Olivia Kelly (Towers): from Competitive Grand Prix Dressage to a Deeper Path of Horsemanship, Biomechanics, Self-Discovery, & Motherhood.

In this episode of the Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I chat with Jen Clingly & Jeremy Ford from Wild About Hooves! Jeremy, a former traditional farrier turned barefoot trimmer, and Jen, a record-breaking barefoot endurance rider, are a powerhouse duo changing the way we think about hoof care. Friendly, humble, and incredibly knowledgeable, Jen & Jeremy share their journey, why they went barefoot, and how wild brumbies inspired a better way to support sound, healthy horses without shoes. If you’ve ever questioned whether metal shoes are necessary or wondered how to support healthier, more natural hooves, or maybe you’d like to become a trimmer yourself, this is a must-listen! _____   🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:   Wild About Hooves Website: https://www.wildabouthooves.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wild.abouthooves Courses & Workshops: https://www.wildabouthooves.com.au/education-and-training   _______   EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist 🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → amaliadempsey.com/ccmc 🏋️‍♀️ Free Rider Exercises: Improve your biomechanics with 10 unmounted exercises → amaliadempsey.com/exercises 💪 8-Week Rider Exercise Program: Transform your riding with structured, rider-specific exercises → amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program 🐎 Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy: Create a happy, confident, and trusting partnership with your horse on the ground and in the saddle → amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy 🚛 Trailer Loading Success: Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with this $9 roadmap → amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap 🐴👶🏼 Horse Mums Facebook Group: Connect with like-minded horsey mums, share the highs and challenges of balancing it all, get support, laughs, and tips from a community that gets it! → https://www.facebook.com/groups/938509415066034 ____   🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference! 📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day! 🤝 Connect with me on Instagram @amalia_horses and Facebook: Amalia Dempsey Horsemanship 💕 Explore more horsemanship resources at www.amaliadempsey.com   _______   Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training  

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Andrew McLean who is a renowned equine academic, author, coach, presenter, and founder of the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre.  We explore key topics such as ethical use of reinforcement, welfare in horse sports, and the future of horse training and management. We also touch on Andrew’s fascinating work with elephants. Dr. McLean’s career includes winning the Eureka Prize for Science, coaching at elite levels, and riding competitively at high levels in eventing, dressage, and show jumping. He continues to shape the next generation through his contributions to Pony Club Australia's syllabus, and offers a Diploma in Equitation Science for all ages and levels. Enjoy the show! _____ 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE: Dr Andrew McLean has authored a nationally accredited horse training Diploma, the Diploma of Equitation Science. This qualification is suitable for all horse riders providing students with highly practical skills and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of horse handling, coaching and training. Graduates are equipped with increasingly sought after skills in equine management and evidence-based and ethical equine trainingStudy online with flexible timeframes and a range of payment options. To find out more visit: https://esi-education.com/courses/diploma/   Equitation Science Website: https://esi-education.com/   _____ EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist 🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → amaliadempsey.com/ccmc 🏋️‍♀️ Free Rider Exercises: Improve your biomechanics with 10 unmounted exercises → amaliadempsey.com/exercises 💪 8-Week Rider Exercise Program: Transform your riding with structured, rider-specific exercises → amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program 🐎 Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy: Create a happy, confident, and trusting partnership with your horse on the ground and in the saddle → amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy 🚛 Trailer Loading Success: Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with this $9 roadmap → amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap 🐴👶🏼 Horse Mums Facebook Group: Connect with like-minded horsey mums, share the highs and challenges of balancing it all, get support, laughs, and tips from a community that gets it! → https://www.facebook.com/groups/938509415066034 ____   🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference! 📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day! 🤝 Connect with me on Instagram @amalia_horses and Facebook: Amalia Dempsey Horsemanship 💕 Explore more horsemanship resources at www.amaliadempsey.com   _______   Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training

