Backing young horses sounds magical in theory… until you’re sitting on a baby horse who suddenly discovers birds, shadows, or the terrifying existence of a mounting block.

In this week’s episode of Equine’n’Wine, we dive into the wonderfully unpredictable world of starting and training young horses — blending practical advice from Lorna with plenty of funny, slightly traumatic, and very relatable stories from our own experiences over the years.

💬 We chat about:
• Preparing youngsters before anyone even gets in the saddle
• Why groundwork and confidence matter more than rushing the process
• First rides, first canters… and first moments of panic
• Common mistakes riders make with young horses
• Why patience is absolutely everything when producing babies

And yes… Emma-Jane also shares the unforgettable childhood story of somehow managing to teach a young horse to lie down on command — which, unsurprisingly, seemed like an excellent idea at the time and significantly less excellent afterwards.

📩 Featuring a listener question from Sophie in Wiltshire about staying confident when young horses feel completely different every single day.

As always, it’s a mix of learning, laughter, horse chaos, and the reminder that nobody’s young horse journey is ever as polished as it looks online.

💡 Lorna’s Golden Nugget:
“Consistency, consistency, consistency!”

So pour a glass, settle in, and join us for an episode full of baby horse stories, training insights, and the reality of producing young horses without losing your sanity.

📩 Got a horsey dilemma or funny story? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast!

Every yard has them… the unofficial mascots, the tiny supervisors, the escape artists, and the animals who somehow become just as much a part of yard life as the horses themselves.

In this week’s light-hearted episode of Equine’n’Wine, we’re celebrating the wonderful chaos of yard buddies — from loyal yard dogs and opinionated cats to mischievous goats, donkeys with attitude, and every unexpected character in between.

💬 We chat about:
• The classic “head groom” yard dog who oversees everything
• Hiding cats as children!
• Donkeys with strong personalities (and criminal tendencies)
• Goats who genuinely believe they are horses
• Why these animals become such an important part of yard life

Featuring hilarious listener stories including:
• A donkey called Kevin who stole an entire sandwich
• A yard dog who wandered into the collecting ring and began managing traffic during a clear round

As always, it’s a mix of horse chat, laughs, and the kinds of stories every horse person instantly understands.

💡Lorna’s Golden Nugget:
“Castrate your male goats!!”

So pour a glass, settle in, and prepare to feel very grateful for the weird and wonderful creatures that make stable life unforgettable.

📩 Got a funny yard story or horsey dilemma? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast!

Who says you need an arena to school your horse?

In this week’s episode of Equine’n’Wine, we’re taking your training out on the trail, sharing simple and effective ways to incorporate lateral work into your everyday hacks — no fancy setup required.

With our “laugh as you learn” approach, Lorna brings the expert guidance while Emma-Jane asks the questions we’re all thinking (and shares a few very real-life moments along the way!).

💬 In this episode, we cover:
• How to use everyday markers like telephone poles for turn on the forehand exercises
• Simple leg yield exercises from one track to another
• Practising shoulder-in and haunches-in while staying on a straight line
• When (and when not!) to attempt turn on the haunches
• Why hacking might actually be one of the best places to improve your horse’s training

📩 Featuring a listener question from Aoife in Galway, how do you know if you’re doing it right ?

This episode is all about being resourceful, creative, and intentional with your riding — because better horsemanship doesn’t come from perfect facilities… it comes from how you ride.

💡 Lorna’s Golden Nugget:
How to Leg Yield without shoving your horse!

So next time you head out for a hack, why not turn it into a schooling session?

📩 Got a question or horsey dilemma? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast!

Seeing a Stride (or Not!) | Real Talk on Jumping & Rider ConfidenceIf you’ve ever found yourself staring at a jump thinking “is this a stride… or is it not?” — this episode is for you.

This week on Equine’n’Wine, we’re diving into the realities of jumping, breaking down some of the most common (and most confusing!) concepts riders hear all the time — from riding a line and finding your position, to chipping in and chasing that elusive “perfect stride.”

💬 We chat about:
• What it actually means to ride a line
• Finding a secure and effective jumping position
• The truth about seeing a stride (and why it takes time)
• What happens when you chip in — and why it’s not the end of the world
📩 Featuring a listener question from Megan in Bristol, who’s struggling with confidence and overthinking distances after returning to jumping.

As always, we keep it honest — because most riders aren’t seeing perfect strides every time… and guess what? That’s completely normal.

Whether you’re just starting out over poles or building back confidence, this episode is a reminder that jumping isn’t about getting it perfect — it’s about finding your rhythm and trusting your horse.

📩 Got a question or riding dilemma? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast!

Can astrology help you better understand your horse?

In this fun and fascinating episode of Equine’n’Wine, we dive into the world of Horsey Horoscopes — exploring the different zodiac signs and the personality traits they might reveal in our equine partners.

With Lorna leading the way (resident astrology enthusiast!), we chat through the strengths, quirks, and challenges of each star sign — from bold and fiery Aries horses to sensitive Cancers, stubborn Taureans, quirky Aquarians, and dreamy Pisces types.

💫 We explore:
• The 12 zodiac signs and horse personalities
• How astrology might offer insight into behaviour and training styles
• Why some horses seem born dramatic… and others gloriously unbothered
• Using astrology as a fun tool, not a rigid rulebook

We also discuss the surprising historical link between astrology and breeding, including Colonel William Hall Walker, founder of Tully Stud (now the Irish National Stud), who famously used astrology in his quest to breed winners.

So… is your mare a classic Scorpio? Is your gelding giving major Libra energy? And should we all be checking birth charts before buying our next horse?

🐴✨ Pour a glass and join us for one of our most entertaining chats yet.

📩 Tell us your horse’s birthday and star sign: [email protected]
🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast!

