited to ask her about how this new body of work came to be.  Throughout our conversation, Lucie and I discuss how invaluable it is to practice horsemanship through the lens of the nervous system, and she shares several tips on how to incorporate this important framework into your sessions with your horse.  CW: brief mention of depression and suicide between minute 4:30-5:10 of the episode.  Lucie believes certain horses come into your life for a reason. She started to translate everything she had learned about trauma to help her horse Jajão regain trust in humans. Jajão has given Lucie so many lessons and insights about how to deal with trauma in horses. She wrote a book about this, Wired 4 Connection, to spread this knowledge in the most accessible way. Lucie wants to contribute to making this a better, more compassionate world for horses. Lucie is not a therapist; however, she calls herself a specialist in trauma and resilience by experience. As a horse trainer and awareness & mindset coach, it is her passion to empower every horse owner to understand how the autonomic nervous system works, so you can reconnect with your body wisdom and have move more joy and ease in everything you do with your horse. Be sure to pick up a copy of Lucie's book, and let us know what you learn!  Lucie's website: https://trueconnection.lucieklaassen.com    

In this episode I was joined by classical horse trainer Belinda Bolsenbroek for an amazing conversation about the way she merges scientific study with historical, artful ways of partnering with horses.  I had the pleasure of auditing a clinic of Belinda's awhile ago, and it was great to be able to sit down together to talk about her latest work doing equine dissections and the wealth of knowledge she has accrued over her years of being a rider, trainer and horsewoman.  Much of our discussion centred around the many subtle ways in which horses communicate with us, and how by improving our understanding of the nature of these creatures, we can offer them the life they deserve and partner with them in a way that is mutually fulfilling and beneficial.  Belinda Bolsenbroek is an internationally respected coach and a leading figure in classical equitation. With over two decades of experience, she has devoted her life to the art and science of horsemanship, guiding countless individuals toward healthy and meaningful connections with their equine companions. Belinda's philosophy incorporates a lifetime of exploration, research, training, and experience, melding the long-established principles of the old masters with the more recent discoveries of science. This scope of education enables her to provide valuable perspectives and enriching discussions on the vast range of topics that present to the conscientious rider. Belinda's dedication, expertise, and passion for improving the welfare of our equine partners are shared both nationally and internationally through her Academy. Based in Australia, the Academy fosters a supportive international community that brings together industry professionals and amateur riders alike, all sharing the common goal of improving the welfare of horses worldwide. You can learn more about Belinda and the Academy at https://www.belindabolsenbroek.academy/ Register for my signature program, the Whole Horse Apprenticeship, at https://alexalinton.ca/whole-horse-apprenticeship/   

What a deep and necessary conversation I had the pleasure of sharing with Kim Hallin, owner of Unbridled LLC. Kim's tagline is “Stay true to yourself so you can stay true to your horse” and this is exactly the road we went down in this episode, exploring the world of boundaries in ourselves, in our horses and in the equine industry at large.  It was so insightful to hear Kim's experience and perspective on why boundaries are the foundation of the work she offers, and to get to chat about some areas where I see this edge coming up in my own life and in my communities.  We rounded off the episode with some thoughts as to how this all pertains to horse-keeping, and I even teased a bit of information on my soon-to-be launched new business (listeners of the podcast will be the first to know when it is ready!), Outside the Box Equine.  Kim Hallin is the founder and equine-inspired soul guide at Unbridled, LLC in Charleston, SC and the author of Horse Wisdom: Life Lessons for Humanity. A compassionate horsewoman who upholds the integrity of the horse, she loves facilitating transformational healing experiences between humans and equines. She specializes in teaching the subject of boundaries based in nature's model of a healthy herd community. Kim is a naturally gifted mentor and guide who nurtures supportive learning environments that shift perspectives while ensuring all participants (two legged and four legged) feel safe, honored and supported. In 2017, Kim left a 20-year career in higher education management and fundraising to focus her full-time energies on launching Unbridled. The driving motivation behind Kim's work is her own personal experience of partnering with horses to discover (and remember) what it means to look to Mother Nature for our answers. Find out more about her self-paced and full-support options for her course Finding Freedom Through Boundaries here: https://www.kimhallin.com/product_categories/110351-Courses I hope our conversation leaves you with some food for thought; stay tuned for more!

In this episode with reknowned equine body worker Jim Masterson, I got to know the origin story behind the Masterson Method and ask Jim about his perspective on a wide range of important topics including consent, pain and environment for our horses.  One of my favourite take-aways from our conversation is the simple yet profound power of observation. Jim is skilled in mindful observation when it comes to attuning to horses and helping them release tension, and this is a skill that anyone can learn. We chatted about how, over time, this visual awareness begins to translate into a felt sense and improved palpatory skills, and how ultimately working on our horses' physical bodies becomes a relationship and trust building activity.  If you've yet to try Jim's cornerstone technique, the Bladder Meridian, head over to YouTube or The Masterson Method website to learn how, and be sure to let us know how your horse responds!  Jim Masterson is the founder of The Masterson Method – a breakthrough form of equine bodywork which helps enhance performance, suppleness, mobility, and comfort whilst developing the relationship and bond of trust between the horse and owner. He began his career in 2000, working on horses competing in U.S. Show Jumping events, before going on to become the Equine Bodywork Therapist for the USEF Endurance Team from 2006, through 2014. Since then, Jim's worked on thousands of equine athletes, competing in events such as the FEI World Cup, Pan American and World Equestrian Games competitions. He's the author of Beyond Horse Massage and Dressage Movements Revealed, and last year he paired up with Dr. Robin Robinett, DVM to release a new book, Beyond Dog Massage which applies the same intuitive and hands-on approach to help relieve soreness and achieve connection. Since 2006, over 10,000 people have attended Masterson Method Weekend Courses, and Jim and his instructors have trained over 500 Certified Practitioners in 20 countries. Jim's vision is to have every horse on the planet experience the Bladder Meridian Technique at least once, and to empower owners, carers, competitors or professionals with the means to deeply connect with their horse or dog.  

This episode with holistic practitioner and classically trained homeopath Julie Anne Lee is absolutely jam packed with digestible, insightful information about the often-mysterious practice of homeopathy and some super helpful facts about remedy usage.   Additionally, we chat about feeding medicinal mushrooms to horses, and how the wisdom of mushrooms matches up beautifully with horses, and Julie shares the intention behind her signature equine-specific probiotic, one of my personal favourtie products.  Whether you've dabbled in using homeopathic remedies with your horses or have never ventured into this healing method, I can guarantee you'll walk away from this discussion with an improved understanding as to how this medicine functions as well as tips for using it effectively. I'm so grateful for Julie's perspective, and to be a proud representative of her brand!  Julie Anne Lee, DCH, RCSHom, has been the owner and practitioner of some of the busiest and long-standing holistic veterinary hospitals and clinics in North America. Graduating from the Vancouver Academy of Homeopathy's 4 year Homeopathic Medicine Program, she has studied with some of the world's leading veterinary homeopaths, including UK veterinarians, Dr. Sue Armstrong, Dr. Mark Elliot, Dr. Peter Gregory and Dr. John Saxton. She then completed a four year program with the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons, BAHVS, where she is now an Associate Member. She also co-founded and taught a three-year post-graduate program to veterinarians in Canada with Dr Sue Armstrong to help bridge the gap between human and animal homeopathic medicine. Julie is now the founder and co-owner of the Adored Beast Apothecary, where she formulates holistic pet care products. She is also a pioneer in studying the animal microbiome and developing protocols for optimizing gut health - all part of a rapidly expanding picture and understanding of the crucial role the microbiome plays in the health of all our animals and ourselves. She's also part of a research and development team examining, producing, and formulating unique, first-in-the-industry species-specific probiotics and functional prebiotics for animals. Currently, Julie is in her fifth year of an extensive research project on canine cancer at Dalhousie University. The research has already led to the filing of a patent on a new manufacturing process and formulation and the publication of two peer-reviewed original research articles. Julie is also doing research and development within her medical mushroom forest, Myco-Biome, in Nova Scotia, Canada. Julie lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, on her rescue farm, Joseph's Field. Learn more about Julie Anne and order her products at https://www.adoredbeast.ca (and Alexa is now a distributor for anyone living on Vancouver Island!).     

