This episode is proudly presented by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 at checkout for 15% off your order. 

We’re living in a horse world that often rushes. Young horses are expected to mature fast, to progress on human timelines, and to succeed by a certain age—or else we worry they’ve “missed their chance” or they wont be sellable. But today, I’m joined by someone who makes an excellent case for slowing down - wayyy down. For the horse’s physical longevity, but for their mental wellbeing. 

Today, we’re joined by Zac Salmeron—trainer, horseman, and someone who’s quietly but profoundly changing the way we think about young horse development. His work reminds us that the best progress often comes when we stop trying to prove something, and start meeting horses where they actually are.

He’s also going to introduce you to a new idea - the idea that giving a horse years off in their youth might just be the best foundation you can give them—and he’s got proof: horses that are in their 20s and look as robust as a 6 year old, still competing, still joyful in their work.

Zac believes training should be simple. Clear. Kind. Sometimes, it’s 10 minutes of work. Nothing more, nothing less—just one thing at a time, until the horse understands. Because when a horse understands, they don’t just obey—they offer. They show up fully. They give 200%, and they even ask questions back. That’s not compliance. That’s partnership.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to hurry up—whether in your riding or your life—this episode is your permission slip to slow down and do it right.

This episode is supported by #WeRideTogether.today, an organization working tirelessly to end sexual abuse in sport. 

 

In the first interview of this kind, US Equestrian's COO and General Counsel, Sonja Keating, is speaking to the frustrations shared by USEF membership regarding the perceived lack of action and enforcement on horse abuse in sport in the United States. 

On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse, written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website, seemingly in response to Caroline’s piece, in which they call for the community to unite against horse abuse and detail a number of measures they have taken, and some that they plan to take, to address horse abuse in sport. 

It’s clear from Sonja that USEF does acknowledge there’s a lot of room for improvement - but in order to know where we’re going, we have to take stock of what’s not working right now. I think this conversation provided some clarity on the current systems and conversations happening at USEF and the broader horse community around how we’re not preventing and responding to horse abuse well enough.

To reach out to USEF, please use the email address [email protected]. Your feedback is encouraged. 

On May 27, the Chronicle of the Horse published an article entitled USEF Must Do Better in Fighting Horse Abuse, written by Caroline Howe. That same day, the United States Equestrian Federation sent an email to its membership which the Chronicle also published on its website, seemingly in response to Caroline’s piece, in which they call for the community to unite against horse abuse and detail a number of measures they have taken, and some that they plan to take, to address horse abuse in sport. 

The response to these 2 articles was massive. On social media alone, they garnered hundreds and hundreds of comments, shares, and the general consensus that the memebrshsip is frustrated with the level of abuse happening to sport horses, and both the lack of action as well as the timeliness of USEF on the matter. 

I reached out to both the author of the opinion piece - Caroline Howe - and US Equestrian. They both agreed to speak with me to unpack these issues a bit more in a raw, lightly edited for clarity and flow, conversational format. That’s what you’re about to hear. 

First up, Caroline Howe. 

Caroline Howe is an amateur hunter/jumper rider who has competed in equestrian sport for over half her life as both an owner and a rider. In 2021, after learning of the dire welfare outcomes many horses face post industry involvement, Caroline founded North Carolina-based Horse Welfare Collective, a 501c3 nonprofit that researches horse industry practices and their impacts on horse welfare. Her work ranges from researching and raising awareness about horse slaughter marketing channels, to consulting across various disciplines and industries to study how we can help competing and noncompeting horses avoid negative welfare outcomes during all phases of their lives.

You can contact Caroline Howe via her website - horsewelfarecollective.org 

 

This special LIVE episode is made possible by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 to get 15% off your entire order at checkout. 

This episode is also supported by WeRideTogether.today. We all have a part to play in preventing abuse and misconduct in equestrian sports. Learn more on their website. 

Dr. Jenny Susser is a renowned, Olympic level sport psychologist who has supported athletes from the beginner level through the Olympic game in all sports, but specializes in equestrian sports. Dr. Jenny joined us on a LIVE call-in show to answer 3 horse person podcast listener questions. 

Want to join the next one? Email me - [email protected] 

This episode is sponsored by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services. Welcome to Horse Person: MADE — where we explore the stories behind the brands, businesses, and visionaries shaping the horse world. This isn’t just about entrepreneurship — it’s about the real, human journey: the risks, the resilience, the detours, and the drive it takes to build something meaningful in this industry. This is Olympic show jumper Daniel Bluman, documenting how he built Bluman Equestrian from a small family business that he founded at 20 years of age, and turned it into a global, multi-pronged equestrian business encompassing many equestrian professionals and areas of the industry. 

Learn more about Bluman Equestrian: https://www.blumanequestrian.com/

Learn more about Fairfield County Hunt Club: https://fairfieldhuntclub.com/

Learn more about Blue Star Equestrian: https://www.bluestareq.com/

Learn more about Urim Therapeutic Center: https://urimtherapy.com/

 

 

This episode is presented by Nikovian. Use code horseperson15 for 15% off your order. 

The bit is one of the most powerful—and potentially harmful—tools we use, yet most riders choose one without fully understanding its impact. In this episode, we unpack why choosing a bit and understanding that bit is actually a huge responsibility that we really need more focus and more education on. 

