Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Holistic Horsemanship and Husbandry Podcast

In our last episode, we talked about understanding behavior as information. But understanding is just the first step. What do we do once we know what's going on? How do we move forward with a horse that's saying no? What do we do when our feelings enter the space and muddy the waters?

We answer all these questions and more in this episode. If you want to better understand how to help your horse when their behavior isn't perfect, hit play now. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

In this episode, we chat about life at Heart Soul Ranch. We catch up on everything going on since the move, and Cindy discusses the foundation of the new direction she is taking her business... learning to see behavior as information. 

Whenever our horses act out or behave oddly, it's because they are trying to tell us something. 

We dive deep into this subject in this episode. 

If you've ever wondered, "Why does he do that?" hit play now. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

In this episode, we talk about how to be an awesome client for your farrier or barefoot trimmer. It's not about having a horse that stands perfectly every time. It's about being honest, present, and willing to work with the horse that shows up that day. 

We talk about the responsibilities of the hoof care pro, the responsibilities of the client, and how we can best support any horse as we work together to create a safe, efficient trim. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

In this episode, we talk about how working with a mentor can help you reach the next level with your horse. 

We talk about finding a good training program, what it looks like to put in that time, and why sending your horse off to a trainer rarely results in long-term results. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

SIM Website: https://simsessions.org/
SIM Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585615844073
Text Jamie: 805-363-9686

In this episode, we sat down with Jamie Watkins, the co-founder of Symbiotic Integrated Mirroring. She led us in an incredible discussion about cranial sacral therapy and the power it can have when we allow the horse to lead the session. 

Jamie and her fellow practitioners travel the United States (and soon will travel the world) helping horses and humans find deeper connection, ease, and regulated nervous systems. 

If you have ever wondered what healing alongside your horse could look like, this episode is for you. Hit play now!

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

In this episode, we discuss what it truly looks like to become the number one expert on your horse. 

In an industry where tradition is followed blindly, and years of experience often trump science, this is a must-listen-to episode for any horse owner. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Connect With Adam: https://www.bayareahorsearchers.com/

Adam Sewell is an impressive rider and horseman. But above all, he puts the horse first. Join us in tuning into this awesome conversation where Adam talks about riding horses and competing in mounted archery all over the world. 

He shares stories of partnering with horses in tons of different scenarios, all of which he put the horse before his desired outcome. 

If you are looking for a horse sport that isn't harmful to the horse, you want to listen to this episode. Plus, Adam is coming to Cindy's Cottonwood, CA in September 2026. 

Check out the clinic here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMLM2H3-LPOBGRYW9QUXt3LeCSo0mWB-FyXn7a6Wd2jHapJA/viewform?usp=send_form

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Order Cindy's Book

In this episode, we celebrate Cindy's entrance into her new life. The launch of her new book, paired with her move to the new home of Heart Soul Confidence Based Horsemanship in Cottonwood, California. 

Cindy shares her new book, then discusses her plans for her beautiful new horse property and her dreams of hosting women's retreats with her horses. 

Hit play now and get excited to join us in Cottonwood soon! 

Check out the Starvation Syndrome Course 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

As summer weather heads our way, many of us are dusting off saddles and hitting the trails. But are our horses ready? Are we? What about tack, trucks, and trailers? 

Hit play now to learn how to assess if you’re ready to go, and what to do if you aren’t. Trail riding is one of the very best parts of summer, but so many accidents happen because people go out unprepared. Just because your horse was bombproof last year doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ready to ride this year. 

Mental, emotional, and physical fitness play a huge role in your readiness. This episode covers a simple way to bring your horse back into work that will help you avoid tons of trouble. 

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• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Find a Barefoot Specialist Near You

Join the Community of Owner Trimmers

Hoof problems are widespread, and many horse owners are forced to trust their professionals because they lack the knowledge to make informed decisions on their own. 

This becomes a challenge when professionals are limited in an area, and you can't find the help you truly need for your horse. 

