Equestrian, Horse Training, Horsemanship, Horse Riding. The Horsemanship Breakthroughs podcast is a source for equestrian riding and horse training insights with the goal of helping your horse be a happy, light, and willing partner. Bringing you information and interviews with like-minded equine trainers to help you on your horsemanship, horse training, groundwork, equestrian, and riding journey.
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Updates: Reflections on a positive reinforcement deep dive, surprise personal announcement, motherhood and horses, and what’s happening next on the Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast.
Season 1 · Episode 61
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 • Duration 01:19:14
Life has been full of big changes for me lately, and in this episode, I’m catching you up on everything - both personally and professionally. I’ll be sharing how my approach to horsemanship is evolving, unpacking my thoughts on using food rewards, pressure, and the ethical considerations that come with training horses. I can’t wait to share my breakthroughs with you. Plus I have a surprise personal announcement 😁💕 I hope you enjoy the show!
What I talk about in this episode:
My ongoing quest for a better way with horses
My deep dive into positive reinforcement - breakthroughs and learnings:
the setup
the marker signal
small approximations
undoing things
education
feel
emotions
mindset shifts
the power of R+
plateus and pain
the restriction
the moral high ground
What has stopped me from taking a more ‘pure’ R+ approach & why I still use ‘pressure’
How I’m tweaking my use of R+ after this most recent deep dive
Surprise Personal Announcement
What I'm doing now with my horses & horse business
Other things I’m studying/interested in
Motherhood & horses
2 new and exciting opportunities to connect with like-minded horse people
______
EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:
📚 Book & Resource List: Get all the books & recommendations mentioned on the podcast → amaliadempsey.com/booklist
🐴 Free Mini-Course: Build a deeper connection & communication with your horse → amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube.
⭐ Leave a rating and review to help spread the word of good horsemanship! Your support makes a big difference!
📸 Take a screenshot and share this episode on social media! I'd love to hear what resonated with you the most! And knowing that this pod has made an impact makes my day!
Keywords: Horsemanship, Rider Biomechanics, Positive Reinforcement, Horse Training, Liberty Training, Postpartum Riding Fitness, Equine Welfare, Ethical Horse Training, Groundwork Exercises, Enrichment for Horses, Clicker Training, Horse & Rider Connection, Strength & Mobility for Riders, Return to Riding Program, Balanced Riding, Harmony with Horses, Horse Behavior & Communication, Holistic Horsemanship, Ethical Riding Practices, Mindful Horsemanship, Classical Dressage, Softness & Lightness, Rider Posture & Alignment, Core Strength for Riders, Horse Agility, Bitless Riding, Bareback Riding, Young Horse Development, Confidence Building for Riders, Problem-Solving in Horse Training
Solving Horse Problems: Do they feel safe? Do they understand? Are they motivated? with specialist young horse trainer: Connie Colfox
Season 1 · Episode 60
Monday, November 13, 2023 • Duration 01:05:14
I stumbled across the amazing Connie Colfox on Horse & Country TV watching her use positive reinforcement to help top eventing riders with ‘problem’ horse behaviours.
She was able to really impress these riders with how quickly she could change these talented horse’s minds about something they were struggling with.
In the words of Connie: “We really want horses to feel comfortable in the world they live in. By giving them a broad grounding with positive reinforcement we build trust to take on the challenges we encounter together”.
I was particularly interested in what she said around the 23-minute mark of this episode, and I agree that what she mentions here is a huge part of horses performing beyond their natural capabilities - and conversely why sometimes performance drops despite better riding!
I found Connie to be extremely humble, despite her decades of horse experience and knowledge, and she shares a balanced view and open approach to horsemanship, forever observing and learning from the horse.
If you have a horse with some ‘problem’ behaviours or you are a performance rider curious about how positive reinforcement could help your horse, you will love this episode with Connie! Let me know what you think!
10 Trailer Loading Tips for Success with Your Horse | Float Loading | Horse Box Loading
Season 1 · Episode 54
Sunday, May 14, 2023 • Duration 45:32
In this episode, I go over my 10 trailer-loading tips! Number 7 might surprise you 👀, and number 10 is probably the most important tip so make sure you listen to the end! 🎧
Trailer Loading, Horse Box Loading, Float Loading - wherever you are in the world- helping our horses be calm, relaxed, confident self-loaders is a big struggle for many horse owners! But it doesn’t need to be!
👉🏼How would it feel to know you can load your horse on the float, every time, in less than 10 seconds, by yourself?
❌ No more getting stuck, begging your horse to get on, resorting to forceful methods, having to make sure there are 2+ people to help you, chopping and changing techniques, or needing to allow hours of time to load your horse before an outing.
