Samantha Baer sits down with Celeste Lazaris, founder of the Balance Through Movement Method, for a conversation that goes far beyond biomechanics. Together, they trace the journey from chasing adrenaline and “fixing” horses through force, to realizing that what most horses need is space, softness, and access to their own bodies. Celeste shares how bodywork opened her eyes to nerve compression, fascia, and posture as the real roots of so-called ‘behavior’ problems, and how nervous system regulation—both human and equine—changes everything about training.

This isn’t just a technical deep dive. It’s about the humbling, ego-erasing moments that force us to see our horses differently, the grief of realizing how often pain was mistaken for disobedience, and the hope of finding new ways forward. If you’ve ever felt like your whole framework for riding and training came crashing down, this episode will feel like home.

Dr. Rachel Bellini, an equine veterinarian with over 30 years of experience, shares her holistic approach to equine health. From her years on the racetrack to her work with sport horses, she explains how posture and the nervous system are deeply connected to soundness, healing, and performance. Listeners will learn why traditional rehab often falls short, how joint extension and thoracic sling function impact horses, and practical ways to create calmer, healthier equine partners.

What really happens inside the hoof when laminitis strikes — and why are negative palmar angles becoming such a common issue? In this episode, Samantha Baer is joined by Alicia Harlov, hoof care provider, rehab facility owner, and host of The Humble Hoof Podcast. Together, we break down:

• The hidden role of the lamina and what “rotation” actually means

• Why 90% of laminitis cases are metabolic in origin — and the emergency diet that can make a difference

• How grass, grain, and even “safe” feeds can quietly trigger hoof problems

• The connection between posture, body pain, and negative palmar angles

• Why corrective shoeing alone often fails without addressing the whole horse

You’ll also hear a case study from my own mare — how her extreme shoeing setup, constant lost shoes, and mysterious body pain finally turned around through a combination of podiatry, bodywork, and in-hand training.

If you’ve ever heard the phrase “no hoof, no horse” and wanted to know just how true that is, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with equine-partnered life and business coach, animal communicator, and author Kate Neligan for a powerful conversation on what horses can teach us about perfectionism, burnout, and trust.

Kate shares how she went from corporate America to building a life around horses, and why our relationship with them goes far beyond riding. Together, we talk about saying “no” as clearly as horses do, why burnout can happen even when you love what you do, and how to find joy and presence again in a competitive world that constantly demands more.

If this episode resonates with you, please make sure to subscribe to the show and leave us a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts.

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha sits down with Paul T. Haefner, Ph.D & Justin Haefner from Riding Far to unpack the concept of nervous system regulation in both horses and riders. With decades of experience spanning sports psychology, horsemanship, and young horse development, they explore how dysregulation shows up in the arena, why obedience isn’t the same as partnership, and what it really takes to build a calm, responsive, and connected horse. Listeners will walk away with a fresh understanding of polyvagal theory, co-regulation, and the neuroscience of trust — plus practical insights on trailer loading, fear management, and the hidden cost of traditional training.

Join Samantha Baer with FEI/Olympic coach Christoph Hess as he reveals how to create true horse‑rider harmony, chase Olympic dreams, and modernize equestrian training.

In this episode, Abbie Senesac Lopez of Reverence Equine shares her transformative journey from traditional horsemanship to a horse-first approach rooted in empathy, biomechanics, and thoughtful communication. Discover how Abbie’s experiences with “problem” horses reshaped her perspective, the pivotal lessons from her mentors, and practical strategies for building trust and connection with horses. Perfect for riders seeking a deeper, more intuitive partnership with their equine partners.

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with Dr. Gerd Heuschmann—renowned veterinarian, author, and classical trainer—dives deep into what we've lost in modern equestrian sport. We explore the true foundations of classical riding, why biomechanics and horse-friendly training have been overshadowed by flashy outlines, and how we can rebuild the horse-rider relationship on trust, time, and anatomical truth.

Dr. Heuschmann pulls no punches as he outlines the systemic failures in modern dressage, explains why bending comes after straightness, and argues that true collection takes years, not clinics. Whether you're a rider, trainer, or vet, this episode will challenge your perspective—and might just change the way you train forever.

Key topics include:

• Why classical training begins with anatomy, not aesthetics

• The damage of quick fixes, draw reins, and early collection

• The misunderstood concept of "bending"

• How breeding and sport culture have eroded foundational training

• What a balanced horse really looks and feels like

• How to support horses coming back from poor training

• The role of empathy, education, and ethics in becoming a great rider

📍 Plus: Gerd’s vision for a new U.S.-based nonprofit to protect the legacy of classical horsemanship.

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In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian, Samantha Baer sits down with Stephanie Carter of Indigo Ancestral Health to explore how functional nutrition can transform our horses' health. Stephanie shares her journey from veterinary technician to functional nutritional therapy practitioner, breaking down how inflammation, poor feeding practices, and overlooked stress contribute to chronic issues like Cushing’s, metabolic syndrome, and even arthritis. We also talk about how to advocate for your horse, why “skinny fat” horses are real, and what a species-appropriate diet really looks like. If you’re curious about alternative approaches to equine wellness, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Elevated Equestrian Podcast, Samantha Baer is joined by equine fitness expert Jec Ballou to talk about all the things nobody teaches you about conditioning horses. We cover the real reason your horse struggles with topline, how to build strength without breaking them down, the difference between postural vs. gymnastic muscles, and why most horses are actually under-trained in the wrong areas. We also dive into productive lunging, how to tell if your horse is truly comfortable, and what fitness routines actually lead to sound, happy, long-lasting horses — no matter the discipline.

Perfect for eventers, dressage riders, OTTB lovers, and anyone obsessed with training for longevity over quick results.

• The Equine Edge code Elevated15 for 15% off your order - https://totalhealthenhance.com/