Ask An Expert: Horse Care and Riding Advice – Details, episodes & analysis

Are you making the right choices for your horse’s digestive health, or is their internal ecosystem suffering in silence? In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Mary Beth Gordon, Senior Director of Equine Technical Innovation for Purina Animal Nutrition, demystifies the equine microbiome and explains how it impacts every aspect of your horse’s well-being.

Episode Highlights:

9:04: What the microbiome actually is, why it matters, and how it functions as your horse’s hidden health driver

18:24: Real-world warning signs your horse’s microbiome may be out of balance and key links to behavior, immunity, and colic risk

25:31: How fiber, feed, stress, and even travel or medications can shape the gut

30:18: The difference between prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics - and how to spot products that actually work

Meet the Expert, Dr. Mary Beth Gordon

Dr. Mary Beth Gordon is the Senior Director of Equine Technical Innovation at Purina Animal Nutrition, where she leads research focused on equine nutrition, exercise physiology, and digestive health. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Delaware Valley University and her PhD in Animal Science, with a focus on equine nutrition and exercise physiology, from Rutgers University. In addition to her work in research, Mary Beth is active in the horse world as a dressage rider.

Episode Sponsor

Connaway & Associates

The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.

Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options. 

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Ride iQ is currently offering a special Kentucky Legacy Rate - a 20% lifetime discount on membership, available for one week only. Use code LEGACY at Ride-iQ.com to lock in your savings for as long as you remain a member.

What if your horse’s happiness is the missing piece in your performance? In this episode of Ask an Expert, renowned Grand Prix dressage rider and clinician Karen Rohlf shares her holistic approach to creating joyful equine athletes. Blending classical dressage with natural horsemanship, Karen dives deep into what real partnership looks like, how to recognize true happiness in your horse, and why everyday choices make a difference.

Episode Highlights:
11:56: Introducing the Happy Athlete Training Scale and why happiness and harmony come before communication, biomechanics, and sport
19:44: Concrete ways to add more choice, enrichment, and mental stimulation to your horse’s daily routine
27:37: What true harmony feels like, how to “join up” with your horse, and why being present and patient matters more than you think
34:11: The nine habits of excellent horsemanship and why a sense of humor is a secret weapon for riders at any level
44:16: Understanding healthy biomechanics, practical tips to find your horse’s “sweet spot,” and why trust and curiosity fuel athleticism

Meet the Expert, Karen Rohlf

Karen Rohlf is the founder of Dressage Naturally, an internationally recognized clinician, and the author of multiple books on training and horsemanship. She is known for her approach that prioritizes partnership, empowers riders as students, and blends classical dressage with relationship-based training. Karen focuses on developing the mental, emotional, and physical connection between horse and rider, with a goal of helping both horses and humans thrive.

Episode Sponsor

Connaway & Associates
The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.

Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options. 

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Chiropractic care can transform comfort and performance for both horse and rider, but understanding how it works is key to getting the most benefit. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Jillian Johnson, an equine and human chiropractor, discusses her unique journey, explains how chiropractic adjustments help equestrians and their horses, dispels common misconceptions, and shares practical tips for improving alignment, flexibility, and overall well-being in and out of the saddle.

Episode Highlights:

13:00: Common patterns seen when working with horses and riders, and how to determine whether chiropractic care is the right fit

16:15: Biggest misconceptions about chiropractic care in the equestrian world, and the training, certification, and education required to practice safely and effectively

21:00: The most common issues in horses that benefit from chiropractic care, and how to recognize signs of discomfort

31:30: Common alignment and movement issues seen in riders, plus stretches and exercises to support the body between adjustments

44:00: One simple thing riders can do to improve symmetry in the saddle, and the most important takeaway every rider should understand about chiropractic care

Meet the Expert, Dr. Jillian Johnson

Dr. Jillian Johnson is a chiropractor specializing in equestrians and their horses. With a lifelong passion for performance, movement, and partnership, she helps riders and horses feel and perform their best both in and out of the saddle. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. Jillian holds a doctorate in chiropractic and is certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. She runs Farmhouse Chiropractic, a thriving practice based in Ocala, Florida, where her work focuses on optimizing comfort, alignment, and communication between horse and rider, helping each partnership find greater balance and harmony.