This week on the podcast I spoke with equine behaviour specialist Lauren Fraser, the woman behind the 3 Fs (Friends, Forage, Freedom) framework for species-appropriate horse management. As you might imagine, I was excited to pick her brain on the intersection between equine life-styles and environments and their behaviour.  Our conversation ranged into many interesting territories, such as the direct links between deficits in the 3Fs and the problem behaviour we may encounter as a result, the negative effects our human mindsets can have when it comes to providing appropriate lifestyles for our horses, and a few notes at the end around co-operative care and the benefit of taking enough time to train our horses so we can prevent fear and trauma rather than rehabilitate it.  Lauren Fraser is an experienced horsewoman, who has worked professionally with horses since 2006. Prior to her current specialisation, Lauren taught riding and horsemanship, and trained horses.  Lauren provides horse behaviour consultations remotely worldwide. She also teaches others about horse behaviour, regularly guest lecturing for several universities, and delivering educational courses through the Understand Horses website. Lauren also mentors horse trainers who are interested in better understanding and addressing horse behaviour problems. Lauren holds an equine science certificate from the University of Guelph, and obtained her MSc in clinical animal behaviour through the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Lauren's dissertation research examined the behaviour of horses subjected to ‘laying down' during training.  Lauren was the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultant's (IAABC) horse division chair from 2013-2021 and was an IAABC application review committee member from 2012-2023. She is an International Society of Equitation Science practitioner member, as well as a Fear Free® Certified Professional. Lauren currently has three horses: an Andalusian, an Arabian, and an Arabian/Quarter horse. She has tried her hand at many things with her horses over the years, including limited distance endurance riding, bridleless riding and liberty work, as well as working cattle and progressing her horses from the hackamore, into the two-rein. Lauren particularly enjoys training cooperative care behaviours, and teaching ‘clean slates': giving young horses solid foundations.  When not with her horses, Lauren can be found mountain biking, taking her dogs to dock diving competitions, or playing the ukulele, poorly. You can explore Lauren's work at https://www.equinebehaviorist.ca or find her on TikTok @horsebehaviourtok

In this moving episode I am joined by horse trainer Diana Waters of Responsive Equine. We begin with an overview of some of Diana's formative equestrian experiences, including her passion for training at the walk and its many benefits to the equine-human partnership, and then head into a vulnerable conversation about her journey rescuing a horse whom she diligently and compassionately attempted to rehabilitate, only to ultimately make the incredibly difficult choice to end his life.  I am very grateful for Diana's courage to share the story of her time with this young gelding, Forrest, and for all the moments of wisdom and humanity throughout our discussion. Choosing to lay our animals to rest, especially when they are young and/or struggling with mysterious ailments is often the hardest, most fraught time in our shared lives, and I hope this episode serves as a portal to navigating those spaces with increased self trust and grace.  Diana Waters is a qualified riding coach, ethics teacher and equine-assisted psychotherapist. She is passionate about the benefits of walk work with horses, finding a magical place where deep connection and profound changes happen. Inspired by her experiences with the French classical technique of 'School Walk', and after witnessing the incredible benefits of walk work on her own horses, Diana recently created the live online course, The Power of Walk, which builds on a foundation of deep connection with gentle classical exercises, utilising the regulated nervous system to bring about long term change. Diana also facilitates a course for other equine-assisted psychotherapists, where they explore how they can further enhance horse-human relationships in their practice. Diana would like to live in a world where horses and humans connect authentically and find joy together. She is on a lifelong journey of learning from the horse and is always looking for ways to better the lives of domesticated horses and to enrich the horse-human relationship. She currently lives in NSW Australia, but dreams of returning to the UK for a simple life of long trail rides in the beautiful countryside. You can visit Diana's website https://www.thepowerofwalk.com to learn more about her work.

It was such a pleasure to have Shannon Beahen back on the show today for an impassioned discussion about our mutual interest in stewarding and cultivating relationship with land - with special attention as to how that endeavour relates to keeping horses, obviously!   We wandered together through the topics of land having its own nervous system, what it feels like for us to be on a path of evolution as horse people, and how we can benefit from navigating our relationships with the land, our horses and ourselves through a lens of emergence, rather than one of fixed ideals and blueprints of “success”.  If you haven't listened to my previous recordings with Shannon, check out episodes 92 and 81 of the Whole Horse Podcast, or dive right in to today's episode for a more conversational, but equally important interview!  Shannon is an alternative horse trainer, online educator, academic and writer. She specializes in teaching her own “high vibration” approach to natural dressage and liberty as well as the creation of species-appropriate habitats that promote dynamic movement and sovereign equine lifestyles. She is passionate about exploring and articulating the ethics of embodied horse-human relationships. Her hope is that through teaching a deeper awareness of human-animal and human-environment relations, equestrian education ceases to be a privileged pastime; and instead may just provide some of the seeds to birth a new earth. Learn more about Shannon and her work at www.humminghorse.com

This week on the podcast I was joined by holistic veterinarian Dr. Rachel Heart Bellini for her perspective and experience of the scope of vet med and the ways in which she's supplemented her education over the years in order to be of better service to horses.  We had a really interesting conversation about the gap and, at times, inconsistencies between body workers and veterinarians, and discussed possible solutions for bridging these professions in a way that optimizes care and treatment for our equines.  Whether you're an equine care provider or a horse owner, this episode will leave you with food for thought on the horse health and wellness industry, and hopefully some new ideas about assessing where to start when it comes to helping the horses in your life feel their best.  Heart Equine is owned by Rachel Heart Bellini DVM CVSMT CVA CVBM. Rachel is a holistic sports medicine veterinarian who uses her broad based education, years of experience and MOST importantly a large NETWORK to provide you with the absolute best whole horse solutions available. Rachel began her career on the racetrack, travelling the country with access to the best horses, trainers and veterinarians in the industry. That was followed up by a lengthy stint doing referral sport horse medicine clinic working for an industry pioneer in imaging and treatment of the cervical spine. She had access to the most up to date conventional diagnostic and treatment resources. After hitting a plateau in what she could offer she embarked on what has now been a fifteen year deep dive into multiple non conventional modalities. She has since acquired certifications in both traditional and balance method veterinary acupuncture and veterinary spinal manipulation therapy. Other certifications and trainings include many advanced manual therapy techniques, applied kinesiology, advanced neurology, human classical homeopathy, spiritual and anthroposophical medicine, postural rehabilitation, multiple ISELP courses and canine rehabilitation. Most recently her interests have turned to training techniques doing multiple clinics with industry leaders like Manolo Mendez, Mark Rashid and Celeste Lazaris. What she brings to her clients is a melding of all things with the goal of treating each partnership where they currently are and providing the guidance, support and therapies for long term health and soundness of our equine athletes.  Follow Rachel on her FB page, Heart Equine, and visit her website to learn more http://heartequine.com  

