As we continue this season's mentorship series, this conversation with one of my current mentors was as potent as I had imagined. Carmen Spagnola has been a support, guide, teacher and esteemed colleague for over 12 years, and I have benefitted greatly from her depth of presence, attunement, clarity and nuance. She has spent time with my mares Diva and Raven, and has recently, and excitingly, become the steward of two geldings. Her love and care for horses (and humans) spills forth in this conversation and in her many offerings. 

In this conversation, we unpacked the concept of attachment theory, and specifically how secure attachment in any relationship can be facilitated by understanding and prioritizing contact nutrition, essentially nourishing ourselves and others through presence, attunement, co-regulation, safe touch, and empathy. How we interact with our horses, as fellow mammals, and their nervous systems, impacts the quality of our relational experince, and their sense of feeling safe, secure, and soothed. There are so many nuggets of goodness in this hour and it reminded me once again why I am so grateful to have Carmen in my life! Grab a tea, some chocolate, a shedding comb, or a manure fork, and enjoy this sweet chat. 

Carmen Spagnola is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef turned trauma recovery practitioner, clinical hypnotherapist and kitchen witch. Carmen has taught intuition development and earth-based spirituality to hundreds in her online mystery school, The Numinous School, from 2013 - 2021, as well as retreats and workshops.

Carmen's work cross-pollinates themes of attachment, animism, myth and justice, supported by extensive training, certification, supervision and mentorship. Carmen has hosted The Numinous Podcast since 2014. She is author of Spells for the Apocalype: Practical Magic for Turbulent TImes (2025) and The Spirited Kitchen: Recipes & Rituals for the Wheel of the Year (2022).

Website: https://www.carmenspagnola.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenspagnola/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscarmenspagnola Podcast: https://crspagnola.podbean.com/

Welcome to the first of my mentorship series. where I have conversations with some of my most important mentors, allowing you to access some of the goodness and wisdom that I was so supported by on my journey.

The first in this series is my teacher and friend Sabina Pettitt, who is the founder of Pacific Essences, a company here on the west coast of Vancouver Island that makes vibrational remedies. Many of us have heard of Rescue Remedy, which is the most commonly used flower remedy, but have perhaps not looked too much further into what it is and how it works. If you are curious about what a vibrational remedy is, how they work, and how they relate to horses, this is the episode for you!

Sabina shares all about why she founded her company almost 40 years ago, how vibrational remedies work, why every being, including every horse, can benefit, and how she became the first person to make a sea essence. This is a true "teaching" episode, and I'm truly grateful that I met Sabina almost 20 years ago - she is a remarkable human and has dedicated her life and her work to supporting others. Hope you enjoy this chat and learn a thing or two! 

Sabina Pettitt is the founder of Pacific Essences® and a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

As well as introducing the first sea essences in the world Sabina has spent over 40 years building a system based on TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) that explains how essences work to the prevailing allopathic model. Essences balance and harmonize our energy anatomy and energy physiology and promote optimal well-being.

She is committed to assisting humans to understand their deep and constant connection with Mother Nature, the energy template of their human form and how to work with energies to stay healthy, and the possibility that each of us came here with “a mission” and that essences can assist us to discover and fulfill that mission.

Learn more at https://pacificessences.com/

This conversation with Dr. Tomas Teskey blew my mind in the best possible way, as he shared about what veterinary care looks like for him (and truly, what I would love to see much more of) - as he puts it, examining every square inch of a horse and what's impacting their health, including hooves, teeth, environment, feed, supplements and more. Tomas opens up about what a typical day looks like for him, why he started to focus on hoof care many years ago, and how shifting the environment has started to be one of the most important aspects of his care plan. Listen in to find out what simple changes he regularly recommends to his equine clients (spoiler alert: I loved his answer!). I also couldn't help but ask him about miniature horses and ponies and what they need to stay healthy, now that I've got a little in my world. 

Listen all the way to the end of the episode to hear about a very exciting life update for my herd and I, and how you can support to make my biggest dream come true. Thanks for listening and hope you enjoy this chat! 

Dr. Tomas Teskey is a human, native to Arizona and the second oldest of five siblings in a six-generation ranching family. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Botany from Northern Arizona University in 1991, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1995. He has practiced large animal medicine and surgery in Arizona since graduation, with the majority of his work focusing on horses.