This episode was inspired by a thoughtful email from Stephanie in France, which got us reflecting on the horse books that shaped us — from childhood pony stories to the training manuals that still influence how we ride today.

We take a nostalgic trip back to the “pony book era”, chatting about classics like Black Beauty, Pony Club manuals, and those unforgettable illustrated guides that made us fall completely in love with horses (and gave us a few unrealistic expectations along the way!).

From there, we move into the books that truly shaped our horsemanship, including BHS manuals, Horse Master’s Notebook, and the work of Mark Rashid — exploring how different philosophies, training systems, and teaching styles can both guide and confuse riders.

✨ Books we mention in this episode include:
Pony Era:

• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.
• The Manual of Horsemanship - Pony Club Manual.
• The Threshold Picture Guides by Tony Weber, illustrated by Carol Vinsor.

Educational:

• BHS Manuals. Official handbook - Complete manual of horse and stable management.
• Horse Masters Notebook by Mary Rose.
• Mark Rashid Books - Free on Audible. Horses Never Lie, Considering the Horse, A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Colour etc.
• Thinking Riding by Molly Sivwright.
• Celebrity Jumping Exercises by various authors.
• 101 Showjumping Exercises and The Dressage Exercises from same series by Linda L.Allen.
• Training the Young Horse by Pippa Funnell.

Other Recommendations:

• The Connemara Journey by Hillary Brandt.

• Feeding Herbs to Horses by Wendy & Terry Jennings.
• Essential Oils for Horses by Carol Faith.
• All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

Plus, a few extra recommendations for anyone looking to expand their horsey bookshelf.

Whether you’re rediscovering riding or deep in your horsey journey, this episode is a reminder that there's really nothing quite like a good book.

📩 Got a favourite horse book we should read? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast!

Spring has arrived… and so has the snowstorm of horse hair.

In this episode, we’re talking about something many riders don’t admit to, being allergic to the very animals we adore. From sneezing through the big shed to managing hay dust, pollen, and stable mould, Emma-Jane shares what it’s like being allergic to horses since birth… and still choosing this life anyway.... Lorna shares how painful it was to have a little sister that did make that choice!!

But it’s not just humans.

We also dive into allergies in horses, including sweet itch, dust sensitivity, feed reactions, and contact allergies — what to look for, when to call the vet, and how to manage flare-ups without chasing every trend on the yard.

💌 Featuring a listener question from Hannah in Norfolk about managing a cob with suspected sweet itch — and whether natural remedies actually help.

🌿 Emma-Jane also shares the soothing shampoo and herbal spray recipes she created for Daisy during midge season.

As always, we explore the balance between holistic support and proper veterinary care — because “natural” doesn’t automatically mean safe.

If you’re sneezing through the shed season or battling itchy tails and raw manes, this one’s for you.

📩 Got a horsey dilemma? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 Subscribe, rate & share if you’re loving the pod!

You asked — we answered! This week, we’re diving into our inbox to tackle the brilliant, baffling, and occasionally bonkers questions from you, our lovely listeners.

In this bumper Q&A episode, we dive into your emails with topics as real and relatable as ever. From dodgy saddle-fitting advice to ghost-hunting geldings and the emotional rollercoaster of loaning your beloved horse — we've got you covered. 💌

✨ Featuring listener questions from Ireland, the UK, and the USA:
🐴 Can a quick saddle-fitting course really do harm?
🛒 Why does my horse spook at the same wheelbarrow every day?
🤝 What should I ask before loaning my horse?
🏇 What’s the etiquette for your first ever riding clinic?

Plus, Lorna channels her inner calm and Emma-Jane… well, she tries!

Got a question, story or horsey dilemma? Email us at [email protected] — we’d love to feature you in a future episode!

#EquinenWine #HorsePodcast #ListenerQA #SpookyPonies #SaddleFitFails #LoaningYourHorse #ClinicPrep #RealRiders #HorseHumour #SistersWhoRide

As always, it’s a wild ride of advice, giggles, and a few golden nuggets from Lorna to take home to your own tack room.

👯‍♀️ Hosted by Irish author Emma-Jane Leeson & South African coach Lorna from @stridesforsuccess
📩 Got a question? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 New episodes weekly — subscribe and leave a review if you’re loving the chaos!

In this episode, Lorna and Emma-Jane dive into the ever-evolving world of modern horse care — from embracing natural wellness to questioning traditional methods. They reflect on what's working, what's just trending, and what needs a healthy dose of common sense!

From Natural Fly Repellent to pulling manes *yikes!* and everthing in between.

Share your own natural care tips, cautionary tales, or questions by emailing [email protected] and don't forget to subscribe and rate the show!

Let’s be honest — some things never leave us. Like the sound of an instructor bellowing “HEELS DOWN!” across the arena when we were just trying to stay on. 😅

In this nostalgic-meets-hilarious episode, we’re reliving all the classic riding lesson commands that haunted our childhoods — from spaghetti rein syndrome to questionable posture metaphors.

🐴 Plus, Emma-Jane (fresh off an ‘Intro to Western Riding Day’ at Bullhorn Ranch, Co. Kildare) can’t stop dropping Western references… much to Lorna’s absolute horror/delight.

💬 Listener memory (ok, fine — a tweaked version of something E-J heard this week):
A friend once said, “My instructor used to shout ‘Keep the fiver under your arse in canter!’ — I didn’t know what she meant, but I clenched for dear life!”

Also featuring:
• Lorna’s breakdown of which old-school instructions actually work
• Why modern riders deserve more explanation and less yelling
• And a tonne of old school Golden Nuggets that might change the way you teach (or ride)

🫶 Join us for the chaos, the canter clenching, and the clarity.

📩 Got a memory or question? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 New episodes every week — subscribe, share, and leave a review if you’re loving the show!