Canter Therapy

By Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn ChristiesonEducation Self-Improvement

Canter Therapy episodes

May 30, 2022 36: Struggling with Your Horse's Contact
If you are struggling with your horse's frame, steering or posture because your horse is pulling your arms out of their sockets, won't settle into the contact, grinds its teeth, chomps at the bit, throws its head, gets its tongue over the bit, over-bends, avoids the bit it is heavy or hard in the mouth, leaning on the bit, avoiding the bit, being resistant, chomping the bit, putting the tongue over the bit or just won't go on the bit - you need to listen to this podcast!
Shelley discusses how she has just released a new course called "Foundation of Contact & Connection". The course outlines the key responses a horse must understand in order for you to build and nurture a quality contact and connection with a horse.
Kat talks about her journey with Roger and how she has improved his contact and connection by finding the gaps in his foundation and addressing soundness issues.
This podcast will reveal that there is a lot you can do to improve your horse’s acceptance of the bridle than just changing bits, bridles, tightening nosebands, shortening the reins, or using draw reins! There is complexity it to it but Shelley has a way of demystifying it and making it simple and achievable for everyone.
44 min
May 13, 2022 35: Herd Dynamics with Kerry Thomas
If you have listened to a few of our episodes you will have probably heard Shelley mention Kerry Thomas. Shelley initially found him when she went down a rabbit hole looking for more information about separation anxiety.
Kerry has a very unique way of looking at and defining herd dynamics. We talk about how these dynamics are connected to a horses’ individual sensory soundness, and in turn, their performance.
The more awareness we can have about our horses the better we are able to understand them and work with them.
49 min
May 11, 2022 34: From Racehorse to Riding Horse
When we take on an Off the Tracker we sometimes forget or underestimate the rehabilitation that needs to be done. They require a lot of time and a team of professionals to help rehab them both mentally and physically. Thoroughbreds are one of Shelley's absolute favourites and in this episode we talk about the many aspects that need to be understood when we expect these guys to just fall into a life of a pleasure horse. There are so many benefits to these guys and they can be the best riding partners if they are introduced to everything in the 'right' way.
50 min
April 23, 2022 33: All Aspects of Getting Out of the Arena
There is so much more to 'trail riding' than just getting on your horse and going. It is imperative that our horses have a good foundation in order to be safe and willing companions out on the trail. Shelley and Kathryn talk about the many aspects that are involved, what sometimes goes wrong and some exercises to help us work through the challenging times.
50 min
March 25, 2022 32: People Pleasing
The influence our core beliefs have on our horse training can be astounding. Horses bring so much awareness to the things we need to work on. Shelley recently wrote a blog on people pleasing and it’s affects on the way we work with horses and why it doesn’t work with horses. In this episode we discuss it in a bit more depth and talk about why having strong boundaries is being kind and compassionate in the long run.
43 min
March 18, 2022 31: Case Study of a Pony Called Roger
Roger is a red headed pony, owned by Kathryn, and the reason that Kathryn and Shelley met. He was a worried, sensitive and reactive horse who tested Kathryn in so many ways and has taken her on a journey to meet and learn from so many people. Roger has struggled with many physical issues such as stringhalt, dental issues and unsoundness as well as teaching Kathryn about conformation, mindset and dedication. He really has been one of those horses who takes you on a wild adventure of personal development.
47 min
March 04, 2022 30: How to Create a Naughty Horse
‘The horse does one of two things. He does what he thinks he’s supposed to do, or He does what he thinks he needs to do to survive.’ -Ray Hunt
Horses aren't born with naughty habits, although some do have more of a tendency to learn them, everything that a horse learns is taught. Horses often learn by accident, they learn by the ‘release of pressure’. There is also a motivation for the behaviour and they are often feeling negatively of the situation. Problems also occur when people are ignorant of what horses experience and don’t have empathy for them.
‘The key is not to focus on what the horse is doing wrong, focus on what to do that’s right’
39 min
February 25, 2022 29: Reducing Liability
When Shelley went to renew her insurance policy she found some of the paperwork to not only be entertaining but quite concerning and a reflection on the current beliefs in the equine community.
33 min
February 18, 2022 28: Influencing a Horses' Thought with Ross Jacobs
Ross Jacobs is an Australian Horseman who has a way of working with a horse that benefits both the horse and rider. He focuses on what a horses thoughts are, primary and secondary, and the ways in which we can influence and change them. Due to horses submissive nature it is easy to get horses to do things but more focus needs to be put into the way that they feel when doing these things.

You can find Ross on Facebook at: Good Horsemanship - Ross Jacobs
44 min
February 04, 2022 27: Life Lessons and Horses with Brendan O'Reilly
Brendan O'Reilly has many talents both with horses and completely separate. He fought professionally as a mixed martial art fighter and now spends his time as a saddle maker and starting colts. This episode discusses the similarities that horses have with other parts of our lives and the things that they can teach us.

Instagram: oreilly_coltandsaddle
Website: oreillysaddlery.com
59 min

About Canter Therapy

From the publisher's feed

A podcast hosted by Dr. Shelley Appleton of Calm Willing Confident Horses and Kathryn Christieson of Firenza Park Equine Services on all things horse and learning