Our Equestrian Life

Join host Dan Bizzarro in this insightful episode of 'The Equestrian Life Podcast' as he converses with accomplished event rider Lucy Jackson. Lucy shares her transition from physiotherapy to a successful equestrian career and her current involvement with the Howden Ways Thoroughbred Aftercare Program. They delve into the unique characteristics of thoroughbreds, the importance of structured training, and addressing common misconceptions. Lucy also talks about addressing behavioural issues and ensuring proper physical care for these exceptional horses. Don't miss the valuable insights on helping these remarkable athletes transition into new careers post-racing and learn why thoroughbreds could be the perfect match for you!RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODEThe Howden Way website: https://thehowdenway.com/Lucy Jackson's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucy.jackson.5492TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Thoroughbreds00:30 Welcome to the Podcast00:54 Meet Lucy Jackson02:53 Lucy's Journey from Physiotherapy to Equestrian04:58 Life in New Zealand06:53 Return to England and Professional Riding09:22 Challenges and Triumphs in Eventing14:38 Retirement and New Beginnings22:13 Involvement with Thoroughbred Aftercare35:22 The Benefits of Early Training for Racehorses36:53 Challenges and Solutions in Training Thoroughbreds37:16 The Role of Satellite Yards and Trainers37:31 Fitness, Finance, and Management in Horse Training38:45 The Importance of Consistent Education for Horses40:54 Incorporating Event Riders in Training Programs43:14 The Value of Thoroughbred Aftercare Programs44:09 Addressing Common Issues in Retraining Ex-Racehorses46:32 The Importance of Routine and Structure53:06 The Role of Veterinary and Physiotherapy Support01:01:41 Understanding Kissing Spine in Thoroughbreds01:05:51 The Howden Way: Resources and Support for Thoroughbred Owners01:10:04 Final Thoughts and EncouragementFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

In this episode, I sit down with Ros to discuss her exciting journey in the world of eventing, from her humble beginnings in the Swansea Pony Club to competing at prestigious events like Badminton and Burley. Rose shares fascinating stories about her horses, Horton Venture and Horton Point, their remarkable achievements, and the dedicated training that led to their success. She also delves into her transition from rider to coach, offering insights on training techniques, the importance of understanding your horse, and her views on the future of eventing. This episode is packed with valuable tips, personal anecdotes, and a deep passion for the sport, making it a must-listen for horse enthusiasts and aspiring eventers.TIMESTAMPS00:12 Ros's Journey into Eventing: From Pony Club to Professional00:49 The Tale of Horton Venture and Horton Point: Horses That Defined a Career03:32 Stepping Away from the Sport: Financial Realities and Family Support08:51 The Transition from Rider to Coach: Learning and Mentoring15:29 Understanding Horses: The Key to Success in Eventing18:31 The Importance of Quality Over Quantity in Horse Selection28:32 Training Challenges and Solutions: Insights from a Coaching Perspective35:22 The Art of Adjusting Strides and the Importance of Quality Canter38:21 Eventing Insights: Strategy Over Speed in Cross Country38:58 Training Philosophies: The Debate on Canter Work for Novice Horses39:46 The Legacy of Interval Training: Preparing for Badminton44:06 Eventing's Evolution: The Impact of Surfaces and Spectator Experience58:23 Innovative Ideas for Engaging Fans and Enhancing Eventing01:04:14 Concluding Thoughts on the Future of EventingFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

This comprehensive discussion with my guest Claire, an independent equine nutritionist, navigates through the intricacies of horse nutrition. We explore various aspects of feeding horses, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Key topics include the importance of appropriate forage, the role of supplements, the need for a balanced diet, managing underweight and overweight horses, and tips for choosing the right feed.We also discuss the impact of grazing management, forage types, and the significance of professional insight into equine feeding strategies to ensure optimal health and performance.We covered all the important aspects of correct equine nutrition and I hope you’ll find this conversation helpful.RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODEClare's website: https://www.equinenutritionist.com/Clare Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ClareMacLeodEquineNutritionistTIMESTAMPS01:19 Understanding the Importance of Nutrition in Equine Health03:06 The Fundamentals of Equine Nutrition Explained07:34 Choosing the Right Feed: Navigating the Maze of Options13:02 Personalized Nutrition Plans: The Role of an Equine Nutritionist17:01 Managing Forage and Pasture for Optimal Equine Health21:44 The Significance of Consistent Forage Quality29:55 Supplements in Equine Diet: Necessity or Overkill?31:34 The Balance of Vitamins and Minerals in Horse Feed32:19 Supplementing with Salt and Electrolytes: A Delicate Balance34:27 Exploring the World of Horse Supplements37:41 The Benefits and Uses of Mash in Horse Diets42:22 Understanding and Managing Horse Weight49:10 Feeding Strategies for Underweight Horses53:13 Choosing the Right Oil for Your Horse56:58 Final Thoughts and Resources for Horse NutritionFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