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Genetics can reveal more about your horse than you might expect, offering powerful tools for making informed decisions about breeding, training, and daily management. In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine geneticist Christa Lafayette shares how modern genetic testing can help owners and breeders uncover everything from health risks and temperament tendencies to athletic potential and ancestry, while also addressing common myths and the practical realities of using this cutting-edge technology.

Episode Highlights:

13:00: How equine genetic testing works, what the process looks like, and the types of results owners can expect

19:00: What DNA testing can (and can’t) reveal about temperament, behavior, stress response, and trainability

24:00: Health conditions and disease risks that genetic testing can help screen for

27:00: What genetic testing can tell you about injury risk, muscle type, stamina, recovery, and physical stress tolerance

42:00: How equine ancestry testing has evolved, where the science is headed, and common myths about equine genetics

Meet the Expert, Christa Lafayette

Christa Lafayette is the founder and CEO of Etalon Diagnostics, a pioneering company in equine genetic testing. With a background in science, technology, and business development, Christa has spent over two decades at the intersection of innovation and animal health. Under her leadership, Etalon has become a leader in the field, offering cutting-edge genetic testing that helps horse owners better understand and care for their equine partners. Christa is passionate about empowering horse people with data-driven insights to support sound decisions in breeding, management, and performance.

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Equine insurance can be confusing, but knowing your options means you’re better prepared when the unexpected happens. In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine insurance agent Heidi Wardle explains the different types of coverage available, what they include, how to navigate the claims process, and how to protect everything from your horse to your tack and equipment.

Episode Highlights:

2:30: The different types of equine insurance, who each policy is best suited for, and how to choose the right coverage

11:15: Common equine insurance misconceptions

15:30: What major medical typically covers and key exclusions to watch for

31:00: How the claims process works, how to prepare ahead of time, and common mistakes that can lead to denied claims

41:00: Coverage options for tack, trailers, and farm property

48:45: Expert advice for first-time horse owners shopping for equine insurance

Meet the Expert, Heidi Wardle

Heidi is a lifelong horsewoman who began her career as a professional rider and trainer before transitioning into the equine insurance world in 2017. She now works with clients across disciplines to protect what matters most, from major medical and mortality to liability, farm, trailer, and tack coverage. Heidi brings a rider’s perspective to her work, combining industry knowledge with firsthand experience. She continues to compete her off-the-track-thoroughbreds, Cold Spice and Generalist in the sport of eventing.

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Keeping your horse’s training fresh and engaging can be the key to higher performance and happier rides. In this episode of Ask an Expert, accomplished dressage trainer Lisa Helmer discusses the benefits of cross training and shares practical ways to add variety, fitness, and fun into your routine.

Episode Highlights:

4:00: What cross-training really means, how it fits into a program, and why it matters for both performance and mindset

19:30: Lisa’s favorite cavaletti exercises and easy ways to blend them into flatwork

45:30: One small weekly training change that can make a big difference

47:00: Common cross-training misconceptions and how to spot the physical and mental benefits

Meet the Expert, Lisa Hellmer

Lisa Helmer is a lifelong horsewoman and USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in equine business management and riding, she trained young horses at the Hanoverian Verband in Germany, where she developed a passion for cross-disciplinary training. She later worked for international Grand Prix rider Pam Goodrich before starting her own business, LCH Equestrian, in Ocala, Florida.

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Horses have their own language, and learning to listen opens the door to a deeper, more compassionate connection. In this episode of Ask an Expert, animal communicator Alexa Linton shares how you can better understand your horse’s experiences, tune into their needs, and support them through tools like animal communication, bodywork, and mindful presence.   