A horse can grow an entirely new hoof capsule in a year. Yet many horse owners struggle with the same issues year after year after year. This is not normal. If you are wondering if something different could be done for your horse's hooves, this episode is for you. 

Hit play now. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Connect With Kim

Visit the Print Shop

Kim's Oracle Cards & Fire Horse Journal

In this conversation, we connect with Kim McElroy, a talented artist and deeply spiritual horse woman. She discusses the evolution of her career as an artist and how the spirit of the horse has always been at the center. 

If you value equine artwork that truly captures the soul of its subjects, this episode is for you. Hit play now. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

In this episode, we dive into nervous system regulation and what that looks like for you and your horse. 

As we come into spring, we often want to do more and get out and push ourselves and our horses out of our comfort zones. 

Doing this safely and successfully requires tools for nervous system regulation. Hit play now to hear this powerful conversation. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

In this episode, we sit down with horseman Don Jessup to talk about the hard truths that can change everything. Don shares how his early years with Monty Roberts, John Lyons, and Pat Parelli shaped him. He talks about a scary season of burnout, questions, and real soul searching. This is a conversation about what horses teach us when we slow down enough to see them.

Don talks about the hidden stress many horses live with, the subtle signals most people miss, and why that matters so much for safety, trust, and true connection.  

If you've ever asked, "should I even be riding my horse?" this episode will give you much to think about. It is honest. It is nuanced. And it speaks to the heart of the paradigm shift happening in the horse world. Hit play now to tune in. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

This episode covers the husbandry basics people aren’t taught. We talk about the frustrations that so many horse owners have managing their horses’ care and what we do about them. We dig into manure management, fly control, and how to potty train your horse. 3

We also cover lots of hacks for dealing with wet conditions without breaking the bank. If you are struggling through winter and spring, wishing things could be easier, this episode is for you! Hit play now. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Connect With Warwick Schiller

In this episode, we sit down with Warwick Schiller to explore what having a connection with horses really means. We dive into nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, mindset, and the powerful shift from correcting behavior to understanding why the behavior exists in the first place.

Warwick shares the honest story behind his transformation from performance-driven competition to presence-based horsemanship. He talks about how a “problem” horse changed the way he sees everything. We talk about connection as science and safety. About helping the horse regulate their nervous system so they can think, learn, and willingly partner with us.

If you want a calm, confident, emotionally regulated horse without force, dominance, or bigger bits, this episode will expand your thinking. Listen in and discover how changing yourself changes your horse.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

The other 23 hours... the ones you aren't there. What does that look like for your horse? 


Our last few guests have all mentioned how your horse's management and lifestyle impact your training and performance. 

In this episode, we dive into exactly what that looks like, hoping to inspire listeners to give their horses the best life possible. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Check out Emotional Horsemanship with Lockie Phillips

This conversation isn’t about techniques or quick fixes. It’s about integrity, tradesmanship, doing the work to become an excellent horse person. We sit down with Lockie Phillips, who shares that Emotional Horsemanship was never meant to be a brand. It’s a way to find the people who are ready to be honest with themselves and do the work with their horses.

Together, we talk about what happens when horse people hit a pivot point. When what used to feel normal no longer does. When questions and thoughts stop being about what you do to the horse, and start being about who you have to become for the horse.

We cover:

• What “emotional horsemanship” actually means in practice
• The difference between transitional people and those who are off the fence
• How emotion, learning, memory, and movement are linked
• The quiet, normalized violence still present in the horse world

If you’ve been questioning the industry.
If you’ve felt out of place.
If you’re craving honesty over optics.

This episode is for you. Hit play now.

Photo by KAIKE TAPPE PHOTOGRAPHY

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Find a more grounded way of being with Cindy

In this episode, we revisit last year’s “First of the Year” episode, reflect on the goals we set, and laugh at how little of it actually unfolded the way we expected. 

What we thought would be a year focused on riding turned into a year of shedding, relocating, grieving, rebuilding, and making changes we never saw coming. And somehow, we both ended up feeling more grounded and centered than ever.