“Feel is knowing what to do, timing is knowing when to do it” ~ Elsa Sinclair   In this episode of The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I am joined by Elsa Sinclair- the creator of Taming Wild & Freedom Based Training.    Elsa comes from a family of horse trainers she has had a meandering journey through many different styles of horsemanship until she stumbled on a question that needed exploration. What if horses were given a choice? Would they let us ride them? Without force or tools to control and without bribes to lure them?    🎙️ In this episode, we dive deep into: The pivotal moment that sparked Elsa’s quest to answer the question: “What if horses were given a choice? Would they let us ride them” Is a domestic life for horses better than ‘the wild’? Differences that Elsa has noticed between horses raised in domestic environments vs feral/widl horses. The differences between the Taming Wild documentary and the upcoming book Taming Wild: The Compelling Origins of Freedom Based Training and the Promise It Holds for Horses with Humans Whether it’s truly possible to develop a riding partnership without tools or bribes How Freedom Based Training compares to pressure/release and positive reinforcement methods The biggest challenges and breakthrough moments in the early stages of training Myrnah Elsa’s broad framework for working with horses in Freedom Based Training Whether you can blend Freedom Based Training with more traditional approaches How to read the health of your horse’s nervous system The concepts of tolerance, acceptance, and enjoyment in Freedom Based Training and leaving horses wanting more Why Elsa believes her method is NOT “woo-woo” /spiruatual and why it’s actually very logical The surprising difference Elsa has noticed in horses in different climates Elsa’s new app and book that are being released soon Plus so much more!   🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE: Elsa's Website: https://www.tamingwild.com/ Elsa's NEW book: https://www.tamingwild.com/general-6 Elsa's Tea Time Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2iL7fpGSyWODCazJbEMtkV?si=997c91db1fd74fd7 Elsa's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elsa.sinclair/   _______   EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist 🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → amaliadempsey.com/ccmc 🏋️‍♀️ Free Rider Exercises: Improve your biomechanics with 10 unmounted exercises → amaliadempsey.com/exercises 💪 8-Week Rider Exercise Program: Transform your riding with structured, rider-specific exercises → amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program 🐎 Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy: Create a happy, confident, and trusting partnership with your horse on the ground and in the saddle → amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy 🚛 Trailer Loading Success: Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with this $9 roadmap → amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap 🐴👶🏼 Horse Mums Facebook Group: Connect with like-minded horsey mums, share the highs and challenges of balancing it all, get support, laughs, and tips from a community that gets it! → https://www.facebook.com/groups/938509415066034 ____   🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference! 📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day! 🤝 Connect with me on Instagram @amalia_horses and Facebook: Amalia Dempsey Horsemanship 💕 Explore more horsemanship resources at www.amaliadempsey.com   _______   Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training  

In the latest episode of The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I am joined by Olivia Kelly (Towers) @towers432, who shares her incredible story of being a successful professional Grand Prix Dressage Rider to finding the world of horsemanship and biomechanics. In this episode, we discuss:   How her career as a Grand Prix dressage rider has evolved over the years leading her to find horsemanship thanks to two special but difficult horses - FJ and Wilf. The conflict she experienced whilst navigating top dressage competition and learning horsemanship. Her drastic mindset shift thanks to self-development. A huge turning point - that lead to a mental breakdown and agoraphobia and how she overcame it. Becoming a mum and how that influenced her as a person and a rider. Mum guilt and how it affects her Changes she’d like to see in equestrian sports What she’s studying now and her personal horse goals going forwards Plus so much more! 