In this enlightening conversation with Charlie Unwin, a renowned performance psychologist with a diverse background including military service, we unpack the psychological aspects crucial for mastering equestrian sports. We explore the importance of personal leadership, the subtle differences between emotions like excitement and fear, and how understanding these can drastically improve training and performance in competitions. The conversation touches on the balance between technical and psychological coaching, the role of personal beliefs, and strategies for maintaining consistency under pressure. Unwin shares insights from his experiences across sports, business, and the military, highlighting psychological techniques such as visualization and managing internal systems to enhance performance. Additionally, the importance of focusing on controllable elements and developing a competition mindset during training is emphasized, providing valuable strategies for both athletes and coaches. RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODECerntre 10: https://www.centre10.com/Charlie's website: https://www.performancelegacy.com/ Dynamic Performance: https://www.dynamicperformancehub.com/ To buy Charlie's book ''Inside Out'' click HERETIMESTAMPS01:05 Meet Charlie Unwin: A Journey from Military to Equestrian Psychology03:20 The Role of Sports Psychology in Equestrianism05:20 Consistency: The Key to Equestrian Success08:00 Overcoming Mental Challenges in Equestrian Sports08:36 Harnessing the Power of Visualization and Flow States14:27 The Psychological Impact of Horse and Rider Relationship20:31 Personal Leadership and Focus in Equestrian Sports31:11 The Importance of Control and Focus in Equestrian Performance38:14 Transferring Training Success to Competition40:32 The Psychology of Performance: Navigating Fear and Focus42:45 Creating a Competition Mindset in Training44:14 The Power of Precision: Training Beyond the Basics45:29 Elevating Training with Intensity and Focus01:06:33 Building Confidence Through Controlled Challenges Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

In this interview, I enjoy learning the story of how the amazing Ros Canter went from a young pony club enthusiast to becoming a World Champion. Ros discusses her love for training horses, her determination and competitiveness, and the importance of the support she received from her family, her team and her mentors. You might think that successful riders don’t struggle with their nerves and you might be shocked to hear that Ros had lots of moments of doubt and at times she even felt relief when competitions got canceled. How did she achieve all the amazing results then? You’ll find out!There is so much to learn, and I hope you are enjoying learning with me.RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODERos Canter's Offical Website: https://www.roscantereventing.com/Ros Canter's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/roscantereventerTIMESTAMPS02:05 Interview Begins: Early Life and Introduction to Riding03:52 The Path to Eventing and University Life05:12 The Unexpected Turn to Professional Riding06:09 Balancing Passion for Travel and Riding11:03 The Influence of Family and Mentors17:41 Overcoming Fear and Improving Cross Country Riding29:56 Importance of Taking Breaks and Celebrating Success31:17 Self-Description and Competitive Edge32:05 Understanding Personal Strengths and Training Quality34:58 Managing Nerves and Embracing Challenges39:52 Adapting Training Approach to Individual Horses49:59 Future Aspirations and Advice to Younger Self56:07 Contact Information and Final ThoughtsFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

Annabelle Galt is a Veterinary Physiotherapist and an active member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists.Bell absolutely loves working with horses and helping them perform at their best.The love for her profession is so inspiring, so much so that seeing her enthusiasm every morning David, her husband, decided to leave his old job, go back to university and become a physiotherapist himself.In our conversation, we talk about the fundamental role of physiotherapy in horse welfare and sports performance. Annabelle reveals how she got into the field, her passion for horses, her focus on academic research, and the functions of various physiotherapy equipment. She also emphasizes the importance of a good coach, the correct saddle fitting, regular vet and physio check-ups, building a strong support team, and continuous learning. I hope you enjoy our conversation!RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODEAnnabelle Galt Veterinary Physiotherapy: https://www.agvp.co.uk/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AGVetPhysioInstagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/agveterinaryphysiotherapy/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Equestrian Life00:56 Guest Introduction: Annabelle Galt01:59 Annabel's Journey into Veterinary Physiotherapy04:08 Starting and Growing a Veterinary Physiotherapy Business08:35 The Role of Physiotherapy in Equestrian Sports13:10 Choosing the Right Physiotherapist24:54 Advancements in Veterinary Physiotherapy32:04 The State of Equestrian Sport and Horse Welfare39:33 Personal Goals and Aspirations43:33 Conclusion and Contact InformationFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