Andrea Wady has been riding since she was a child, competing in showjumping and endurance, and later running a successful horse tours company… but she always felt something was missing and wanted more in the relationship with her horses.
Moving to Costa Rica from the UK, Andrea’s journey took a turn down a path to find a way to connect with horses without coercion. Crossing the country of Costa Rica with fellow liberty trainer Elsa Sinclair (the creator of the Taming Wild movie series) they explored bonding with two very damaged rescue horses through movement and a liberty mindset.
Through this experience and years of study, Andrea found the missing piece in her horsemanship and the essence of creating relationship with horses. Andrea is now dedicated to helping others improve the relationship, trust, and bond with their own horses.
She is also the author of the newly released book ‘Crossing Bridges’ where she shares the enlightening journey of exploring Costa Rica on foot with the 2 damaged horses with the liberty mindset that she now teaches as ‘pure liberty’.
In this episode we discuss:
Andrea’s horsemanship journey from the traditional “make them do it” approach, to forming friendships with rescue horses across Costa Rica jungle
Andrea’s realisations when she first attempted liberty with no equipment or treats
Being open-minded, flexible, trusting yourself, and getting past your ego when being with horses
How we as humans solve problems for our horses too much
Classical Dressage with Partnership, Harmony, and Balance in Body and Mind with Anja Beran
Season 1 · Episode 52
Thursday, March 30, 2023 • Duration 56:38
Anja Beran trains horses with the classical principles of Horsemanship: with her sole aim being to ensure in the course of her life that an increasing number of people become familiar with the art of classical horsemanship. She hopes very much that a great number of riders will be able to experience serious enthusiasm for classical horsemanship in its true and original sense.
Anja runs her own farm and equestrian centre called "Gut Rosenhof" in Germany, she teaches numerous clinics and seminars in the United States, England, and all around the world.
Anja’s training philosophy is that Dressage is here for the horse and not the horse for the dressage, and she prides herself in adapting to the individual horse’s personality, solving any problem in a sensitive, horse-friendly way.
Anja focuses on the natural movement of the horse using gymnastic exercises to help horses find balance mentally and physically. She believes that each rider should contribute to their horse living a long, healthy and happy life which can only happen with a correct and holistic approach to horse care and training.
In this episode, we discuss:
Anja Beran’s journey to classical dressage
Partnership, harmony, personality, balance, body and mind as a basis for training horses
Riding with ‘invisible aids’
A holistic approach to horse’s happiness
The issues with nosebands and auxiliary/side reins
The origins of dressage and how it has changed over the years
The potential future of modern dressage competition
What the ultimate contact should feel like from a young horse to advanced
Classical dressage as a form of physical therapy for horses
How classical dressage has transformed the lives of horses destined for euthanasia
Her favourite classical masters & their books
What is meant by riding the horse from back to front
Anja’s mission to have ‘sustainable’ horses who are healthy, happy, and motivated into their old age
How To Clearly Communicate With Your Horse So You Can Have A Willing Partner | Part Three Horsemanship Fundamentals Series
Season 1 · Episode 51
Friday, March 17, 2023 • Duration 01:14:12
One wise person once told me that if you want to be successful with your horse, think about how you can really mess things up...
And then just do the opposite! 🙃
In Part 3 (episode 51) of the Horsemanship Fundamentals Series on The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I talk about how you can develop clear communication with your horse so you can have a willing partner!
You will learn:
👉🏼 What good communication between horse and rider looks and feels like
👉🏼 What problems can show up if you and your horse aren't communicating well
👉🏼 8 ways you could mess up the communication with your horse! (aka just do the opposite of these things and you'll do just fine!)
👉🏼 9 tips to improve your communication with your horse (which applies to groundwork and riding)
👉🏼 Plus lots of little gems within the episode including what motivates horses to learn, the CPRR acronym for very light aids, the 2 mediums in which we communicate with our horses to ask them to do things, and what to do when your horse isn't understanding your cues.
Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
How To Help Your Horse Be Calm, Confident, & Trusting | Part Two Horsemanship Fundamentals Series
Season 1 · Episode 50
Friday, March 10, 2023 • Duration 01:14:15
So many riders struggle with helping their horse be confident and relaxed. But it doesn't need to be this way!
I have a confidence & relaxation toolkit of techniques that anyone can learn how to use to help their horses be confident partners in a variety of situations.
