Part 1 of a phenomenal interview with Mary Ann Simonds, an esteemed equine behavioral ecologist, and Barbara Wheeler, a wild horse photographer. This is the first time I had them speaking together about the myths about wild herds, the overview of how they operate, and functional and dysfunction behaviors. The Centaur Podcast is also on Youtube. Check out the episode so you can see Barbara's photos! More at www.camronadibi.com

Karen Sussman is the CEO of the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB. The organization was founded by Velma Johnston in the 1950s. We owe the survival of wild horses and burros on the North American plains thanks to Velma whose nickname was Wild Horse Annie. She dedicated her life to ending their inhumane treatment and slaughter. Karen has carried on Wild Horse Annie's legacy. Karen has been an accomplished rider since the age of four. She adopted her first wild horse in 1981. Karen Sussman started ISPMB’s first chapter in Arizona in 1985. The Chapter signed an agreement with the BLM to do compliance checks on all adopted animals in the state. The program was the first of its kind. Karen continues to protect the Spanish Gila wild horse herd and observe their behaviors at a 500 acre preserve in South Dakota. https://ispmb.org/

Piper Klemm is an educator, publisher, and equestrian who owns and publishes The Plaid Horse. Her mission centers around educating young equestrians in all aspects of the industry, with a particular emphasis on empowering young women to discover and share their voices and stories.

The Plaid Horse thrives thanks to the collaborative efforts of a dedicated team of women. Piper also launched The Plaidcast, which has become North America's most listened-to horse show podcast, and co-authored the Show Strides book series. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, she made the bold decision to leave her science career to pursue a path in publishing. Throughout our conversation, we explored a variety of engaging topics, all centered around a shared passion for horses.

https://www.theplaidhorse.com/

Stormy May’s early career included horse training, competition and work as a Chief Judge and National Examiner with the United States Pony Club. In 2006 she followed her dream to more deeply study the horse human bond, which resulted in the highly acclaimed documentary, The Path of the Horse. Now Stormy coaches people seeking to learn and grow from their relationships with horses and all life. She is a lifelong student of horses, humans and our relationship with the natural world.

https://stormymay.com/

Mia Lykke Nielsen is the founder of “When Horses Choose,” an innovative training program that adopts the language and behavior of a lead horse. Mia invites the horse to follow her as leader and only achieves that because it is up to the horse to make the decision. There is no need for pushing or coaxing. She reads horses just like people become absorbed by the twists and turns in their books. She’s walked with them for years – through scorched wilderness and slippery mountain slopes. She sleeps in the barn with them when they are sick. Offers the kinship of a herd when they are lonely. Takes care of their hooves when the blacksmith gives up. Makes a horse feel so safe that it will stand still while the dentist removes a broken tooth. She is based in Denmark and offers workshops in the United States and around the world. This Part 2 of my interview with Mia. More about Mia at www.whenhorseschoose.com/

Mia Lykke Nielsen is the founder of “When Horses Choose,” an innovative training program that adopts the language and behavior of a lead horse. Mia invites the horse to follow her as leader and only achieves that because it is up to the horse to make the decision. There is no need for pushing or coaxing. She reads horses just like people become absorbed by the twists and turns in their books. She’s walked with them for years – through scorched wilderness and slippery mountain slopes. She sleeps in the barn with them when they are sick. Offers the kinship of a herd when they are lonely. Takes care of their hooves when the blacksmith gives up. Makes a horse feel so safe that it will stand still while the dentist removes a broken tooth. She is based in Denmark and offers workshops in the United States and around the world. More about Mia at www.whenhorseschoose.com/

Kristi Huddleston is the founder of Harmony Hope Stables in Palm City, Florida. Her dedication to working with children in need is deeply rooted in her own experiences with childhood trauma. Having grown up in a difficult environment with an alcoholic father, Kristi attributes her healing journey to the support of a skilled therapist, the influence of music, her bond with horses, and her faith. She established Harmony Hope Stables as a sanctuary for children dealing with autism, ADHD, abuse, and mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. As a licensed PATH therapeutic instructor and a musician/songwriter, Kristi recognized the potential of integrating music with equine therapy. This insight led to the creation of the Harmony and Horses program, which is a key offering at the ranch, designed to foster healing and growth in the children she serves.

https://hhstables.org/

Janet Marlow, M.A. is founder of Pet Acoustics and the industry leader in pet hearing. She is an expert on how frequencies impact mental and physical well-being. Through clinical studies, she has shown the positive effects of music scientifically tailored for different animal species. Her findings have innovated the very process of contouring music for animal hearing ranges for behavioral health. She is also an author and consults organizations and veterinary practices in this emerging field.

In addition to her contributions to pet wellness, Janet Marlow is an accomplished composer, performer and recording artist, internationally recognized for her mastery of the ten-string guitar.

To learn more about her work with horses:

https://www.petacoustics.com/blog/2016/9/28/zsj3gp6rqe13xef0bne0xnk014cbrm-y8n8y

To order from Pet Acoustics

https://www.petacoustics.com/shop?category=Horse

James Luo is a Licensed Massage Therapist originally from China and lost his vision as an adult. James offers Tunia massage to people, as well as to horses. Tuina is the oldest known system of massage and physical therapy in the world, originating in China 15,000 years ago. He is the owner and founder of Boston Chi Therapy. He teaches massage to blind people part of a program with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. He is retiring from his practice in February 2025. To learn more visit his website.https://www.bostonchitherapy.com/

Sandra Wallin who is the co-creator of The Council of Horses Oracle, a 40-Card Deck and Guidebook with equine artist Kim McElroy. Sandra has been learning from horses, in one way or another, her entire life. It wasn’t until her horses Grace and Chiron arrived that her apprenticeship truly began. Sandra claims Grace has taught her to be a better person and Chiron is teaching her to be a better horse, and as she learns, so she teaches, in her Equine Guided programs at Chiron’s Way in British Columbia, Canada. Sandra is a Registered Clinical Counselor, educator, and presenter, who having retired after 22 years in a local school district, divides her professional time between a private practice, and leading Equine Guided Programs locally and internationally.