Episode 19: On The Fence

Listen to Episode 19 We’ve got an On the Fence segment for Episode 19, that’s where Jec and I meet and interview each other. Weirdly, it’s been one of the most popular features of the podcast. So thanks, y’all! Here, we continue Gender Gyrations, a […]

Favorite Reads of 2016

We asked a few contributors for their favorite reads of 2016. Here’s what they picked: Emily Luciano, occasional guest columnist and director of Lucky Dee Communications Less is More Feel Defined Amy Skinner on Self Carriage Amy Skinner on Guiding WiseAssWallace on Gear Amy Skinner, […]

Episode 6: The Meeker Mustang Makeover with Kerry O’Brien

Listen to Episode 6 We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it. This is Episode 6 of Season 4, and in it, Jec talks with Kerry O’Brien, a Colorado trainer who is competing […]

Season 3

Return to Podcast Home Page Season 1 Season 2 Season 4 Season 3 Listen to Episode 1: Jec and Maddy On the Fence and a Season Premiere Listen to Episode 2: Jec interviews Ali Kermeen, author of a new book on Working Equiation. Listen to […]

Safety Sticks: Got ‘Em?

Given the interest in our recent WiseAssWallace helmet post, we thought we’d discuss the greater issue of safety. Studies show that horse riding is one of the riskiest activities we humans do. Riders assess and mitigate risk all the time. Being safe is an integral […]

Value the Start: 9 Good Ways

Editor’s Note: Best Horse Practices Summit presenter Katrin Silva grew up riding dressage in Germany before moving to the United States at age 19 to learn to ride Western. She’s been riding both disciplines for the last twenty years and is a regular guest columnist for […]

The Care Continuum

By Maddy Butcher Consider your ranch or barnyard. Take a snapshot in your mind. Now, zoom out to view your neighbors, your state, your country, and your world. It’s easy to see the broad spectrum of care we owners have for our equines. From educated […]

When Being Negative is a Good Thing

When it comes to working with horses, our very humanness can get us in trouble. Take our use of language: Do you consider “negative” to be bad and “positive” to be good? When working with horses, the opposite is often true. I’m talking about negative […]

Go for Mental, Not Mechanical Gear

Amy Skinner is a regular guest columnist and has been a horse gal since age six. She  runs Essence Horsemanship, rides and teaches English and Western. Skinner has studied at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Spain, with Buck Brannaman, Leslie Desmond, Brent […]

The Case for Cowboys

Not everyone thinks cowboys are the pillars of good horsemanship. In some quarters, they have a historical reputation of neglectful, even abusive handling and care. But as an observer of several years, I can testify to the contrary. Indeed, on average, I’ve seen better care […]