Episode Highlights:   

10:30: How animal communication works in practice 

9:20: Simple exercises for tuning in and strengthening communication with your horse 

36:00: Situations that are more challenging for horses than we often realize 

39:30: How horses experience loss, absence, and changes within the herd 

47:00: Supporting horses through long-term rehabilitation and extended rest

Meet the Expert, Alexa Linton 

Alexa is an osteopathic practitioner with more than 20 years of experience in kinesiology, manual therapy, and energy work. Based in Duncan, BC, she blends science, intuition, and a deep love for horses into everything she does-from her one-on-one intuitive work to her popular programs like the Whole Horse Apprenticeship and her long-running podcast The Whole Horse.

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

The walk is often underestimated, but it has the power to transform both horse and rider, improving balance, communication, and overall well-being. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Diana Waters, founder of The Power of Walk, explores the principles behind slow walk work, the benefits you can expect, and practical approaches for incorporating it into your training.   

Episode Highlights:   

7:00: The short-term and long-term benefits of focused walk work, and how it supports overall training development 

8:45: The difference between a slow walk and a lazy walk, and where intentional walk work fits into a horse’s training schedule 

14:00: How walk work is adapted to address different challenges, and how it improves posture, strength, and muscle tone 

21:30: An overview of Diana’s program, including timeline, key exercises, and end goals 

47:45: A simple, practical walk-focused challenge listeners can try with their own horse   

Meet the Expert, Diana Waters 

Diana Waters is a BHS-qualified instructor, Enlightened Equitation Teacher, and Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. She developed Slow Walk Work after discovering how profoundly a gentle, grounded approach could change everything for the horse and the human. What began as a personal journey with a “lazy” horse soon became a method she now shares with horse owners worldwide. Today, she teaches this method to riders around the world through The Power of Walk course and online community, helping horses and humans become more relaxed, confident, and balanced. 

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Daily care decisions play a bigger role in your horse’s long-term health than many owners realize. In this webinar, Dr. Erica Lacher breaks down the five issues she sees most often in her practice, explains the everyday habits that have the biggest impact on soundness and wellbeing, and shares practical, vet-approved strategies you can start using right away. Whether you’re a lifelong horse owner or just getting started, you’ll come away feeling more confident, prepared, and proactive about your horse’s care.   

Episode Highlights: 

17:15: Mistake #1: Calling everyone but the veterinarian  

21:30: Mistake #2: Spending hard-earned money on supplements 

26:15: Mistake #3: Poor quality farrier work 

28:30: Mistake #4: DIY wound care 

33:40: Mistake #5: Skipping routine care 

46:00: Real-world case Q&A   

Meet the Expert, Dr. Erica Lacher 

A graduate of the University of Florida, Dr. Erica Lacher is the owner and lead veterinarian of Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Newberry, Florida. She has a particular interest in helping sport horses have long, successful careers and helping owners learn how to make that happen. When she's not at the clinic, Erica competes her own horses in the jumper ring and co-hosts the podcast Straight From The Horse Doctor's Mouth with Justin Long. 

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

Your horse is affected by the footing with every step they take, which makes arena design and footing choices more important than many riders realize. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dickie Osborne dives into the fundamentals of arena construction, explains common pitfalls, and offers advice on evaluating and improving the footing at home and at shows. 

Episode Highlights: 

5:00: Why footing matters for horse soundness and performance, and how to recognize good vs. bad footing 

8:00: The key steps to building a quality arena, including material selection and proper proportions 

17:10: How to choose the right footing, and how footing needs differ by discipline 

31:00: Evaluating footing at competitions, what to look for when you arrive, and how to decide if a venue is worth returning to 

47:00: Differences between indoor and outdoor arena construction, and how often a well-built arena should be retested and reevaluated 

Meet the Expert, Dickie Osborne 

Dickie has been a horse owner since childhood and built his first arena more than 30 years ago. After a long career as an excavation contractor, he combined his construction expertise with his lifelong involvement in horses to become a leading authority on equestrian arena design and footing. He is the founder of Precision Equestrian Arenas and Precision Arenas Academy, and he builds and consults on arena projects across the country. 

Brought to you by Ride iQ 

This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more.

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable.

If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com. 

Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.