Peter Cowell returns to the Canter Therapy Podcast for another fascinating conversation about the depth and nuance of working with horses.

Peter is an experienced horseman, a deep thinker and someone who never stops questioning, experimenting and learning. In this episode, we explore how horsemanship develops in layers, from learning the basic rules of pressure and release to recognising the tiny changes in thought, attention and intention that can completely change how we influence a horse.

We talk about feel, timing, sensitisation and desensitisation, recognising the try, preparing rather than forcing, and why the more experienced you become, the more you realise there is still to learn.

As Peter so perfectly describes it, good horsemanship is part science, part art and part humility.

Peter also shares his clever approach to preparing young horses to tie up. We have included a short video in the show notes of Peter working with a young horse using this technique. We highly recommend watching it as it provides valuable context to the discussion.

Show Notes & Links

WATCH: Peter Cowell demonstrating his young horse tying-up technique HERE.

Find out more about Peter Cowell, Julie Cowell & Conundrum Horse Handling:
Conundrum Horse Handling on Facebook

Canter Therapy Podcast:
Visit the Canter Therapy Podcast website to listen, learn more about Shelley and Kat, support the podcast and check out our podcast merchandise.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow or subscribe to Canter Therapy Podcast on your favourite podcast platform and share the episode with another horse person. It genuinely helps us continue bringing thoughtful, experienced voices from the horse world to the podcast.

Daniel Dauphin of Dauphin Horsemanship and host of The Adult Onset Horsemanship Podcast is back on Canter Therapy, and this time we dive deep into bits, bitting, rider hands and the foundations we often overlook in our horses.

Daniel joins Shelley and Kat ahead of his upcoming Australian and New Zealand clinic tour in October-November 2026, to unpack how bits actually work, why a bitting problem isn't always a bit problem, the importance of mouth anatomy, and why sophisticated bits should be about increasingly subtle communication, not stronger control.

We also explore retraining off-the-track horses, why cows can be such valuable teachers, the connection between the mouth, relaxation and movement, double bridles, rider fear, and why sometimes the answer to an advanced training problem lies much further back in the basics.

Whether you ride English, Western, dressage, cutting, trails or anything in between, this is a fascinating conversation about becoming more thoughtful, skilled and effective with horses.

To find out more about Daniel Dauphin:

https://dauphinhorsemanship.com/?v=8bcc25c96aa5

For more information about upcoming Australian/New Zealand clinics:

https://dauphinhorsemanship.com/upcoming-clinics-events/oceania-clinic-tour/

To find out more about Adult Onset Horsemanship Podcast:

https://dauphinhorsemanship.com/podcasts/?v=8bcc25c96aa5

To find out more about Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson:

https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

Professor Caroline Jacobson joins us to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in horse ownership: parasites and worming.

As Head of the School of Agriculture at Murdoch University and one of the authors of Australia's Equine Internal Parasite Management Guidelines, Caroline explains why traditional worming programs have changed, how resistance develops, what worm egg counts can (and can't) tell you, and the practical strategies every horse owner should be using.

Whether you own one horse or manage an entire property, this conversation will help you make better decisions for your horse's health while protecting the effectiveness of worming treatments into the future.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why blanket worming programs are becoming outdated
• Understanding worm egg counts
• Drug resistance and why it matters
• Parasite management for foals versus adult horses
• Tapeworms, bots and small strongyles
• Practical paddock management strategies
• The new Australian parasite management guidelines

This is one of those episodes every horse owner should hear.

Show Notes & Links

⁠Australian Guidelines For Equine Internal Parasite Management⁠

Beasley, A., Abbas, G., Hughes, K., El-Hage, C., Jacobson, C., Bauquier, J., Wilkes, E., Carrigan, P., Cudmore, L., Hurley, J., Beveridge, I., Nielsen, M., & Jabbar, A. (2025). Australian guidelines for equine internal parasite management. Australian Veterinary Journal, 103(4), 151-158. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13424⁠

To find out more about Professor Caroline Jacobson:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinejacobson-livestockscientist/

To find out more about Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson and to support Canter Therapy Podcast:

⁠https://www.cantertherapy.com.au⁠

What if some horses are carrying the effects of birth long before they ever enter training?