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:   Olivia’s Website: https://www.oliviatowersdressage.com/ Olivia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/towers432/ Olivia’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OliviaTowersDressage Olivia’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/27dhLJj00IDbDAc8llwEcT Horse Mums Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/938509415066034   _______   EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist 🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → amaliadempsey.com/ccmc 🏋️‍♀️ Free Rider Exercises: Improve your biomechanics with 10 unmounted exercises → amaliadempsey.com/exercises 💪 8-Week Rider Exercise Program: Transform your riding with structured, rider-specific exercises → amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program 🐎 Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy: Create a happy, confident, and trusting partnership with your horse on the ground and in the saddle → amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy 🚛 Trailer Loading Success: Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with this $9 roadmap → amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap 🐴👶🏼 Horse Mums Facebook Group: Connect with like-minded horsey mums, share the highs and challenges of balancing it all, get support, laughs, and tips from a community that gets it! → https://www.facebook.com/groups/938509415066034 ____   🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference! 📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day! 🤝 Connect with me on Instagram @amalia_horses and Facebook: Amalia Dempsey Horsemanship 💕 Explore more horsemanship resources at www.amaliadempsey.com   _______   Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training

If you’ve been following Shelby Dennis (aka Milestone Equestrian / @sdeques on social media), you know she doesn’t shy away from the hard conversations. She’s a passionate advocate for horse welfare, uncovering the harsh realities of the horse industry, and pushing for real change. Shelby is a professional horse trainer and equine behavior consultant with over 24 years of experience across multiple disciplines—including Arabian showing, hunter/jumpers, dressage, and even racehorses. She’s also taken her education seriously, working toward her Certificate of Equine Science and earning her Equine Behavior Consultant certification through IAABC. Her approach to training has evolved massively over the years, moving away from traditional punishment-based methods toward a more ethical, science-backed way of working with horses. She’s an incredible voice in the equestrian space, and I have so much admiration for the work she’s doing! In this episode, we dive into: 🐴 What sparked Shelby’s passion for horse welfare and the personal experiences that led her to advocate for change. 🐴 How Shelby’s training has evolved over the years from punishment-based to reward-based. 🐴 The biggest welfare concerns in the industry—harsh training methods, equipment, poor management, and a widespread lack of understanding of horse behavior. 🐴 The moment Shelby started questioning traditional training and horse-keeping practices. 🐴 The challenges of holding top riders accountable while leaving room for them to grow. 🐴 Social media as both a tool for change and a platform for cancel culture—where’s the line? 🐴 Why abuse persists at the top levels of competition, despite being more exposed than ever. 🐴 Corruption in the horse world. 🐴 Shelby’s vision for a better equestrian industry—and realistic changes that could actually happen. 🐴 The million-dollar question: Do horses truly enjoy being ridden and competing? 🐴 Ethical concerns beyond competition—how to spot truly ethical horsemanship. 🐴 Two trainers setting a better example in horse sports. 🐴 The use of R+ and R- in training—can pure R- ever be ethical? 🐴 How Shelby handles backlash when calling out unethical practices. 🐴 Debunking the “if the horse didn’t want to, they wouldn’t” myth. 🐴 What keeps Shelby motivated to keep advocating for change. 🐴 Common misconceptions about her work. 🐴 Shelby’s personal goals with horses and training. 🐴 Favorite horse books, resources, and what she’s currently learning. 🐴 Plus SO much more! This conversation is eye-opening, thought-provoking, and (at times) confronting. Shelby’s bravery in speaking out—even in the face of backlash—is truly inspiring, and I know you’re going to take so much away from this episode. Let’s dive in! 🎧✨ ______ 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:   Where you can find out more about Shelby:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdequus/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milestoneequestrian96 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sdequus YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjNgasvyRwPmnXY11m4Lacg Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sdequus Website: https://milestoneequestrian.ca/ Podcasts:  Making Milestones: https://open.spotify.com/show/3s8mJIS4vt2uAxzg8mXFGk Mane Character Energy: https://open.spotify.com/show/3og2h8PNWWrQV21aEWPxDk _____ 📚 Shelby’s Recommended Books: The Other Side of Horsemanship: My Journey of Unlearning Cruelty & Healing Trauma by Shelby Dennis Language Signs and Calming Signals of Horses: Recognition and Application by Rachaël Draaisma Equitation Science by Paul McGreevy and Andrew McLean Equine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists by Paul McGreevy The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté with Daniel Maté The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker   _______   EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist 🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → amaliadempsey.com/ccmc 🏋️‍♀️ Free Rider Exercises: Improve your biomechanics with 10 unmounted exercises → amaliadempsey.com/exercises 💪 8-Week Rider Exercise Program: Transform your riding with structured, rider-specific exercises → amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program 🐎 Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy: Create a happy, confident, and trusting partnership with your horse on the ground and in the saddle → amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy 🚛 Trailer Loading Success: Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with this $9 roadmap → amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap   ____ 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference! 📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day! 