Equestrian Voices

There are a million ways to exist with horses. You can: compete or not compete, own a horse, not own a horse, ride every day, or never ride (just petting horses is pretty darn great).

Sometimes it feels like we only hear the stories of the competitive riders, but it's so important to hear stories of all types of equestrians. That's how we connect to each other and find 'our people' in this big world.

In this episode, we'll hear from Abriana Johnson and Caitlin Gooch who have built their lives and careers in horses without ever stepping foot in a show ring, and have found an abundance of fulfillment and meaning in a cause that's larger than themselves.

Their podcast, the Young Black Equestrians podcast, is a crucial act of recording black history as it's happening - and in doing so, they've helped black equestrians who interact with horses in all sorts of ways find community with each other, too.

Abriana and Caitlin's story of linking up with each other is also a testament to the power of the "horse girl connection" and their clarity in their mission and 'why' in this sport will inspire you to solidify your own.

It's 2021. Soon, we'll see autonomous cars on the road. But we still can't predict or prevent colic?

Whether the horse you love is a pasture puff living on grass 24/7, or he's an international competition horse with a groom waiting on him hand and foot, he's susceptible. Why is colic still so prevalent in horses? Do we just have to accept that it is? What are we missing?

Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Dr. Paul McClellan, DVM, to unpack this big question.

When we learn to ride as children or as adults, we learn how to do just that: ride. But when do we learn how to understand our horse's behavior? Why he does what he does? How he views the world and what we're asking of him?

Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with Tik Maynard, who has made a career out of marrying competitive riding with groundwork as an avenue to gaining a deeper understanding about the inner workings of the horse's mind. It has made him more successful (even with the most complicated horses), more patient, and most of all, more fulfilled in his work.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why groundwork is the key to gaining a deeper understanding for your horse, which will help greatly in your ridden training.
• Why this isn't included in the standard curriculum for riders.
• How you can apply this to your own program without dedicating an overwhelming amount of time to it.
• Lots more... it's a deep dive episode!

The trainer/student relationship is perhaps the most important relationship you'll have in horse sport (besides the one with your horse). Host Caroline Culbertson sits down with equestrian and sport psychologist, Dr. Jenny Susser, to help us understand the complexities of this multidimensional match and how it can completely shape your experience, success, enjoyment, and confidence in riding. Whether you're a pro, an amateur, or completely new to riding, this episode is for you.

Equestrian Voices dives deep into the emotions, lives, stories, and everything we don't talk about when it comes to life as an equestrian. Join our host, Caroline Culbertson, for vulnerable, different, and sometimes hilarious chats with riders from all backgrounds. We want to get the 'human' out of horse people. Thanks for being here.