Stall and Stable: Ideas for Happy Horsekeeping

Helena welcomes Canadian 5* eventer, Kyle Carter this week. Kyle is part of the team behind an innovative new app called RideIQ, a digital teaching tool designed to help riders in all corners of the globe have access to top-level instruction without having to travel to get it. Kyle's take on riding is first and foremost about horsemanship, and whether we keep our horses at home or with a trainer, they can't be truly happy unless we spend time working on our own skills in the saddle. It's an essential part of horsemanship for anyone who tosses a leg over the back of a horse. This is a very interesting conversation, so listen in!

In this 100th episode of the Stall and Stable show, Helena welcomes back Nikki Alvin-Smith, GP dressage trainer and breeder, to talk business. The conversation this time is about marketing your horse business in the 21st century. What things do horse professionals need to keep in mind as they start or grow their businesses. It's a really informative conversation, so listen in!

In this return to 2020, Helena chats with return guest, Terry Golson, of the Cooperative Horse today, about Terry's recent move to a new boarding barn that has turned out to be quite the surprise for her and her American Paint Horse, Tonka. Listen in!

Brought to you by American Stalls. Spring is here and the grass is green! Ish. If, like me, you're gearing up to do all the things you've been waiting two years and all winter to do, I have some tips to help ensure you're on the right path to achieving your goals. Whether you own or manage a commercial barn or keep horses at home, these tips are good reminders for getting things in order so you save precious time that you can otherwise spend riding and playing with your ponies. Listen in!

Some people fear change, others embrace it completely. At Stall and Stable, we love change, because it often means new opportunities for adventure, fun, and for learning. Today's episode embodies that belief as Helena welcomes guest, Yash Balasaria - the CEO of our new title sponsor, American Stalls. Yash takes us behind the scenes of American Stalls, going into detail about stall components, the pros and cons of different metals used, and more. If you love barns, build barns, or work in one, you'll find this episode very interesting, so listen in!

Brought to you by American Stalls This was going to be an episode about boosting your clinic revenue, but after Clarabelle's recent appointment with a veterinary GI specialist, this episode is about The Great Misunderstanding. It all starts with horses who don't cooperate. So, if you have a horse who is difficult to handle, has buck that just won't go away, shies at some unseen boogeyman in the arena, or has a poor work ethic, this is the episode for you. Listen in!

This is the second episode in our Barns by Blackburn Series. In it, Helena and John Blackburn talk about roofs, in particular, how different roof slopes affect the functionality of a barn, and what you'll want to think about when building or remodeling your barn. It's a bit geeky, and that's why you will love this discussion, so listen in!

We are back this week with another episode in my HRN Host Series on Happy Horsekeeping. This time, I have a long chat with FEI dressage rider, trainer, and business owner, Reese Koffler-Stanfield. Reese is the co-host of the Dressage Radio Show, the official podcast of the United States Dressage Federation. Reese tells us all about her wonderful farm Kentucky, her business model, and how she defines success, so listen in!

When it comes to business, horse people often struggle. Many of us are animal people first, business people second. The fact of the matter is, we need to pay our own bills and we need to be around horses all the time. It's a marriage of love and need. But it's not often a happy marriage. Consider this episode as a stand-in marriage counselor, offering tips for making your business life and your horse life get along as best they can. Today, Helena shares 10 tips for bringing professionalism to the equestrian workplace. Listen in!

Welcome to Stall and Stable's new series called Barns with Blackburn, featuring renowned architect and author, John Blackburn. In this series, John shares his expansive knowledge about farm planning, design, and construction. From the basics of site selection, to details that make barns safe, beautiful, and highly functional for our needs. Our goal is to leave you both inspired and informed, so listen in!

What do you do when all your favorite horse people are gathering at one place, 1200 miles away, to share ideas and new methods for training horses, but the new COVID variant is raging in every state on the eastern seaboard, monster snow storms are brewing, and flights have become an expensive health risk? You get in your car and you. Just. drive. — and drive. And drive. And drive. In this episode, Helena shares her solo road trip from Rhode Island to Ocala, where she met up with Shawna Karrasch, Tik Maynard, Glenn and Jennifer Hebert, Chelsea Canedy, and Gracie Bee. From next-level clicker training, to business brainstorming, this was a trip worth taking and sharing… so listen in!