In episode 50, part 2 of the Horsemanship Fundamentals Series, I talk all about the fundamental of CONFIDENCE including:
-My definition of a confident horse
-What a confident horse looks and feels like for the rider
-What problems can show up if your horse isn't confident & relaxed
-The 9 mistakes people make when trying to overcome their horse's anxiousness
-The 5+3 techniques in my confidence & relaxation toolkit that you can also use!
-Plus my thoughts on rider confidence (it's not just a mindset thing!)
______
In this episode I mention my new coach Kelly deGeus @kellydegeus on Instagram
Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
How to Develop Connection & Deepen Your Relationship With Your Horse | Part One Horsemanship Fundamentals Series
Season 1 · Episode 49
Sunday, March 5, 2023 • Duration 01:27:24
Connection…. it's such a buzzword in the horsemanship space!
But it’s hard to quantify. It’s subjective. It’s elusive…some may think it’s even a bit ‘woo woo’.
I think it’s kinda like the 'half halt' in dressage- everyone has a slightly different definition of exactly what it is, and people have trouble explaining it! But once you know, you know!
Connection is super important- an absolute fundamental of horsemanship!
So in part one of this 3-part Horsemanship Fundamentals Series, I talk all about connection including:
What connection is, what it looks & feels like
What problems can arise if you and your horse lack connection
8 mistakes people make when trying to achieve connection
10 things you can do to help improve your connection
Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to:
How To Have A Happy Horse
Season 1 · Episode 48
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 • Duration 01:07:34
Just teach them how to smile! Only joking…😅
Horses require species-specific things in order to be happy! 😁🐴
In Episode 48 of the Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I discuss all the things around how to have a happy horse, from their most basic species-specific needs to the ‘icing-on-the-cake’ things that can make your horse’s life even better (and therefore improve the way they behave/perform) 🙌🏼
I created a little infographic to go along with the episode (take a look on social media), but make sure you listen for all the details + an exciting announcement about HFA!
Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs
Equine Veterinary Medicine & Liberty as a Mindset with Nadine Lindblom
Season 1 · Episode 47
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 • Duration 01:39:38
"Liberty is something that he feels, rather than what he does” ~Nadine Lindblom
Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast: Equine Veterinary Medicine & Liberty as a Mindset with Nadine Lindblom
Nadine has worked closely with horses for the past 16 years. During this time, she has had the opportunity to learn from several fantastic trainers; however, she says the most profound lessons have been from the horses themselves!
In 2020, Nadine graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours). Studying and working as an equine veterinarian has helped Nadine understand horses on an even deeper level!
Nadine preaches that in order to have a horse that is willing and able to engage, connect and use expressive movement, he needs to be healthy and free from pain/discomfort and stress. Nadine believes it is important for horse owners to learn to recognize the subtle signs to be able to help their horse sooner rather than later.
Therefore, Nadines work with horses which she calls the Balanced Art of Liberty also focuses on the pillars of equine health as well as training the eye to notice the small but critical changes in equine movement, posture and behaviour.
In this episode, we discuss:
Nadine’s horse journey into liberty training and veterinary medicine
Her background and experience with traditional riding, trick training, liberty training, natural horsemanship, and the academic art of riding
Liberty training where the horse feels they have no choice vs allowing the horse to say no
The use of non-escalating pressure and rewards in training
How studying/practising as a vet has influenced the way Nadine works with horses
Nadine’s foundations for liberty training
EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR HORSE:
Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
Listening to your horse as a basis for happy horse training
Transcending physical cues in training horses
What is the concept of Pure Liberty, and how to get involved in doing it with your horse
The #1 mismatch between horses and humans
Andrea’s book recommendations and her favourite horse-related purchase
Why it’s never too late to change your path or approach with horses
Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
And so much more!
Anja has an important message to share with the world, and I hope that many riders will draw inspiration from how she rides and trains horses, knowing that dressage should be FOR the horse!
Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
How to have a happy & enthusiastic horse
The pros and cons of anthropomorphising
All the usual fun Horsemanship Breakthroughs questions!
Discover a deeper connection & communication with your horse with this free mini-course at www.amaliadempsey.com/ccmc
Sign up for weekly Horsemanship Breakthrough emails, where each week I send you a little bite-sized horsemanship breakthrough that has helped me on my journey, in the hope that it will also help you with your horse. Just go to: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/breakthroughs
Improve your rider biomechanics through unmounted exercises with these 10 Free Rider Specific Exercises to improve your riding at: https://www.amaliadempsey.com/exercises
And if you’re ready for a complete riding transformation through exercises join the 8 Week Rider Specific Exercise Program at:
And if you’re loving this podcast, please screenshot this episode and upload to Instagram (make sure you tag me @amalia_horses so I can reshare!) Let me know your biggest breakthrough from listening!
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