Taking a special interest in equine podiatry since 2001, he became a passionate supporter or the barefoot performance horse, and published “The Unfettered Foot, A Paradigm Change for Equine Podiatry”, in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science in February, 2005. This sparked greater attention, discussion and interest within the veterinary community about the benefits of a more holistic and natural approach to hoof care versus the more antagonistic approaches of conventional farriery. Numerous other articles have continued to explore these not-so-new ideas.

Tomas specializes in natural horse care, and hold Holistic health lectures world wide, providing professional veterinary support for individuals, horse clubs, families and communities seeking Real Answers about keeping horses healthy. More on Tomas and his work www.insighttoequus.com

Season 8 of the Whole Horse podcast is here! To start us off right, I chatted with my friend and colleague Brittany Ashworth of Sacred Echos and we headed right into some wild and wonderful territory. Rewinding back almost 12 years, Brittany shared about how she met her horse Duke, after never being a horse person, and how his presence and his story changed her path in a potent way. We reflected on their powerful and immediate connection starting her in the direction of her life's work, animal communication. Throughout our chat, Brittany shares in depth about the fascinating topic of soul contracts between horses and humans and we finish up by discussing her learning and work with the Akashic records (and what they are!). I love edge-pushing and thought-provoking conversations, and this is definitely in that category!

 

Brittany Ashworth is an Animal Communicator, Akashic Records Reader, Horse Medicine Leadership faculty member, and dedicated Educator. With a profound passion for bridging the gap between humans and animals, Brittany is committed to fostering understanding, communication, and genuine partnership across species. Her practice is deeply rooted in her intuitive connection, the guidance of animals, and passion for educating others. Brittany’s work blends physical and spiritual approaches, creating transformative experiences for both humans and animals.

 

Her practice is deeply intertwined with the guidance of animals, her intuition, and her passion for educating others. In her work, she strives to support both humans and animals along their journey in a way that's authentic to each being, bringing both the physical and spiritual worlds together. As a lifelong learner, Brittany is dedicated to her craft and the evolution of people's understandings and partnerships with themselves and their animals. Through each exchange, she hopes to support and empower positive change and growth in the lives of both humans and animals.

 

Whether working one-on-one or in group settings, Brittany’s goal is to inspire positive shifts that enrich lives on both sides of the human-animal partnership. Learn more about Brittany’s work at https://www.sacredechos.com

In this episode, marking the end of season seven of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Karen Gellman. What an incredible journey she has been on, culminating in her dedicating her life and veterinary practice to the study of equine health as it relates specifically to postural mechanisms, as well as sharing this body of knowledge with others.

 

During our conversation she shares some of the keys to supports horses to live well in gravity, how to support your horse to be healthier and happier through simple changes to their inner and outer environments, what postural rehabiliation is all about, and some of the physiology playing out when postural mechanisms become a problem. She is indeed a wealth of knowledge. I hope you enjoy our chat!

 

Access to a PDF for Whole Horse listeners - Equine Dentistry Handout

 

Dr. Karen Gellman is a graduate of Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, and has a doctorate from Cornell in animal locomotion biomechanics. She has advanced training and certification in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary chiropractic, and has practiced these and other modalities since 1995.  She is the educational director of DVM Detective, which offers the Postural Rehabilitation training course for veterinarians and other equine professionals. She is also Research Director of Maximum Horsepower Research, and principal investigator on a study on equine posture funded by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation.

 

Dr. Karen Gellman holds DVM and PhD degrees from Cornell University in animal locomotion biomechanics. She has advanced training and certification in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary chiropractic, and has practiced these and other holistic modalities since 1995.  Dr. Gellman has taught in multiple professional CE venues, lecturing on posture, biomechanics, and holistic therapies to veterinarians in North America and Europe.  She has been a featured speaker at annual conferences for AHVMA (2014), AVCA (2021), IVCA (2015), IVAS (2012), Danish Veterinary Chiropractic Association (2013-2014), Wild West Veterinary Conference (2010), Norwegian Veterinary Chiropractic Association (2020), Hawaiian State Veterinary Association (2022), New York State Veterinary Medical Society and more.  With Dr. Judith Shoemaker and Elizabeth Reese, she founded “Postural Rehabilitation”, a professional education venue.  Her lectures are featured on The Equine Documentalist, Centaur Biomechanics and Equidemia. Dr. Gellman’s company DVM Detective offers professional training in equine posture to horse professionals, in online and in-person formats, and provides a world wide directory of professionals trained in restoring equine neutral posture.

 

Learn more about the Postural Rehabilitation Professional program or head to http://www.equinesportsmed.com

 

In this episode with Holly Barnett, I learned all about the new style of breathwork she created called InteroBreath, which is a way of working with the breath that focusses on our sixth sense, interoception. 