In this inspiring discussion, I welcome my friend and accomplished Italian international event rider, Giovanni Ugolotti.  We dive deep into Giovanni's past, sharing his journey of moving from Italy to the UK, how he trained to become a successful event rider, and his experiences throughout his equestrian career.  Gio also discusses the importance of setting goals, how to select a horse, and how to produce an events horse, as well as giving us a sneak peek into what's in store for him this year! Do you want to hear about his hopes for the Olympics, and how he manages to stay upbeat even in the hardest times? Expect laughter, insights, and genuinely uplifting moments in a conversation that embodies the true spirit of the equestrian way of life.RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODECranford stud eventing website: http://www.cranfordstudeventing.com/TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey00:29 The Importance of Positivity and Motivation02:04 Giovanni's Early Riding Experiences05:21 The Challenges and Triumphs of Building a Career in Eventing09:15 The Journey of Training and Producing Horses11:24 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Mistakes11:42 The Importance of a Positive Attitude and a Strong Team24:13 Choosing and Training Young Horses37:50 Looking Forward: Goals for the Upcoming Year41:03 Conclusion and Contact InformationFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

In our conversation, Helen discusses her journey from a non-horsey background to becoming the CEO of British Eventing, sharing the challenges and lessons learned along the way. She talks in-depth about the complexities of British Eventing, her time in the role, the difficulties she faced, and the changes she managed to implement. She also shares her aspirations for the future.RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODEBritish Eventing website: https://www.britisheventing.com/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Entering the Equestrian World: A Personal Journey13:16 The State of British Eventing Upon Arrival17:33 The Impact of Covid-19 on British Eventing27:39 The Role of IT in British Eventing's Challenges37:08 Strategies for Change and Improvement40:40 The Domino Effect of Change41:31 Regrets and Contributions in Sports43:06 The Struggle of Making Tough Decisions43:53 Understanding Leadership and Decision Making45:11 The Importance of Effective Communication49:25 The Struggles of Managing a National Governing Body56:46 The Challenges of Abandonment InsuranceFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

In this episode I'm joined by Cheryl Johns, the founder of LiveryList and Yard Owner Hub. We discuss the complexities of running a livery yard, covering areas such as financial planning, managing staff, and adhering to regulations. Cheryl talks about how LiveryList started as a simple livery yard directory and expanded into a comprehensive resource hub for yard owners. She shares her hopes for the future, including new endeavors for supporting yard owners and the continued growth of her platforms.RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODELivery list website: https://www.liverylist.co.uk/The Yard Owner Hub website: https://www.yardownerhub.co.uk/Facebook Group for Livery Owners: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyodiscussions/TIMESTAMPS01:24 The Birth of Livery List05:20 Challenges in Running a Livery Yard06:09 Personal Journey into the Equestrian World14:23 The State of the Livery Industry18:43 Financial Planning for Livery Yards28:58 Staffing Challenges in Livery Yards33:04 The Importance of a Happy Work Environment36:38 The Complexities of Employment in the Equestrian Industry38:45 The Importance of Good Management in the Equestrian Industry39:33 The Wealth of Resources Available on Yard Owner Hub41:23 The Future of Regulations and Standards in the Livery Industry46:45 The Potential Impact of New Regulations on Livery Yards49:11 The Importance of Compliance with Regulations01:00:40 The Future of Livery List and the Yard Owner HubFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com

Expert Vet, Spike Milligan, takes us on a journey exploring the adventurous yet demanding field of equine veterinary medicine. He uncovers the intricate workings of vet-client relationships and helps us gain a deeper understanding of risk management in the profession. Spike's valuable insights into horse management techniques, insurance, and rehabilitation, combined with his experiences with British Eventing, provide viewers with a comprehensive perspective on the future of equine performance. Additionally, the podcast offers an introspective look at the search for a work-life balance in the veterinary profession, highlighting the importance of defining personal success and the art of finding 'enough'. Spike's lessons from his own journey and his passion for youth programs add an inspiring context to the future of the veterinary industry.RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODESpike Milligan's website: https://www.spikethevet.co.uk/Spike Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/spikethevetTIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:53 Spike's Journey and Role in Veterinary Medicine07:44 The Evolution of Eventing and Veterinary Practices30:16 The Role of Insurance in Veterinary Care32:13 The State of British Eventing40:36 Moving Forward from Past Mistakes40:56 The Importance of Communication in the Industry41:05 Understanding and Supporting the Sport42:07 Understanding Joint Injections and Treatments42:42 The Concept of Prehabilitation43:24 The Role of a Support Team in Horse Care43:58 The Importance of Early Detection and Treatment45:09 The Benefits of Joint Injections46:58 The Importance of Open and Honest Communication47:05 The Role of the Rider in Horse Care50:29 The Misconception of Rest as the Best Treatment53:54 The Role of Supplements in Horse Care58:01 Understanding Doping and Withdrawal Periods01:02:03 Future Trends in Veterinary Medicine01:05:51 Personal Goals and Aspirations01:10:53 Advice for Young Vets01:13:44 Contact Information01:14:31 ConclusionFollow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danbizzarro/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DanBizzarroWebsite - https://www.danbizzarromethod.com