Understanding your horse isn’t about finding a magic button - it’s about clarity, communication, and confidence. In this episode of Ask an Expert, recorded on October 7th, 2025, Dr. Shelley Appleton shares how science, horsemanship, and self-awareness can help you bring out your horse’s best.

Episode Highlights:

12:00: The most common issues Shelley sees in the horses she works with

15:30: How she approaches working with riders and the challenges they bring

23:40: The rider tendencies that often limit progress (and how to fix them)

34:00: How to help a horse with poor boundaries or buddy sour behavior

Meet the Expert, Dr. Shelley Appleton

Dr. Shelley Appleton began her career as a university academic and pharmacist, researching how people develop expertise and think critically. A pivotal moment with her own horse sparked a personal mission to understand how horses learn and how riders can communicate more clearly. That mission soon grew into helping friends, then students, and ultimately riders around the world. Less than a decade later, she left her 25-year academic career to found Calm Willing Confident Horses, where she teaches riders how clarity, curiosity, and communication create genuine partnership. Through clinics, coaching, and online education, she helps riders transform frustration into confidence, for themselves and their horses.

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Join the waitlist for Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Equine posture offers valuable insight into a horse’s comfort, balance, and overall well-being. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Shelley Thomas explains what your horse’s posture is telling you and how noticing small changes early can support their long-term health and happiness.

Episode Highlights:

4:00: What equine posture entails and why it is important to pay attention to it

7:45: What the ideal posture looks like and how riders can assess their horses' posture

29:30: What to do with the information gathered from assessing posture

50:15: How nutrition plays into posture and the indicators that a horse may need a different nutrition plan

Want a free downloadable worksheet on how to assess your horse's static posture? Check out Shelley's website!

Meet the Experts, Shelley Thomas

Shelley Thomas is a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee. She is also a Permitted Equine Therapist for FEI competitions, a certified movement performance coach, a Precision Nutrition Level 1 coach, and a Master Reiki practitioner. In addition to her equine work, she holds a degree in psychology and a master’s in physical therapy from the Mayo Clinic and has over 20 years of experience as a human physical therapist. Having ridden through Preliminary eventing and Fourth Level dressage, Shelley brings firsthand knowledge of sporthorse demands to her busy practice, where she treats both horses and riders in-person and virtually.

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Join the waitlist for Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Emotional self-regulation is a foundation of effective training for both horses and riders. In this episode of Ask an Expert, father-and-son team Dr. Paul T. Haefner and Justin Haefner break down how emotional regulation influences learning, confidence, and the partnership in the saddle.   

Episode Highlights:  

8:00: How a horse’s ability to self-regulate impacts training, and clear strategies to help horses learn emotional control 

20:00: A step-by-step approach to helping young or anxious horses work through regulation challenges 

30:00: What human dysregulation looks and feels like to a horse, and how it affects the partnership 

36:00: Practical tools riders can use to expand their window of tolerance, especially around nerves and fear of falling 

Meet the Experts, Paul T. Haefner, PhD and Justin Haefner   

Paul T. Haefner, Ph.D., is the founder of Riding Far, LLC, where he combines over 35 years of clinical psychology with his love for horses. Through sport psychology, psychotherapy, and neurolinguistic programming, he helps riders and trainers build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and improve performance. He also contributes to research in human-horse interaction through organizations like the Horses and Humans Research Foundation. 

Justin Haefner joined Riding Far, LLC in 2018, bringing expertise in vaquero-style horsemanship, classical dressage, and equine bodywork. With a strong foundation in starting young horses and a passion for mindful training, Justin emphasizes developing strength in mind, body, and spirit. He continues to study with top instructors and is committed to making a positive impact in the equestrian world.   

Brought to You By Ride iQ                 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                 

Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).           

Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

When the temperature drops, your horse's health needs a thoughtful approach to keep them comfortable and thriving through the winter. In this episode of Ask An Expert, renowned equine vet Dr. Lisa Casinella joins us to reveal the essential winter care practices every horse owner should know. From diet adjustments to blanket selection, Dr. Casinella shares actionable advice to make winter stress-free for both you and your horse.

Episode Highlights:

10:30: Must-have items for a winter emergency kit (when a vet isn’t available).

25:30: Seasonal diet and supplement changes after pasture grass disappears.

37:00: How to select the right blanket based on weather and hay access.

39:30 : Solutions for horses prone to weight loss in winter.

44:00: Indoor vs. outdoor winter care: pros, cons, and when to blanket.

Meet the Expert, Dr. Lisa Casinella

Dr. Lisa Casinella is a leading equine veterinarian based in Ocala, FL, with over 25 years of experience in performance horse care, including as the Official USEF Team Veterinarian. She brings deep expertise in both sport and racehorse health, with a holistic approach that includes acupuncture.

Brought to You By Ride iQ             

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                 

Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).              

Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

Catching soft tissue injuries early can make all the difference. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Carol Gillis explains how to recognize early signs, take preventative steps, and guide your horse through a successful recovery.

Episode Highlights:

4:00: Ways riders can help prevent soft tissue injuries

17:30: Approach to icing legs and cold hosing

20:30: What an initial assessment of lameness or a suspected injury looks like

27:00: When to involve a veterinarian if an issue is suspected

29:30: Modalities that tend to be the most and least effective for treatment

Meet the Expert, Dr. Carol Gillis

Dr. Gillis is a graduate of the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. After earning her degree, she developed a sport horse practice and became one of the first equine veterinarians to perform ultrasound examinations on the equine musculoskeletal system. She returned to UC Davis for an equine surgery residency and then obtained a PhD in equine tendon and ligament pathophysiology. At the same time, she also established the equine ultrasound service at UC Davis and created courses and wet labs to train veterinary students, residents, and veterinarians on how to perform and interpret ultrasonographic examinations. Dr. Gillis is the author of over 50 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, as well as the book Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, which has become THE definitive reference book on the topic. She has presented her research on equine sports medicine topics both nationally and internationally.

Brought to You By Ride iQ             

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                 

Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).                  

Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

Cross-country schooling should be both productive and safe. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Leslie Law and Lesley Grant Law share their expertise on how to get the most out of every schooling session and set yourself up for success. 

Episode Highlights:    

6:30: How often to school cross-country at different levels 

14:30: Avoiding pressure on a single schooling session 

17:30: Setting up cross-country exercises without a field or jumps 

45:00: Tips for determining if you’re in the right bit 

50:30: What to include in a cross-country warmup at competition   

Meet the Experts, Leslie Law & Lesley Grant Law 

Leslie Law is a British 5* event rider and the individual Olympic gold medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. He is the USEF Eventing Team Chef d’Equipe and High Performance Manager. Previously, Leslie served as the USEF Eventing Developing Rider Coach, and he is ICP Level IV certified. 

Lesley Grant Law is a Canadian 5* event rider. She served as the Rider Representative for the 2005 and 2006 Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee and is involved in the Athlete Development Program. 

Leslie and Lesley are based in Ocala, FL, where they run Law Eventing, a successful training and coaching business that competes at the top levels of the sport. 

Brought to You By Ride iQ                 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                 

Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).              

Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

Every rider wants their horse to look and feel like a champion. In this episode of Ask an Expert, world-class groom Emma Ford shares her top grooming and barn management secrets, developed through years of working with some of the best riders in the world. 

Episode Highlights:  

5:30: Defining great leadership as a groom and barn manager

16:20: Essential barn management must-haves

21:00: Preparing horses for travel

26:30: Show grooming tips for a polished look

31:50: Helping horses manage stress in new environments

47:00: Best practices for post–cross country care  

Meet the Expert, Emma Ford 

Emma grew up in North Devon, England, through Pony Club and the hunt field, earning her B certification before moving to the U.S. to pursue a career with horses. She managed advanced event horses for Adrian Iorio for seven years and later managed Phillip Dutton’s barn in Pennsylvania. Emma has groomed at nearly every CCI5* in the world, as well as the Olympic, World, and Pan American Games, and has also worked at top show jumping and dressage competitions. She is co-author of World Class Grooming, World Class Braiding, and Horsemanship and Grooming, and teaches grooming clinics worldwide. 