I was excited to be joined by Amy Dell of Abbotts View Livery for this episode, who wrote the book Horse Track Systems and runs her own track livery in England.  What I loved about Amy's book is how it laid out the steps and tips for creating your own track system in a very thoughtful and practical way, and it was great to be able to go into more detail about many aspects of tracks systems within this episode. Our discussion ranged from footing, to forage, to considerations for shelter and integrating new herd members.  It was truly inspiring to hear how successful Amy has been at providing enriching and healthy living environments to a variety of horses, and I hope our chat leaves you with lots of ideas as to how to get started on your own ideal equine environment or improve upon the one you have already built!   Amy Dell runs Abbotts View Livery, a successful track system livery based in the south east of the UK.  Amy started AVL in 2016 at the age of 21, after completing a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. In November of 2022, she released what would become a best selling book entitled Horse Track Systems to share her hard earned knowledge with the world and help other equestrians create amazing environments for their horses, either as a livery or for their own use. She also runs a consultancy business, and has helped many people worldwide over the phone to plan, get started, or develop their track systems. She dreams of the day when all horses get to live outside with free choice, forage and friends.  Learn more about Amy's work and purchase her awesome book at her website: https://www.barefootandbacktonature.com/ 

This week I was joined by my long-time friend and colleague Jodine Buydens (pictured here with her mare Breeze) for a beautiful conversation on the horses who have shaped her life and given her the tools to be able to help humans receive the many teachings of their own equines, or, for some folks, encounter horse wisdom for the first time. We talked about what it can look and feel like to have soul contracts with our horses, and how those lessons and missions differ depending on each unique horse. Jodine also shared how she's learned to tune into and differentiate between her own nervous system and that of the horses and people she works with, and how this skill has been integral to being able to meet any situation with what it needs.  I hope after listening to our chat that you walk away with a renewed appreciation for your equine relationships, and perhaps a fresh perspectives on the impact knowing one another has had too.  Jodine Buydens is an Equine Behaviour Specialist, author of If Your Horse Could Talk, and Pro-EFW Dual Certified Equine Professional, Learning Professional and Mentor. A lifelong horsewoman, she has dedicated her career to empowering and improving the lives of horses and humans through education, communication, and the depth of connection found through her teachings. You can find out more here: https://www.capallcoaching.com/links 

Tune in to this episode with equine sports therapist Christy DiColla for a great chat about her latest work and area of research: rib entrapment and fascial chains. Christy filled me in on how she was seeing common patterns of posture and muscular appearance in her equine clients and how these dysfunctional presentations were chronically affecting movement and performance. She then shared how, through her human bodywork training, she discovered that working with the ribs - due to the nature of their attachments - provided release of these patterns in a number of horses. This has since become a curiosity and passion of hers, and it was lovely to spend the hour talking fascia, highlighting the need for as much movement as possible in our horses, and exploring kinetic lines.  I hope our discussion leaves you with a better understanding of what's going on beneath your horse's skin, and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of all the body's systems.  Christy is an FEI approved equine sports therapist that travels the U.S. working on everything from Kentucky Derby racehorses, Dressage & Jumpers up to Olympic level, to 5 Star Eventers. She has over 20 years experience in the equine wellness industry. Her equine education began at the University of Georgia Pre-Vet and Animal Science Programs, and from there she has become certified in a variety of equine & human bodywork modalities.   Christy specializes in a wide range of bodywork modalities including myofascial kinetic line balancing, neurovascular conditioning, electo-fascial stim, PEMF therapy, joint mobilization, and her unique RIB ENTRAPMENT balancing technique. Christy has been a student of the kinetic myofascial lines since 2017, and has worked ever since finding techniques on how to alleviate neurovascular entrapments along these lines. She is also a Master Reiki practitioner and a Balanced Body Movement Specialist for people. You can learn more about her work at: https://www.zenmawellness.com/              

It was lovely to have Lockie Phillips back this week for his fourth time on the podcast. We got to chatting about how he's feeling and what he's been up to since his big move across the country to the North West of Spain last summer, which I have been excited to talk to him about!  Unsurprisingly, he's been busy turning his new property into a super functional, horse-centric environment and learning how to manage best amidst some pretty wet weather conditions (think: Atlantic hurricanes). Throughout our discussion Lockie emphasized the Horse in Horsemanship, leading him to share some stories illustrating that prioritizing and considering the horse is still far from being a common value amongst equestrians, along with some neuroscience to contextualize why that is.  Our conversation ended with us both describing recent moments with our own horses, and talking about the kinds of interactions that become possible when we lean into cultivating true relationship with this incredible creatures. I hope this episode got you feeling and thinking as much as it did for me!  Lockie Phillips teaches deeply caring horse people to create emotionally balanced horses using science, empathy and feel. Emotional Horsemanship can be explored with online courses, online lessons, online coaching, international clinics and retreats in Spain. A retired pro-dancer, Lockie lives in North Western Spain and is a horse dad to 4 geldings. Follow him on IG and FB @emotional.horsemanship and check out his website https://www.emotionalhorsemanship.com 

I was so excited to welcome Jane Myers of Equiculture onto the podcast for our first episode of 2024! Jane is a wealth of knowledge on the subject of land and pasture management, and an expert on equine grazing behaviour. We covered a lot of ground (pun intended!) chatting about the ways in which horse owners can learn to keep horses in a way that creates a mutually beneficial interaction between the land and the horses who live on it. We also discussed the importance of keeping horses in herds, prioritizing access to forage and grazing, and how these management practices ultimately create safer, healthier horses and environments! This topic is very near and dear to my heart, and it was inspiring to hear Jane's practical perspective as well as her many success stories implementing her methods.  As I say in the episode, I really hope to see more and more horse owners feeling empowered to make changes in their horse-keeping practices to make for a more sustainable and supportive habitat for all.   Jane Myers teaches horse owners worldwide how to manage horses and the land they live on in a way that is sustainable, good for horse welfare, good for wildlife, creates biodiversity and saves humans time, expense and energy. She is highly qualified (having a Masters Degree in equine grazing behaviour) and has researched and taught these subjects worldwide for many years. Jane, along with husband Stuart, are the authors of several books on these subjects. These vitally important subjects are gaining momentum in the modern world. Read more about Jane & Stuart Myers on this page of our Equiculture website - About us -  https://www.equiculture.net/about-us

In this episode with farrier Kendra Skorstad, our conversation covers my many (and maybe yours too!) hoof-related questions from both the perspective of horse steward and body worker, including the interplay between horses' posture, body, and the health of their feet, as well as specific inquiries surrounding navicular, high-low syndrome and heel first landings. It was so refreshing and affirming to hear how Kendra approaches hoofcare from a holistic and horse-first perspective, where making choices such as whether to go barefoot, wear metal shoes or use other tools such as composite shoes or boots are made based on the needs of each individual horse.  I hope you enjoy our conversation full of interesting tidbits as much as I did - the possibility for fascinating rabbit holes here was endless, so we covered a lot of ground and had some fun doing it.  Kendra Skorstad brings artistry, science, and her love for horses together in her life long career as a farrier and horsewoman. She is highly sought after in her community due to her experiences as a barefoot trimmer and farrier combined with proficiency using new technologies and alternative materials for hoof protection. In her teamwork approach, she embraces a balance between research based work and honoring the individuality of each horse. She has published articles, gives clinics and lectures in the US and has lectured internationally, is a guest speaker for the University of Guelph and has been featured in podcasts for The Plaid Horse, The Humble Hoof, and Patrick King Horsemanship. You can follow Kendra on her FB page Skorstad Farrier Service  