We cover a different part of the United States in this episode, as Helena talks with Tara Tibbetts, host of the Foxhunting series on the Horse Radio Network. Tara originally hails from Montana, but has been keeping horses at home in Texas for many years. With a background in quarter horses, a serious side hustle as hunt staff, and some prowess in the show ring, Tara's horsekeeping practices are as well-rounded as her riding. This is one of those episodes where the listener gets to eavesdrop on a conversation between two friends talking horse care. So listen in for some interesting information and ideas!

In this sixth installment of the HRN Host Series on Happy Horsekeeping, Helena welcomes the legendary Shawna Karrasch, the trainer responsible for bringing positive reinforcement to the horse world. Shawna is the host of Equine Clicker 101 on the Horse Radio Network, the author of You Can Train Your Horse to Do Anything, and in general, a pretty fabulous human being. Shawna and Helena talk about the different ways clicker training can help us keep our horses happier at home or while boarding. From leading quietly without a chain, to good behavior for the farrier, trailer loading, and more. This is an episode you do not want to miss… so listen in!

Donkeys are equines that have been used as working animals for at least 5000 years. And with more than 40 million donkeys in the world today, there is a tremendous need to offer them protection in sanctuaries, in legislation, and through education. In this episode, Helena is joined by Maxine Carter of the Donkey Sanctuary. Maxine shares with us the plight of the donkey today, how their sanctuary can help, and why it's important for horse owners to pay closer attention to these incredibly smart and willing equines. Listen in!

This episode was made possible by our podcast partners: Lucas Equine Equipment, Tangent Materials, and listeners like you! This is the fifth in a series of conversations Helena has with the Horse Radio Network show hosts on what they believe are best practices in happy horsekeeping. In this episode, she talks with Alicia Harlov, hoofcare specialist and host of the Humble Hoof Podcast. And yes... they dig in a bit to the ever-hot topic of metal shoes versus barefoot trimming, so listen in!

This episode is brought to you by Load Trailer trailers. We're back with another episode in the HRN Host Series on Happy Horsekeeping. This time Helena is joined by endurance pro, and host of Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning, Karen Chaton, from Nevada. The saying goes: "If you ask ten different horse people how to do something, you will get 10 different answers." Helena puts that old adage to the test and asks ten different horse people their opinions about what qualifies for happy horsekeeping. Those ten people happen to be her Horse Radio Network colleagues - all horse professionals of some sort, and all with a similar horse-first philosophy when it comes to keeping, training, and competing their horses. In this episode, you'll hear how Endurance champ, Karen Chaton, keeps her horses happy and healthy. Listen in!

Brought to you by: Lucas Equine Equipment When Heather Schneider realized that she had been running her horse business in survival mode for longer than she cared to admit, she knew it was time for a change. From buying a new tractor to hiring a barn manager, Heather's carriage driving business in Florida (and her life) have really turned around. In this episode, Helena talks with Heather about what changes she made at Wind Chase Farm, why she made them, and what the outcome has been. Listen in!

This is part 3 of the HRN Host Series, brought to you by Load Trail Trailers. The saying goes, "If you ask ten horse people how to do something, you'll get ten different answers." In this episode, Helena talks with Dr. Wendy Ying, owner of Five Elements for Animals, a private practice that specializes in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Wendy is also an accomplished FEI-level driving competitor and host of the Driving Radio Show. Wendy shares her best practices for keeping her horses healthy and happy in sunny Florida. Listen in!

This is part two of the HRN Host Series on Stall and Stable. The saying goes, "If you ask 10 different horse people how to do something, you'll get 10 different answers." Helena puts that adage to the test asking her HRN colleagues about what they think qualifies as happy horse keeping. In this episode she chats with Piper Klemm, publisher of the Plaid Horse magazine and host of the Plaidcast, about what best practices she employes to keep her fleet of lease ponies happy and healthy, as well as what trends in the horse industry support a more holistic approach to caring for show horses. Listen in!

The saying goes: "If you ask ten different horse people how to do something, you will get 10 different answers." Well, Helena decided to put that adage to the test and ask ten different horse people their opinions about what qualifies for happy horsekeeping. The ten people happen to be her Horse Radio Network colleagues-all horse professionals in some way, shape, or form, and all with a similar horse-first philosophy when it comes to keeping, training, and competing their horses. As with all HRN shows, you never know where the conversation will go, but you know it will always be interesting. Listen in!