We talk honestly about the pressure of traditional New Year’s goal setting and how easily it sets us up to feel behind or disappointed, especially when our season of life doesn’t support rigid plans. 

As we look toward the Year of the Fire Horse, we talk about choosing intention over urgency. Feelings over metrics. Presence over performance. 

If you’re feeling ready to explore a new way of being in 2026, hit play now.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Connect With Anna

Support Trainers Without Boarders

In this episode, we sit down with Anna Twinney to talk about a totally different approach to horse training. 

We discuss how horses experience us. Anna shares journey through natural horsemanship, training mustangs, and using animal communication, to help horses and their people. 

We talk about what many of us were taught in the early days of natural horsemanship, why some of those ideas stuck, and where they quietly missed the mark.

If you’ve ever felt uneasy about dominance, pressure, or the idea that a “good” horse is a compliant one, this episode will make you feel less alone.

We touch on many topics that people don’t slow down enough to question.

At the end, Anna also shares about her non-profit Trainers Without Borders. It's a project focused on education, alignment, and meaningful change for horses around the world.

If you care about partnership over control with your horse, hit play now.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

In this episode, we talk about communication with horses. We explore how breaking things down into simple steps can change your entire relationship with your horse… and others in your life.

You’ll hear the stories, the struggles, and the breakthroughs we experience in our work with horses.

You’ll want to listen if you’ve ever felt:

• Lost in your horsemanship
• Unsure what your horse is trying to tell you
• Overwhelmed by the “right way” to do things
• Afraid of “ruining” your horse
• Disconnected from your own intuition

We share the four-step formula that will help overcome the struggles listed above. Using it will shift the way you see yourself and your horse.

Press play to get the formula.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Connect With Kathy Here

If you feel torn about competing with your horse, this episode is for you.

We sit down with USDF gold medalist and natural horsemanship instructor Kathy Baar. Kathy competes on a high level, but remains committed to putting the horse first. 

In this conversation, we unpack:

• How Kathy prepares for competition
• Good management of competition horses
• How to tell if your horse actually enjoys competition 
• The role of intuition, feel, and emotional fitness in modern horsemanship
• What true “mastery” in horsemanship really looks and feels like over a lifetime

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I compete and still have a happy horse?” hit play now.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now! 

What if the greatest act of love you could offer your horse… was allowing?

In this episode, we get into what allowing really means — for you, your horse, and your relationship together. We explore how releasing expectations and embracing presence can transform your partnership and your inner world.

💬 Inside this episode:

• Why “allowing” is often seen as a bad word in the horse world — and why that needs to change.
• How to navigate negative feelings when your horse says “no.”
• What it looks like to build trust, flexibility, and genuine connection — instead of control.
• The power of a hug: how one simple act can shift energy, reset emotion, and deepen your bond.

You’ll hear real stories of heartbreak, healing, and honoring boundaries — from life with a heart horse to the lessons that come when things don’t go as planned.

Because the truth is simple: When you allow your horse to be who they are… you finally allow yourself to be, too.

Hit play now to listen. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Join the FREE Natural Horse-Keeping Community

As the days grow shorter and the chill sets in, many horse owners dread the coming winter. But what if this season could become an enjoyable time with your horse? In this episode, we share how to shift your mindset and embrace winter as a season of rest, reflection, and deeper connection.

You’ll hear how we're preparing our herds and properties for the colder months—and how we're finding joy and purpose in the process.

🌿 In this episode, we explore:

• How to flow with nature’s rhythm instead of resisting it.
• Why winter is the perfect time to slow down and reconnect with your horse.
• Simple ways to make barn work and prep feel rewarding, not stressful.
• Creative ideas to keep your horse mentally and emotionally engaged without formal training.
• How to care for your herd (and yourself) through the dark, cold months with presence and balance.
• The truth about seasonal energy shifts and how both humans and horses feel them.