Holly walks us through the definition of this breathing practice, including what interoception is, how she developed it, why it's so powerful for our health and well-being, and the impact practicing it can have on our horses' well-being! 

We also discussed Holly's top not-so-secret secrets as a bodyworker and saddle fitter of over 20 years' experience, and what she's noticed as being the keys to real results in the industry. 

Holly is a professional Breathwork Facilitator with a background in Applied Neuroscience. When faced with a sudden surgery she used her knowledge to create a modality to reduce stress, manage her emotions and regulate her nervous system. This method prepared her for a major surgery which resulted in the ideal internal environment for healing. Interoception is the ability to sense, interpret and integrate signals from your body. It is well researched as a fundamental aspect to physical and mental well-being. This practice activates your body's innate healing capabilities and is foundational for self-awareness, self-regulation and self-trust. Breathwork is the conscious awareness and manipulation of your breathing patterns that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being. InteroBreath combines the profound healing and regulating properties of Interoception & Breathwork. Each session is unique, and participants report feeling deeply peaceful post session. Holly leads InteroBreath Club which offers live sessions twice a week. Members (many of whom joined back in January) include equestrians, equine veterinarian, farrier, bodyworker and all report a deeper connection with equine companions and clients through InteroBreath. Holly’s mission is to empower people around the world to find inner peace and power by connecting them to their breath and inner state. Equestrians have the added advantage of cultivating even deeper relationships with their equine partners during co-regulation and shared heart space. Holly resides in Puslinch, ON (just west of Toronto, Canada) with her shepherd Jazz, Siamese Cliff and her horses Whiskey & George.

Catch up with Holly on her socials, or sign up for her breath club via her website:

https://www.interobreath.com 

 @regulate_with_holly 

@equineconsultant

 

As we wrap up season 7, I was honoured to sit down for a conversation with the artist Kim McElroy. As you'll hear in this episode, I met Kim in 2007 through a series of synchronistic events, and was struck by her presence even then. I then had the opportunity to be inspired by her art as I regularly pulled cards from the Way of the Horse, her collaborative deck with Linda Kohanov. 

In this episode, timed for the release of her newest collaboration with one of my mentors Sandra Wallin, the Council of Horses Oracle deck, you'll learn about the almost 20 year journey from first inspiration for this deck to this moment, how Kim and Sandra chose which mythical and modern-day horses to include, what it meant to create a lasting legacy for many of the horses and herds included in this deck, and how art can be the deepest expression of essence, energy and emotion. Kim also unveils one of her original works of arts included in the deck, the Mythic Horse, which I've shared on my main podcast page. 

This chat was a walk through the past as it caught up with our present, and it was a chance for reflection on what a journey it has been for both of us! Definitely one of my favourite conversations to date, and as you can hear, I love the perks of this job, like being gifted a gorgeous horse oracle deck created by two women I hold very dear. I love the way this deck doesn't tip toe around the tough stuff - and the way Kim continues to be a fierce advocate for the horse. 

Kim McElroy has been drawn to horses since childhood, and as soon as she could hold a crayon, this manifested as her art. For more than thirty years, she has been known for her intuitive understanding of the sentient nature of horses and her ability to infuse her art with their spiritual energy. She distills this energy into expressions of the horses' quintessential essence in ways that transcend how they are traditionally defined. Through her incredible mastery of pastels, and her talent in writing about her visionary insights, she conveys the power and beauty of the horse’s form—yet more than that, she offers us a timeless glimpse of its soul.

Kim is the co-author and illustrator of The Council of Horses, illustrator and co-creator of Way of the Horse: Equine Archetypes for Self-Discovery deck and guidebook by Linda Kohanov, the author and illustrator of the Way of the Horse Journal, and From Heart to Art: A Chronicle of the Experiences, Philosophies, and Inspirations behind the Artwork of Kim McElroy In 2000, Kim and her husband, Rod, created SkyeLandeSea sanctuary in Washington State, where they provided loving forever homes to rescued horses and a menagerie of other animals. Now that their beloved horses have joined the Council, their sanctuary is home to a resident herd of wild but well-fed deer, and two capricious housecats. Kim offers studio tours by appointment.

Visit her website at spiritofhorse.com.and her eCards website spiritofhorsecards.com Facebook: Spirit of Horse Gallery https://www.facebook.com/SpiritOfHorseGallery/ Instagram: spiritofhorse https://www.instagram.com/spiritofhorse/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spiritofhorsegallery

This conversation with the wise and wonderful Lori Halliday certainly touched into some tender places!