Brought to You By Ride iQ               

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.              

Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).             

Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

Book Links: 

World Class Grooming 

World Class Braiding  

Horsemanship and Grooming 

Equine biosecurity is often overlooked, yet it impacts horses everywhere they go and in everything they do. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Holly Helbig explains what biosecurity means, why it matters, and the simple steps owners can take to keep their horses safe.

Episode Highlights:

6:30: Defining equine biosecurity and why it matters

9:00: The common equine diseases vets monitor closely

21:30: Preventative measures owners can take at home and at shows

25:30: How vets respond when a horse shows symptoms at a show

40:00: Best practices for quarantining horses

43:30: Key vaccines to include in any equine biosecurity plan

Meet the Expert, Dr. Holly Helbig

Holly Helbig, DVM, is the owner of Hawthorne Hill hunter/jumper boarding and training facility and Hawthorne Veterinary Clinic in Dublin, Ohio. A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she is a licensed FEI veterinarian, an accomplished rider and trainer, and has served as the official veterinarian at top competitions including the World Equestrian Center, the Kentucky Horse Park, and Brave Horse. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Helbig is a Veterinary Technical Advisor for Zoetis, supporting equine vets nationwide and contributing to innovative equine health solutions.

Brought to You By Ride iQ                 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                 

Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).              

Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

Links:

Emergencies can be overwhelming, and knowing when to call the vet isn’t always clear. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Phil van Harreveld shares what owners should do in different equine emergencies and how to make the right call when it matters most.  

Episode Highlights:  

5:00: Must-have items for every horse owner’s emergency kit

8:30: Overlooked emergencies owners should take more seriously  

13:30: Key signs of colic and when it’s time to call the vet

29:00: Determining if a wound needs sutures or veterinary attention 

34:30: Identifying serious vs. minor lameness and first steps to take

45:30: Common mistakes owners make during equine emergencies 

Meet the Expert, Dr. Phil van Harreveld  

Dr. van Harreveld received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University, and his master’s degree and surgical board certification from Kansas State University. He practiced as an equine veterinary surgeon for more than 22 years, founding the first equine referral hospital in Vermont, which he operated for over two decades. In addition to handling the hospital’s field cases, he managed the in-house medical and surgical case load. He joined the Merck Animal Health equine veterinary professional services team in 2022.  

Brought to You By Ride iQ                 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                

Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).                  

Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

Success in the saddle requires more than riding skills. Mental toughness and physical strength are just as important. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Daniel Stewart explains how he builds riders and coaches who are balanced, confident, and ready to perform their best.

Episode Highlights:

19:30: Teaching coaches to support students through stress and nerves

25:30: Finding joy in the process when progress isn’t clear-cut

31:00: His approach to goal setting

35:30: Balancing risk and reward as a rider

42:30: Common mistakes riders make in building mental and physical strength

Meet the Expert, Daniel Stewart

Daniel Stewart has been an equestrian for over 35 years and has spent the last 25 of them coaching riders all over the world. Combining his knowledge as an equestrian with a degree in physical education, he created a series of clinics that help riders develop strong minds and bodies. As the internationally acclaimed author of the books “Pressure Proof Your Riding”, “Ride Right”, “Fit and Focused in 52”, and “Bolder Braver Brighter”, he’s widely considered one of the world's leading experts on equestrian sport psychology, athletics, and performance.

Brought to You By Ride iQ               

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.              

Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).               

Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

Book Links: 

Pressure Proof Your Riding 

Ride Right 

Fit and Focused in 52 

Bolder Braver Brighter