Today's conversation with Elisse Miki is a special edition podcast episode that we are affectionately dubbing a ‘geek out', and we want to hear what you think! This episode is the first of what will be a four-part series together over the next year, and could eventually turn into its very own show if people like you are curious and hungry to listen to more in-depth anatomy and physiology-based discussions. If getting nerdy is your jam, you may even want to start with our previously recorded chats before hitting play on this latest one!  https://wholehorse.ca/episode-38/ https://wholehorse.ca/episode-88/ https://wholehorse.ca/episode-99/ We opened up this episode with a look at senior horse management and the crucial role of mobility in maintaining health well into the golden years. Elisse, who's herd ranges in age from 22 up to 37, shared about the track system she's set up at her farm and the focus she puts on enrichment and flow in her horses' environment. This led us beautifully into a discussion on the role of circulation and fluid flow as the underpinnings of a vital body, and why assessing for and restoring vitality from a bodywork perspective is such an important (and yet often overlooked) starting point for treatment. I shared around what is known in osteopathy as the Rule of the Artery, and how understanding that the body prioritizes the function and protection of vessels (arteries, veins and nerves) begins to illuminate why we see certain bracing patterns show up as well as avenues through which we can successfully help unwind them. We round out our chat with a look at the three diaphragms, and invite you to join us in an upcoming webinar where we'll be sharing two vitality techniques. We would also love to see you in our 2024 Cranial Therapy Certification program - applications are now open: https://www.equilibriatherapeutics.com/equine-craniosacral You can register for the equine cranial webinar with Elisse and Alexa at https://bit.ly/cstwebinar Find out more about how to register for the intro webinar and Q&A at https://eqtherapeutics.thinkific.com/courses/intro-craniosacral-therapy-webinar And please send me an email at alexa@alexalinton.com or shoot me a message on social media if you'd like to hear more episodes like this one! As a human and equine therapist with over 15 years of experience working with clients in a therapeutic setting, Elisse brings a wide variety of modalities into her practice. She began her career working as an Exercise Physiologist having completed her Bachelors in Kinesiology then went on to obtain her Registered Massage Therapy Licence. She has since gone on to complete Diplomas in Equine Therapy, Equine Craniosacral, and is currently in the process of completing both her Human and Equine Osteopathy Diplomas concurrently. Elisse is also an Instructor of RMT at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Instructor. Some of her clients include the Langley Equestrian Academy, Cloverdale Rodeo, and the International Professional Rugby 7s teams. Her current focus lies in research and development of current standards of practice in the equine industry.  Website – www.equilibriatherapeutics.com Email – elisse@equilibriatherapeutics.com Facebook Personal – https://www.facebook.com/elisse.miki Facebook Business Page – Equilibria Therapeutics – https://www.facebook.com/elissemikirmt/  

In this potent conversation with Michele Arana of In Stride Equestrian, we dive into the parallels between advocating for more ethical horsemanship in the equestrian industry and practicing allyship for BIPOC members of our horse communities. She shared how prioritizing diversity, inclusion and equity can make being with horses better for all.  We also had a chance to nerd out about Michele's volunteer work for Equus-Soma Equine Osteology and Anatomy Learning Centre (a.k.a. the Bone Room) and talk about the value in horse trainers educating themselves about what's going on beneath their horses' skin. I am so appreciative of Michele's willingness to offer her perspective and share solutions and ideas surrounding these important topics, as well as her emphasis on empathy as a guiding standard when it comes to working with horses and humans. I hope you learn something new from our chat, and that it motivates you to take action in your corner of the horse world to help push forward much needed change to make our industry more inclusive, equitable and diverse. Michele Arana is the founder of In Stride Equestrian, a lesson and training facility that is dedicated to inclusion and education in the equine industry. Michele's program ties two of her passions, activism and horses. As a Nuyorican woman, she is more than familiar with the discrimination BIPOC people in the equine world face and looks to have horses bridge that gap in her program. As an ethical and education based trainer, her lessons are very informative and help students truly understand their equine partners while also connecting on a much deeper level while having fun! You can read Michele's great blogs posts on her website https://www.instridequestrian.com and follow In Stride Equestrian on FB, IG and TikTok. 

Welcome to season 7 everyone! I celebrated my 20th anniversary with my mare Diva earlier this month, and it fills me with gratitude to be continuously walking this journey of learning for the betterment of the horse, and to have all of you along for the ride.  In this episode, I sat down with Karen Rohlf of Dressage Naturally to hear her perspective on the sport and discipline of dressage, which has attracted much scrutiny in recent times for its harsh and controlling treatment of horses. Karen walked me through some of her guiding principles, such as her Happy Athlete training scale, as well as her philosophy of making training choices based on conversations with the horse versus what she thinks the horse must or should do. This attitude was also reflected in her approach to training for correct biomechanics: good biomechanics feel good for the horse! It was refreshing to imagine what's possible for this discipline if more people learn to value building a foundation of welfare, trust and communication over simply achieving something that makes the horse “look” good.  Learning from Karen is like having your own personal cheerleader. Her sense of responsibility to the horse, as well as her open, nonjudgmental, and fair-minded nature allows you to go beyond the rigid rules of specific disciplines and get to the heart of your mental, emotional, and physical partnership with your horse. Through her never-ending quest for personal self-improvement and her practice of authentic communication, she has become a powerful voice that helps guide riders to better partnership and results in harmony. Even after all the decades of being a professional trainer, instructor, and competitor at the Grand Prix level, she still wakes up everyday feeling like a little girl in love with horses… And you can too. Discover more of Karen's work at https://dressagenaturally.net   

Every year at the beginning of the Whole Horse Apprenticeship, I ask participants what they are most interested in learning or exploring during our six months inside the program together. This year, several people wanted to delve into the nuances of equine body language in order to refine their skills and knowledge when it comes to assessing and responding to their horse's communication signals, so I was excited to connect with Rachaël Draaisma, author of Language Signs and Calming Signals of Horses, for this episode all about her areas of expertise! Not only did we get into a few practical examples of reading facial expressions to gauge tension levels in horses, Rachaël also shared about using Scent Work as a tool for cultivating more emotional balance in our horses. She noted the importance of observing the amount, as well as the sequence, of calming signals and displacement behaviours shown, and how it can often feel like solving a puzzle when it comes to putting it all together to get a clear sense of the horse's inner experience. Alas, this never-ending learning is all part of the fun and what fuels us as horse people.  I hope our conversation peaks your curiousity to take a closer look at all the ways in which horses communicate, and if you're interested in deepening that communication stay tuned for two special announcements at the end of this episode! Behaviour consultant Rachaël Draaisma is well known for her large-scale research on Calming Signals in horses. Under the mentorship of Turid Rugaas, she started to firstly map the horses' levels of tension in response to a variety of everyday stimuli in a livery environment. Secondly, she started to investigate if horses use relationship-managing signals in response to stimuli in their environment that they want to appease to avert conflict and maintain social relationships - they have chosen the term Calming Signals to refer to these signals. Thirdly, she investigated how tension relates to possible Calming Signals. Video footage forms the basis of the study. Hundreds of videos of domesticated horses of various breeds in interaction with humans, or with humans in proximity of twenty meters, were analysed. The study led to the description of 20 calming signals horses use to appease each other and calm themselves to keep a positive social climate and avoid negative escalations. It also led to the description of ten communication ladders that represent ways a horse may interact to stimuli around them. Every step on the ladder represents a tension level and gives features and behaviours, which makes them a valuable tool to assess your horse. And to see if possible tension is declining or rising. This study led to the book Language signs and calming signals of horses and is published by CRC press in 2017. It has been translated to several languages, of which Dutch, French, Chinese, Czech and Polish language are a few to mention. This study is ongoing. And Rachael keeps working on studying communicative signals of horses, with an emphasis on the calming signals of horses. Another pilar of Rachaël's working life with horses evolves around equine mental stimulation and scentwork. Rachaël developed an extensive method to do scent tracking with horses. Where she teaches horses to follow a footstep track, so they can find lost persons, or food bags. Tracking has enormous advantages for horses, on their behaviour, their brain and body. But scent tracking with horses is also enriching for humans and can be seen as a new tool in enriching the human equine relationship. Rachaël develops tracking to a level that she uses it as a sole (primary) activity for horses. Rachaël is founder in offering mental stimulation and scent work activities as a method in her work with horses who have behavioural challenges. Rachaël's second book ‘Scentwork for Horses' is published in English and Dutch in 2021.  Rachaël travels throughout Europe and the globe to lecture or give workshops about Calming signals of horses, and equine mental stimulation and scentwork.  Many Universities and educations are interested in her work. China, Denmark, Poland, Belgium, Spain, Slovak, France, Sweden, The UK, the United States of America, The Netherlands, are only a few countries she has visited. Rachaël has developed an online course on Calming signals of horses. The English version will be available from 26th of October 2023 and on. The online course on Equine mental stimulation & Scentwork will be offered online in the beginning of 2024.  For more information: www.calmingsignalsofhorses.com or www.scentworkofhorses.com      