🤝 Connect with me on Instagram @amalia_horses and Facebook: Amalia Dempsey Horsemanship 💕 Explore more horsemanship resources at www.amaliadempsey.com   _______   Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training, Horse Abuse, Horse Welfare, Horse Advocacy, Horse Ethics, Shelby Dennis, Milestone Equestrian, Horse Industry

In this episode of The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Kelly de Geus: an amazing horsewoman known for her ability to train horses the piaffe in a light, soft, willing, biomechanically correct way. Kelly de Geus is a dedicated horse trainer and coach from the Netherlands, who has been captivated by horses for as long as she can remember. For over a decade, Kelly's main focus has been on training horses herself, developing a specialty in teaching horses to piaffe and passage in hand. This is always a result of optimal communication and body use, and never a quick fix or trick. Having trained over 1000 horses in hand, Kelly now primarily focuses on sharing the knowledge she gained by doing so, thereby helping more people (and, in turn, more horses) feel better, improve posture and optimise performance.   I first reached out to Kelly for online lessons years ago after being mesmerised by how light and happy her horses looked in the piaffe. At the time, she didn’t have online resources, but she agreed to help me through online lessons and I was blown away by her approach. She taught me that that piaffe is reflection of correct basics, and that there are a sequence of things that need to be in place before the piaffe is possible. Her values in training horses align closely to my own so I am so happy to share her voice with the horse world.   In this episode, we cover: ✨ The true purpose of piaffe as a diagnostic and gymnastic exercise (it’s more than just fancy footwork and it’s not a ‘circus trick’!) ✨The importance of conncection, communication, & biomechanics ✨ Common mistakes & how to know if your horse is ready to start training the piaffe ✨ The groundwork that sets the foundation for collection ✨ Adjusting her training approach to different horses  ✨The role of positive reinforcement in her training ✨Plus so much more! If you’ve ever dreamed of training the piaffe, this is THE episode for you! 🎧 Listen now and check out the links below to learn more from Kelly! ____ 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE: The Road to Collection course: https://www.kellydegeus.com/the-road-to-collection Warm-Up Mini Course: https://www.kellydegeus.com/mini-course-warm-up-reinvented Kelly’s webinars: https://www.kellydegeus.com/webinars _____ 📚 Kelly’s Recommended Books:  Tug of War: Classical Versus “Modern” Dressage by Gerd Heuschmann Hope... From the Heart of Horses: How Horses Teach Us About Presence, Strength, and Awareness by Kathy Pike The Principles of Training by Warwick Schiller Wired for Connection: How Horses Teach Us to Understand Ourselves by Lucie Klaassen     And remember you can get a free PDF document of all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast here →amaliadempsey.com/booklist _____   EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist 🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → amaliadempsey.com/ccmc 🏋️‍♀️ Free Rider Exercises: Improve your biomechanics with 10 unmounted exercises → amaliadempsey.com/exercises 💪 8-Week Rider Exercise Program: Transform your riding with structured, rider-specific exercises → amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program 🐎 Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy: Create a happy, confident, and trusting partnership with your horse on the ground and in the saddle → amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy 🚛 Trailer Loading Success: Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with this $9 roadmap → amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap   ____ 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference! 📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day! 🤝 Connect with me on Instagram @amalia_horses and Facebook: Amalia Dempsey Horsemanship 💕 Explore more horsemanship resources at www.amaliadempsey.com   _______   Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training, Kelly de Geus, Piaffe, Road to Collection, Training Collection, Dressage, In-Hand Dressage, Later movements, Grand Prix Dressage

