Curious Equestrian

Horse trainer and author Kate Sandel invites you to rethink what it really means for a horse to be well – in body and in mind. If your horse isn’t mentally with you, she argues, you’re not truly training together, you’re just doing things to them.
In this conversation, we explore how to see the horse in front of you more clearly, soften your expectations, and build a partnership that feels good for both of you. Drawing on French classical riding, horsemanship, and bodywork, Kate shares practical ways to centre the horse’s experience in everyday training choices.
Why you can’t separate a horse’s physical soundness from their emotional state.

How to notice who your horse actually is, instead of who you hoped they’d be.

The truth behind so‑called “naughty” behaviour, and what it might be telling you.

Why simple walking with your horse is one of the most underrated tools you have.

What really makes a great teacher – for horses and for humans in the arena.

How grassroots equestrians can nudge the wider horse world toward kinder training.

Kate is a UK‑based horsemanship teacher, French classical riding practitioner (École de Légèreté trainee), equine sports massage therapist, and author of Riding In Release. From her base on Dartmoor, she runs Soft & Sound, offering lessons, clinics, and online support for more ethical horse–human partnerships.
Links and resources
Resources & After Hours Q&A (newsletter): https://www.curiousequestrian.co.uk/horse-human-partnership-right-question

Soft & Sound: https://softandsound.org/

Riding In Release: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/4745/9781908809940

Newsletter: https://www.curiousequestrian.co.uk

Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/curiousequestrian

Merch: https://curiousequestrian.teemill.com/

Do you care for a senior horse and want to ensure they are happy and healthy? Then you won't want to miss this episode written and narrated by Sue Palmer.
Sue is an experienced equestrian physiotherapist with over 25 years in the industry. Sue has worked with inspiring owners and professionals during her career, and she's here to share her insights and expertise on caring for older horses.
Sue's Free Horse Massage Mini MasterclassThe Inquisitive Herd — free newsletterEvery episode includes an after-hours conversation available only to subscribers. Subscribe free at www.curiousequestrian.co.ukBooks written by Sue PlamerHorse Massage for Horse Owners — Sue Palmer Harmonious Horsemanship — Sue Palmer and Sue Dyson Browse our bookshop: bookshop.org/shop/curiousequestrian

Sue Palmer is a chartered physiotherapist who works with horses and riders every day. Her mission, which she has given herself until 2030 to achieve, is straightforward: she wants every equestrian to understand that pain and behaviour in horses are linked. That when a horse is called naughty, difficult, or lazy, the first question should be whether that horse is in pain.
In this episode, Anna Louise sits down with Sue to talk through what horse massage means in practice - not as a luxury, but as a tool for listening.
Free Horse Massage Mini Masterclassthehorsephysio.co.uk

The Inquisitive Herd — free newsletter
Every episode includes an after-hours conversation available only to subscribers. Subscribe free B

ooks mentioned in this episode
Horse Massage for Horse Owners — Sue PalmerHarmonious Horsemanship — Sue Palmer and Sue Dyson
Browse our bookshop:
bookshop.org/shop/curiousequestrian

A $13 roll of tape is showing up in equine rehabilitation yards. The question is whether the claims stand up.
Rebecca Haddock has spent 30 years working at the edges of equine therapy. In this episode, she explains how kinesiology taping works in horses, why the equine version is built entirely differently from human tape, and how she's simplified the technique so that any horse owner can learn it. We also ask why she threw out the rulebook on who can access this training.
Learn more about Rebecca's work at equitecs.com
***If this episode made you curious, the newsletter is where we pick the conversation back up. The questions we saved until the recording light went off. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime. 👇www.curiousequestrian.co.uk/p/384842a6-5d1f-475f-975d-8d675909007a***
Learn more about Rebecca's work: Website: https://www.equitecs.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equi_tecs/https://www.facebook.com/EquiTape

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Support the podcast: Shop our merch and browse our bookshop (links below)Subscribe to our newsletter: www.curiousequestrian.co.ukBook shop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/curiousequestrian
Merch: https://curiousequestrian.teemill.com/

The views expressed are those of the guest. Nothing in this conversation constitutes veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified vet for the diagnosis and treatment of your horse.

Bonny Mealand - Equine Podiatrist, Touching Wild Academy
In this episode: Bonny Mealand has spent 20 years studying wild horses, she talks about how horses' entire lives revolve around social relationships, and how watching wild horses changes the way we advocate for domestic horses.Key topics:- Why social relationships are horses' primary need (not hierarchy or survival)- The two-year commitment: not riding until her mare genuinely agreed- How wild horse behavior reveals what we're missing in domestic horse careGuest contact & resources:Intro Video Credit: Lizzie MacKenzie, Of The Wild - visit the Touching Wild Academy to watch in full.
Intro Photo Credits: Jean Sinclair. Takhi in Mongolia Photo Credit Nancy Clarke.Support the podcast: Curious Equestrian challenges conventional wisdom in the horse world. We interview researchers, vets, and evidence-based trainers to ask uncomfortable questions about how we care for and train horses.🔔 New episodes every two weeksSubscribe to our newsletterBook shopMerch
Additional Resources mentioned in this episode:Horses in Company by Lucy ReesHorses in Our Hands5 Domains of Horse Welfare