Kathryn is currently running a four-week class called Ritual Crafting for Barn and Stable, and I was excited to have a chat with her about how she weaves the practice of ritual into her life as a horsewoman and facilitator. Throughout our conversation, Kathryn offered insights and tools that horse-people far and wide can tap into to deepen their relationship with themselves and their horses. Kathryn shared that intention really is the golden thread that ties potency and power to our activities with our horses, and that developing rituals can be as simple and accessible as asking ourselves questions and doing the inner work to be able to hear and honour the answers — no extra supplies required. We also touched on some nuances surrounding the conversation of consent with our horses, especially as it pertains to introducing ritual to our interactions with them, and some tips on connecting to our heart centre so that we can craft clear and aligned intentions. We rounded off the episode with an important piece of awareness surrounding cultural appropriation, and I was so grateful to hear Kathryn's thoughtful perspective.  The changing of the seasons (especially here in the Northern Hemisphere as we move towards winter) is always a rich time to slow down and reflect on our journey with our horses, so I hope this episode inspired you to try new ways of connecting and relating with your equine loved-ones. Kathryn Hofstetter is an Equine Trauma Specialist, Holistic Horsemanship Mentor, Equine Herbalist, Usui and Equine Reiki Master Teacher, Shadow Work Doula, and practicing folkloric Green Witch with over twenty years of horsemanship experience and nearly fifteen years of experience as an educator in the equine industry. With her diverse combination of professional modalities and academic experiences, Kathryn brings an eclectic perspective to the ways we can bridge the gap between the practical and the mystical aspects of inner work and connection with horses. Check out Kathryn's website https://www.openhearthorsemanship.com and follow her on IG @openhearthorsemanship  

Having seen Shelby's recent social media post titled "Dominance theory is dead / Your horse does not view you as the alpha" circulating the internet, I knew I had to have her on the show for a conversation about this important, and often controversial, topic. After presenting the current research on dominance theory and de-bunking this long-standing perspective on horsemanship, we mused about why horse people are so committed to this alpha mindset despite what science has since proven on the social dynamics of horses. Shelby then offered her advice to folks who are on the path of overhauling their attitudes and actions when it comes to horsemanship and horse keeping, as someone who began that process herself almost 10 years ago. We rounded out the episode with a critical look at the typical weaning process, and how, ultimately, our practices surrounding this vulnerable time in our horses' lives mirrors the equestrian industry's grip on outdated, human-centric philosophies that do not place the horses welfare and wellness at the forefront of our decisions and activities. Oh, how we could go on!  It was such a pleasure to have this fellow Pacific Northwesterner on for a matter-of-fact chat on these subjects, and I hope our discussion helps you continue to advocate for positive change in our horse world!  Shelby Dennis is a 27 year old professional horse trainer and behaviour consultant based in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Shelby has over 22 years of experience with horses. From the Arabian horse circuit to hunter/jumper to dressage and exercising race horses, Shelby's practical experience with different kinds of horses has made her a well rounded horse person. On top of her practical experience, Shelby has also taken her post-secondary studies seriously, taking several Equine Science based courses through Guelph to work towards her Certificate of Equine Science, choosing to emphasize her studies and education on Equine Behaviour. In early 2021, Shelby received her Equine Behaviour Consultant certification from the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants. You can find out more about Shelby through her website https://milestoneequestrian.ca  

This week I was joined by Equine Physiotherapist Yasmin Stuart, who is also a BTMM apprentice trainer with Celeste Lazaris. As I recently enrolled in Celeste Lazaris' self-study Nerve Release Technique course, it felt very aligned to connect with Yasmin for a chat about her work and the patterns she's been noticing amongst her clients through the lens of posture and nerve impingement. She thoughtfully explained her findings on the relationship between posture and behaviour, and outlined the need to consider these two variables in tandem in order to make informed assessments about our horses' suitability for being ridden.   I have been delving into this work with my own girls for a little while now, so I was excited to hear Yasmin's perspective on my observations and queries, such as the difference between conformation and posture.  It was wonderful to discuss our mutual love for these important and nuanced aspects of health, welfare and wellness for horses. I hope our conversation leaves you feeling empowered to pick and choose methods and modalities that resonate for you and your horse, and to meet your horse where they are.  Yasmin is an internationally sought-after practitioner and lecturer in Equine Physiotherapy, who has taught clinics in the USA, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy and Spain. Yasmin has been in practise as an Equine Physiotherapist for over 8 years and was the Programme Manager for Equine Physiotherapy at the Open College of Equine Studies, where she spent 3 years in charge of the training and development of the next generation of Equine Physiotherapists. Yasmin is passionate about welfare-led interactions with all animals and this is evidenced by her thirst for evidence-based practice which truly puts the horse's perception of their experience first - not only during treatments but also through educating their owners to make well-informed choices which contribute to their horse's overall emotional and physical wellbeing via their management and exercise. She firmly believes that there is a better way to do things for our horses. A humane way, that puts the needs of the horse firmly at its centre and she is excited about how the equine industry is beginning to change in light of this. Yasmin connected with Celeste-Leilani Lazaris - better known as the Travelling Horse Witch - and studied her Nerve Release Technique and has since become one of Celeste's apprentice trainers. Yasmin has recently released an online course - The Fundamentals of Horse Posture - which aims to educated horse owners and professionals alike on horse posture and how to identify presentations outside of the norm. www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com 

In the two most recent episodes, guests and I have delved into our experiences of burnout and the impact of this all-too-common state of exhaustion amongst equestrians and equine professionals. In today's podcast, I had a chance to chat with Susan Tenney of Elemental Acupressure about what to do about recovering from stress, burn-out and overwhelm. Susan shared many helpful tidbits and habits that anyone can practice to improve their overall emotional and physical balance, drawing insight from the wisdom of the Water Element. Be sure to catch up on our previous podcast together where we dive into the 5 element theory, here: https://wholehorse.ca/episode-95/   As part of this episode, Susan has crafted a free PDF handout for listeners to access tips and tools for shifting from surviving to thriving. Find it at https://wholehorse.ca/episode-106   I was so grateful for this conversation and Susan's down to earth advice. I hope you'll feel more equipped to find your flow amid the waves of life after listening. Susan feels strongly that massage and acupressure are for everyone – not just the “experts". This you- can-do-it attitude carries over into her classes where she delights in demystifying Chinese Medicine and Five Element theory. Her deep experience and gentle touch makes her very popular with her students and readers as well as her four-legged clients! Susan teaches the Shiatsu, acupressure and Five Element theory courses. She is the co-founder of Elemental Acupressure along with her husband, Jonathan Cohn. For more information about Susan head to www.ElementalAcupressure.com  