In this fascinating episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Dr Jane Clothier shares the groundbreaking research from her PhD investigating premature and developmentally immature foals and the lifelong consequences that can follow.

Together we explore how developmental immaturity may influence skeletal development, stress physiology, learning, behaviour, arthritis, soundness, and training outcomes. Jane explains why many horses may appear normal as foals, yet develop unexplained problems years later, and what breeders, owners and trainers can do to give these horses the very best chance.

Whether you're a breeder, veterinarian, therapist, trainer or horse owner, this conversation will change the way you look at horses forever.To find out more about Dr Jane Clothier:Website: https://miraclefoal.comWebsite: ⁠https://thehorsesback.comFacebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/equinehealthworks⁠Contact: ⁠[email protected]To purchase the book:Managing the Miracle Foal The Essential Handbook for Owners of Premature and Dysmature Foalshttps://miraclefoal.com/managing-the-miracle-foal-the-book-2/To find out more about Canter Therapy Podcast and the hosts: Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson and support the show, visit the website:⁠⁠https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with renowned horseman Josh Nichol to explore the ideas that have shaped his approach to horses, people, and life.

Josh shares his journey from growing up with horses in remote Canada to studying under Harry Whitney and developing his own framework for understanding horse behaviour through mind, space, and pressure.

We discuss the difference between lightness and softness, why behaviour is often the symptom rather than the problem, how tension affects movement and soundness, and why true horsemanship begins with understanding what the horse is experiencing rather than simply trying to control what the horse is doing.

This episode also explores leadership, liberty, personal growth, biomechanics, emotional regulation, and the responsibility we have as humans to create clarity, confidence, and understanding for our horses.

Whether you are interested in groundwork, ridden performance, horse behaviour, or simply becoming a better horseperson, this conversation is packed with insights that will challenge and inspire you.

To find out more about Josh Nichol Relational Horsemanship:

Website: joshnichol.com

Facebook: AHorsemansPursuit

Instagram: @nicholhorsemanship

Contact: [email protected]

To find out more about Canter Therapy Podcast and the hosts - Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson and support the show, visit the website:

⁠https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

Many off-the-track Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds are talented, athletic, and willing horses, yet too many struggle in their second careers.

In this episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Kathryn Christieson sits down with Dr Shelley Appleton and Isabelle Chandler to explore the often-overlooked gap between life on the racetrack and life as a riding horse.

Drawing on Isabelle's extensive experience in the racing industry and retraining off-the-track horses, alongside Shelley's expertise helping owners when things go wrong after rehoming, they discuss why so many horses are misunderstood, how racing associations influence behaviour, the role of pain and physical stress, and why educating the person is just as important as retraining the horse.

They also share insights from their new program, Racehorse to Riding Horse: The Off-the-Track Reboot, designed to help owners create safer, more successful transitions for these remarkable horses.

Whether you own a Thoroughbred, Standardbred, retrain horses professionally, or simply want to better understand the challenges of life after racing, this episode is packed with practical insights and fresh perspectives.

To find out more about Racehorse to Riding Horse: The Off-the-Track Reboot Program visit the website:

https://www.racehorsetoridinghorse.com.au

To find out more about Racehorse to Riding Horse's - Racehorse Reboot 8-Week Intensive visit this link:

https://www.racehorsetoridinghorse.com.au/events2/racehorse-reboot-8-week-intensive

To find out more about Canter Therapy Podcast and the hosts - Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson and support the show, visit the website:

https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

In this episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson sit down with Lyn Jenkin.

Lyn shares the incredible story of Django, the legendary Friesian stallion who became the first Friesian in Australia to compete at official Grand Prix dressage level, along with her experiences breeding Friesians and the horses that shaped her approach to horsemanship and learning.

