Equine'n'Wine

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!

This one’s not easy — but it’s one of the most important conversations we’ve had. In this episode, we talk openly and honestly about grief, loss, and the heartbreak of saying goodbye to a beloved horse.

Whether it’s a faithful old companion or a young horse taken too soon, the grief is real — and often misunderstood.

💬 We cover:
• How to know when “the right time” really is
• The difference between losing a young vs. older horse
• Letting the herd say goodbye
• Rituals that help with grieving
• What to do with the “what ifs” that haunt you after

Plus, a heartfelt listener email from Rachel in West Sussex, and Lorna’s gentle Golden Nugget to carry with you.

If you’re facing this right now — or carrying an old loss — we hope this episode brings comfort, solidarity, and space to grieve.

📩 Want to share your own story? We’re always listening: [email protected]

In this first episode of 2026, Lorna and Emma-Jane ease back into the saddle (and the podcast mic) with a chat about goals, intentions, and the occasional total lack of a plan. From SMART goals to slightly chaotic “vibes-based systems,” we’re tackling horsey hopes for the year ahead — and what happens when things don’t go to plan (again).

🎯 Emma-Jane vows to “fall off less”
📋 Lorna brings the wisdom (and a spreadsheet)
📩 Listener email from Tina in Galway: “Are vibes a valid strategy?”

Plus, Lorna’s Golden Nugget this week: “Practicing 'light-seat' up hills!”

Cheers to a year of rhythm over speed, connection before correction, and showing up even when your boots are muddy.

Email [email protected]

Follow along on Instagram @Equine_n_Wine

In this Q&A special, we’re diving into your brilliant questions — from canter aids that don’t quite make sense (Stephanie, we hear you!) to surviving moody mares and dodging fashion-based yard dramas.

Lorna shares her golden nugget on the elusive “ice cream scoop” cue for canter transitions 🍦 and we also chat about riding fitness, following trends in tack, and staying sane through seasonal chaos.

📝 Listener topics this week:
• What really works when asking for canter?
• Is my mare just hormonal… or just done with me?
• How to balance gym and riding fitness.
• Are we being sold sparkly tack over horse comfort?
• And… are there any decent vineyards in Eastern Cape South Africa?

Thanks for your emails and keep them coming!
📩 [email protected]

🍷🐴 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if you love the show — it helps other horsey humans find us!

Follow us on Instagram @Equine_n_Wine to see our weekly going-on's in Ireland and South Africa.

"We thought we were wise… then our horses reminded us otherwise!"This week, we’re slowing things right down and reflecting on what we've learned about ourselves, our horses and what our horses have thought us. Turning the mic over to the horses (sort of).It’s a heartwarming, thoughtful episode with plenty of laughs, personal stories, and the kind of horsey truths that hit deep.

✨ Featuring:
• Lessons we’ve learned about ourselves this year
• What our horses have (gently or not-so-gently) reminded us
• Listener email from Dani in Bristol about slowing down and not slipping back

Pour something nice, grab a cosy blanket, and settle in for a little end-of-year horse wisdom — Equine’n’Wine style 🐴🍷

📩 Want to feature in a future episode?
Email us at [email protected] with your horsey stories, questions or confessions!

#EquineNWine #HorseWisdom #EquestrianPodcast #ConnectionNotCorrection #MindfulRiding #HorseLifeLessons #IrishEquestrian

In this warm and reflective episode, Emma-Jane and Lorna dive into five powerful lessons horses live by — the ones we humans tend to forget in the rush, pressure, and chaos of everyday life. Inspired by real moments with their own horses, they explore how much calmer, clearer, and more connected we’d all be if we actually lived like our horses do.

You’ll hear:
1️⃣ Presence over pressure — why horses never live in “what ifs,” and how riders can learn the same.
2️⃣ Rhythm before speed — the quiet foundation that transforms confidence and balance.
3️⃣ Energy tells the truth — horses read us long before they react to us.
4️⃣ Connection first, correction second — how relationship sets the tone for every ride.
5️⃣ Rest is part of the work — consistency matters more than intensity.

