Horse Person

This episode is proudly sponsored by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 for 15% off at checkout. 

This episode first appeared on The Horsewoman's Almanac. Click here to subscribe to that show - for free!

In this episode, Clare Staples shares her journey from a horse-loving child in England to becoming a leading advocate for wild horses in America. She discusses the deep spiritual connection she feels with horses, the challenges of running a sanctuary, and the importance of preserving wild horse families. Clare also touches on the legislative landscape affecting wild horses and her efforts to inspire c...

The horse world doesn't always agree on everything, but it can agree on this: The cost of competing is becoming prohibitively high. In fact, the cost of most things related to horses seem to be creeping up every time we turn around. 

How did showing get so expensive? Are enthusiastic riders getting priced out of being able to compete even just a few times a year? What is the sport's leadership's view on this and what's driving the bottom line at show venues?

To discuss, Caroline Culbertson is joined by USEF CEO Bill Moroney, CEO o...

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services.

Taylor flury is doing something not that many professionals in the US are doing -- she isn't just breeding show jumping horses for top sport, she's breaking them and bringing them along herself. At only 34, Taylor has taken numerous young horses previously not started undersaddle and developed them into competitive FEI Grand Prix Jumpers. 

But Taylor still faces the frustrations, doubts, and questions that many of us face when developing young horses. She thrives on the process, but she's not immune to the moments of...

Most riders think their horses are fit enough for the job they're asked to do. But according to equine fitness expert Jec Ballou, only 30 percent of sport horses actually are.

In this episode, we dig into the reasons behind that surprising number and aim to give you a more sophistocated understanding of what 'fitness' means for your horse. We discuss how horses really gain strength, the one area of fitness most riders don't know much about, and how to build a weekly program that creates real, lasting athleticism.

If you care about your horse's longevity...

Caroline interviews USEF Chief of Sport David O'Connor about the newly introduced 'Know the Signs' guidelines aimed at promoting horse welfare in equestrian sports in the US. They discuss the purpose of these guidelines, the emotional dynamics in competition, the role of officials, and  the evolving nature of regulations, particularly regarding the use of whips.

To view the guidelines, go to https://www.usef.org/horse-welfare/protecting-horses 

This episode is proudly sponsored by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order at checkout. 

Perfectionism and an outcome-focused mindset is not only a pretty lousy mindset for performance, but it also makes us miserable. And - relying on results and outcomes when you're in a sport with a 1200 lb animal who can die suddenly of a stomach ache, or essentially drain your savings account if he steps funny in the field, is just not very low risk.  but But luckily, we're going to go through some strategies to combat perfectionism and reclaim some joy  with tod...

Trigger Warning: Topics of sexual abuse

Join Caroline for a short chat with Carrie Kehring, founder of #WeRideTogether, about the special project highlighting the experience of victims of sexual abuse. 

Go to www.weridetogether.today to watch the PSAs & roundtable discussions.  

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services. 

I recorded this conversation a couple of months ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. It's a story of perseverance, of reinvention, and of the quiet power of hope — the kind of story that might just be what you need to hear right now. Because you never know what's waiting for you around the corner.

My guest today is someone many of you will already know by voice: Catie Staszak. You've likely heard her on FEI TV, CBS Sports Network, ESPNEWS, or ESPNU. She...

This episode is proudly presented by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 at checkout for 15% off your order. 

We're living in a horse world that often rushes. Young horses are expected to mature fast, to progress on human timelines, and to succeed by a certain age—or else we worry they've "missed their chance" or they wont be sellable. But today, I'm joined by someone who makes an excellent case for slowing down - wayyy down. For the horse's physical longevity, but for their mental wellbeing. 

Today, we're joined by Zac Salmeron—trainer, horseman, and someone who's quietl...

In the first interview of this kind, US Equestrian's COO and General Counsel, Sonja Keating, is speaking to the frustrations shared by USEF membership regarding the perceived lack of action and enforcement on horse abuse in sport in the United States. 

On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse, written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website, seemingly in response to Caroline's piece, in which they call for the...

On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse, written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website, seemingly in response to Caroline's piece, in which they call for the community to unite against horse abuse and detail a number of measures they have taken, and some that they plan to take, to address horse abuse in sport. 

The response to these 2 articles was massive. On social media alone, t...

This special LIVE episode is made possible by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 to get 15% off your entire order at checkout. 

This episode is also supported by WeRideTogether.today. We all have a part to play in preventing abuse and misconduct in equestrian sports. Learn more on their website. 