The conversation also explores creativity, photography, lifelong curiosity, and an important discussion about lipoedema/lipedema, a commonly misunderstood and underdiagnosed condition affecting many women.

This episode is thoughtful, fascinating, and full of insight into horses, life, learning, and resilience.

To Learn more about Lipoedemia, please head to Lipoedemia Australia:

Website - https://www.lipoedema.org.au

Please note - That Australian spelling is lipoedemia but in medical literature and in the US, it is spelt lipedemia.

Support Canter Therapy Podcast:

To find out more about ⁠Dr Shelley Appleton⁠ and ⁠Kathryn Christieson⁠ check out the Canter Therapy Podcast website: ⁠www.cantertherapy.com.au

What if stress is affecting your mare far more deeply than you realise?

In this powerful episode, Dr Chris Mortensen shares research into how stress impacts mares, reproduction, hormones, blood flow, embryo quality, and behaviour.

Shelley and Kat dive into:

• Exercise-induced stress and fertility
• Hormone disruption and cycling
• Gut health and stress
• Laminitis and metabolic issues
• The role of blood flow in reproduction
• Why stressed plants may contribute to metabolic disease
• Practical strategies for mare management

This is an eye-opening conversation about the interconnectedness of stress, physiology, and horse welfare.

Dr Chris Mortensen is an equine nutritionist and researcher with expertise in equine reproduction, stress physiology, gut health, and performance nutrition. He completed his PhD at Texas A&M University researching the impact of stress and exercise on mare fertility and embryo quality, and now works with Poseidon Animal Health focusing on evidence-based equine health and nutrition.

Dr. Chris Mortensen, PhD

Head of Education, Poseidon Animal Health

Website: 🇺🇸 poseidonanimalhealth.com

Website: 🇦🇺 poseidonanimalhealth.com.au

Website: 🇳🇿 poseidonanimalhealth.co.nz

Research referred to in this episode:

Here are the citations formatted for your show notes:

1. Mortensen, C.J., Choi, Y.H., Hinrichs, K., Ing, N.H., Kraemer, D.C., Vogelsang, S.G., & Vogelsang, M.M. (2009). Embryo recovery from exercised mares* Animal Reproduction Science, 110(3-4), 237-244. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.01.015]

2. Smith, R.L., Vernon, K.L., Kelley, D.E., Gibbons, J.R., & Mortensen, C.J. (2012). Impact of moderate exercise on ovarian blood flow and early embryonic outcomes in mares. Journal of Animal Science, 90(10), 3770-3777. [https://doi.org/10.2527/jas2011-4713]

Special for Podcast Listeners!

Use coupon code: SHELLEYAPPLETON at the checkout of Poseidon Animal Health products to receive a discount.

Support Canter Therapy Podcast:

To find out more about Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson check out the Canter Therapy Podcast website: www.cantertherapy.com.au

In this special episode of the Canter Therapy podcast, Shelley and Kat sit down with American horseman Bob Wood for a fascinating conversation about authentic horsemanship, rider development, leadership, and the timeless principles that underpin good horse training.

Trained originally by a former US Cavalry horseman, Bob shares decades of hard-earned wisdom from a lifetime spent teaching riders, training horses, coaching eventers and polo players, restarting troubled horses, and helping people understand the deeper “why” behind effective horsemanship.

In this episode, Bob explains:

• What has been lost in modern horsemanship and rider education

• Why good lesson horses and correct rider development matter

• How to develop an independent, balanced seat by learning to move with the horse

• The importance of leadership in creating true partnership with horses

• Why some abused or dangerous horses may initially require “dominance” as Bob defines it, not cruelty, but clear, confident influence and boundaries

• The difference between leadership, domination, and partnership

• Why horses need humans to demonstrate competence and reliability

• The problems created by social media horsemanship trends, over-humanising horses, and confusing sentimentality with training

• How pressure, feel, timing, and attention shape horse training far more effectively than gimmicks or dependency-based approaches

This is an honest, thought-provoking conversation that bridges old-school horsemanship wisdom with modern discussions about welfare, rider skill, and horse behaviour. Whether you’re a beginner rider, experienced trainer, or simply passionate about horses, this episode offers valuable insights into what it really takes to create calm, willing, confident horses and competent, grounded riders.

