Horse Person

The Middle Aged Rider Series is proudly supported by our title sponsor, Kalio Equestrian Skincare. Use code HORSEPERSON15 for 15% off your order sitewide. "Sit up." "Heels down." "Shoulders back." Most of us have heard these instructions hundreds of times, but hearing what your body should do isn't the same as learning how to do it, and sometimes we're actually fighting our own anatomy and actually making ourselves LESS stable in the saddle. In this installment of our Middle Aged Rider Series, Caroline and Beth talk with Solange Ellis, founder of Stable Riding, whose guiding philosophy is simple: ride more, fall off less. Drawing on her background in dressage, starting horses, and teaching riders with a wide range of bodies and experiences, Solange challenges the idea that there is one correct position for everyone. She makes the case that, for some riders, rebuilding confidence starts with addressing physical instability. We explore how a rider's proportions, saddle fit, and stirrup length can shape their experience; why being told what to do can leave crucial gaps in understanding; and how instruction can better serve riders returning after injury, time away, or changes in their bodies. We also discuss mounting as a skill worth teaching and practicing, the relationship between rider stability and horse welfare, and why Solange wants her students to be prepared > brave. Learn more about Solange's work and rider intensives at Stable Riding, and listen to her podcast, Stable Riding with Solange, for more discussion, rider tips, and homework.

This episode is presented by Kalio Equestrian Skincare, the title sponsor of our Middle-Aged Rider Series. High-performance skincare created specifically for riders and trusted by 5,000+ equestrians and counting. Use discount code HORSEPERSON15 for 15% off your order at www.kalioequestrian.com At 52, Steph Bradley was an advanced dressage rider who suddenly found herself too frightened to canter her safe, familiar horse. She was also experiencing debilitating hip pain and had been told she would eventually need a hip replacement. Five years later, after recognizing the role hormonal changes may have been playing and finding the right support, she is riding at Grand Prix and her research suggests her experience is far from uncommon. Steph is a British Equestrian Level 4 coach, master saddle fitter, dressage rider, coach developer, and researcher whose groundbreaking study examined how perimenopause and menopause affect female equestrians. More than 1,600 riders participated, revealing striking patterns in confidence, motivation, pain, anxiety, coaching, and women's ability to remain engaged in the sport they love. In this episode, Steph helps us understand why a rider may suddenly feel as though she has "lost her nerve," why so many women quietly withdraw from lessons or stop riding altogether, and how coaches and communities can better support riders through midlife hormonal changes. Most importantly, this is a hopeful conversation about recognizing what may actually be happening before deciding that the rider you used to be is gone. LEARN MORE ABOUT STEPH: Steph Bradley at Freedom Saddlery Follow Steph on Instagram Read Steph Bradley and Claire Mills' published research: "Breaking the Silence: The Unexplored Impact of Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms of Female Equestrians" Read the Horse & Hound feature about Steph's research RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Dr. Louise Newson's books, including The Power of Hormones and The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause Download Dr. Louise Newson's Balance app

This episode is sponsored by Hooves and Paws. Get 15% off by using this URL: www.hoovesandpaws.com/horseperson With America's wild horses back in the national conversation, we're revisiting our conversation with Clare Staples, founder of Skydog Sanctuary and one of the country's most recognizable wild horse advocates. She discusses the deep spiritual connection she feels with horses, the challenges of running a sanctuary, and the importance of preserving wild horse families. Clare also touches on the legislative landscape affecting wild horses and her efforts to inspire change through storytelling and advocacy. The conversation feels especially timely as Clare's documentary Blue Zeus, narrated by Gerard Butler, reaches a new audience on Amazon Prime. Originally recorded in 2025, this episode offers an eye-opening look at what it means to protect not just wild horses themselves, but their families, freedom, and way of life.

Get 26% off a membership to ClipMyHorse.tv JUST in time to watch the FEI World Championships in Aachen! Go here and use code HPAACHEN26 for your discount. If your horse feels heavy in the hand, struggles with transitions, trips, or just doesn't seem to move as freely as they should, the thoracic sling could be part of the answer. Veterinary physiotherapist Calli Charles (@vetphysiophyle) joins us to explain what the thoracic sling actually is, how it influences movement and performance, and how to recognize signs of dysfunction in your own horse. We also discuss the role of conformation, tack, rider position, and simple exercises you can use to help your horse move more comfortably and efficiently.

When people ask horse people why we love horses so deeply, it feels impossible to explain. In this first episode of Booked with Beth, a new series where Beth Behrs sits down with authors writing about horses, she talks with Emily Haworth-Booth, author of the extraordinary memoir MARE. What begins as a conversation about a book quickly becomes something much bigger: an exploration of grief, identity, menopause, creativity, womanhood, and the mysterious way horses seem to restore something essential in us. Emily shares the deeply personal story that inspired MARE, from navigating early menopause and the loss of her beloved dog to rediscovering horses as an adult. We explore why horses feel like home, why mares challenge us in ways geldings don't, and what it is about the barn that creates such a unique community... especially for women. Learn more about Emily here.