Time is money. This simple truth makes companies like Horizon Structures a real gem in the barn-building industry, because modular barn construction can save us both time and money. In this episode, Helena welcomes back her very first guest, Jill Siragusa, from Horizon Structures. They're talking about Monitor Barn design, what's great about it, and what the process is like these days for getting a modular barn for your horses. Listen in!

Helena made fresh tracks with Siouxsie in the new sand ring, and so many things became clear during that ride. The change in Siouxsie's attitude, the way she feels while being ridden, the potential for developing a truly fit and healthy horse, and the feedback loop between a green horse and the human she's come to trust. How does a horse's environment make a difference in their future as athletes? There are many horses out there with similar stories who are simply asked, or told, to trudge along because their reluctance to work is perceived as lazy or naughty. More than one trainer made the same assumptions about Siouxsie, but in following her instincts, Helena learned something very important. Listen in!

Living with a horse person is a unique experience, especially when you're not the kind of person who is completely obsessed with horses. Living with horses in your backyard is an equally unique experience, because horses aren't just in your life, they ARE your life, whether you like it or not. In this episode, Buck joins Helena once again, but this time to discuss what it's like to have every corner of your home, and most of your life, influenced by horses and horsey things. Listen in!

"The road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. Well, I say it's paved with filter sand. Lots and lots of filter sand." In this episode, Helena recounts the horror story that is her sand arena project, and shares important information to have on hand before you hire someone to build an outdoor ring. From working with contractors and measuring for sand depth, to keeping your wits about you when a tropical storm turns everything to soup, this is a story that turns anguish into wisdom. Listen in!

"One thing I've learned in my time on this planet, is that change is constant. Whether we invite it in or it arrives as an unexpected guest, our best strategy for dealing with it is to learn how to be adaptable." In this episode, Helena is joined by her husband Buck to discuss not one, but several big changes happening at Hoo Hollow. In life, in business, and in horses, change is indeed constant, how we roll with it is the difference between struggle and success. Listen in!

Small farm or large, the essentials of horsekeeping are the same. Some methods we use to keep our horses happy and healthy will differ based on the way we use our horses, but the underlying principles are pretty firm, whether you have two acres or 20. In this episode, Helena shares some observations from her recent trip to several farms in the heart of horse country in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Listen in!

If you're one of the lucky horse people who finally get to bring their horses home or start that boarding business you've always dreamed about, you'll appreciate this episode. Tips and advice about horsekeeping are plentiful on the internet, but many of them are either unreliable, sketchy, or based on a situation that's very different than yours. Today's tips are generic enough to be used just about anywhere, they don't cost you a fortune to implement, and each one is backed up by credible research. Plus, get the scoop on Helena's new sand ring in the works. Listen in!

Have you ever thought about adopting a wild mustang? With so many programs now available to help horse lovers learn to train these wild horses, having an idea about what to expect in the first few days and weeks of bringing one home could help you decide whether or not a mustang is in your future. Today's episode features a conversation with horsemanship trainer, Don Jessop, about what to expect when you first bring home a mustang. From setting up food and shelter when they arrive, to training tips and setting realistic expectations. Don is an expert in teaching horse enthusiasts not just about training, but about leadership and healthy working partnerships with our horses. It's a fascinating conversation, so listen in!

Whether you are thinking about building a small barn or a large one, there are thousands of decisions to make along the way. When it comes to the actual components of your stalls, this is where you need to really focus on making decisions that are safe and comfortable for your horses. This doesn't mean you have to sacrifice beauty. Nick Thornton from Lucas Equine Equipment helps us understand what our choices are when choosing stall components, so we end up with a barn that works as good as it looks. Listen in!

Now that COVID is settling into our rearview mirrors and Helena's out and about with her vaccinated self, she has some neat experiences to share with you. In the past three months, she's traveled to at least a dozen farms, met with barn owners and managers, attended clinics, and hosted some of her own. In this episode, she shares key takeaways from two of her favorite events, plus 10 new tips for helping you host a great clinic. Listen in!