We are incredibly grateful to Bob for sharing his experience and perspective, and we know this will not be the last conversation we have with him.

To find out more about Bob Wood

Website: http://www.triplecreekfarmpa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobWoodHorsesForLife

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UClZRgcA-CIydVmlMARcIq0A

To find out more about Canter Therapy Podcast

Website: https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

To find out more about Dr Shelley Appleton

Website: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calmwillingconfidenthorses

Instagram: @calmwillingconfidenthorses

To find out more about Kathryn Christieson

Website: https://firenzapark.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirenzaPark

Instagram: @firenzapark

Ian Leighton returns to Canter Therapy for his third appearance and, once again, delivers the kind of practical wisdom that’s hard to argue with. We dig into why nothing we ask of horses is natural, and what that means for training young horses, building trail confidence, and handling “won’t go past that” moments without accidentally rewarding the stop or turning work into punishment.

Ian breaks down how to get forward in a way that doesn’t blow horses up, why you can only truly change one thing at a time, and why the best work often happens when nobody’s watching. We also talk coaching humans, including fear, ego, and learning differences, and how riders unknowingly create the very problems they blame on the horse.

If you want a clearer horse, a calmer ride, and fewer arguments, this one’s for you.

Support Our Episode Sponsors & Learn More

This episode of Canter Therapy is proudly supported by the people behind it.

If you value thoughtful, experience-based horsemanship conversations, you can support the podcast by supporting our sponsors.

You can learn more about Ian Leighton, his clinics, events, and horsemanship philosophy at www.ianleightonhorsemanship.com. If you’ve ever considered attending a multi-day clinic, keep an eye on his event calendar. They tend to fill quickly, and they are genuinely transformative for riders who want depth, not gimmicks.

To learn more about Shelley’s programs, courses, books, and the Calm Willing Confident Horses membership society, visit www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au.

For evidence-based hoof care support and educational resources from Kat Christieson, visit www.firenzapark.com.au.

And if you’d like to directly support the Canter Therapy Podcast, you can find more episodes and merchandise at www.cantertherapy.com.au. Every share, follow, subscription, and hoodie purchase helps us continue bringing experienced voices and grounded ideas to the horse world.

Thank you for being part of the Canter Therapy community.

In this episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley and Kat speak with Stacey Wallace about one of the most rapid and grounded transformations she has witnessed in a horse owner.

Stacey returned to horses as an adult, postpartum, without a pony club background and with a young, reactive horse that challenged her confidence and skills from the outset. Over a relatively short period of time, Stacey developed exceptional handling skills, sound decision-making, and the ability to calmly navigate complex situations that derail many horse owners. Her progress was supported not only by structured learning, but also by her own background in cheerleading and the Air Force, which shaped her discipline, ability to practise methodically, take responsibility, and stay calm under pressure.

A central theme of the conversation is how working within Shelley’s framework, through the Complete Reboot program and the Calm Willing Confident Horse Society, helped Stacey cut through the noise of conflicting expert advice. Rather than becoming dependent on opinions, Stacey learned a process for observing, testing, and refining her approach. She also speaks openly about the role of trusting her gut, particularly when expert advice conflicted or did not align with what she was seeing in her horse, even when faced with soundness issues, hoof concerns, injuries, and management challenges.

This episode offers an honest and practical look at what is possible for first-time and adult horse owners who never went to pony club, do not have the “perfect” horse, and are trying to build real capability in a confusing horse world.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe. And if you’d like to support it in a more tangible way, visit the Canter Therapy website to explore Shelley and Kat’s education resources, clinics, and events. There’s also merchandise, because nothing says “I appreciate critical thinking and horses” quite like a hoodie!

Visit www.cantertherapy.com.au for more information.