Stall and Stable: Ideas for Happy Horse Keeping: Recent Episodes

with Helena Harris

Since our horses are often a reflection of the environment we create for them, this podcast shares ideas, strategies, and innovative products that help us create the best home we can. Whether the barn is your sanctuary or your business, you will learn a lot from our conversations with experts about about best practices in horsekeeping (and the life that goes with it)!

Hosted by veteran podcaster, Helena (Bee) Harris.

Helena is back for a very quick recap and update on her evolving role in the equine industry. As she completes year one of her master's program at PennVet, rest assured that her passion for making the world a better place for horses has not waned–not one, single bit.

For new listeners, this episode provides a brief background on Helena's career before horses, during horses, and today, which currently consists of being a full-time graduate student along with a few select equine behavior clients. Horse behavior is, and will be, the focus of her profession from here on out. So, listen in once more!

In this final episode of the Stall and Stable Show, Helena shares her purpose for wrapping up the podcast with a reading of her graduate school application essay, lots of thank yous, and one last interesting conversation with Stacy from Triple Crown Nutrition. Remember, all of the previous Stall and Stable episodes will remain available for download - some for free, others through the Stall and Stable FULL BOARD subscription on Apple Podcasts. Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, AMERICAN STALLS, for making this show possible, and for leading the way in quality and service in the equine industry!

Wendy Murdoch comes back to the show to talk about how equine behavior, environment, and biomechanics work to settle an anxious horse. How does gravity play a role in a confident horse? And what would you do if you were dragged to a bougie party and then dumped by your date? Listen in to this super interesting discussion with one of the industry's most knowledgeable and experienced professionals in biomechanics and behavior!

This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS, makers of luxury stall components and accessories.

We are back with our regular Triple Crown Nutrition Spotlight, answering listener questions with Triple Crown Feed specialist, Stacy Andersen. This month features the answer to a query submitted by Shannon, who had a follow-up question to our discussion about feeding the insulin resistant horse. There is a lot to keep track of when you’re keeping a horse with a chronic health condition. Your veterinarian should always be the first place you go for advice, but with some insight from the folks at Triple Crown Nutrition, you’ll have more information to work with as you partner with your vet on a plan to keep your horse healthy. Listen in!

Are you interested in ways to keep your horse mentally and emotionally healthy? If your horse spends more than an hour or two in a stall, you will be interested in learning about today's guest: Marlow Morrison, inventor of the Snuffle Pasture, a unique product for stabled horses that creates relaxation and supports emotional wellness in equines of all kinds. Listen in!

This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS, makers of luxury stall components and accessories. From beautiful European stallfronts, to brick paver, brass bridle hooks, and much more.

Temple Grandin is a world-renowned animal behaviorist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. She blazed many trails toward the humane treatment of livestock, and is the author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior.

Dr. Grandin also has autism, and has done as much for neurodivergent people as she has for animal welfare. There’s a brand new, inspirational documentary about her that was created by today’s guests: John Festervand, Development Director at Colorado State, and John Barnhardt, Emmy Award-winning cinematographer. In this episode they discuss the making of the documentary, called "An Open Door", and offer a sneak peak into the life and work of an incredible woman. LISTEN IN!

It's another Triple Crown Nutrition Spotlight episode, and this time, Helena and Stacy talk about how to choose a feed for those easy keepers, horses with metabolic issues, and other situations where low sugar / low starch diets are necessary for healthy horsekeeping.

Plus, Helena shares an update on what's happening at Hoo Too! There's a brand new barn being built, the Hoo Crew is adapting to "summer in the South", and Helena prepares for graduate school at UPenn. What?! Lots to digest here, people, so listen in! (Pun very much intended!) This episode is made possible with the help of American Stalls, makers of premium quality barn components and accessories.

When I put out a call on Faceblast for a freelance professional to come out and give me a hand with my horses, Maria Falgione and her husband Ral Ayers came rollin up my driveway. I looked at Buck and said, “Well, you never know what you’re gonna get, but you gotta keep tryin’”. And from the minute Maria and Ral said “hello”, the four of us were instant friends. Funny how that works. What I was not prepared for, was just how talented, kind, and genuine these two people were, and how much fun they brought to our new adventure in Aiken. And so, in this episode, I introduce you to my new co-host… Maria. To get a really good idea of what she brings to our show, Maria shares a funny story about how she used Facebook to get her first ride at the race track, and then how she and Ral eventually landed in Aiken. There’s always something new at Stall and Stable, and this episode is no different… so listen in!

