Episode Summary:

In this exciting episode, Dr. Elizabeth James is joined by both Dans of Double Dan Horsemanship—Dan James and Dan Steers—for a rare, wide-ranging conversation about their legacy, the evolution of Liberty horsemanship, and the deep bond that has fueled their partnership for nearly two decades. From the invention of the Liberty beanbag to the story behind their first horse that could sit on cue, this episode is filled with never-before-heard stories, unfiltered humor, and powerful reflections on what it means to share knowledge instead of hoard it.

You’ll also get a sneak peek at what they’re bringing to the 2025 Liberty Festival, including their new "Foundations in Freedom" concept and a long-awaited return to the U.S. performance arena—together. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Liberty horsemanship, this episode will leave you inspired, entertained, and more than a little tempted to join us in Lexington this October.

Highlights:      

Key Moments  

00:02:27  The Origins of Double Dan Horsemanship  

00:07:34. Early Liberty Training Experiences  

00:10:44. Developing Liberty Acts at El Caballo Blanco  

00:15:26. Transition from Performing to Teaching Liberty  

00:35:33. Foundations in Freedom at the Liberty Festival  

00:47:31. Upcoming Performances and Special Guests  

00:53:13. Liberty Principles in Performance Horsemanship  

00:56:57. Closing Thoughts on the Double Dan Partnership

Chapter Summaries

The Origins of Double Dan HorsemanshipDan Steers shares how he got introduced to horses at age 14 and his early experiences with liberty training. He discusses his mentor Pete Weber and his first horse Susie, who became the foundation for his liberty work.

00:07:34 Early Liberty Training Experiences - Dan Steers recounts stories of riding his mare Susie bareback and bridleless as a young trainer, including riding to the grocery store. He shares how these experiences shaped his early confidence and skills with liberty work.

00:10:44 Developing Liberty Acts at El Caballo Blanco - The Dans discuss how they started working together at El Caballo Blanco, developing their liberty acts and stunts. They recount creating signature moves like having two horses sit on a beanbag while another jumps through.

00:15:26 Transition from Performing to Teaching Liberty - The hosts explore how Dan Steers and Dan James transitioned from performing to teaching liberty clinics. They credit Heath Harris for pushing them towards teaching and helping develop a systematic approach to liberty training.

00:35:33 Foundations in Freedom at the Liberty Festival - The hosts discuss a new session at the upcoming Liberty Festival called "Foundations in Freedom," where multiple trainers will start horses at liberty over three days, demonstrating different methods for beginners.

00:47:31 Upcoming Performances and Special Guests - The Dans discuss their upcoming performance at Quarter Horse Congress and the Liberty Festival. They express excitement about special guest Frédéric Pignon attending the festival, calling him one of the greatest liberty trainers of all time.

00:53:13 Liberty Principles in Performance Horsemanship - Dan Steers shares how he applies liberty training principles to competitive performance disciplines like reining and cow horse. He discusses finding a balance between natural horsemanship philosophy and competitive success.

00:56:57 Closing Thoughts on Double Dan Partnership - The hosts reflect on the unique and enduring partnership between Dan Steers and Dan James, praising their ability to maintain a successful business and friendship across countries and life changes over many years.

In this episode of Life at Liberty - The Official Podcast of the International Liberty Horse Association, proudly sponsored by Brave Horse CBD, host Dan James from Double Dan Horsemanship sits down with renowned Liberty trainer, Steve Rother. Steve shares his unique journey, which began with wild BLM Mustangs and grew into a deep expertise in Liberty horsemanship. Through guidance from legends like John Lyons, Pat Parelli, and Bill Lawrence, Steve transformed from a mustang handler to one of the world's top Liberty trainers.

Listen in as Dan and Steve discuss his evolution as a trainer, the impact of wild horses on his method, and his signature performances, including his famous Guaracha act.

Catch Steve Rother live at the 2024 Liberty Festival, October 10th -13th at the Kentucky Horse Park! 

Looking for more than the standard interview? Ever wondered what happens when some of the world’s top horse trainers sit down for an unfiltered, candid chat? In this special episode of *Life at Liberty*, we bring you the Real Talk Roundtable from the 2023 Liberty Festival, featuring Ty Murray, Warwick Schiller, Ben Atkinson, and Georgie Atkinson.

Join us as these renowned trainers dive deep into their personal journeys, training philosophies, and what fuels their passion for horses. This isn’t your average conversation—it’s raw, real, and filled with the kind of honesty that makes you feel like you’re right there with them.

In this inspiring episode of Life At Liberty - The Official Podcast of the International Liberty Horse Association, Dr. Elizabeth James sits down with the incredible Jennifer Hudock  to explore her unique journey into the world of Liberty horsemanship. Despite not having a background with horses and facing the challenges of working alone with her horse, Sassy, Jennifer’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and pure grit.

From starting with no trainer or local support, Jennifer’s unwavering determination has led her to become a multi-Champion ILHA competitor and a carded judge. Her story is a testament to following your dreams, no matter the obstacles.