If you’ve ever found yourself questioning what is the most ethical way to train horses, felt like an outsider when it comes to exploring different methods, and/or you’re a mum trying to balance horses, life, and kids…then this episode is for you! A while ago, I received a message on Facebook from Chloe Bailey, who had joined the new free Horse Mums FB group. She sent me a Google Doc in response to a question I had posted about how people navigate the use of reinforcements. Her response was so insightful that I knew it had to be shared, so here we are! I sat down with Chloe Bailey, a welfare-concious ‘amateur’ horse trainer who has, like many of us, been asking those horse welfare questions and contemplating on how we can best navigate the use of reinforcement types in training.   We spoke about: Chloe’s horse journey and how she navigates the use of reinforcements in training What led her to explore positive reinforcement (R+) Overcoming guilt from past training methods and advice for others facing the same struggles Balancing idealism with practicality in training The biggest misconceptions about positive reinforcement (R+) and negative reinforcement (R-) Dealing with a shift in identity after moving away from traditional horse communities Experimenting with longer delays between the click and reward – key insights The future of R+ in the horse world – what changes Chloe hopes to see in the next 5–10 years How becoming a mother has changed her horsemanship The challenges of being a horse mum and human mum – and how she manages them Chloe’s latest horsemanship breakthrough Her favourite horse books and resources- including 2 authors that are completely new to me which I'm excited to read Her personal horse goals for the future Plus so much more!   🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:   Free Horse Mums Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/938509415066034 Free Books & Resources List: amaliadempsey.com/booklist   _______   EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist 🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc 🏋️‍♀️ Free Rider Exercises: Improve your biomechanics with 10 unmounted exercises → amaliadempsey.com/exercises 💪 8-Week Rider Exercise Program: Transform your riding with structured, rider-specific exercises → amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program 🐎 Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy: Create a happy, confident, and trusting partnership with your horse on the ground and in the saddle → amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy 🚛 Trailer Loading Success: Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with this $9 roadmap → amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap   ____ 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference! 📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day! 🤝 Connect with me on Instagram @amalia_horses and Facebook: Amalia Dempsey Horsemanship 💕 Explore more horsemanship resources at www.amaliadempsey.com   _______   Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training, R+, R-, Negative Reinforcement, Combined Reinforcement

Have you ever had a session with your horse where it feels like you’re walking on eggshells… everything is tense, your horse is worried, and you feel like the slightest thing can set them off? 😬🐎 I’ve been there too, and that’s exactly why I recorded this latest episode of The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast: 12 Ways to Have a More Relaxed Session with Your Horse.  I’ve recognised that there are specific things I do on days when everything feels much more relaxed, and I’d love to share them with you! My hope is that you and your horse can also feel more at ease, have more fun, and ultimately get better results from your time together. Relaxation isn’t just a "nice to have"… it’s fundamental to great horsemanship.  When you and your horse are relaxed, everything improves: ✔️ Your connection deepens ✔️ Learning becomes easier for you both ✔️ It’s safer for both of you ✔️ Athletic maneuvers and performance work improve ✔️ And most importantly… it just feels better and is more enjoyable for you both!  You can expect to gain valuable insights on how to set up your sessions for success so that you and your horse can be relaxed and happy!  I’ve noticed a huge difference in myself and my own horses when I incorporate these techniques. This episode also kicks off SEASON 2 of The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast! 🎉🎉  I’d love to hear your thoughts after you listen! 🎧💬 Let me know one thing you’ll try from these 12 tips in your next session! I hope you enjoy the show! ❤️🐴   ______   EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   Get a list of all the books & resource recommendations mentioned in the podcast here: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/booklist   Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc   Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises    If you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program   Want your horse to be happy, calm, trusting, confident on the ground and riding? Join Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy, where I teach you how to achieve this and more with your horse: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy   Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with the $9 30-minute Trailer Loading Success Roadmap: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap _______ If you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram or Facebook (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening! Please send this podcast to all your horsey friends- it helps spread the word of good horsemanship and ultimately have a positive impact on the horse world!