This isn’t just another chat about blanketing or feeding.  It’s an invitation to align with the season and find harmony in the stillness.

✨ Tune in and learn how to love winter again—horse and all.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now! 

In this episode, we explore horses as our teachers and mirrors. We dive into how foddess and warrior energy show up in our work with our horses. We discuss the differences in the healed and unhealed energy of each of these archetypes. 

You’ll hear a story about two semi-wild Mustangs, Chief and Saturday. Chief battles laminitis and EMS. Saturday stands guard, nurtures, and sets limits. Their contrast reveals how our energy shapes training, hoof care, and daily handling.

Listeners will learn to:

• Build trust, connection, and communication without force.
• Balance positive reinforcement with fair boundaries.
• Read nervous system shifts: parasympathetic vs sympathetic.
• Stop the “unhealed warrior” spiral before it starts.
  
  

This episode is for horse-first riders, barefoot owners, and pros. If you crave ethical horsemanship, herd-sensitive training, and deeper partnership, press play.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Join the FREE Natural Horse-Keeping Community

Advocating for your horse is something we all have to do. But it’s uncomfortable for many of us. In this episode, Laura shares a real-life example of how she recently had to advocate for MJ. You’ll hear the story of a move, the red flags she weighed, and the moment boundaries and intuition changed everything.

We talk hay, health, and hard choices. We talk energy and mindset.. It’s honest. It’s useful. It will help you keep your horse safe and stress-free.

What you’ll hear:

• How to advocate in a boarding environment
• Why hay quality matters and how to assess risk
• When to move barns—and when to stay
• Setting clear boundaries without drama
• An energetic practice for owning your space
• Using your body’s signals to guide decisions
• A simple “What if… then flip it” game to calm fear

If you’ve ever felt stuck between “it’s fine” and “my horse deserves better,” this episode is for you. It will help you trust your gut, hold your boundary, and create a healthier daily life for your horse. Press play now.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now! 

How to Stop Micromanaging Your Horse

In this episode, we dig into a habit that many horse owners don’t even realize they have: micromanaging.

If you’ve ever found yourself holding the lead rope too tightly, correcting your horse over and over, or feeling the need to control every step, you might be micromanaging them. Your horse isn’t the only one affected when this happens. 

The conversation explores:

• What micromanaging really looks like with horses
• How micromanaging affects your relationship and your horse’s confidence
• The surprising ways micromanaging shows up in daily routines, like cross ties, hoof care, and groundwork.
• The emotional toll of perfectionism and how to break free from it
  
  

Listening to this episode will help you learn to respond instead of resist, releasing the need to micromanage your horse. Because when you stop micromanaging, everything gets easier and more fun.

Hit play now!

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Buy Cindy's Book

In this special episode, Cindy shares from her book Breaking the Chains Within: Finding Inner Peace Through the Wisdom of the Herd. The book is a guide for anyone ready to reclaim their power, trust themselves, and create deeper connections in their life.

In this conversation, Laura shares her perspective as an early reader, and Cindy reads us a sneak peek chapter from the book. If you’ve ever felt stuck in old patterns, doubted your instincts, or longed for more peace, this one is for you.

✨ Breaking the Chains Within is available now on Amazon. Listen in now and don’t forget to get your copy at the link above!

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Join the FREE Natural Horse-Keeping Community

In this episode, we talk about how imbalances in your body affect the balance in your horse's body —whether you're aware of it or not.

If your horse struggles with:

• uneven muscle development
  
  
• stiffness going in one direction
  
  
• hollow back or sore shoulders
  
  
• difficulty collecting, side-passing, or moving freely

…it might be you, not them.

This episode will help you get curious and more aware. You’ll hear honest personal stories from the saddle, practical tips you can try today, and deeper reflections on what it means to truly partner with your horse physically, emotionally, and energetically.

We talk about how common rider imbalances (like uneven hips or tight shoulders) directly impact your horse. We go over compensation patterns and offer body awareness exercises to help you unwind tension before you pass it on to your horse.

