Ask An Expert: Horse Care and Riding Advice

• How to Unlock Your Horse’s Calm, Willing, and Confident Side

  Understanding your horse isn’t about finding a magic button - it’s about clarity, communication, and confidence. In this episode of Ask an Expert, recorded on October 7th, 2025, Dr. Shelley Appleton shares how science, horsemanship, and self-awareness can help you bring out your horse’s best. Episode Highlights: 12:00: The most common issues Shelley sees in the horses she works with 15:30: How she approaches working with riders and the challenges they bring 23:40: The rider tendencies that often limit progress (and how to fix them) 34:00: How to help a horse with poor boundaries or buddy sour behavior Meet the Expert, Dr. Shelley Appleton Dr. Shelley Appleton began her career as a university academic and pharmacist, researching how people develop expertise and think critically. A pivotal moment with her own horse sparked a personal mission to understand how horses learn and how riders can communicate more clearly. That mission soon grew into helping friends, then students, and ultimately riders around the world. Less than a decade later, she left her 25-year academic career to found Calm Willing Confident Horses, where she teaches riders how clarity, curiosity, and communication create genuine partnership. Through clinics, coaching, and online education, she helps riders transform frustration into confidence, for themselves and their horses. 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? Join the waitlist for Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

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• Equine Posture Explained: What to Look For and Why It Matters

  Equine posture offers valuable insight into a horse’s comfort, balance, and overall well-being. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Shelley Thomas explains what your horse’s posture is telling you and how noticing small changes early can support their long-term health and happiness. Episode Highlights: 4:00: What equine posture entails and why it is important to pay attention to it 7:45: What the ideal posture looks like and how riders can assess their horses' posture 29:30: What to do with the information gathered from assessing posture 50:15: How nutrition plays into posture and the indicators that a horse may need a different nutrition plan Want a free downloadable worksheet on how to assess your horse's static posture? Check out Shelley's website! Meet the Experts, Shelley Thomas Shelley Thomas is a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee. She is also a Permitted Equine Therapist for FEI competitions, a certified movement performance coach, a Precision Nutrition Level 1 coach, and a Master Reiki practitioner. In addition to her equine work, she holds a degree in psychology and a master’s in physical therapy from the Mayo Clinic and has over 20 years of experience as a human physical therapist. Having ridden through Preliminary eventing and Fourth Level dressage, Shelley brings firsthand knowledge of sporthorse demands to her busy practice, where she treats both horses and riders in-person and virtually. 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? Join the waitlist for Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health.

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• Training the Mind: Emotional Regulation in Horses & Riders

  Emotional self-regulation is a foundation of effective training for both horses and riders. In this episode of Ask an Expert, father-and-son team Dr. Paul T. Haefner and Justin Haefner break down how emotional regulation influences learning, confidence, and the partnership in the saddle.    Episode Highlights:   8:00: How a horse’s ability to self-regulate impacts training, and clear strategies to help horses learn emotional control  20:00: A step-by-step approach to helping young or anxious horses work through regulation challenges  30:00: What human dysregulation looks and feels like to a horse, and how it affects the partnership  36:00: Practical tools riders can use to expand their window of tolerance, especially around nerves and fear of falling  Meet the Experts, Paul T. Haefner, PhD and Justin Haefner    Paul T. Haefner, Ph.D., is the founder of Riding Far, LLC, where he combines over 35 years of clinical psychology with his love for horses. Through sport psychology, psychotherapy, and neurolinguistic programming, he helps riders and trainers build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and improve performance. He also contributes to research in human-horse interaction through organizations like the Horses and Humans Research Foundation.  Justin Haefner joined Riding Far, LLC in 2018, bringing expertise in vaquero-style horsemanship, classical dressage, and equine bodywork. With a strong foundation in starting young horses and a passion for mindful training, Justin emphasizes developing strength in mind, body, and spirit. He continues to study with top instructors and is committed to making a positive impact in the equestrian world.    Brought to You By Ride iQ                  This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                  Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).            Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

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• A Veterinarian’s Guide to Winter Horse Care

  When the temperature drops, your horse's health needs a thoughtful approach to keep them comfortable and thriving through the winter. In this episode of Ask An Expert, renowned equine vet Dr. Lisa Casinella joins us to reveal the essential winter care practices every horse owner should know. From diet adjustments to blanket selection, Dr. Casinella shares actionable advice to make winter stress-free for both you and your horse.Episode Highlights:10:30: Must-have items for a winter emergency kit (when a vet isn’t available).25:30: Seasonal diet and supplement changes after pasture grass disappears.37:00: How to select the right blanket based on weather and hay access.39:30 : Solutions for horses prone to weight loss in winter.44:00: Indoor vs. outdoor winter care: pros, cons, and when to blanket.Meet the Expert, Dr. Lisa CasinellaDr. Lisa Casinella is a leading equine veterinarian based in Ocala, FL, with over 25 years of experience in performance horse care, including as the Official USEF Team Veterinarian. She brings deep expertise in both sport and racehorse health, with a holistic approach that includes acupuncture.Brought to You By Ride iQ              This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                  Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).              Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

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• Spot It Early, Heal It Right: Understanding Soft Tissue Injuries

  Catching soft tissue injuries early can make all the difference. In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Carol Gillis explains how to recognize early signs, take preventative steps, and guide your horse through a successful recovery. Episode Highlights: 4:00: Ways riders can help prevent soft tissue injuries 17:30: Approach to icing legs and cold hosing 20:30: What an initial assessment of lameness or a suspected injury looks like 27:00: When to involve a veterinarian if an issue is suspected 29:30: Modalities that tend to be the most and least effective for treatment Meet the Expert, Dr. Carol Gillis Dr. Gillis is a graduate of the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. After earning her degree, she developed a sport horse practice and became one of the first equine veterinarians to perform ultrasound examinations on the equine musculoskeletal system. She returned to UC Davis for an equine surgery residency and then obtained a PhD in equine tendon and ligament pathophysiology. At the same time, she also established the equine ultrasound service at UC Davis and created courses and wet labs to train veterinary students, residents, and veterinarians on how to perform and interpret ultrasonographic examinations. Dr. Gillis is the author of over 50 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, as well as the book Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, which has become THE definitive reference book on the topic. She has presented her research on equine sports medicine topics both nationally and internationally. Brought to You By Ride iQ              This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively within the Ride iQ app, where members have access to over 100 other expert interviews on a variety of topics.                  Podcasts are just part of what Ride iQ has to offer. As a member, you also have access to on-demand, listen-while-you-ride audio lessons with world-class coaches and an incredible community of horse people (members and coaches alike!).                   Interested in trying Ride iQ? An all-access subscription is $29.99/month or $299.99/year, and new members get a free 14-day trial. Sign up at ⁠⁠Ride-iQ.com today and start improving your riding and horse care with support from top professionals! 

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