It was so great to have Dr. Tracy Rainwaters back on the podcast this week. Tracy reached out to me after listening to my last episode -  Unpacking the impact of burnout and adrenaline poisoning in horses and humans with Lockie Phillips and Elsie Reford (Episode 104) - to express how much that conversation landed for her. As the two of us got to talking, it became clear that she and I have been on a parallel path as of late, navigating serious health events and discovering how to find more sustainable ways forward in our professional lives. We delved into the compassion fatigue and grief that can often accompany us in our role as equine care providers, and how learning to hold space for the hard moments rather than working to “fix” them is an ongoing journey. I was grateful for Tracy's vulnerability in continuing this important discussion, and delighted that we also managed to keep our promise to finally talk about spines!  Mid-way through this podcast we switched gears and Tracy shared how she has come to appreciate the spine as a gateway for health and well-being. It was fascinating to hear how she has woven her shamanic, energetic and spiritual lens into her scientific and chiropractic understanding of this incredibly important structure. I hope this episode is both as supportive and interesting for you as it was for me!  Dr. Tracy Rainwaters is a human and equine chiropractor with over 16 years of experience in helping animals and their humans thrive. Tracy brings a whole-being approach to healing by looking at a being from the perspective of the energetic/spiritual & the mental/ emotional in order to bring harmony & vitality to the physical body. Tracy uses her skills as an intuitive channel to anchor in the wisdom & healing from the highest aspect of a being, along with her shamanic healing techniques to provide a powerful healing container for animals and their humans. Tracy obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. She obtained her Doctorate in chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic, West and her animal chiropractic certification from Options for Animals where she was on the teaching faculty for 6 years. Tracy's equine practice quickly revealed her animal intuitive abilities as animals started showing her what was occurring energetically and spiritually with themselves and their humans. Horses have been Tracy's greatest teachers and have ushered down her spiritual path. She spent 2 years training in shamanic energy healing with The Four Winds Society. The shamanic healing practices have profoundly influenced and enhanced how she helps animals and humans heal. Tracy offers classes on intuition development & animal communication, 1:1 healing sessions for people & their animals as well as healing workshops on her farm in western Washington that focuses on allowing the horses to be our guides through a journey of transformation using shamanic medicine wheel as the foundation. Website: www.tracyrainwaters.com Instagram: @dr.rainwaters

I was delighted to welcome Lockie Phillips back for his third appearance on the podcast to unpack his recent Emotional Horsemanship clinic tour. Joining our conversation was long-time Whole Horse Apprenticeship student, and my new assistant, Elsie Reford, who hosted Lockie for a two-day clinic in her home town of Ottawa, ON and later attended the Whole Horse Clinic that Lockie, Elisse Miki and I hosted in Langley, BC.  Together, the three of us reflect on the unique and surprising elements that unfolded during the clinics, including my very real encounter with the alarming consequences of burnout at the end of the first day of the Whole Horse Clinic. This prompted a much wider, and much needed discussion on the pervasive hustle-and-grind culture amongst equine professionals. We shared honestly about the need to fundamentally revise our mindset around productivity and worth, prioritize rest, and turn towards support and collaboration as medicine for moving forward healthily in our demanding horsey careers. I hope this episode reminds you to take good care of yourself and ask for help when you need it. I promise that you, your horses and your clients will all be better for it! Lockie Phillips is an Australian horse trainer, instructor and coach living in Spain. A former professional dancer, Lockie focuses on the emotional well being of horses and humans in his business, Emotional Horsemanship. Learn more at www.emotionalhorsemanship.com Elsie Reford is a passionate writer and horsewoman, and Alexa's newly appointed virtual assistant! She is currently offering herself as a creative consultant for equine professionals who could use support in managing administrative tasks, writing copy, creating and publishing content and generating ideas, so that they have more time and energy to focus on doing the work they love. Follow along and reach out on Instagram @farout_and_about  You can also find her work online at https://www.faroutandaboutblog.com and in the co-authored book Unlocking the Wisdom of Horses Within You available at https://www.thewisdomofhorses.com  

Get ready to expand your mind and heart with this potent conversation! Recording this episode with Emily Frost of Kiros Way was a glorious and deep look at the ways in which horses invite us to remember and reconnect to the divine nature of life. We discuss shadow work as an essential tool on our journey to embodying the love we know we feel for our horses, but can struggle to express due to unconscious conditioning, and share how everything from the mundane to the mystical can be a spiritual experience. I'm truly grateful for Emily's enthusiasm and unapologetic way of embracing these less-tangible spaces of connection with our horses, and I hope our chat can leave you feeling inspired and curious to explore new realms of being and relating to both yourself and your equine partners Emily Frost of Kiros Way offers a holistic, connection based training approach through the integration of a well-rounded and embodied language bridge. By combining animal communication, somatic reinforcement, bioenergetics, and operant conditioning; primarily in the form of positive reinforcement & non-escalating negative reinforcement; each language bridge and educational experience is unique and completely customized to every individual and partnership - supporting all stories. So often we demand that our horses bridge themselves to our human world, far more than we step into theirs. Emily is dedicated to helping horses and humans meet in the middle, catalyzing powerful healing journeys to the heart. Learn more about Emily's work at https://www.kirosway.com

A synchronistic series of events connected Betsy Vonda and I and right away we knew we needed to have this important conversation. Betsy specializes in rehabilition and meets and works with a lot of horses dealing with pain and major, sometimes progressively deteriorating conditons. In this episode we talk about when rehab is no longer enough, how to know, and what to do about it, and we get personal as she shares about her own mare, their journey together, some of the hard and important decisions she's making and facing, and what she's doing to stay neutral through this time so she can make the best decision possible in the right timing. I'm grateful for Betsy's vulnerability and openness in a situation that so many of us face with our horses.  Betsy Vonda is an Equine Postural, Performance, and Behavioral Consultant residing in Ontario, Canada with a focus on equine rehabilitation, as well as starting and training horses for longevity and soundness. Betsy grew up competing in western performance disciplines and went on to being a successful competitive rider in barrel racing and pole bending. As a coach and clinician she teaches owners how to recognize proper movement patterns and development, as well as how to improve their relationship and communication with their equine partner no matter the chosen discipline. Betsy is also a Paramedic and an Emergency Service Education Coordinator. This unique background coupled with her specialized horsemanship skills has enabled her to develop thorough physical assessment and observational skills, training in de-escalation and regulation of the nervous system, as well as a formal education in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. She is also an apprentice instructor of the Balance Through Movement Method. Betsy is available for Distance Sessions, Clinics.and in-person sessions in her area. Find her at https://balancedwithbetsy.com.

What a pleasure to connect with Dr. Tracy Rainwaters! I had goosebumps most of this poignant episode, as there was so much resonance and so many affirmations of my own path and work. We explored more deeply how to navigate death and dying in a healthy and even sacred way, how to more fully listen to horses in all moments and interactions, how to support them in a concrete way through all the transitions they may face, how to wean foals in a more mindful and communicative way, and how to gracefully listen to and receive a no from the horses in our world. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!   Dr. Tracy Rainwaters is a human and equine chiropractor with over 16 years of experience in helping animals and their humans thrive. Tracy brings a whole-being approach to healing by looking at a being from the perspective of the energetic/spiritual & the mental/ emotional in order to bring harmony & vitality to the physical body. Tracy uses her skills as an intuitive channel to anchor in the wisdom & healing from the highest aspect of a being, along with her shamanic healing techniques to provide a powerful healing container for animals and their humans.   Tracy obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. She obtained her Doctorate in chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic, West and her animal chiropractic certification from Options for Animals where she was on the teaching faculty for 6 years. Tracy's equine practice quickly revealed her animal intuitive abilities as animals started showing her what was occurring energetically and spiritually with themselves and their humans. Horses have been Tracy's greatest teachers and have ushered down her spiritual path. She spent 2 years training in shamanic energy healing with The Four Winds Society. The shamanic healing practices have profoundly influenced and enhanced how she helps animals and humans heal.   Tracy offers classes on intuition development & animal communication, 1:1 healing sessions for people & their animals as well as healing workshops on her farm in western Washington that focuses on allowing the horses to be our guides through a journey of transformation using shamanic medicine wheel as the foundation.   Website: www.tracyrainwaters.com