Bring your breath. Bring your curiosity. Hit play. Let’s find a more balanced ride.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now! 

This episode is raw, real, and deeply personal.

Cindy opens up about an unexpected life change — losing the ranch she's called home for 11 years — and how it’s shaken her to her core. But instead of hiding from the fear, she leans into it with the help of her horses.

You’ll hear:

• How her horses felt her emotional chaos before she could name it
  
  
• Why our internal environment is part of our horses’ environment
  
  
• What it really means to use our tools

If you’ve ever struggled to stay grounded during major life upheaval, this episode will resonate. We talk a lot about self-awareness on this podcast and this is a real life example of how it plays out.

Whether you’re facing a transition, dealing with stress, or just needing a reminder that you’re not alone — this is for you.

💬 “Our horses don’t just mirror us. They offer us the safety we often can’t offer ourselves.”

Tune in, breathe with us, and know you’re not the only one walking through life’s challenges.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Get the FREE Hoof Health Guide

The Magic Connection Between Hoof And Gut Health

What do cracked hooves, laminitis, and slow hoof growth have in common? They often start in the gut. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the hoof health and gut health connection—and what you can do to support both.

Farriers and trimmers play a role, but your horse’s diet, environment, and microbiome are just as important to consider.

When you listen you’ll learn:

• Why chipping hooves aren't always your trimmer’s fault
  
  
  
• How over-supplementing can wreck your horse’s gut health
  
  
  
• How to simplify nutrition without expensive hay tests
  
  
  

Laura shares what she’s testing with her own horses right now—including a real-time case study.

If you’ve ever said, “My horse can’t go barefoot,” or “I don’t know why his hooves look so bad,” hit play now.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Join the FREE Natural Horse-Keeping Community

Tips and Tricks to Keep You Safe on the Trail 

In this episode, we talk about what it actually takes to have a safe, fun, and connected trail ride with your horse.

Inside this episode, we cover:

• Why trail riding is not “just trail riding”
• The real reason so many people end up injured on the trail
• How to build muscle memory that kicks in when sh*t hits the fan
• What groundwork you need before hitting the saddle
• Why hind end control matters way more than you think
• How to do a quick pre-ride check that sets you up for success
• Why wearing a helmet isn’t fear—it’s respect

Staying safe out on the trail comes down to partnership, communication, and mutual trust.

🎧 Listen now. Your horse will thank you.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now! 

This episode explores trust in horsemanship—what it looks like, how it’s built, and what it means when it breaks.

If you’ve ever said “I don’t trust my horse” or wondered why your horse won’t trust you, this one is for you.

We go deep into:

• Why trust is a two-way street between horse and human
• What it means to lie to your horse (it’s not what you think)
• How self-trust and self-awareness affect every interaction
• The difference between confidence and trust—and why that difference matters

This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about building something deep, honest, and lasting—with your horse and yourself.

If you’ve ever struggled with trust in your horsemanship journey, tune in. This episode might just be the mirror you didn’t know you needed. Hit play now!

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now! 

In this episode, we talk about cognitive dissonance. Unfortunately, we see it every day in the horse industry.

We start by exploring where it shows up in our lives - our self-care and fitness routines. Things we rush that we know would be better if we were present. Then we move into exploring how it shows up in our interactions with our horses.

Why do we so often fail to to better for our horses even when we know better?

Is it procrastination? Or are societal expectations getting in the way?

How do we honor both our needs and our horse’s needs without losing ourselves in guilt or pressure?

Why does striving to do better (even when it’s messy) matter so much for the horse-human bond?

This is an honest conversation full of self-reflection and reminders to slow down, tune in, and strive to do better.

Hit play now.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Join the FREE Natural Horse-Keeping Community

Helping abused and neglected horses is  a huge topic in the horse world. In this episode, we share stories of working with traumatized horses. We dive into how they can teach us about trust, healing, and forgiveness.

We talk about what it takes to rehabilitate a horse with trauma—and why not every horse can or should become a riding partner.

