Learn how to read your horse’s body with equine bodywork pioneer Jim Masterson, creator of the Masterson Method. In this episode, Samantha and Jim dive into the subtle signals—blinks, licks, chews, and yawns—that reveal tension, pain, or restriction in your horse. You’ll hear why issues in the feet, teeth, saddle fit, and riding mechanics often show up as tightness in the poll/atlas, how to tell the difference between restriction vs pain, and how to use the Search–Response–Stay–Release technique to build trust and improve performance. Whether you’re dealing with trailer loading stress, mounting block jitters, or “behavior problems” that aren’t what they seem, this conversation will help you see behavior as information, not defiance. If you want softer, sounder, and more connected rides, this episode is your roadmap.

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In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian Podcast, Samantha talks with Cathy Woods, creator of Body Mind Equine and author of Yoga for Riders, about the powerful connection between yoga and horsemanship.

Cathy shares how awareness, breath work, and mindfulness can help riders feel more balanced, confident, and connected in the saddle. Together they explore how honoring your energy, listening to intuition, and finding the balance between “doing” and “non-doing” improves both rider wellness and the horse-rider partnership.

If you’ve ever wondered how yoga, meditation, and breath work can make you a better rider and deepen your connection with your horse, this conversation is full of practical tools and inspiration.

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In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer interviews William Micklem — international equestrian coach, author of The Complete Horse Riding Manual, and inventor of the world-famous Micklem bridle. Known for his welfare-first approach to horse training, William shares how his philosophy of calm, forward, and straight helps riders build confidence, achieve personal bests, and create happier horses.

The conversation covers the inspiration behind the Go Rules TED Talk, why positive and generous coaching outperforms negativity, and how correct tack fit — from bridles to girths — transforms both comfort and performance. William explains why simplifying training leads to better results, how curiosity and courage shape great riders, and what it means to “create yourself through horses.”

If you love thoughtful conversations about horsemanship, tack, and rider mindset, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with a fellow rider who would enjoy it.

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Could your barn lights be quietly making your horse worse? In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with Dr. Barbara Murphy, Associate Professor at University College Dublin and founder of Equilume, to explore the surprising connection between light and equine health.

Barbara shares how barn lighting influences circadian rhythms, reproduction, metabolism, coat condition, behavior, and even whether horses experience jet lag. We talk about why blue light during the day can transform your horse’s wellbeing, how stable management practices often disrupt the body clock without us realizing it, and what every rider or barn owner can do to create a healthier environment. This conversation shines a light on one of the most overlooked aspects of horse care and performance.

If you enjoy this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe—it helps us reach more horse lovers and bring you more expert conversations that can change the way you care for your horses!

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Every riding lesson drills position, technique, and discipline. But what about the piece no one talks about—the one that makes or breaks your confidence, focus, and connection with your horse?

In this episode, Samantha Baer sits down with Lisa Eklund, founder of The Mindful Equestrian, to uncover the mindset side of riding most riders never get taught. From breaking perfectionist loops and handling show-ring nerves to finding curiosity instead of critique, Lisa explains how mindfulness transforms both everyday rides and high-pressure competition moments.

You’ll hear stories about missed distances, mindset triggers, and why your horse is the ultimate truth-teller. Plus, practical tools you can use today—on the ground or in the saddle—to ride with more clarity, presence, and joy.

If you’ve ever wondered why progress feels stuck despite endless lessons, this conversation reveals the missing link.

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Lockie Phillips of Emotional Horsemanship joins Samantha Baer to challenge the industry’s favorite half-truths. They dissect what “empathy” actually means beyond buzzword status, why feel is a trained sense—not mysticism—and how escalating pressure became the default solution for imaginary emergencies. Lockie outlines a richer pressure alphabet (soft, firm, sliding, bouncing, motivational) and explains why horses need the right kind of confusion to become responsive instead of reactive.
They dive into whips as “arm extenders” vs. plain old whipping, optics in modern sport, and how public scrutiny will force better behavior—whether we like it or not. Samantha shares real-world trailer-loading and show-environment stories; Lockie discusses rehabilitating a high-talent sport horse by first allowing “average” movement and teaching polite refusal. The throughline: emotional soundness creates physical soundness, partnership, and safety.

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In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha sits down with equine sports performance consultant Tim Worden to explore what it really takes to develop horses for long-term soundness and success. Drawing from his background in biomedical science and kinesiology, Tim shares how principles from human athletics translate to equestrian sport — from conditioning and recovery, to data-driven training plans, to avoiding the pitfalls of overtraining.

They discuss how to tell if your horse is fit enough for the job, the balance between active and passive recovery, and how technology like wearables and AI is shaping the future of horse training. Tim also highlights what everyday riders can learn from elite athletes, and why simplicity and consistency often outperform complex programs.

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Resilience has become the go-to buzzword in sport — especially in the horse world. But what if it’s actually working against us? In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with Dr. Jenny Susser, a clinical sport psychologist and former UCLA swimmer, to unpack why “just be resilient” is the most dangerous advice riders can follow. Together they dig into burnout, hustle culture, and the hidden cost of pushing through when your tank is already empty. Dr. Susser explains why energy management — not toughness — is the real key to lasting performance, and Samantha shares her own experiences of grinding harder only to end up sick and stuck. This conversation will challenge how you think about success, stress, and sustainability — both in and out of the saddle.

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n this Hack Chat, Samantha Baer dives into one of the most overlooked parts of horse training: teaching horses to truly relax. Too often riders mistake licking, chewing, pawing, tripping, or grabbing reins as signs of calm. In reality, those are self-soothing behaviors — not genuine release.

Samantha explains why she never lets horses “reward themselves,” how to recognize the difference between distraction and real relaxation, and practical ways to help your horse down-regulate his nervous system on the ground or out hacking. From young horse confidence to positive reinforcement timing, this episode reframes the basics of horse training through the lens of mental health.

If you’ve ever wondered why your horse spooks after tripping, or why offering a cookie at the wrong moment can build insecurity instead of confidence, this conversation will give you tools to create a calmer, more confident partner.

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Is your horse really “lazy,” “grumpy,” or “stubborn”… or is it pain? In this episode, equine orthopedic specialist Dr. Sue Dyson breaks down the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram . We dig into how subtle signs—like pinned ears, tail swishing, or breaking gait—are too often brushed off as training issues, when in reality they’re red flags for musculoskeletal discomfort.

Dr. Dyson shares how to spot these behaviors early, why tack fit and rider balance play a huge role, and what riders can do to protect soundness, longevity, and welfare in sport. If you’ve ever wondered whether your horse’s resistance is behavioral or physical, this conversation will change how you see your ride.

Explore the full Ridden Horse Pain Checklist here: 24horsebehaviors.org

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