Well look at that! It's the 100th episode of the Whole Horse Podcast! Loved celebrating this milestone with this awesome chat with fellow podcaster Felicity Davies. We covered a heck of a lot of ground, from unpacking our feels about podcasting and why we love it so much, to how to centre and support your horse with trauma-informed desensitization practices, to a new understanding on capacity, why less is often more with horses and training, to why I love magnesium so so much, to the importance of regular bowel movements and healthy digestion, not just for your horses (oh yes, we went there!). There's definitely a reason I call this the Whole Horse Podcast, as no stone will be left unturned. Thank you all for listening in and supporting the podcast to reach this exciting milestone!  Felicity Davies is a Horsemanship and Mindset mentor based in South Australia. She is the founder of The Confident Equestrian Program, a global online course that teaches horse owners exactly how to help their horse feel more confident in any environment. Through the program, she works closely with each student over 12 weeks to empower them with the tools and mindset they need to confidently navigate any moment with their horse. To do this she uses an intuitive combination of compassionate horsemanship, learning theory, neuro-linguistic programming, emotional freedom technique and lessons she has learned from horses, their owners and other resources. Her mission is to help horses become better understood through empowering their owners with the information and the mindset they need to trust themselves and their feel. For more on Felicity and her work head to: https://www.confidentequestrianprogram.com To check out her new Equestrian Oracle Deck head to: https://www.confidentequestrianprogram.com/equestrian-oracle

Me and my partner in all things equine body work are back again for another deep-dive into geeky territory! Elisse Miki of Equilibria Therapeutics is back for her fourth episode as we dig right into one of our favourite subjects, cranial therapy, specifically applying to horses. If you've been curious about why cranial work is so effective, what mechanisms are actually being worked with and how they function to help or hinder our horses, the fascinating anatomical landscape of the cranium and spinal cord through an osteopathic lens, and how this work might help your own horses or your clients, this episode definitely worth a listen (or two!). As a human and equine therapist with over 15 years of experience working with clients in a therapeutic setting, Elisse brings a wide variety of modalities into her practice. She began her career working as an Exercise Physiologist having completed her Bachelors in Kinesiology then went on to obtain her Registered Massage Therapy Licence. She has since gone on to complete Diplomas in Equine Therapy, Equine Craniosacral, and currently in the process of completing both her Human and Equine Osteopathy Diplomas concurrently. Elisse is also an Instructor of RMT at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Instructor. Some of her clients include the Langley Equestrian Academy, Cloverdale Rodeo, and the International Professional Rugby 7s teams. Her current focus lies in research and development of current standards of practice in the equine industry. Elisse hosts clinics for horse owners and will be offering continuing education courses for existing health care professionals and equine therapists starting in January 2020. Website – www.equilibriatherapeutics.com

This episode with Celeste Lazaris, founder of the Balance through Movement Method, was everything I had hoped and more! After starting this work with my own horses through Celeste's Masterclass and having a good amount of success but feeling very much like a newbie, I was full of questions and Celeste was full of informative answers and information, getting into how the masterclass works, how to use it well for you and your horses, where to go for more support, what this work is and how it can support many different kinds of horses and much more.  If you've been interested in trying this method, but haven't been sure what it's about and how to start, this is the episode for you!   Celeste Lazaris is a biomechanical lameness specialist and an expert in equine movement and muscle development.    Her primary focuses are releasing nerve compressions in the horse that cause restrictions and undiagnosed lameness, and teaching owners how to develop their horses body both in-hand and under saddle through intrinsic motivation and proper movement to prevent injury and further nerve related problems. She is highly valued by Veterinarians around the world and is quickly changing the way we see our horses for the better.   Learn more at https://www.balancethroughmovementmethod.com

An archeologist turned saddle fitter? It's the recipe for a completely fascinating conversation, as I found out recently in this episode with Claire Marshall of Plateau Holistic Equine. She had me on the edge of my seat (pardon the saddle pun!) with her in-depth knowledge of saddles and tack through the age, sharing how tack has not come very far at it's essence, how saddles are still a ways off from that elusive "perfect" fit and what we can do to support our horses to find what works for them, why bridging might not be the terrible thing you once thought, what padding has to do with it, and her thoughts on treeless vs treed saddles. If saddles both fascinate and frustrate you, this is a must listen!  Claire Marshall of Plateau Holstic Equine; Archaeologist turned saddle fitter and whole horse integration professional. Love of horses in the past and living history education led me to pursue an academic interest in combining, initially; history, archaeology and the role of horses in the past. From being around horses since the age of 11, to providing educational clinics and problem solving the trickiest of fitting horses. The work has evolved over the past 10 years to incorporate specific makers of saddles, from baroque to English, Iberian and historical examples for museums and living historians. Work has evolved from influences as diverse as Mary Wanless, centred riding by Sally Swift, Alexander technique and Science of Motion. This and the respect for how the saddle has developed over time has made for a unique approach to saddle fitting.  Working closely with other professionals has proved essential in signposting clients and their horses to other professionals prior to fitting saddles and also thinking more about the technical aspects of fitting the riders and their individual seats to saddles too. Find more about Claire's work at https://plateauholisticequine.com

This beautiful conversation with Tara Davis of Unbridled Goddess may require tissues! We covered much territory, from her ever-deepening work with positive reinforcement training and it's roots with her mare Misa, her deep commitment to creating a haven for her horses where all physical needs are met before moving forward and why she believes in a free-choice forage, her work with the Balance through Movement Method and how it's supporting her horses, and the passing of her much beloved stallion, and her powerful and very moving way of honouring him and his legacy. At Unbridled Goddess, Tara immerses herself in the teachings of the Herd, sharing the timeless wisdom of the Horse.  Weaving together lessons from science and spirituality, hers is a unique horsemanship approach with the purpose of empowering both horse and human.  Tara believes that opening our awareness to the possibilities of a more conscious and consensual relationship with our horses reflects in our interpersonal relationships – as well as our relationships with ourselves. Tara supports the unique connection between each horse and human through her 20+ years of experience in the equine industry, background in dressage, and education in holistic horse care practices.  In her training, Tara combines principles of classical dressage with a focus on biomechanics and the inner drive of the horse to achieve harmonious, healthy lifelong partnerships.  Her teachings are based heavily in positive reinforcement, with an adherence to LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) protocols, and incorporate the development of mindful awareness in riders. Learn more about Tara and her work at https://unbridledgoddess.com or follow on IG

Ever since Equine Therapy school I was fascinated with the Element theory from Traditional Chinese Medicine and how it provided a lens to understand horses and their health better, as well as understanding myself. Now, many years later, Susan Tenney of Elemental Acupressure re-kindled this fascination for me and I'm so excited to share this super helpful and interesting understanding with you! In this episode we chatted about how to identify the main element of your horse, the behvioural and personality patterns related, the health implications of their key element and how you can help them to be their most healthy, and how you and your horse's main element combine in the most supportive way. Enjoy! Susan's students and clients say that she positively shines when she works. Her love of animals comes through in everything she does. To illustrate her ideas, Susan can be theatrical – making an idea come alive by panting like a happy dog or drooping her head and sighing like a horse relaxing into a massage. These images stay with students, helping them integrate ancient Chinese Medical concepts into their modern day lives. To Susan, Five Element acupressure for animals is so insightful and powerful that it seems wondrous. She passes on that sense of wonder to her students, clients, and readers. Susan feels strongly that massage and acupressure are for everyone – not just the “experts". This you- can-do-it attitude carries over into her classes where she delights in demystifying Chinese Medicine and Five Element theory. Her deep experience and gentle touch makes her very popular with her students and readers as well as her four-legged clients! Susan teaches the Shiatsu, acupressure and Five Element theory courses. She is the co-founder of Elemental Acupressure along with her husband, Jonathan Cohn. For more information about Susan head to www.ElementalAcupressure.com