If you've ever taken in a horse with a painful past, or are thinking about it, this will give you a fresh perspective.  

You'll learn:

• Why it's important to recognize trauma in horses.
• How to meet a horse where they are
• How your own healing journey may be tied to theirs

We also explore how traditional training fails to address trauma and offer a fresh approach. Whether you’ve found yourself with a traumatized horse without meaning to... or feel the pull to take on a rescue.. this conversation is for you. 

Hit play now.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Join the FREE Natural Horse-Keeping Community

Spring is here. The weather's warming, the trails are drying, and you're ready to ride again! Before you saddle up and hit the road, there’s one big question: Does your horse need a spring tune-up?

In this episode, we unpack the truth behind the 90-day spring tune-up. A restart method that so many horse owners rely on. We talk about fear, confidence, and what builds a lasting horse-human partnership. Spoiler: It’s not just sending your horse away to get “fixed.”

We explore how to condition your horse and yourself, and why groundwork matters. Then we cover how avoid common mistakes - riding too soon, skipping emotional fitness, or expecting someone else to do the work for you.

We also share personal stories. Like Laura and MJ’s first trail ride, how walking home wasn’t failure—it was wisdom. You’ll hear why getting off is sometimes the bravest, kindest move you can make.

This conversation is real, raw, and full of powerful takeaways for any horsewoman who wants more than surface-level results. If you crave connection, trust, and true partnership, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now and set the tone for your best season yet.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now! 

Ever felt like your horse won’t do what you’re asking? You're left frustrated, confused, or maybe even questioning your ability. This episode is for you. We dive deep into why those challenging moments happen, no matter how experienced you are. And more importantly, how to respond in a way that builds trust, not tension.

Whether your horse is resisting meds, refusing to be caught, or squirrely under saddle, they need help. We explore the subtle communication behind these behaviors so you can address them.

We talk about emotional awareness, body language, energy, and intention. You’ll learn how to slow down, listen deeply, and honor your horse’s needs while still making progress.

This episode is packed with insight for anyone seeking a true partnership with their horse. If you’re ready to ditch “just get it done” culture and instead show up as the confident, compassionate leader your horse needs, hit play now.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now!

What Does It Mean When Your Horse Touches You?

Ever wonder why your horse nudges you with their nose or presses against certain parts of your body? Is it affection, a request, or "disrespect"? In this episode, we’re diving into what this communication means.

We break down misconceptions around behavior and show you how to tune into your horse’s subtle cues. We also dig into the energetic connection between horses and humans—including stories of horses detecting pregnancy, sensing emotions, and facilitating healing.

If you’ve ever questioned your instincts about what your horse is telling you, this episode is for you. We’ll walk you through practical ways to develop your awareness, trust your gut feelings, and create a two-way dialogue with your horse. 

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a whole new perspective on your horse’s language of communication. Hit play now!

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Join the FREE Natural Horse-Keeping Community

Owning a horse with special needs—whether physical or behavioral, or emotional—can feel overwhelming. It's isolating to watch others enjoying their horses while fighting to help yours. 

In this episode, we dive deep into when the journey of horse ownership doesn’t look the way you expected. From chronic health conditions to behavioral challenges, we explore how your mindset matters. Having the right support system in place when this happens can make all the difference.

We tackle the tough conversations: When is it time to fight for a horse’s future, and when is it kinder to let go? How do you separate outdated industry norms from what’s actually best for your horse? And how can you find professionals who align with your values?

This episode isn’t just about horses—it’s about becoming the best advocate, partner, and caretaker you can be. If you’ve ever felt lost, doubted yourself, or wondered if you’re doing enough for your horse, this conversation is for you.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Transform Your Horse Human Relationship With Cindy

Bringing a new horse home is exciting, but it’s also a massive transition—for both of you. This episode discusses what a horse goes through when they get a new home. It talks about unhealthy expectations and how we can let those go. From herd dynamics to trust-building, we go over how to make the transition as smooth as possible.

