No. 357. Dr Nerida McGilchrist - The Importance of Gut Health in Overall Wellness

Rebecca (Gimenez) Husted published the first textbook on Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (Wiley-Blackwell) in 2008. She is a decorated combat veteran, retired Signal Officer, US ARMY, holds BS (Biology) Wofford College, PhD (Animal Physiology) Clemson University. She provides training in Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (TLAERTM ) techniques across the US and internationally. She has published numerous critiques, techniques and journal articles on a variety of technical subjects in large animal disaster and emergency rescue, horse barn fires, and heavy rescue of large animals. She is a Principal/SME member of the Technical Committee of the NFPA Standard 150 – Animal Housing and contributes to equine welfare committees and others defining technical competencies for large animal rescue around the world.

Dr. Nerida McGilchrist (formerly Richards) is a world-renowned equine nutrition specialist from Australia, holding a Bachelor's Degree in Rural Science with First Class Honours and a Ph.D. in Equine Nutrition. In 2004, Nerida founded Equilize Horse Nutrition and began consulting for leading equine feed and supplement companies globally. Her expertise has led to the research and development of a bunch of world-leading feeds and supplements, earning her a top-notch reputation in the industry. In 2008, Nerida launched FeedXL, an online horse nutrition platform where she served as lead nutritionist, educator, and software feature designer until 2022. More recently, Nerida collaborated with Racing Queensland and their Queensland Off-The-Track Program to develop a first-class equine nutrition education video and eBook series, available to everyone on the Queensland Off-The-Track Nutrition Education Hub. Nerida's roles have had her extensively "on the ground" at breeding farms and stables around the globe. She has spent countless hours walking and testing pastures, analysing manure, and poring over diets to find the best ways to optimize equine health and performance. Her favourite projects are those that take her to Japan, where horse farms and racing stables are eager to stay on the cutting edge of nutrition research. Nerida is particularly passionate about enhancing performance through gut health, and in particular preventing gastric ulcers and maximising microbiome diversity through correct forage and grain feeding practices. Currently, Nerida is developing My Happy Horse, the world's first virtual equine nutritionist, set to launch as an app later in 2025.

Originally from Belgium, Catherine Wycoff is a physical therapist for humans and for horses, with an undergraduate degree from Liege University (Belgium) and a doctorate from Des Moines University (US). Kinetic Balance, her private practice, is situated in Lovettsville, with a satellite office in Middleburg, Virginia. She is a certified Feldenkrais, Anat Baniel Method for Children and kinesiotaping practitioner as well as a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist and a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner. She is training to become a paradressage classifier for the USEF. Catherine is a lifelong horse lover and rider and has been learning from Wendy Murdoch since 2007. She has volunteered and setup private practices in Laos, Taiwan, China, Burma and Austria in addition to the US.

Sarah Louise Lilley is a clinical Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or “Tapping”) practitioner. A sought after coach and speaker, she helps equestrians overcome fears, blocks and trauma. Known for her holistic and heart-centered approach, Sarah equips riders with tools that cultivate ease, trust, and clarity by releasing the root causes of anxious thinking and limiting beliefs. Sarah has taken the stage at Warwick Schiller’s Journey on Podcast Summit and appeared on numerous equestrian podcasts including: The Whole Equestrian with 5* Eventer Emily Hamel, WeHorse’s The Equestrian Connection with Danielle Crowell, Horse Illustrated’s Barn Banter and The Equestrian Podcast with influencer Bethany Lee. When she's not riding her horse or working with her clients, Sarah mentors the next generation of Practitioners at EFT Universe, the world’s largest EFT certification program. She recently taught alongside Dawson Church at The Omega Institute. To learn more about Sarah, please visit EmotionalFreedomwithSarah.com /or Instagram @SarahLouiseLilley

Sharon and Laura Wilsie return for continuing conversations abouit all things horse! It has been a while ans we are thrilled to share thisnew webinar with you!

Dr. Hancock was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was active in Pony Club, competing in lower level three day eventing. Dr. Hancock completed her studies at Colorado State University, graduating with a BS in Equine Science, an MS in Anatomy and Neurobiology, and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. She spent 10 years as general equine practitioner in Eastern North Carolina where she built her skills in emergency, dentistry, performance horse and lameness evaluation, reproduction, preventative medicine and integrative health. She also trained with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and completed her EDO certification with the Vluggen Institute to become an equine osteopath. Eager to offer progressive and superior services, she continually strives to improve her veterinary diagnostic, integrative medicine, and performance horse education. In 2013, Dr. Hancock purchased Rectortown Equine and permanently relocated the practice to Warrenton, Virginia at which point the practice changed to True North Equine Veterinary Services. Dr. Hancock’s goal is to nurture successful partnerships with horses and their owners that can last a lifetime.

I once witnessed a miracle when a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with autism spoke his very first words while interacting with a horse, and it forever changed my life. After hearing countless stories of people who have experienced miraculous transformations in the presence of horses, I began to wonder, "Why are horses so healing to humans and what are they here to teach us?" My partner, Krisanna, and I are award-winning filmmakers, and together we are embarking on a journey to better understand the horse-human connection. Our film will share powerful stories from those who have experienced incredible transformations and those who have dedicated their lives to equine-assisted work. We'll highlight researchers who can speak to why this connection is so powerful and share tools to help us access our healing power within. Rescued Hearts isn't just the story of horses; it's the story of all of us and the power that lies within to create healing and transformation in our lives.

Senior Instructor of the Tellington TTouch® Method, Editor of Staying in TTouch Newsletter and Linda's youngest sister, Robyn has been riding horses since before she could walk. She went through Pony Club and showed as a junior competitor in Alberta. She later attended and then instructed at the Pacific Coast School of Horsemanship in California owned by her sister Linda Tellington-Jones. Robyn competed successfully in hunter, jumper, three-day eventing, endurance, western events and more recently in gaited horses.

A fresh, honest, empathic perspective on the horse

Join us for this Webinar with Wendy, where we explore the fascinating world of SURE FOOT. Wendy brings her expertise and warmth to help us understand how balance, posture, and behavior are intricately connected. In this session, we’ll delve into practical techniques and insights that can enhance our horse's everyday movement and posture.