Life has been full of big changes for me lately, and in this episode, I’m catching you up on everything - both personally and professionally. I’ll be sharing how my approach to horsemanship is evolving, unpacking my thoughts on using food rewards, pressure, and the ethical considerations that come with training horses.  I can’t wait to share my breakthroughs with you. Plus I have a surprise personal announcement 😁💕 I hope you enjoy the show!   What I talk about in this episode:  My ongoing quest for a better way with horses My deep dive into positive reinforcement - breakthroughs and learnings: the setup the marker signal small approximations undoing things education feel emotions mindset shifts the power of R+ plateus and pain the restriction the moral high ground  What has stopped me from taking a more ‘pure’ R+ approach & why I still use ‘pressure’  How I’m tweaking my use of R+ after this most recent deep dive Surprise Personal Announcement What I'm doing now with my horses & horse business Other things I’m studying/interested in Motherhood & horses 2 new and exciting opportunities to connect with like-minded horse people ______ EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist 🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → amaliadempsey.com/ccmc 🏋️‍♀️ Free Rider Exercises: Improve your biomechanics with 10 unmounted exercises → amaliadempsey.com/exercises 💪 8-Week Rider Exercise Program: Transform your riding with structured, rider-specific exercises → amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program 🐎 Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy: Create a happy, confident, and trusting partnership with your horse on the ground and in the saddle → amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy 🚛 Trailer Loading Success: Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with this $9 roadmap → amaliadempsey.com/trailer-loading-success-roadmap ____ 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. ⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference! 📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day! 🤝 Connect with me on Instagram @amalia_horses and Facebook: Amalia Dempsey Horsemanship 💕 Explore more horsemanship resources at www.amaliadempsey.com   ______ Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training

I stumbled across the amazing Connie Colfox on Horse & Country TV watching her use positive reinforcement to help top eventing riders with ‘problem’ horse behaviours.   She was able to really impress these riders with how quickly she could change these talented horse’s minds about something they were struggling with.    In the words of Connie: “We really want horses to feel comfortable in the world they live in. By giving them a broad grounding with positive reinforcement we build trust to take on the challenges we encounter together”.   I was particularly interested in what she said around the 23-minute mark of this episode, and I agree that what she mentions here is a huge part of horses performing beyond their natural capabilities - and conversely why sometimes performance drops despite better riding!   I found Connie to be extremely humble, despite her decades of horse experience and knowledge, and she shares a balanced view and open approach to horsemanship, forever observing and learning from the horse.    If you have a horse with some ‘problem’ behaviours or you are a performance rider curious about how positive reinforcement could help your horse, you will love this episode with Connie! Let me know what you think!   You can find out more about Connie here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conniecolfox Website: https://conniecolfox.com/   _______   EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:   Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc   Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs   Get a list of all the books & resource recommendations mentioned in the podcast here: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/booklist   Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises    And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/8-week-rider-specific-exercise-program   Say goodbye to stressful trailer loading with the $9 30-minute Trailer Loading Success Roadmap: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/offers/TCmLdE2o/checkout   Want your horse to be happy, calm, trusting, confident on the ground and riding? Join Horsemanship Fundamentals Academy, where I teach you how to achieve this and more with your horse: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/Horsemanship-Fundamentals-Academy   No matter where you are in the world I can help you and your horse through online coaching. Click here to book your session: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/onlinecoaching _______ ⁠⁠ And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!