Whether you own your own farm or have dreams about it, this is an episode you want to listen to. Making money in the horse industry is tough. The good news, is that there is help you may not know exists. This week, Buck joins Helena to talk about loan programs available to equestrian businesses. Buck is an Economic Development specialist who works with entrepreneurs (yes, Ms. Horse Trainer, that's you!) to help them get the financial and business support they need to start or grow their businesses. From farm purchases and arena construction to tractors and new footing, these things are closer to reality than you think. Listen in!

Fuzzy coats, sweaty horses, fancy horses, plain horses, all kinds of horses benefit from having their coats clipped. Did you think that clipping was just for show horses or very specific circumstances? It turns out that clipping is often necessary to keep our horses comfortable, whether they are competitive or pasture pets. There are many different ways to clip a horse, and doing so thoughtfully and precisely is what today's guest does every day… so listen in and learn a little!

What's the latest in forage-based diets for horses? What myths have plagued you, and what do we need to know in 2021 about feeding hay to keep our horses healthy and happy? Do horses need Omega-3 supplements? Is beet pulp all that helpful? What gut supplement can actually help prevent ulcers? Carey Williams, Ph.D., a research scientist and professor at Rutgers University Equine Science Center, joins Helena to discuss how to can keep our horses' digestive systems functioning well by focusing on forage. Listen in!

Shopping for a tow vehicle can be a daunting task! In this episode, I recount my experience shopping for a truck that could haul my two-horse bumper pull trailer but also serve as our daily driving family vehicle. It took a lot of online research - and inner work - when talking with dealership sales reps who know little about hauling horses. Listen in!

Barns are the perfect proving grounds for efficient management and thoughtful design. There are many different ways we can improve upon our daily chores - from setting up feed and turning horses out, to sweeping up after all of those picked hooves. This week, I'm sharing a few observations and tips that can keep your barn chores flowing and efficient. Plus, one more update on Siouxsie and the Solitary Witch. Listen in to find out how we fared on the return trip to Hoo Hollow! This episode is brought to you by Load Trail and Purina Omega Match.

This episode was going to be about hoses, but so much has happened in the last three weeks, Helena thought it would be more fun to share her experiences (and epiphanies) with Siouxsie as a temporary client on training board at Unexpected Farm. Plus, we get our geek on with Marc Hollahan from Tangent Materials, as he explains just how Tangent Fencing is made and why it's a great choice for horse properties large and small. Listen in!

It's springtime in America, and that means many of our horses are back to work in earnest. For some horse owners, separating our horses from their friends in order to work, travel, or show, can mean managing emotions - theirs and ours. Nick Rivera, of The Horseman's University, joins Helena in this episode to talk about how we can manage our horse's daily routines in order to help them learn to be more confident and independent. Listen in!

This is either going to be one of those amazing adventures or one of those times in life when you call your mom crying because everything is awful and you just wanna come home. Siouxsie and Helena are on an adventure in Wales, Maine. They were invited to spend a month riding and training with Chelsea Canedy at Unexpected Farm. Getting unstuck sometimes requires the kind of help only to found on the other end of an adventure. So for the first time ever, Helena and Siouxsie loaded up the bumper pull, and drove 4 hours north to a place Helena's never heard of: Wales, Maine. How did the travel go? Did Sioux settle in okay? What is the farm like? What will happen next for this mom in the middle of a life change her Thoroughbred mare? Listen in!

In Washington state, Nina Halvorsen is living her best life with her reining horses at home and a never-ending list of things to do around her farm. It's what so many of us horse lovers live for! Riding and driving and training our horses is the payoff, but the work that goes into keeping our horses is almost as much fun. In this episode, Nina shares her story of setting up a 4 acre horse property in western Washington. We talk site planning, strategies for managing water, paddock footing, the pros and cons of different gravel, and more. Listen in and get to know another Stall and Stable friend!

When making the decision to bring our horses home, it is easy to forget about how their social environment will change, and what effects that may have on how they're able to perform their jobs as riding or driving partners. The fantasy of a two-stall barn right outside your back door is a lovely one, but the reality of having two or three horses means we often have to accommodate the emotional needs of the horse who gets left behind. My guest today is master horse trainer, animal behaviorist, and author, Don Jessop. Don was kind enough to join me for a discussion about how we can help our horses manage their separation anxiety. Whether your horse is at home, or rather attached to a buddy at his boarding barn, Don's advice is very helpful. So, Listen in!