Lori offered her perspective on the fall from grace of a notable rider this past summer, which led us into a powerful discussion on the personal responsibility we all hold to be accountable for our history and allow it to inform our present-day actions. She shined a light on how trusting our intuition and exposing our sensitivities is how we get the good work done, while being mindful to remember the importance of not sacrificing our health in the process. 

Tune in for another fantastic episode that explores the relationship between horses, ourselves and the world around us, and the ways in which we have the ability to make positive change.  

Lori Halliday is a highly esteemed Equine Energetics Expert and Leadership Coach, with over 23 years of expertise in intuitive horsemanship and 18 years as a certified Equine Experiential Learning trainer. Grounded in deep reverence for the profound connections between humans and horses, Lori's approach is built on creating congruent, safe spaces where transformative leadership and relational skills are nurtured.

At her ranch, Horse & Heart, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, over looking the Monterey Bay. Lori offers a sanctuary for adults, children, and LGBTQIA+ to grow and thrive under her expert guidance. Through her programs, such as Chiron Master Class, Congruency Coaching, EEL and Intuitive Horsemanship, she fosters environments of deep soul care, emphasizing leadership and relational skills that are rooted in respect, consent, and love.

Connect with Lori on Instagram @wisehorsewoman and @horseandheartranch or via her websites https://wisehorsewoman.com/ and https://www.horseandheart.org/ 

Today on the podcast, I had Lucie Klaassen back on for the first time since Season 1 (!) and we had a chance to catch up on all the ways her work has evolved since that first conversation. 

Lucie’s new book,  Wired 4 Connection: Transform your Horse Training with the Polyvagal Principles, just came out over the weekend, and I was excited to ask her about how this new body of work came to be. 

Throughout our conversation, Lucie and I discuss how invaluable it is to practice horsemanship through the lens of the nervous system, and she shares several tips on how to incorporate this important framework into your sessions with your horse. 

CW: brief mention of depression and suicide between minute 4:30-5:10 of the episode. 

Lucie believes certain horses come into your life for a reason. She started to translate everything she had learned about trauma to help her horse Jajão regain trust in humans. Jajão has given Lucie so many lessons and insights about how to deal with trauma in horses. She wrote a book about this, Wired 4 Connection, to spread this knowledge in the most accessible way. Lucie wants to contribute to making this a better, more compassionate world for horses.

Lucie is not a therapist; however, she calls herself a specialist in trauma and resilience by experience. As a horse trainer and awareness & mindset coach, it is her passion to empower every horse owner to understand how the autonomic nervous system works, so you can reconnect with your body wisdom and have move more joy and ease in everything you do with your horse.

Be sure to pick up a copy of Lucie’s book, and let us know what you learn! 

Lucie's website: https://trueconnection.lucieklaassen.com

 

 

In this episode I was joined by classical horse trainer Belinda Bolsenbroek for an amazing conversation about the way she merges scientific study with historical, artful ways of partnering with horses. 

I had the pleasure of auditing a clinic of Belinda’s awhile ago, and it was great to be able to sit down together to talk about her latest work doing equine dissections and the wealth of knowledge she has accrued over her years of being a rider, trainer and horsewoman. 

Much of our discussion centred around the many subtle ways in which horses communicate with us, and how by improving our understanding of the nature of these creatures, we can offer them the life they deserve and partner with them in a way that is mutually fulfilling and beneficial. 

Belinda Bolsenbroek is an internationally respected coach and a leading figure in classical equitation. With over two decades of experience, she has devoted her life to the art and science of horsemanship, guiding countless individuals toward healthy and meaningful connections with their equine companions.

Belinda's philosophy incorporates a lifetime of exploration, research, training, and experience, melding the long-established principles of the old masters with the more recent discoveries of science. This scope of education enables her to provide valuable perspectives and enriching discussions on the vast range of topics that present to the conscientious rider. Belinda's dedication, expertise, and passion for improving the welfare of our equine partners are shared both nationally and internationally through her Academy. Based in Australia, the Academy fosters a supportive international community that brings together industry professionals and amateur riders alike, all sharing the common goal of improving the welfare of horses worldwide. You can learn more about Belinda and the Academy at https://www.belindabolsenbroek.academy/

Register for my signature program, the Whole Horse Apprenticeship, at https://alexalinton.ca/whole-horse-apprenticeship/