Explore every episode of the podcast Platinum Performance® Podcast

A dynamic collective of expert equine veterinarians including Drs. Jose Garcia Lopez, Carter Judy, Kyla Ortved and Chris Kawcak dive into the subject of orthopedic fractures. They will discuss the evolution of preventive, surgical and rehabilitation protocols, and how equine patients - now more than ever - have the most advantageous chance at survival and recovery. 

Dr. Felix Duerr of Colorado State University examines common factors affecting a dog’s ability to move comfortably, and how he and other top veterinarians are working to prevent, treat and rehabilitate these conditions and injuries.

Well-known equine bodyworker, Maija Luttinger — together with equine veterinarian, Dr. Matt Durham, and equine clinical nutritionist, Abby Keegan — dives into your horse’s core musculature, the nuances behind maintaining a healthy topline, and the intricacies of her approach as a bodyworker.

Equine veterinarian, Dr. Matt Durham, together with Certified Journeyman Farrier, Lee Olsen, break down common hoof conditions. From causes and treatment options to preventive strategies, hear their approach to managing and optimizing your horses’ hooves.

Hear first-hand how Caroline Pamukcu has risen from a teenage phenom in the world of three-day eventing, to a widely respected top-level trainer, competitor and champion many times over. From the Pan American Games to the 2024 Olympics and countless events in between, she has amassed numerous titles while maintaining a raw love of both the sport and her horses.

Upon falling in love with husband (and polo legend), Memo Gracida, Meghan threw herself head-first into her newfound world. What she didn’t expect was to cultivate a deep passion for the game of polo and the horses that she and Memo raise and play together. Now a 5-goal player and voice of leadership in women’s polo, Meghan shares her story and gives an insider’s view of what the world of polo is truly like.

An accidental phenom in the realm of Ranch Riding, professional trainer Bud Lyon gives us a first-hand look at his storied career as a versatile horseman, showman and coach, with an up-close look at perhaps his greatest star, “Romeo.”  

Renowned equine theriogenologist, Dr. Pat McCue of Colorado State University, details the challenges and conditions that confront veterinarians when treating aged and problem mares, and how he and his colleagues tackle these cases to achieve successful pregnancies and healthy foals.

4-Time WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer, Hailey Kinsel, details her preparation strategy for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and what it’s truly like to pilot the one and only Sister to stardom. Join us for an inside look at the world of this superstar cowgirl. 

Join three leading veterinarians as they explore tendon injuries in the horse, including the three primary phases of healing and strategies for optimal recovery. From the latest rehabilitation techniques and advancements in research and technology, Drs. Lisa Fortier, Matt Durham and Stephanie Davis give us an inside look into how they maximize impact to achieve the best possible outcome for the horse.

An inside look into Pomponio Ranch, the enigmatic and highly regarded show jumping program behind Karl Cook, one of the top riders in the world and a member of Team USA in Paris. From a behind-the-scenes look at competing on the grounds of Versailles, to the Pomponio team’s extreme attention to detail, hear Karl’s thoughts on his horses, the world of show jumping and the experience of a lifetime: the 2024 Olympics.

With such a high prevalence, particularly in performance horses, understanding the causes, risk factors, diagnostics, treatments and preventive approaches to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome is key for both riders and veterinarians. Join us as board-certified equine veterinary internal medicine specialist, Dr. Amy Polkes, takes us deep into ulcers and how she and fellow veterinarians tackle this challenge on the daily.

When the weather gets hot and humid the risk for anhidrosis increases, especially in the Southern and Gulf Coast regions. Join us, alongside veterinary experts Drs. Piper Norton, Ben Buchanan and Jerome Kotzur, as we explore the intricacies of anhidrosis, what causes this disruption in normal sweating, and what veterinarians are reaching for in terms of treatments and preventive strategies.

Taylor Flury is a living, breathing combination of raw talent, an almost cell-deep love of the sport, and a hard-charging passion for creating the next generation of superstar horses that will dominate the hunter jumper ranks. She’s wildly talented, tough as nails and a thoughtful and compassionate rider. Join us for an up-close look at trainer and competitor, Taylor Flury.