Dr. Jenny Susser is a renowned, Olympic level sport psychologist who has supported athletes from the beginner level through the Olympic game in all sports, but specializes in equestrian sports. Dr. Jenny joined us on a LIVE call-in show to answer 3 horse person podcast listener questions. 

W...

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services.

Welcome to Horse Person: MADE — where we explore the stories behind the brands, businesses, and visionaries shaping the horse world. This isn't just about entrepreneurship — it's about the real, human journey: the risks, the resilience, the detours, and the drive it takes to build something meaningful in this industry.

This is Olympic show jumper Daniel Bluman, documenting how he built Bluman Equestrian from a small family business that he founded at 20 years of age, and turned it into a global, multi-pronged equestrian business encompassing many eque...

Duration: 01:02:51

This episode is presented by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order. 

The bit is one of the most powerful—and potentially harmful—tools we use, yet most riders choose one without fully understanding its impact. In this episode, we unpack why choosing a bit and understanding that bit is actually a huge responsibility that we really need more focus and more education on. 

I'm joined by Mette Larsen who is one of the most knowledgeable sources of bit fitting and bit choice information here in the states. Mette Larsen is the president of Neue S...

This episode is presented by Nikovian. 

Saly Glassman spent nearly four decades leading one of the largest retail investment practices in the world, but she walked away to help people heal through horses, and isn't looking back. 

In this episode, we dive into how Saly combined her passions for psychology, philanthropy, and horsemanship to create the Kindle Hill Foundation, a cutting-edge equine-assisted therapy center serving first responders and individuals facing anxiety, PTSD, depression, and more. The wisdom about horses and humans that she has gained through this process will be of value to every person wh...

Emma Chapman has been a professional groom at the top of show jumping competition for almost 2 decades and in that time, she's learned a thing or two. Today, we get to learn from her. 

Emma, who manages WEG gold medalist Adrienne Sternlicht's operation, gives us an inside look at the essential role of grooms in horse care and competition. We also dive into the evolving career path for grooms and what needs to change to improve working conditions in the industry. Plus, Emma offers a candid look at how she balances life as a new mom with t...

You know her from riding in the biggest arenas in the world as an elite US dressage rider, or from her beloved social media following documenting her life as a top athlete. But there's so much more to Anna Buffini and her story than what meets the eye, and today, we're peeling back some of the layers on this incredible young woman who is rightly becoming a role model for many up-and-coming riders.

This episode is proudly presented by Connaway and Associates Equine Insurance Services. 

Anna, 30, who trains with her longtime trainer, Olympic bronze medalist G...

If the only things certain in life are death and taxes, we sure do a poor job talking about the former. Let's change that. 

In this heartfelt conversation, Caroline Culbertson and renowned sport psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser explore the complexities of grief, particularly in relation to the loss of beloved horses. They discuss personal experiences with anticipatory grief, the emotional toll of preparing for loss, and the challenges of communicating about death. 

Dr. Jenny shares her recent experiences with the loss of two horses only weeks apart, highlighting the stark differences between expected and unexpected lo...

Paige Jardine is a 5* Australian show jumper whose symptoms started small. Some discomfort, some nausea. But as time went on and she kept pushing through, with doctors providing little insight or treatment, things got worse, until she collapsed at the ingate during an FEI show. 

Paige spent years seeking a diagnosis, and is now speaking out about the power of removing the shame from women's health issues, especially in a sport that is majority female. In this conversation, Paige shares her deeply personal journey through mental health struggles and the diagnosis of endometriosis. She discusses the impact o...

If you've ever had a horse turn and walk away from you in the field when you're trying to catch them, or turn away from you in the stall - you are so not alone. That moment can be confusing, annoying - at best it's inconvenient and at worst it's dangerous. But we're going to walk through understanding this avoidant behavior today, give you some perspective on how to understand why your horse is doing it, and then an effective approach on how to address the behavior - and it doesn't involve force or bribery - this is a...

Money is a factor in our sport - there's no getting around that. But dang if it isn't encouraging when we hear stories of riders who have made their way without extravagant wealth, by doing it themselves, and while prioritizing their horses' well-being. 

That's the story we have for you today with Skylar Wireman. 

Skylar Wireman has been called 'The future of show jumping', but she hasn't let her impressive transition from successful junior to 5* pro stop her from keeping things fun. 

Whether it's camping, riding at the beach and in the ocean, or...

Have you ever felt like it was hard to find your place in the horse world?