When a horse enters a new environment they face challenges. New owners often forget what the horse is going through in their excitement. We talk about why immediate riding isn’t always the best idea, and how to recognize how well your horse is adjusting.

This episode is packed with practical tips on diet transitions, biosecurity, and how to introduce a new horse to a herd safely. Whether you’re bringing home your first horse or your tenth, this conversation will help you set up for success. Hit play now so you can create a better experience for both you and your new horse.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Connect With Amy

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Skinner, founder of Amy Skinner Horsemanship. Her unique horsemanship philosophy is built on balance, trust, and respect. Amy shares her journey of evolution as a horsewoman, a mother, and a teacher. She reveals how these principles have shaped her life and horse industry career.

This episode dives into the often unspoken challenges of balancing motherhood and horses. Amy's candid reflections on vulnerability and adaptability offer insights that apply to all relationships, whether with horses or humans.

Learn why balance isn’t just physical but emotional too. Discover how trust is not something we demand but something we embody. Gain a refreshing perspective on respect that rejects outdated notions of dominance.

Whether you're a seasoned equestrian, a new mom juggling it all, or simply seeking inspiration to navigate life with more awareness and intention, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to take the next step with your horse. Hit pay now!

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Elevate Your Horsemanship! Start Your 7-Day Free Trial Now! 

In this episode, we dive into a topic that many people are experiencing in today's climate. How do we engage with our horses when we're struggling emotionally or mentally? You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or not yourself. This conversation will help you be with your horse authentically while honoring their needs.

Horses have an incredible ability to ground us and bring us into the present moment. What happens when our emotional state feels too messy to manage? We explore why letting go of expectations on tough days is essential. How to create "non-demanding time" with your horse. Why awareness of your own energy is key to maintaining a balanced relationship.

Whether you're seeking comfort, clarity, or a new perspective, this episode is a gentle reminder that it’s okay to be messy. It's okay to struggle, and okay to lean on your horse for support—without placing your burdens on them.

Tune in to learn how to meet your horse where they are and build a relationship rooted in mutual understanding. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Transform Your Horse Human Relationship With Cindy

It's that time of year when many riders set goals for what they want to accomplish with their horses. This episode reflects on the importance of aligning our goals with our horse's well-being. If we don't put the horse first, is it really a goal worth reaching? 

We debrief our own horsemanship journeys over the last year. We discuss what went well, what didn't, why, and what lessons we are carrying into 2025. There is a paradigm shift happening in the horse world, and we share how we will be at the forefront of it (and you can, too).

This episode outlines a step-by-step system for achieving your goals with your horse. If you have a big year planned, hit play now! 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Join the Natural Horse Keeping Community

The cold weather is here. Our horses need us to care for them slightly differently in this season. Should you blanket? Is your horse going to be okay when it snows? How much hay should you feed?

In a perfect world, horses could live thrive in the winter without human intervention. It's not a perfect world. It's your job to help them out without compromising their natural defenses. This means avoiding over-blanketing and over-feeding supplements and grain. 

Hit play to learn how horses naturally adapt to the cold and what you can do to make life easier for them. This episode is packed with real-world advice rooted in compassion and practicality.

If you’re committed to meeting your horse’s needs during winter, this episode is a must-listen. 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Get The Horsewoman’s Guide to Confidence!

Every horse owner will have a herd-bound horse on their hands at some point. Solving this requires a deep understanding of equine psychology.

It's natural for horses to seek safety in numbers. Their instinctual needs drive this behavior that we humans find so undesirable. So what can be done? The methods trainers use to stop this behavior often leave the horse shut down. There's a better way!

You cultivate a calm, confident horse. Hit play now to find out how to help your herd-bound horse.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Start a Fitting With Karen

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of hoof boots with our guest, Karen Tomcoe Cox. Karen is a boot fitting expert for Scoot Boots and Equine Fusion Boots. She breaks down the essentials of when and why to use hoof boots. Our conversation includes tips on fitting and handling the most common hoot boot challenges. 