This episode is brought to you by American Stalls, makers of premium quality stable components and acessories.

Building a barn from scratch requires a specific list of things to consider. It goes well beyond how many stalls, what kind of doors, and whether or not you want on-demand hot water. In this episode, Helena welcomes Hollyn Mangione, an Aiken horse neighbor and the woman from whom Helena and Buck purchased their new farm.

Hollyn has many years of experience keeping horses and building private barns. She recently built a shedrow barn in the equestrian community called Bridle Creek, and joins the show today to discuss what kinds of things influenced many of the decisions she made along the way. If you are planning a new barn or thinking about modifying your existing one, this is an episode you’ll enjoy… so LISTEN IN!

This episode is made possible in part by American Stalls, makers of fine quality stable components and accessories.

We are back with another Triple Crown Nutrition episode. Today we answer three listener questions about equine nutrition: 1) What's the most exciting research happening in equine nutrition right now, 2) How can owners best manage feed times and exercise in sport horses, and 3) Once a horse is in good weight (or overweight), how do we manage the change in feed to accomodate their new weight. This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium quality stable components and accessories.

Wendy Murdoch joins Helena in this episode to talk about the biomechanics of the horse and rider partnership, her scientific background, the Feldenkrais Method that she employs to help riders find their best balance, and much more. Listen in! This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium stall components and barn accessories.

If you're running a boarding or training business and struggling to stay afloat, you need to listen to this episode.

If you're a professional competitor, you need to listen to this episode.

If you're an equine chiropractor, hoofcare provider, veterinarian, or hauler, you need to listen to this episode.

If you are NOT a business person but you are in the equine industry, this episode will inspire you to make a change and get the kind of help that can turn a tough job into a much, much easier one. Horse people have a unique skillset that does not typically include business planning or crunching numbers, that's why a bookkeeper who understands your profession can lead to the way to your salvation. For real! Listen in... This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS, makers of fine quality stable components and accessories.

We have a powerhouse episode this week, featuring our monthly Triple Crown Nutrition Spotlight, where we answer questions submitted by listeners about how to best feed their horses. Plus, an exclusive audio excerpt from the life-changing book, HORSE BRAIN, HUMAN BRAIN-The Neuroscience of Horsemanship, by Janet Jones, PhD.

Yes, listeners, feeding your horse can be fun! And, if you have ever asked yourself, "Why does my horse do that?", you will be so relieved to know that science has some very helpful answers for you... so listen in! This episode is possible with the support of AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium quality stall accessories and components.

Brought to you by American Stalls.

This episode is very different than our usual fare. The audio features a conversation between three equestrian industry professionals, each offering a perspective from very different places within the industry. Emily Hamel is a 5* eventer, Samantha Baer is a trainer who specializes in developing and matchmaking horses for many different riders, and of course, yours truly who comes at things from the business, planning, and management side of barn life.

Sam’s questions are thought-provoking, sometimes uncomfortable, and often refreshing. Listen in!

In this episode, Helena shares some big news from Hoo Too in South Carolina, and we welcome back equine nutrition specialist from Triple Crown, Stacy Andersen, to answer listener questions about flax allergies, anti-inflammatory ingredients, healthy versus unhealthy manure, and much more. Do your horse a big favor today and listen in!

This episode is made possible with the support of our sponsor, American Stalls.

A few key elements are necessary to call oneself a professional. Those are: education, experience, and wisdom. And possibly one more: enthusiasm. Today's guest is a horse professional, entrepreneur, and host of The Equestrian Entrepreneur podcast.

Samantha Baer is based in the Aiken horse community, develops lovely performance horses, and makes horse and rider matches that are appropriate and long-lasting. Her “next-generation” view of horsemanship, business, and sustainability in our industry is refreshing. Her enthusiasm for supporting her profession is what prompted her to launch the podcast and bring thoughtful discussion to those who need it most. We may not have all the answers in this episode, but we do bring up key questions all equine professionals need to consider these days… so listen in!

This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS.

In this second episode of our new Triple Crown Nutrition Series, Helena is joined by Dr. Clair Thunes, a Ph.D. and equine nutrition expert, to answer questions submitted by our listeners.

Deciding what to feed our horses can be daunting. Some horse owners rely on their trainers for guidance, others rely on the barn manager, or even random tidbits from the Internet. Thankfully, there are people and companies for whom equine nutrition is a speciality. In this episode we discuss feed bag labels and how to interpret them, which supplements are necessary in winter, why salt is important, and more. LISTEN IN! This episode is made possible with the support of American Stalls and Triple Crown Nutrition.