If you've ever thought it's too late to pursue your passion, think again! Jennifer's journey is living proof that anything is possible with dedication and love for what you do. Tune in to hear how she overcame every hurdle and transformed her life with her four-legged partner by her side.

In this highly anticipated episode, join host Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship and Amber Marshall as they discuss her unexpected journey to landing the role of Amy Fleming, her passion for horses, and the challenges of portraying realistic storylines in the show! Get to know Amber beyond her iconic role and listen as she shares personal stories about her horses and how she spends her free time off-screen.

Advanced liberty training involves mastering foundational principles to execute complex movements with precision. Recorded at the 2023 Liberty Festival, this episode is full of incredible insights as Ben Atkinson and Dan James discuss their struggles, their triumphs, and the invaluable lessons of Liberty they’ve learned along the way.

The panelists,Warwick Schiller, Cathy Woods, Lorie Duff, and Dr. Andrew Turnbull touch on the significance of play in liberty training and elaborate on how shifting the mindset from work to play can foster a stronger connection between a horse and its handler. Each panelist emphasize on understanding the human mindset and how it aligns with liberty training can greatly impact the success of the practice. The psychological approach to liberty training also included discussions around essential aspects such as being present, regulating energy, and self-awareness, displaying broader implications for self-improvement and individual growth.

Morgan Wagner's life took an extraordinary turn when her beloved horse, Endo, lost not only his sight but both eyes. Together, they embarked on a journey of resilience and unwavering determination, defying the limitations that fate had dealt them. As the story unfolds, prepare to witness a remarkable testament of love, trust, and the endless spirit of a blind horse. You won’t believe all that Endo The Blind has accomplished because of Morgan’s endless resilience and you will be shocked at the things he knows that ‘only’ horses with vision could know.  

Say hello to Warwick Schiller, an acclaimed horse trainer who is far more interested in connecting with horses than training them. Originally from Australia, Warwick has developed a horsemanship style that emphasizes building authentic relationships between horses and humans. Warwick shares his endless pursuit of understanding horses combined with a compassion towards horse enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. You may know Warwick as the host of the industry favorite Journey On Podcast with a Mission to Change Yourself to Change Your Horse or as the organizer of the one-of-a-kind Journey On Summit that aims to improve horse-human relationships mostly by improving the humans themselves. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:01:57 - Warwick's New Place in Paso Robles 00:03:26 - The Journey On Podcast Summit 00:06:31 - Goals for the 2023 Summit 00:09:43 - Selecting Podcast Guests 00:15:15 - Feeling Pressure and the Release 00:16:07 - Challenging Beliefs and Opening Doors 00:19:52 - Impacting Lives Through Conversations 00:22:04 - Attunement and Connection Retreats 00:26:00 - Future Retreats and Collaboration 00:30:58 - Building Connection with Horses 00:32:07 - Liberty as Good Horsemanship 00:33:15 - Excitement for this year's Liberty Festival 00:34:31 - A once-in-a-lifetime trip in 2024

Discover the extraordinary journey of Ty Murray, a nine-time World Champion, co-founder of the PBR and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee, as he defies tradition and seeks a deeper connection with horses. Uncover the unexpected twist that led him to challenge age-old practices and embrace a harmonious approach to horsemanship. Get ready to be inspired by his story of transformation.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Learn how adjusting your mindset and approach can bring a deeper connection with horses.

• Appreciate the value of lifelong learning in the quest for better horsemanship.

• Be reminded of the pivotal role mentors play in your horsemanship journey.

• Hear how sound principles of horsemanship are universally applicable across different disciplines.

Join Dan James as he interviews special guest and upcoming Liberty Festival Clinician, Ty Murray.

ABOUT INTERVIEW: In accordance with the Liberty Festival mission to expand the Liberty discipline, we are thrilled to introduce the extraordinary Ty Murray, a multi-faceted cowboy, 9-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee as one of our featured clinicians. Born into a cowboy family, his adoration for horses runs as deep as his heritage. Ty's unsatiated quest for evolving his horsemanship skills continues to inspire many. His desire for a better understanding of horses and dedication towards turning challenging situations into effortless and graceful moments makes him an inspiration to us all.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:03 - Ty's Approach to Liberty

00:02:35 - Learning from Tom Dorrance

00:07:36 - Motivation and Inspiration

00:10:41 - Riding Broncos and Building Relationships

00:16:38 - Traditional Cowboy Mindset

00:18:28 - The Clydesdale Experiment

00:23:02 - The Problem with Containment

00:25:00 - Taking Fear out of Horses

00:29:08 - Riding without a Bridle

00:32:05 - The Joy of Seeking Better Horsemanship

00:34:39 - The Lack of Good Horsemanship

00:36:15 - Working Through the Horse's Mind

00:39:09 - Winning the Battle but Losing the War

00:40:21 - Learning from Others