I’m joined by Mette Larsen who is one of the most knowledgeable sources of bit fitting and bit choice information here in the states. Mette Larsen is the president of Neue Schule USA and a lifelong equestrian who has dedicated her career to improving horse welfare through innovative bitting solutions. A successful dressage rider and also a board-certified physician, Mette's commitment to ethical, science-based horsemanship has made her a respected advocate for better communication and comfort between horse and rider.

You can expect to learn about the most common bit fitting mistakes, what to understand about the horse’s mouth because it was designed for eating and drinking (not for carrying a bit!), and what you can do the next time you go to the barn to determine if you’re one of the 80-90% of riders who have a sub-optimal bit in your horse’s mouth - according to your horse’s mouth anatomy, training, and preferences. 

This episode is supported by #WeRideTogether. To learn more about the CARD diagrams mentioned in today's episode, go to WeRideTogether.today or click here. 

 

This episode is presented by Nikovian. 

Saly Glassman spent nearly four decades leading one of the largest retail investment practices in the world, but she walked away to help people heal through horses, and isn't looking back. 

In this episode, we dive into how Saly combined her passions for psychology, philanthropy, and horsemanship to create the Kindle Hill Foundation, a cutting-edge equine-assisted therapy center serving first responders and individuals facing anxiety, PTSD, depression, and more. The wisdom about horses and humans that she has gained through this process will be of value to every person who tunes into this conversation. 

Saly has helped over 800 police officers, firefighters, dispatchers, and paramedics find emotional regulation and connection through the horse-human bond—and she’s challenging all of us to rethink what we call a “relationship” with our horses.

🔗 Learn more about the Kindle Hill Foundation: https://www.kindlehillfoundation.org

📲 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Emma Chapman has been a professional groom at the top of show jumping competition for almost 2 decades and in that time, she's learned a thing or two. Today, we get to learn from her. 

Emma, who manages WEG gold medalist Adrienne Sternlicht's operation, gives us an inside look at the essential role of grooms in horse care and competition. We also dive into the evolving career path for grooms and what needs to change to improve working conditions in the industry. Plus, Emma offers a candid look at how she balances life as a new mom with the demands of professional horse care.

We also discuss: - Differences between Europe and the U.S - How and why contracts are more rare in the US than Europe - The importance of movement and turnout for equine health - Why better working conditions for grooms benefit everyone - How, really, no one has life with kids figured out (and that's okay!)

One thing is clear: if you want to understand and support top-level sport, look to the grooms.  This episode is presented by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services. Learn more at www.connaway.net This episode is also supported by #WeRideTogether. Reach out to the team for FREE safeguarding resources for your barn: [email protected]

 

You know her from riding in the biggest arenas in the world as an elite US dressage rider, or from her beloved social media following documenting her life as a top athlete. But there's so much more to Anna Buffini and her story than what meets the eye, and today, we're peeling back some of the layers on this incredible young woman who is rightly becoming a role model for many up-and-coming riders. This episode is proudly presented by Connaway and Associates Equine Insurance Services. 

Anna, 30, who trains with her longtime trainer, Olympic bronze medalist Guenter Seidel, shares her high highs, her low lows, and how she's found sturdiness in a sport and lifestyle that often feels unpredictable and out of control. 

We talk about: 

• How she's built her mental strength to allow her to 'control the controllables'
• The best lesson she ever learned from her trainer
• The value of putting herself out there on social media in a sport that is often conservative and... let's face it... a bit judgemental. 
• Her faith and how it has affected her worldview as a top athlete
• The moment she decided her fitness needed to become a top priority
• Dressage being a subjective sport vs. objective sport
• The lessons she learned from her parents, who were also successful athletes in other sports
• The heartbreaking moment her Olympic dreams evaporated ahead of Paris

This episode is supported by WeRideTogether.today. For more information on the response reporting guide mentioned in this episode, go here: https://www.weridetogether.today/blog-posts/response-reporting-guide

 

If the only things certain in life are death and taxes, we sure do a poor job talking about the former. Let's change that. 

In this heartfelt conversation, Caroline Culbertson and renowned sport psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser explore the complexities of grief, particularly in relation to the loss of beloved horses. They discuss personal experiences with anticipatory grief, the emotional toll of preparing for loss, and the challenges of communicating about death. 

Dr. Jenny shares her recent experiences with the loss of two horses only weeks apart, highlighting the stark differences between expected and unexpected losses. They discuss the importance of recognizing the physical and emotional toll of grief, and the necessity of managing personal energy during difficult times. Grief is an all-consuming physical, emotional, and spiritual process, and it’s time we talk about it as such. 

This episode is supported by WeRideTogether - a nonprofit organization created to cast light upon the endemic issue of sexual abuse in youth and amateur sports. Their mission is to make the youth and amateur sport environment safer for all athletes. For more information from today's episode, as well as free resources, go here. 

00:00 Navigating Grief: Personal Experiences and Reflections

14:53 The Impact of Anticipatory Grief

30:08 The Language of Loss: Communicating Grief

45:13 Finding Presence Amidst Worry

44:43 Understanding Energy and Grief

50:06 Protecting Mental Space During Grief

54:28 The Physical Manifestations of Grief

01:01:06 The Complexity of Anger in Grief

01:05:15 The Permission to Grieve

01:12:07 Finding Permanence in Loss

To learn more about Dr. Jenny Susser and her work, visit her website, www.DrJenny.com