Even if your horses graze on acres of lush pasture for most of the year, there is always a need for hay on a horse farm. For many horses, and for many different reasons, pasture is not an option as a primary source of forage, which means buying hay becomes a critical part of every barn manager's or horse owner's job. And it can be a tricky task. In this episode, Helena is joined by her good friend and fellow hay geek, Coach Jenn from Horse Radio Network, as they compare notes and ideas about the realities of shopping for hay. Listen in!

Horses can have a powerful impact on human beings. In fact, many of us believe our horses to be valid therapy for our mental health. But horses are individuals, with unique personalities. How we combine with those personalities shapes our relationship with them-whether as pets, performance horses, or therapy partners. In this episode, Helena is joined by Ph.D. Candidate, Ellen Rankins, from Rutgers Equine Center. The discussion is about equine personalities, temperament, and Ellen's current research on how Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) affect both humans and horses - specifically combat veterans with PTSD. Listen in!

My guest today is Ashley Newman, a Stall and Stable listener from Atlanta, Georgia, who just bought her first farm. Ashley is in the process of setting things up for her own horses, while putting plans into place to one day welcome boarders, as well. In this episode, we chat about digging trenches, round bales catching fire, trailer mishaps, working out with goats, and more. Listen in!

Well, well, well, it's been an interesting three months of learning, coping, and evolving here at Hoo Hollow! From mental health and crazy horses, to shattered splint bones and a new truck, there's a lot to cover. No matter how long you've been involved with horses, or how much you think you know, there is ALWAYS room for learning… and a slice or two of Humble Pie. Listen in!

Innovation in the horse industry is always an exciting thing! Whether that's research findings in veterinary care, a high tech pitch fork, new training techniques, or software designed to make life a little easier for riders and barn managers. Today's episode includes a conversation with the founders of Strider, a new, digital platform that allows riders to enter events online, and makes simple work out of organizing these events for barn owners and managers. How about that? Saving time, energy, and money… now that's what I call, INNOVATIVE. Listen in!

If there was a deity to worship in the world of barn design, John Blackburn would most certainly fit the bill! John is the principal of Blackburn Architects, inarguably producing some of the world's most beautiful and practical equestrian facilities today. With a focus on barns that can safely and elegantly serve horses of all kinds, in all disciplines, Blackburn Architects are problem solvers at heart, putting their creative engineering and design minds to work for horse owners all over the globe. Helena sits down to talk with John in this episode to get a feel for what goes into the barn design process, and what the future looks like for both commercial and private equestrian facilities. Listen in!

Historically, most horse farms were designed and built with human needs in mind, The horses' needs weren't necessarily ignored, but they were (and often still are) secondary in the design and planning phases of equestrian properties. But, as we build new farms and update existing ones, we have the chance to change that. We have the chance to create properties that allow our hoses to live within the human construct while still satisfying their basic needs; needs that, when met, create happier, healthier, and better performing athletes-- in all disciplines and at all levels. This is the first in a series on designing horse farms for the 21st century. Our guest is award-winning Landscape Architect, Deborah Cerbone, who will walk us through some of the essential things to consider when first looking at building or renovating a horse farm. Listen in!

We know so much more about our horses needs today than we did 10 or 20 years ago. Research, technology, and the internet have allowed us to learn and share information about horse care like never before. One of things we have learned of late is that healthy horses and hooves depend a lot not just on how much time horses are turned out, but what they do while out there. Listen in!

This month, the Stall and Stable Pro Clinic series featured the legendary USET competitor and coach, Bernie Traurig to Seapowet Stables in Tiverton, Rhode Island. A small group of riders and auditors got the chance to experience top-level instruction that was surprisingly simple. This episode features a few key takeaways from the clinic - from a riding, spectating, and organizing perspective. Listen in! Support Stall and Stable

When you walk into a barn, can you sense the overall energy of the place? Are the horses happy? Is the barn clean and tidy. How are you greeted by the staff? All of these details are driven by one thing… the barn manager. Good energy in a barn starts with good leadership and works its way down to the tiniest of elements – and creatures. My guest today is Chelsea Canedy of Canedy Horsemanship & Performance. Chelsea's story may sound familiar, but what changed her trajectory as a horse professional is intriguing. Listen in!