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/ 

 

What a deep and necessary conversation I had the pleasure of sharing with Kim Hallin, owner of Unbridled LLC. Kim’s tagline is “Stay true to yourself so you can stay true to your horse” and this is exactly the road we went down in this episode, exploring the world of boundaries in ourselves, in our horses and in the equine industry at large. 

It was so insightful to hear Kim’s experience and perspective on why boundaries are the foundation of the work she offers, and to get to chat about some areas where I see this edge coming up in my own life and in my communities. 

We rounded off the episode with some thoughts as to how this all pertains to horse-keeping, and I even teased a bit of information on my soon-to-be launched new business (listeners of the podcast will be the first to know when it is ready!), Outside the Box Equine. 

Kim Hallin is the founder and equine-inspired soul guide at Unbridled, LLC in Charleston, SC and the author of Horse Wisdom: Life Lessons for Humanity. A compassionate horsewoman who upholds the integrity of the horse, she loves facilitating transformational healing experiences between humans and equines. She specializes in teaching the subject of boundaries based in nature’s model of a healthy herd community. Kim is a naturally gifted mentor and guide who nurtures supportive learning environments that shift perspectives while ensuring all participants (two legged and four legged) feel safe, honored and supported.

In 2017, Kim left a 20-year career in higher education management and fundraising to focus her full-time energies on launching Unbridled. The driving motivation behind Kim’s work is her own personal experience of partnering with horses to discover (and remember) what it means to look to Mother Nature for our answers.

Find out more about her self-paced and full-support options for her course Finding Freedom Through Boundaries here: https://www.kimhallin.com/product_categories/110351-Courses

I hope our conversation leaves you with some food for thought; stay tuned for more!

To register for my signature program, the Whole Horse Apprenticeship, go to https://alexalinton.ca/whole-horse-apprenticeship/

 

This week on the podcast I spoke with equine behaviour specialist Lauren Fraser, the woman behind the 3 Fs (Friends, Forage, Freedom) framework for species-appropriate horse management. As you might imagine, I was excited to pick her brain on the intersection between equine life-styles and environments and their behaviour. 

Our conversation ranged into many interesting territories, such as the direct links between deficits in the 3Fs and the problem behaviour we may encounter as a result, the negative effects our human mindsets can have when it comes to providing appropriate lifestyles for our horses, and a few notes at the end around co-operative care and the benefit of taking enough time to train our horses so we can prevent fear and trauma rather than rehabilitate it. 

Lauren Fraser is an experienced horsewoman, who has worked professionally with horses since 2006. Prior to her current specialisation, Lauren taught riding and horsemanship, and trained horses. 

Lauren provides horse behaviour consultations remotely worldwide. She also teaches others about horse behaviour, regularly guest lecturing for several universities, and delivering educational courses through the Understand Horses website. Lauren also mentors horse trainers who are interested in better understanding and addressing horse behaviour problems.

Lauren holds an equine science certificate from the University of Guelph, and obtained her MSc in clinical animal behaviour through the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Lauren's dissertation research examined the behaviour of horses subjected to ‘laying down’ during training. 

Lauren was the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultant’s (IAABC) horse division chair from 2013-2021 and was an IAABC application review committee member from 2012-2023. She is an International Society of Equitation Science practitioner member, as well as a Fear Free® Certified Professional.

Lauren currently has three horses: an Andalusian, an Arabian, and an Arabian/Quarter horse. She has tried her hand at many things with her horses over the years, including limited distance endurance riding, bridleless riding and liberty work, as well as working cattle and progressing her horses from the hackamore, into the two-rein. Lauren particularly enjoys training cooperative care behaviours, and teaching ‘clean slates’: giving young horses solid foundations. 

When not with her horses, Lauren can be found mountain biking, taking her dogs to dock diving competitions, or playing the ukulele, poorly.

You can explore Lauren's work at https://www.equinebehaviorist.ca or find her on TikTok @horsebehaviourtok

In this episode with reknowned equine body worker Jim Masterson, I got to know the origin story behind the Masterson Method and ask Jim about his perspective on a wide range of important topics including consent, pain and environment for our horses. 

One of my favourite take-aways from our conversation is the simple yet profound power of observation. Jim is skilled in mindful observation when it comes to attuning to horses and helping them release tension, and this is a skill that anyone can learn. We chatted about how, over time, this visual awareness begins to translate into a felt sense and improved palpatory skills, and how ultimately working on our horses' physical bodies becomes a relationship and trust building activity. 

If you've yet to try Jim's cornerstone technique, the Bladder Meridian, head over to YouTube or The Masterson Method website to learn how, and be sure to let us know how your horse responds! 

Jim Masterson is the founder of The Masterson Method – a breakthrough form of equine bodywork which helps enhance performance, suppleness, mobility, and comfort whilst developing the relationship and bond of trust between the horse and owner.

He began his career in 2000, working on horses competing in U.S. Show Jumping events, before going on to become the Equine Bodywork Therapist for the USEF Endurance Team from 2006, through 2014. Since then, Jim’s worked on thousands of equine athletes, competing in events such as the FEI World Cup, Pan American and World Equestrian Games competitions.

He's the author of Beyond Horse Massage and Dressage Movements Revealed, and last year he paired up with Dr. Robin Robinett, DVM to release a new book, Beyond Dog Massage which applies the same intuitive and hands-on approach to help relieve soreness and achieve connection.

Since 2006, over 10,000 people have attended Masterson Method Weekend Courses, and Jim and his instructors have trained over 500 Certified Practitioners in 20 countries.

Jim’s vision is to have every horse on the planet experience the Bladder Meridian Technique at least once, and to empower owners, carers, competitors or professionals with the means to deeply connect with their horse or dog.