Boots can be super helpful in keeping your horse comfortable during the transition from shoes to barefoot. In this episode, we discuss how that works. Karen also highlights how proper nutrition, trims, and the environment build healthy hooves.

If you’ve ever struggled with finding the right boot fit or want to try boots but don't know where to start, hit play now!

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Get the FREE Hoof Health Guide

In this episode, Laura steps forward as a hoof expert and total hoof nerd. We discuss how your horse's hoof is a powerful indicator of their overall well-being. Laura shares her journey of learning to trim so she can help her own horse and the horses at the rescues where she volunteers.

Chronic abscesses, laminitis, thrush, and hoof pain are not normal. But you can help your horse grow a healthy hoof free of these issues!

The episode covers how to assess your horse's hooves and the pros and cons of shoes versus barefoot care. We also touch on the significance of proper trimming, the dangers of contracted heels, and how to ensure your horse’s hooves remain healthy across different seasons.

Tune in to learn how to spot early signs of hoof issues and take proactive steps to keep your horse healthy and happy. 

Contact Karen (Laura’s Boot Fitter)

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Become an Empowered Equine Caretaker With Laura

In this episode, we talk about how to know what your horse is thinking. We offer strategies for redirecting energy and heading off spooks. Your awareness is the key to smooth communication with your horse. This conversation addresses common areas of awareness that horse owners lack.

You'll hear insights changing your mindset from trying to control—to improving communication. 

Learn how to:

• Recognize tension before it leads to a blow-up
• Know what to do when nervous energy needs a physical outlet
• Foster deeper connections through touch and presence

This a must-listen for anyone looking to become a more effective horse partner. Tune in to learn how small adjustments can lead to big breakthroughs in your relationship.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Transform Your Horse Human Relationship With Cindy

In this episode, we discuss the truth about bits and spurs. These tools are so often used to increase control, but that's not what they are designed for. With so much misinformation out there, you may have been pressured to use a bigger bit or spurs in the wrong situation. This conversation challenges that way of thinking. It emphasizes the need for a solid foundation before reaching for higher-level tools. 

If you’ve ever questioned whether you should “bit up” or “spur on,” we encourage you to hit play. Learn to deepen your communication with your horse instead of using tools to control them. Join us as we discuss how to ensure that your tools align with the needs of the horse in front of you.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Help Your Horse Thrive With Laura

In this episode, we challenge the belief that owning a horse means you have to ride. Our conversation focuses on how the horse-human relationship isn't defined by saddle time. We share personal stories of how horses enrich our lives in ways beyond riding. There’s so much more to horse ownership than those who focus solely on riding realize.

If you've ever felt guilt for not riding your horse "enough," this episode is for you. There are many horses who, despite being well-trained, prefer not to be ridden—and that's okay. There is immense value in developing a strong bond through groundwork, care, and play.

If you're feeling pressure to “do more,” or desire a deeper connection with your horse, this episode is for you. It’s a refreshing reminder that the relationship with your horse is yours to define. No time spent with them is ever wasted.

Hit play now to hear the episode.

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura

Transform Your Horse/Human Relationship With Cindy

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of leadership within horse-human relationships. Leadership is crucial in building a healthy and balanced partnership with your horse. But, it often comes with challenges rooted in our own experiences and perceptions. 

We discuss the baggage humans bring into their roles as leaders—whether being overly dominant or too passive—and how this affects our horses.

Cindy shares her personal journey of redefining leadership. She transitioned from the aggressive leadership she saw growing up to a more balanced approach. Laura adds her insights, discussing how she came up with her own version of leadership.

You'll learn how to focus on self-awareness and trust as you become an inclusive leader. If you’re struggling with confidence or want a deeper connection with your horse, this episode will help. 

Hit play now! 

Connect With Your Hosts:

• Join the Pod Community
• Dive Into Horsemanship With Cindy
• Uplevel Your Horse Care With Laura