The life update that changes everything: grief, burnout, a breakup, and a move to 133 acres in the Rockies.

Shelby shares the breaking-point year that forced her to stop tolerating a life that felt suffocating—and the chain of losses, realizations, and bold decisions that led her to a fresh start.

What starts as a deeply personal update becomes a brutally honest look at what it means to outgrow the life you built. Shelby opens up about her dad’s death, years of burnout in the horse industry, the pressure of running a business under consumer scrutiny, and the emotional toll of trying to keep going while silently unraveling.

Then comes the turning point: ending a relationship that no longer felt aligned, trusting a new path in the Rockies, and taking a leap that required moving an entire farm, six horses, three cats, and a dog nearly 900 kilometers.

Support the podcast:

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠shopmilestoneeq.com⁠⁠

Order my new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to youtube: youtube.com/c/shelbydennis

summary

In this engaging conversation, Shelby and Gaia Resmini delve into the evolving landscape of rewards-based horse training, recent high-profile competitions, and the systemic challenges within the horse industry. They explore the importance of progress over perfection, the impact of purity culture, and how systemic change can be fostered through community and education.

Follow Gaia here: instagram.com/gaia_resmini

Support the podcast:

⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠shopmilestoneeq.com⁠

Order my new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠⁠⁠

keywords

horse training, rewards-based training, horse welfare, British brideless competition, systemic change, purity culture, emotional regulation, horse safety, industry reform

In this insightful conversation, Shelby Dennis and Alexa Linton explore the parallels between horse and human physical and emotional health, emphasizing the importance of listening to our bodies, addressing trauma, and fostering compassionate relationships with horses. They challenge industry norms, discuss the impact of training practices, and advocate for a more humane, self-aware approach to horsemanship and life.

Where to find Alexa:

outsidetheboxequine.com

instagram.com/alexalinton

instagram.com/outsidetheboxequine

Support the podcast:

⁠⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠⁠

⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠⁠

⁠⁠shopmilestoneeq.com

Order my new book: ⁠⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠⁠

Keywords

horse health, human wellness, trauma, training ethics, emotional resilience, horsemanship, animal welfare, self-care, industry critique

In this episode, Shelby interviews a special guest, Chloe Johnson, a certified bit fitter and equine health advocate, discusses the mechanics of bits, the importance of proper fit, and ethical practices in horse training. She shares insights on common equipment issues, industry misconceptions, and the future of humane horsemanship.

Key Topics

• Horse bit mechanics and fit
• Common oral damage from bits
• Ethical considerations in horse equipment
• Industry misconceptions and marketing tactics
• Future of humane horsemanship and organizations

Where to find Chloe:

SpottedhorseLLC.com

https://www.instagram.com/spottedhorsellc/

Support the podcast:

⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠

⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠

⁠shopmilestoneeq.com

Order my new book: ⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠

In this episode, Shelby interviews Elise Miki, an osteopath and equine therapist, discusses the myths surrounding early training of young horses, focusing on skeletal maturation and its implications. The conversation challenges industry norms, emphasizing evidence-based practices for horse health and longevity.

Where to find Elise:

equiliabriatherapeutics.com

instagram.com/eqtherapeutics

Support the podcast:

⁠⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠⁠

⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠⁠

⁠⁠shopmilestoneeq.com

Order my new book: ⁠⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠⁠

Keywords

horse training, skeletal maturation, equine osteopathy, horse health, early training myths, bone development, veterinary research, horse industry critique

Shelby shares an honest life update, discussing her recent struggles including the loss of her father, financial hardships, mental health challenges, and her dreams of building a farm. She emphasizes the importance of finding joy amidst chaos, processing grief, and staying authentic while navigating life's difficulties.

Order my new book: ⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠

Support the podcast:

⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠

⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠

⁠shopmilestoneeq.com

Keywords

life update, grief, mental health, financial stress, personal growth, authenticity, overcoming adversity, mental health therapy, farm dreams, self-care

In this deeply personal episode, Shelby reflects on grief, societal injustice, the corruption within the horse industry, and the importance of staying true to one's morals amidst systemic challenges. It’s a raw exploration of mental health, capitalism, and the potential for meaningful change rooted in empathy and authenticity.

Pre-Order my new book: milestoneequestrian.ca/publications

Support the podcast:

http://patreon.com/sdequus

buymeacoffee.com/sdequus

shopmilestoneeq.com

A short episode updating on recent life changes and discussing loss.

Support the podcast:

Subscribe to Patreon

Shop my products

A discussion on the problems within the industry and the common excuses used to justify their existence. This episode is an important discussion on cognitive dissonance and lack of accountability that is so common in the industry and how it is used to try to silence dissenters.

Support me & the podcast:

Shop my products: shopmilestoneeq.com

Subscribe to Patreon: patreon.com/sdequus

Pre-order my new book: https://milestoneequestrian.ca/my-book

Talking about the humanitarian issue that is the mass starvation and attacks of people in Gaza.

Donate to help Coach Ahmed and his family here: http://gofundme.com/f/help-coach-Ahmed-and-his-child