Maybe you didn't want to be a pro rider, but you wanted to be involved more than just as a hobby. You didn't feel pulled down the veterinary route, but your grades in biology didn't cut it (Caroline raises hand). 

There are so many ways to be involved, professionally or not, in horses - and Tori Repole is joining us today to help us peel apart the layers of the horse world so that we can all find our l...

'How can I improve my riding outside of the saddle?' 
'How can I become a calmer competitor?'
'I only have x hours to ride per week, how can I still make progress?' 

While there are tons of resources for horse/riding/training education (hit us up if you need some recommendations!), today's episode is focused on how to become a calmer, more focused, more balanced rider when you DO get that barn time or when you enter into the competition ring. These are areas of focus for life, not just momentary tricks, an...

Lessons from an FEI dressage rider for $5? What's the catch? 

That was my reaction - and the reaction of lots of other riders - when they saw Meghan Laffin's post. But on further investigation, this was an approach to a multi-pronged problem that Meghan identified in the dressage industry: 1) Many riders are feeling the financial strain of pursuing their goals in their sport, 2) Many riders felt alone, or too embarrased to seek help and 3) There's not always a clear path to improvement, let alone success, so having a fresh set of eyes and a professional take on y...

The culture of your barn can make or break your experience there. And if you're a trainer, it can attract the clients of your dreams... or your nightmares.

It's time to get intentional about choosing and building culture in our barns and stables. How do we build cultures that are led by the values we choose, instead of the bad habits we fall back on? How do we decide what is most important to us, and find or build an environment that reflects that? 

On today's episode, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by performance coach, c...

Today's episode is a special one for me as I sit down with long-time friend and my former boss, Noelle Floyd. This episode might sound a little different, and that's because we had the really lovely opportunity to sit down together at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts and record this conversation live in the expo center. And that's exactly what this episode is - an honest, unscripted conversation.

Noelle Floyd is the visionary behind NF+, the ultimate streaming platform for horse lovers. Noelle has built a global community centered around better horse care, ethical training, and empowering riders...

At this point, we collectively know and acknowledge that nearly everyone who rides horses will experience fear at some point - it's the cost of doing business with 1000lb+ creatures who are strong, fast, and have their own instincts. For some folks fear might be momentary or fleeting, and for others, fear may become an unwanted, consistent passenger that seems to take over their experience with their horse. I wanted to learn a bit about how we can take the big, overwhelming problem of fearing our horses and trace it back to smaller, less overwhelming, and more addressable pieces.  Duration: 01:06:46

At 27, Marcela Pomphrey moved to the UK without knowing a lick of English language. At 30 she began working in a sporting industry she had no experience in. At 31, she started a business. At 40, she started riding. 

Now, the 46-year-old has a goal of riding at the Prix St. Georges level in dressage by age 60. 

In this episode of Horse Person, Marcela shares her journey of decades of longing for horses to be part of her life, how that dream became a reality, and what it taught her about having a learning mindset, embracing the resources th...

If you've ever driven home after a clinic and felt like everything you heard the clinician say has promptly exited your brain stage left, you're not alone. It's so easy for those experiences to pass in a blur, leaving you feeling like you didn't have the experience you were hoping for, or that the time and money spent didn't have a true impact on your training trajectory. 

So let's address it! In today's episode, host Caroline Culbertson is joined by clinician and 5* eventer Sinead Halpin to discuss how to get the most out of this unique learning f...

When 5* event rider Matt Brown was finally listed as an alternate for the Rio Olympics, it was the realization of a life-long dream. It was also simultaneously the highest and lowest point of his career. He was in a position that he'd worked so hard for, made many sacrifices to get to, and yet, something didn't feel right. 

"Someone within the sport recommended I do something… that was not legal. And I was seriously considering it. We had moved east, (my owners) had spent all this money, (my wife) had uprooted her life… it seemed unfair to not d...

Jonathon Millar has spent the past year and a half doing something he never expected he'd have to do – slowly, painstakingly rehabilitating from a traumatic brain injury, from which he nearly died, in a non-riding accident that he can't remember. He spent weeks in a coma, had a portion of his skull removed, and then had brain surgery once again to have it replaced. In total, he had 4 brain surgeries as the result of this accident. He spent months rehabilitating his cognitive skills, and then subsequently rehabilitating physically and re-strengthening the deficit he experienced on the left side of hi...

Welcome to Horse Person. Launching October 14, releasing episodes every other Monday at 5am. Hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW so you don't miss out launch of 3 episodes for your bingeing pleasure.