When Jonny Browne saw an advert for a "rider interpreter to joust at the Royal Armouries," he was curious. What he didn't expect was how this job would completely transform his understanding of horses and horsemanship.

In this conversation, Johnny shares his journey to professional performer, working with everything from medieval armour and live gunfire to falcons and film sets. But the real story is how the horses themselves became his greatest teachers.

We explore Jonny's unique approach to measuring expertise - not in years of experience, but in the number of horses you've worked with. His distinction between "accustoming" versus "desensitising" horses offers a fresh perspective on training, while his advice about putting a mirror in your tack room might change how you approach every session.

From the cob who couldn't handle clanking armour to his work in equine-assisted psychotherapy, Jonny's stories reveal the deeper lessons horses offer about patience, listening, and honest self-reflection.

Whether you're dealing with a "difficult" horse or simply want to deepen your partnership, this conversation will challenge how you think about horsemanship, learning, and what it really means to listen to what horses are telling us.

Connect with Jonny: simplegoodhorsemanship.com

Charlotte Dujardin’s return to competition has brought dressage back into the spotlight — but not without reigniting a vital debate: Can modern dressage truly be ethical?

In this powerful conversation with classical trainer Jessica Kenyon, we explore the forgotten roots of dressage, the importance of harmony between horse and rider, and what it really means to train with compassion.

Whether you're a lifelong equestrian or just discovering the beauty of classical methods, this episode will make you rethink what good training looks like.

🐎 Join the conversation on ethical dressage. Comment your thoughts below!

👉 Follow Jessica:
Instagram: @jessicakennykenyon
Facebook: “Jessica Kenyon Classical Dressage”

Discover the cooling mistakes horse owners make without knowing it. Olympic groom and equine expert Emma Cornish reveals the professional secrets that could save your horse's life this summer.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the "scrape water off" method is dangerous
• Olympic-level cooling techniques used by professionals
• Stable vs turnout: the truth about heatwave management
• Critical summer health checks most riders miss

Your Expert Guide:Emma Cornish is a multi-award-winning equine professional with over 30 years in the field, from Olympic grooming to veterinary rehab. She's the founder of Elite Equine Care, together with Helen Reynolds runs Ice Queens and is an ambassador for Gower Granary, who offer sustainable bedding and forage solutions trusted across the UK.

Perfect for recreational riders, competitors, and barn managers dealing with rising temperatures.

Key Topics: Horse cooling, heat safety, equine care, summer horse management, professional techniques

What if your horse is carrying invisible wounds and hiding trauma? In this emotional journey, we explore horse trauma healing through the eyes and hands of Hannah Jones, founder of Saber Holistics. Discover how she uses Reiki, essential oils, and deep intuition to help horses release emotional trauma and rebuild trust with humans. This isn't just therapy — it's transformation.Whether you're a horse lover, healer, or simply curious about the mind-body-spirit connection in animals, this video will open your heart and your eyes.About Hannah Jones – Founder of Saber HolisticsHannah Jones is a Reiki Master, equine therapist, and certified Masterson Method practitioner who has helped hundreds of horses heal from trauma. Her unique holistic approach blends energy work, bodywork, saddle fitting, and biomechanics — inspired by Celtic philosophy and her own journey of healing alongside her horse, Phoenix.#HorseHealing #ReikiForHorses #HorseTrauma #EquineCare #HolisticHealing Want ad‑free, early episodes + bonus 15 min deep dives? Subscribe here 00:00 - Introduction: What Trauma Looks Like in Horses 01:12 - Meet Hannah Jones & Saber Holistics 02:45 - What Is Horse Trauma? 04:08 - Signs Your Horse May Be Hiding Pain 06:22 - Hannah’s Holistic Healing Journey 08:01 - The Story of Phoenix: Healing Together 10:10 - Reiki, Essential Oils & Energy Work Explained 12:43 - Building Trust Through Connection 14:15 - How Trauma Manifests in the Horse's Body 16:33 - Real Transformations: Horses Hannah Has Helped 18:47 - Understanding Biomechanics & Body Tension 20:18 - Saddle Fit & Physical Healing 22:10 - Why the Celtic Horse Philosophy Inspires Hannah 24:06 - Final Thoughts: Honoring the Whole Horse 25:30 - Learn More About Sabre Holistics

Join us on a journey into the world of free-living horses. Learning Wild founders Bonny Mealand and Dr Emily Kieson reveal the nuanced behaviour of equines in their natural habitat.

Learn more about our guests Bonny and Emily Learning Wild: https://www.touchingwild.com/copy-of-about-bonny

Filmed on location at Wicken Fen watch the video here: https://youtu.be/UI7iV5-hwi8

America's wild horses may disappear in our lifetime, and photographer Susan Goudge is documenting what could be their final chapter.

Susan Goudge is a retired school teacher who discovered wild horses by accident 10 years ago—and now she's witnessing their systematic removal from American landscapes. With no traditional equestrian background, she brings an urgent, outsider perspective to a crisis most people don't even know exists: government roundups that will put more wild horses in holding facilities than remain free by year's end.

Follow her wild horse photography and conservation storiesInstagram: @swgoudge

Is your horse reactive, defensive, or shutting down? Nicky Sharp reveals how healing her own anxiety and nervous system transformed her relationship with Jessie, a traumatized mare who reared, bit, and defended herself "at all costs."