This episode is sponsored by Hooves & Paws. Go to www.hoovesandpaws.com/horseperson to get 15% off your order! In this episode, adventurer, writer, filmmaker, and National Geographic host Eva zu Beck joins us for a conversation about freedom, discomfort, curiosity, and what it means to feel truly alive. We discuss her solo horseback trek across Mongolia (and yes, we got into the logistics, which made the planner type A in us slightly panic), the lessons horses have taught her about wildness and resilience, and why she's intentionally "rewilding" every part of her life... from where she lives to how she travels and connects with the world around her. Learn more about Eva: Her new book is now available in the USA: The Wilder Way YouTube: Eva zu Beck YouTube Channel

This episode is proudly sponsored by Hooves and Paws. Go to hoovesandpaws.com/horseperson or use code HP15 for 15% off your order. No shipping minimums, 365-day return policy, hundreds of thousands of happy customers. Esme Higgs grew up as a shy horse-crazy kid in a non-horsey family. But as a teenager, she persuaded her parents to film her on her horse who had a knack for picking up the wrong lead. She wanted to see if she could figure out why he was picking up the wrong lead, but then her phone ran low on storage. "No problem," she thought. "I'll upload it to Youtube to free up storage." That was about 10 years ago, and now she has over 2M followers and over 5B views of her content - one of the most famous and prolific equestrian content creators in the world. In this episode, Esme opens up about growing up publicly online, navigating burnout and boundaries, and why making horses feel accessible has always been at the heart of her work. We also dive into the surprisingly small team behind her content empire and the powerful ways she's used social media to advocate for horses and animal welfare. The biggest takeaway from this episode? Whatever you're chipping away at, keep chippin'. It might lead you to some wild places you never expected.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Hooves and Paws. Go to hoovesandpaws.com/horseperson or use code HP15 for 15% off your order. No shipping minimums, 365-day return policy, hundreds of thousands of happy customers. For nearly two decades, Amber Marshall has shaped how millions of people see horses through Heartland. But who is she beyond the screen? In this episode, Amber opens up about the responsibility of representing horses to a global audience, how she balances authenticity with storytelling, & what Heartland gets right (and has to adapt) about real horse life. We also go deeper into Amber's personal journey as a horsewoman. We discuss how horses grounded her in an industry built on performance, and what she's learned from living a true ranch life. This is an honest, thoughtful conversation that will remind you what you're missing if you're too busy thinking about the future or the past; Amber will invite you to sink into the moment and be where your feet are. Follow us on insta: www.instagram.com/horsepersonpodcast Subscribe on Youtube to watch this episode: www.youtube.com/horsepersonpod

This episode is sponsored by Corro. Click here and use code horsewoman15 at checkout. There's a version of this sport that tells you success looks one way: the right horse, the right path, the right goals. And then there's real life, especially as adult amateurs. We have financial hurdles, time constraints, and changing priorities, It's time to embrace that. In this conversation, Madelyn Houser of @theblondeandthebay_ got really honest about her journey from losing her confidence, to completely redefining what success looks like as an amateur rider riding unconventional horses in the sport of dressage. For her, it meant letting go of what others expected or thought, and getting real with herself about what felt comfortable and happy to her. We talk about over-horsing ourselves, the pressure to "push through," and the reality that not everyone is riding a six-figure warmblood (in fact, most of us don't!)… and that doesn't make you any less of a rider. If anything, it might make you a better one. If you've ever felt behind, intimidated, or questioned your path in this sport, this episode is for you.

If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse in sport, visit #WeRideTogether for crisis resources. Trigger Warning - This episode discusses sexual abuse. In 2018 and 2019, two of the most powerful figures in horse sport were banned for abusing minors. Today's guest tells us how she shined a light on the abuse for the world - outside of just our insular horse world - to see. In this episode, investigative journalist Sarah Maslin Nir takes us inside how those stories were uncovered with a detail most people would have missed (shout out to the incredible Mollie Bailey who first reported on Jimmy A William for The Chronicle of the Horse). From there, Sarah walks us through the meticulous but often uncomfortable process of building trust with survivors and exposing the abuse to the world at large through the words of The New York Times. Sarah is a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Learn more about her work here.

This episode is supported by Nordic Autofeed. Use HP10 for a 10% discount to support your horse's gastric health through consistently timed hay feedings. Go to www.NordicAutofeed.com What does "go back to the basics" actually mean beyond the cliché? Caroline and Beth sit down with USDF Gold Medalist and Grand Prix rider Amelia Newcomb of Amelia Newcomb Dressage to break that phrase down into clear, actionable steps. Amelia shares the three core areas she always returns to when something isn't working: groundwork, rider position, and the dressage training scale. From the simple but powerful poll release, to improving rhythm through counting, to building true suppleness before chasing roundness, she explains how strengthening the foundation actually accelerates progress. You'll also hear practical tools you can use immediately like the "rider position sandwich," the A-R-R-R (Aid, Reaction, Release, Repeat) acronym, and why suppleness is the most commonly skipped step in training. Whether you ride dressage, jump, trail ride, or are simply trying to regain confidence, this episode is a reminder that basics aren't a step backward, they're the fastest way forward. Share it with a barn mate, trainer, or save it for the next time you need a reset.

This episode is supported by Nordic Autofeed. Use HP10 for a 10% discount to support your horse's gastric health through consistently timed hay feedings. When actress Beth Behrs joined Horse Person as full-time co-host, we knew we had to flip the mic and tell her story. In this candid conversation, Beth opens up about her journey from overnight fame on hit show Two Broke Girls to finding healing and purpose in the horse world. She shares how panic attacks led her to equine therapy with Cassandra Ogier's Reflective Horse program, why rescuing her first mare changed her life, and how dressage became the unexpected sport that gave her a new identity outside of Hollywood. Beth talks about learning to ride as an adult amateur, building confidence after a scary fall, and why being a beginner rider in her late 30s was one of the most empowering things she's ever done. We also dive into her view on barn culture, athletic identity, and why horses feel like the one place where fame doesn't matter. If you've ever wondered whether it's "too late" to start, or how horses can change your nervous system and your perspective, this one's for you.