Head into the world of cutting with long-time Team Platinum rider, member of the NCHA Open Riders Hall of Fame and $4 million (and counting) competitor, Grant Setnicka. Join us to explore how he creates elite cutting horses and get an inside look at his journey to the top.

Karen Polle wears numerous hats. Born in Japan but raised in New York City, she brings together extreme dedication, high-level academics (Yale and Stanford), elite athletic ability and a tight-knit partnership with her stable of outstanding equine competitors. She’s impressive, humble and with a story totally her own.

How research has moved on from the microbiome to the metabolome, metatranscriptome and exfoliome, revealing it’s not necessarily what bacteria are present in the gut, but how they’re contributing to each horse’s individual GI function and overall health that really matters. Featuring renowned equine veterinarian and researcher, Canaan Whitfield-Cargile, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR, University of Georgia.

Join equine veterinarian and world-wide sleep expert, Dr. Christine Fuchs of Germany, as she shifts the paradigm on what we thought we knew about our horses’ sleep. Hear Dr. Fuchs detail the impact of poor-quality sleep — including diminished performance — and what is currently known regarding narcolepsy in horses.

Is there more to know about this nuanced condition? Equine veterinarian, Matt Durham, DVM, DACVSMR, and Certified Journeyman Farrier, Lee Olson of Olsen Equine, take us on a journey through navicular syndrome, its indicators, current treatments, the importance of mechanics and the structures involved.

Join the trio of board-certified equine surgeons, Drs. Wade Walker, Troy Herthel and Katie Garrett, as they discuss how state-of-the-art imaging technologies are being utilized in tandem to provide equine veterinarians a tool to more accurately and thoroughly diagnose cases.

NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion and Road to the Horse Champion, Nick Dowers, gives the inside details on the upcoming Cowboy Week — a meeting of the masters in western Nevada that offers webcast viewers a front row seat to this group of veteran trainers as they share their philosophy, techniques and hands-on tips from colt starting to training.

Join us in a conversation with then-U.S. Army Captain of ODA-595, Mark Nutsch, as he tells of the first days on the ground in Afghanistan following 9/11, where his 12-man team of Green Berets became forever cemented in history as The Horse Soldiers.

Visit the magical and change-making Storybook Farm, a place that transforms the childhoods of thousands of children who face adversity by immersing them into the world of the horse. If ever there was a holiday story to fill your heart, this is it.

At its core, the neck, or cervical spine region, is an incredibly complex anatomical structure that can include numerous areas where disease and injury can occur. Drs. Melinda Story and Kyla Ortved provide an in-depth look at common disease states related to the equine neck, symptomology, and treatment options.

How does the cervical spine region impact your horse’s health, performance and, ultimately, their longevity in sport? With heightened understanding and improved diagnostic capabilities, diseases and injuries of the equine cervical spine region have come to the forefront in veterinary medicine. Hear expert equine veterinarians, Drs. Melinda Story and Will French dive into the cervical spine and why this region of the horse’s anatomy is so crucial.

Join the discussion as renowned equine cardiology specialist Amy Polkes, DVM, DACVIM, talks common equine cardiac conditions, their impact on performance and safety, and how she’s working to increase awareness of cardiac health in equine athletes. 

Equine sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist Melissa King DVM, PhD, DACVSMR, takes us into the world of core fitness and how to properly build and maintain your horse’s vital center for optimal strength, stability and performance.

A must-listen roundtable with top reined cow horse trainers Chris Dawson, Russell Dilday and Taylor Gillespie, side-by-side with War Horses for Veterans Founder, Patrick Benson. Listen as they detail the upcoming War Horses Challenge at the National Stock Horse Association show this August, the seven elite veteran competitors and the thrills, spills and laughs that go into getting a group of master soldiers game-ready in the arena.

Meet this newly retired 5-time World Champion Steer Wrestler and learn about his background in rodeo, his family and how he handled life on the rodeo road.

A discussion with Equine Clinical Nutritionist, Abby Keegan, MS, examining risk factors for equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and insulin dysregulation (ID), as well as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID); identifying symptomology and outlining important dietary intervention strategies.