When Nicky bought what she thought was a "safe" hacking horse, she brought home a shut-down mare with deep trauma. While battling her own work-related stress and anxiety, everyone told her she'd made a terrible mistake. Instead of selling Jessie, Nicky made a crucial discovery: she needed to heal her own nervous system first.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why traditional training methods fail with traumatized horses
• The nervous system connection between human and horse anxiety
• Specific lifestyle changes that transformed both partnerships: meditation, sleep hygiene, phone boundaries, and alcohol reduction
• How to read your horse's stress signals and respond appropriately
• Freedom-based training techniques that build trust over dominance
• Why "doing nothing" with your horse can be the most powerful training tool
• How to handle yard criticism when you're working differently with your horse

The breakthrough moment: When Nicky stopped trying to train skills and started building relationship, everything changed. Seven years later, Jessie greets her with daily whinnies, they hack out solo, and even compete in dressage - all achieved through connection rather than control.

Nicky also shares practical advice for overwhelmed horse owners: the 7 foundations for nervous system regulation, how to start with just one minute of daily meditation, and why buying a £10 alarm clock changed her entire relationship with sleep and stress.

This isn't just about horse training - it's about becoming the calm, consistent leader your horse needs by first healing yourself.

Find Nicky on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickysharp
• Facebook: Nicky Sharp
• Instagram: @_nicky_sharp

Resources mentioned:

• Warwick Schiller's connection exercises
• Elsa Sinclair's Freedom-Based Training 101 (free on YouTube)
• The Masterson Method for trauma release

www.curiousequestrian.co.uk

Is your saddle silently damaging your horse? Certified saddle fitter Jennifer Howland-Christensen reveals the three critical fitting mistakes that 80% of riders make unknowingly.

Discover the subtle signs of poor saddle fit that most people miss, why expensive doesn't mean better fitting, and the simple assessment you can do yourself before calling a professional.

Plus: Jennifer shares her controversial take on why some popular saddle brands consistently cause problems.

What you'll learn:

• The 5-minute assessment that reveals saddle fit issues
• Warning signs your horse is compensating for poor tack
• Why saddle fitting isn't a one-time fix
• Cost-effective solutions that don't require buying new equipment

About the expert: Jennifer Howland-Christensen is a certified saddle fitter with over 15 years of experience helping riders solve chronic training and behavior issues through proper tack fitting.

Watch the members Q&A with Jen: Q&A with certified saddle fitter Jennifer Howland-Christensen.

HS Award-winning campaigner Natalie Munir reveals how strangers feeding your horses could kill them—and the defense strategies that actually work.

Natalie Munir is the founder of the Stop Feeding Our Horses campaign and BHS Equine Welfare Award winner who has documented thousands of dangerous public feeding incidents worldwide. What started as lockdown frustration became a global movement when she discovered the shocking scale of horses being secretly fed by strangers—with devastating consequences.

This conversation exposes the hidden crisis every horse owner faces but rarely discusses. Natalie shares heartbreaking stories of horses lost to "harmless" treats, explains why our industry's reputation works against us when confronting feeders, and reveals the defense strategies that actually protect our horses. You'll discover why signs don't work, how feeding incidents bankrupt owners, and the psychological approach that stops determined feeders.

Whether you've found mysterious treats in your field, confronted trespassers, or live in constant fear of strangers harming your horses, this conversation provides the understanding and practical tools to protect your animals and join a movement that's saving lives.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Meet Natalie Munir - Stop Feeding Our Horses Campaign Founder

05:20 The Lockdown Crisis That Sparked a Movement

12:45 Lightning's Story: When "Kindness" Kills

18:30 Why Horse Owners Are Losing Land and Giving Up

25:15 The Defense Strategies That Actually Work

32:40 How Our Industry Reputation Makes Things Worse

38:20 Your Action Plan: Protecting Your Horses Today

CONNECT WITH THE CAMPAIGN:

Stop Feeding Our Horses Website: www.StopFeedingOurHorses.co.uk

Public Facebook Group: Stop Feeding Our Horses

Instagram: @Stop_Feeding_Our_Horses

Twitter: @HorsesStop

What's your worst public feeding experience? How do you protect your horses from well-meaning strangers? Share your stories below—your solutions might save someone else's horse.

#publicfeeding #equinewelfare #horsesafety #horseowners #CuriousEquestrian

ABOUT CURIOUS EQUESTRIAN: We sit down with leading trainers, behaviourists, equine experts, and extraordinary equestrians pushing boundaries and putting the horse first.

🖥 Expert Articles & Analysis:

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What separates a great horseman from average riders? Ben Longwell reveals the 3 core leadership principles that transform horse-human partnerships.

Learn why being "nice" to your horse might be hurting your relationship, how to rebuild confidence through groundwork, and the authentic leadership approach that creates willing partners, not just compliant horses.

Ben shares decades of ranch wisdom and vaquero traditions that work for any discipline - from his journey as a shy ranch kid to mentoring riders worldwide.

✅ Get clear on consistent communication✅ Understand the difference between nice vs kind leadership✅ Build confidence from the ground up✅ Apply time-tested principles that actually work

Perfect for riders struggling with confidence, leadership, or seeking deeper partnerships with their horses.#horseman #horsetraining #horsemanship #leadershipImages: Natalie Longwell, Giles Pike, Jon Longwell, and Nick Grant.00:00 Introduction: From Ranch Kid to Global Mentor04:36 The Pivotal Mentorship Moment That Changed Everything13:33 Overcoming Fear: Shy Kid to Confident Public Speaker21:29 The Bridle Horse Tradition: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Riders40:40 The Human Challenge: Working with People vs Horses50:26 Rebuilding Confidence After Horse Trauma57:38 Leadership Secrets: Consistency, Clarity & Empathy1:00:43 How to Connect with Ben & True West Horsemanship🖥 Visit our website for expert articles & exclusive tips: https://curiousequestrian.co.uk