💌 From Laura – Edinburgh, Scotland

“Is it possible to enjoy winter riding? Or is it just survival until March?”
Featuring:
• The mud that has unionised
• Crying waterproofs
• A mare who becomes a kite
• EJ & Lorna’s tips for finding small moments of joy when everything is freezing, flapping, or foggy

“Winter riding I can handle… winter people? Not so much.”
Why yard politics get worse in winter — and how to protect your peace without moving to a far paddock and becoming a hermit.
We talk:
• Boundaries
• Your “quiet bubble”
• Micro-communities
• When to stay… and when it’s time to go

And yes — whiskey may have been mentioned. 🥃
Because winter riding deserves medals… or at least a warm drink.

🎙️ Listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📩 Send your stories and chaos to [email protected]
#EquineNWine #HorsePodcast #WinterRiding #EquestrianLife

💌 From Kate – Surrey, UK

And of course, Lorna closes with her weekly Golden Nugget, tying everything back to real-life riding and horsemanship.

Pour a glass, settle in, and join us for an episode full of heart, horse-sense, and the kind of wisdom you only learn in the stable.

💌 Got your own “lesson from your horse”?
Email us anytime at [email protected] — we love hearing them!

Winter riding… we love it, we hate it, and sometimes we simply endure it.
In this cosy-but-chaotic episode, Emma-Jane and Lorna dive into the true reality of riding through the colder months — from mud that could swallow a pony to windy-day lunacy, frozen motivation, and the surprising opportunities winter actually gives us as riders.

Expect:
❄️ Honest winter struggles (and the bits nobody warns you about)
💪 The hidden perks and training opportunities the season brings
😂 A clothing shopping list to keep you and your horse cosy, including waterproof, fleece lined full chaps, 'bum warmers' and thermal everything in between!

This week’s listener question comes from Sophie in Leeds, UK, who writes:

“Help… My Yard Has Politics.
I love my yard, I love my horse… I do NOT love the drama.
People comment on my riding, my horse, my routine — and I’m exhausted.
How do you protect your peace without becoming a hermit in the far paddock?”

We explore:
• Setting boundaries in busy or opinionated yards
• How to create your own “quiet bubble”
• Finding a supportive micro-community
• When to stay… and when it’s time to leave

Plus — Lorna’s Golden Nugget of the week for winter riders who need a mindset shift to learn about 'ARSE HEADLIGHTS'!!

Grab a glass, grab a blanket, and join us for the chilly chaos 🥂🐴
Have a winter win, a dramatic yard story, or a survival tip?
Email us at [email protected] — we love hearing from you!

Follow us on Instagram @Equine_n_Wine and please share this with a horsey person you think will enjoy it.

This week’s episode is a little different.
Emma-Jane pops on for a short solo update to share why Equine’n’Wine has been quiet — after the heartbreaking loss of her beloved mare, Daisy.

In this gentle mini-episode, she opens up about the grief of losing a horse, the space needed to heal, and the enormous love that makes these bonds so special.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with kindness and patience.
We’ll be back next week with a full episode — and a glass raised in Daisy’s honour.

Who really rules the yard — mares or geldings? In this week’s episode of Equine’n’Wine, sisters Lorna and Emma-Jane dive headfirst into one of the oldest (and most entertaining) debates in the horse world. From diva mares to dopey geldings, they share personal stories, listener confessions, and a few truths only real horse people understand.

You’ll hear:
✨ The honest pros and cons of mares vs geldings
🧠 Lorna’s expert insights on training and temperament
💬 A brilliant listener email from Megan in Colorado on balancing confidence between arena and trail
💡 Lorna’s “Golden Nugget” tip of the week for thoughtful riders
…plus plenty of laughs, sisterly banter, and a well-earned glass (or two) of wine.

Whether you’re #TeamMare or #TeamGelding, this episode will have you nodding, laughing, and toasting to the personalities that make our horses unforgettable.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📩 Got a funny story or a question for the show? Email [email protected] — we might feature you next!

Follow us on Instagram @Equine_n_Wine#EquineNWine #HorsePodcast #TeamMare #TeamGelding

Mares or geldings — who’s the real boss in the barn? 😂
Emma-Jane and Lorna from Equine’n’Wine share their funniest (and most brutally honest) thoughts on the great equine divide — from diva drama to dependable dopeyness.

Grab your glass and get ready for a laugh — because every rider has an opinion on this one! 🍷🐴

#EquineNWine #HorsePodcast #MaresVsGeldings #IrishHumour