The Holistic Horsemanship and Husbandry Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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