It wouldn't be a new season without a podcast episode with Heather Nelson! Our fun and funny conversation unpacking positive reinforcement training, food rewards (and how to use them safely), how to do horse care, like feet, wounds, teeth and vet visits, collaboratively with your horse to greatly reduce stress for everyone, and why it's totally ok to not have an agenda when it comes to your horses (or the rest of your life), kicks off season six of the podcast (how has it been this long already?!). This season promises to be packed with great conversations, with new guests and your faves. Thanks for coming along for the ride... Heather Nelson is known for starting from the beginning without the lines and inspiring horses through connection. She combines her background in positive reinforcement training, ground work, classical dressage, intuitive training and liberty to help horse lovers like you tap into your own innate ability to earn a big YES from your horse so you can coach your horse to develop to their highest potential in self expression and balance. Heather is sought after for her engaging workshops and demonstrations where she teaches people to access leadership and respect through creative play, which is just as out of the box as it sounds. She offers lessons in positive reinforcement and liberty training online. Find her at http://www.heathernelsonlibertytraining.com/ or on FB - Heather Nelson

After having incredible success with homeopathy and the products of Adored Beast, I was very excited to sit down for a chat with Sarah Griffiths DCH, and to learn more. Sarah shares about her journey to become a homeopath, how homeopathy works (so cool!), how to administer them for horses, and how to support your horses gut health with homeopathy, probiotics, supplements and more. A conversation packed with helpful and supportive guidance and information, and such a joy to meet and learn from Sarah. Enjoy!   Sarah is a partner to the Adored Beast Apothecary and the creator of two companies: The Animal Synergist and Equus Soap Co., located in Langley, BC, Canada. A horse trainer, feline and canine nutritionist, and a classical homeopath, she started her journey into animal wellness as an equestrian and a zookeeper. She has even worked as a commercial falconer. With over 20 years of education and field/clinical experience feeding and caring for wild and domestic animals of a variety of species, Sarah consults with clients and companies across Canada to help them with species-appropriate approaches to animal nutrition. Sarah's unique and deeply caring approach to animal care focuses on providing synergistic wellness planning services and safe, non-toxic grooming options for animals. She's a strong believer that less is more when it comes to our ever-increasingly toxic environment. We can't control a lot of things but we can surely control what we feed our animals and what we put on them topically. Sarah holds a Diploma in Classical Homeopathy (DCH) from the Vancouver Homeopathic Academy, a certificate in exotic feline husbandry and is currently completing a 500 hour Clinical Pet Nutritionist program from the Academy of Natural Sciences (CPN Certification) and 100 hour CEN (Clinical Equine Nutritionist). Her mission is to empower as many animal guardians as possible to choose preventative options for their pets without fear or guilt. There is a lot of information out there these days and she believes in providing you with the tools you need to give your animals the best life possible. For more information on Sarah's companies, visit www.theanimalsynergist.com and www.equussoapco.com  

It's my second podcast conversation with Shannon Beahen of Humminghorse Equestrian and boy, was it a good one. We travelled a lot of territory as we discussed the nuances of no, the possibility that comes with choice, some of the core wounds of horses (specifically the "weaning" wound) and how to support, and Shannon's new course, Cleaning up the contact zone, and some key take-aways from her exciting curriculum. Much gold to be found here and I hope you enjoy as much as I do! Shannon is an alternative horse trainer, online educator, academic and writer. She specializes in teaching her own “high vibration” approach to natural dressage and liberty as well as the creation of species-appropriate habitats that promote dynamic movement and sovereign equine lifestyles. She is passionate about exploring and articulating the ethics of embodied horse-human relationships. Her hope is that through teaching a deeper awareness of human-animal and human-environment relations, equestrian education ceases to be a privileged pastime; and instead may just provide some of the seeds to birth a new earth. Learn more about Shannon and her work at www.humminghorse.com

It is good to be back! Especially when the conversations are like this gem with Allison Goin of Centaur Soul Work. We get into the ins and outs and sometimes trickiness of combining our spiritual path, our love of horses and our work, how our own soul path with horses shows up in our astrology chart, how connections and collaboration can be key, and what to pay attention to as we move forward, astrologically speaking! Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  Allison Goin is an Evolutionary Astrologer & Equine Specialist who combines practical tools, eclectic modalities, and inspirational ideas to support transformational soul-work and holistic healing for horses and humans. She offers 1:1 consultations, long-term coaching & mentorship, workshops, public talks and writings to inspire new ways of looking at our lives and horses, and empower people to embrace positive change. Her interdisciplinary approach blends her expertise in personal and spiritual development with her knowledge of horses, healing modalities, and mission-driven work to help individuals and organizations find creative and effective ways to come into alignment with their true purpose. As an emancipated horsewoman, Allison has developed her own solutions and intuitive approach to relationship-building with horses, informed by extensive study and work with both horse and human teachers. Allison loves to collaborate with other innovators and always has a variety of projects in development. Learn more about her current and upcoming work at www.allisongoin.com and follow her on Instagram @centaur_soul_work. -- As a special promotion for Whole Horse listeners, Allison is offering a $25 discount on all first-time services with her. Use the code CENTAURSOUL on her website to take advantage of this offer!--    

Another beautiful conversation with Kerri Lake, and the perfect chat for this time we find ourselves in, as we get right into some incredibly rich territory around re-framing our learning process (and supporting our horses through this shift), what surrender really means, learning to love the boring and mundane, and the gifts in taking things slow and easy for ourselves and our horses. As always, so many potent nuggets of wisdom come through Kerri in this chat. Enjoy!  Kerri Lake shares wisdom and guidance for humanity to live closer to the heart. At age 11 she began asking horses directly how she can be with people in the same presence of love that horses share unconditionally. Everything she shares bridges innate consciousness and personal experience. She shares with simplicity and humour how effective healing and effective creation emerge from the same foundation - the absence of judgment. She shares her own journey to help you see that if she can do it, so can you. Kerri is a "hands-on" facilitator, guiding individuals and projects to perpetually greater clarity and heart-inspired action. Her books, "Listen Like A Horse: Relationships Without Dominance" and "Spiritually Gifted" have an international audience that expands beyond the human-animal relationship, inviting people to generate a harmonious relationship with themselves. They are available on amazon and on Kerri's website. Kerri is available for 1-1 facilitation and longer engagements to lift inspired projects to new heights. You can read more and contact Kerri on her website, www.kerrilake.com.  

We're getting geeky again! Elisse Miki of Equilibria Therapeutics and I venture into more of our favourite territory, this time focusing on the nervous system, neuroplasticity, motor control, rehabilitation, what cranial work has to do with any of this, and all things neuroscience. With a herd of seniors (one over 40 years old!) that love to move and are getting more agile and fit every time I see them, Elisse is definitely doing something very right. Rehabilitation of horses is a huge topic, and this episode might give you some clues on why your horse is not recovering from an injury or accident the way you thought they would, and some simple exercises that incorporate motor control and neuroplasticity to start shifting gears, even if your horse is on stall rest. As a human and equine therapist with over 15 years of experience working with clients in a therapeutic setting, Elisse brings a wide variety of modalities into her practice. She began her career working as an Exercise Physiologist having completed her Bachelors in Kinesiology then went on to obtain her Registered Massage Therapy Licence. She has since gone on to complete Diplomas in Equine Therapy, Equine Craniosacral, and currently in the process of completing both her Human and Equine Osteopathy Diplomas concurrently. Elisse is also an Instructor of RMT at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Instructor. Some of her clients include the Langley Equestrian Academy, Cloverdale Rodeo, and the International Professional Rugby 7s teams. Her current focus lies in research and development of current standards of practice in the equine industry. Elisse hosts clinics for horse owners and existing health care professionals and equine therapists. www.equilibriatherapeutics.com