Michelle Coleman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, is a leading equine researcher and veterinary internal medicine specialist whose work is making important links between obesity and its role in both human and equine asthma.

From tie-down roping to team roping, Rhen Richard is a 5-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, top-tier horseman and newly crowned champion of Rodeo Houston. Hear about his life on the rodeo road and what makes his program one of the most consistently successful in the business.

From the root cause of equine sarcoids to a wide range of treatment options, challenges and recurrence rates, Matt Durham, DVM, DACVSMR, guides us in what to consider and how best to manage these ultimately frustrating tumors.

Master sports medicine practitioner, Cooper Williams, VMD, DACVSMR, ISELP, takes us through the intricacies of the whole-horse exam and how a methodical approach can yield vital information.

It’s rare that you find two rodeo stars and WNFR competitors in the same household. In Shane and Taylor Hanchey’s case, they share a passion for rodeo, their commingled string of top-tier horses and their Cajun side gig that brings Shane’s Louisiana roots to Texas.

Newly crowned four-time World Champion Barrel Racer, Hailey Kinsel, talks all things National Finals Rodeo, gives details on her famous mount Sister and shares her take on the rodeo road.

NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion Nick Dowers is the epitome of what it means to be a cowboy. Listen in for a first-hand look into the reined cow horse world, the hidden outpost of Dyer, Nevada and how this rural ranchland helped shape the life, mental fortitude and competitive spirit of one of the western world’s greatest stars.

Listen to an in-depth chronicle of the topline, the muscles that make up its vital function and how to properly evaluate, maintain and build the ideal topline in the horse.

Join Platinum’s technical services veterinarian, Dr. Matt Durham, as he discusses heat-related health issues and the importance of healthy drinking, hydration and sweating.

Overall World Champion Mounted Shooter Kenda Lenseigne talks about the thrill of competition and the horses that have taken her to the top.

From breaking into professional rodeo as steer wrestling’s young gun to becoming one of the sport’s biggest stars, hear from Nevada’s own Dakota Eldridge on tackling the challenges of the sport, embracing his family’s deep history and chasing adventure on the rodeo trail.

 USEA Rider of the Year and U.S. Olympic Team member, Liz Halliday-Sharp, discusses her love of fast sports, memorable horses, tips for mental strength and motivation, and how she is preparing for the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky 3-Day Event and beyond.

Is our fate predetermined by our genetics? It turns out that the study of genetics has evolved considerably in both humans and horses, showing us what role genes really play in disease, how environment and diet impact gene expression and why our genes may be the golden ticket into the realm of precision medicine. Here, celebrated veterinarian and genetics expert, Dr. Carrie Finno, discusses advancements in the study and application of genetics in humans and horses.

Get to know the endlessly talented Chris and Sarah Dawson who have together taken the reined cow horse world by storm. Hear first hand about major victories, their celebrated mare Selvarey, and what’s next for the Dawson duo.

Join Drs. Bryan Waldridge and Rodney Belgrave as they discuss the pathophysiology of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), the evolution of the condition, clinical signs, preventive strategies and treatment protocols for more successful outcomes.

An inside look at one of the horse industry’s premiere events and how The Road to the Horse shines a bright light on the raw talent and deep passion behind these ultimate horsemen and women.

From biosecurity to strategies for treatment and prevention, hear the latest details on the current EHV-1 outbreak and the condition itself. Learn from an expert roundtable of veterinarians including Dr. Steve Reed, Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz and Dr. Lori Bidwell who is on the ground in California with affected horses.

Join Drs. Diana Hassel, Piper Norton and Rodney Belgrave as they discuss the etiology of colitis along with advancements in treatment and the strategies they rely on in their daily practice for successful outcomes.

When it comes to the Arabian horse, Joel and Ashton Kiesner are the breeders, trainers and showers of champions. Passionate, driven and endlessly talented, this husband/wife team knows a thing or two about how to achieve success together with the horses they love.

An up-close look at the broodmare — including barren and aged mares — and how best we can care for them as more than just a vehicle for the foal. Featuring veterinarians and boarded theriogenologists Drs. Karen Von Dollen and C. Scott Bailey.