This episode features an in-depth, personal conversation with Tik Maynard, an elite-level eventer, trainer, clinician, and author. Tik's balanced and artful approach to horsemanship is changing the way trainers prepare sport horses for their work, in many different disciplines. His first book, "IN THE MIDDLE ARE THE HORSEMEN", is a favorite among horse owners across the globe.

In this episode, Tik talks with Helena about competing in this year’s Road to the Horse colt-starting contest (a somewhat unusual goal for an eventer), what he expects to get out of the experience, his competitive career, his horses, the growth of Liberty training, and how all of it will fit into the pages of his next book. Listen in!

This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS

Feature photo credit: Shannon Brinkman

Deciding what to feed our horses can be daunting. Some horse owners rely on their trainers for guidance, others rely on the barn manager, or even random tidbits from the Internet. Thankfully, there are people and companies for whom equine nutrition is a speciality. In this first episode of our new Triple Crown Nutrition Series, Helena is joined by Stacy Andersen, Nutrition Consultant with Triple Crown, to answer some key questions about feeding forage. It’s a Q&A session that can help make those feed decisions a lot easier for everyone, so listen in!

If it seems to you that Attention Deficit / Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD) is everywhere these days, you're not wrong. There are a variety of reasons as to why this particular neurodivergency is diagnosed with greater frequency than ever before. Most of those reasons have to do with advances in research and technology.

ADHD seems to function an awful lot like "Lizard Brain", a term used by today’s guest– author, eventer, and former psychotherapist, Andrea Monsarrat Waldo. Andrea and Helena talk about the similarities between the brain of a horse and the brain of a human with ADHD. Why? Because the comparisons offer an opportunity for greater understanding (and hopefully appreciation) of your horse’s behavior, as well as your own. And the more we understand our horses, the more effective and compassionate trainers we can be. This is super cool stuff, so listen in!

This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS

Understanding is the key to success and contentment with horses, no matter what you do with them. If you're a backyarder who treasures the minutiae of horsekeeping, or a champion reiner, understanding the nature of all horses, as well as the unique temperament and experiences of the individual horse, makes a huge difference in how well a horse feels and performs in our care.

In this episode, Helena shares some insights from her first 30 days at Hoo Too with Brody, Clarabelle, and Siouxsie. There's also an interesting discussion with horse behaviorist and author, Mary Ann Simonds, whose new book, A Horse By Nature: Managing Emotional and Mental Stress in Horses for Improved Welfare, offers insight to the everyday behaviors of domestic horses that can help us enjoy their company while ensuring that their welfare remains front and center. There's some really good stuff in this episode, so listen in!

This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS

Wowie! We are finally here, in our southern home for the winter. Helena, Buck, Siouxsie, Brody, Clarabelle, Jack, Lola, and Cheeto. We drove 18 hours with a trailer full of hay and a truck full of cats to land safely at our farm in Aiken, South Carolina. Well, technically, we are in Windsor, a little hamlet within the Aiken community. It took a lot of planning to get here, and there are already so many interesting observations, so listen in! This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS - premium quality stable components and accessories.

In this episode, brought to you by our friends at American Stalls, Helena chats with Hannah Ely, proprietor of the Cornish Ranch Track Livery in Cornwall, England. The Cornish Ranch has an interesting track system that includes lots and lots of hay, water buckets that are full of delightful suprises, and an approach to horsekeeping that honors the horses's freedom of choice, as well as their deep-seated nomadic tendencies. This is one conversation that may open your mind and inspire you to try something new for your herd. Listen in!

A new, totally tricked out software program for barn owners that's unlike anything else on the market today. EC Pro put out a press release, and it piqued Helena's interest. After digging in to the features of the program, a lightbulb went off in her mind as she realized the potential of this platform to revolutionize the boarding business. EC Pro isn't just an app that tracks horses, vaccines, and tasks, instead it is an enterprise-wide customer relationship management (CRM) tool that can digitize a ton of administrative work in every barn across America. If you are serious about running a boarding, training, or other equine service business, you'll be interested to hear this episode's discussion with the folks at EC Pro. Listen in!

This episode is sponsored by AMERICAN STALLS, makers of exceptional quality barn components and accessories.

This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium quality stall components and barn accessories.

Do you know how much water your horse drinks each day? Can you be sure they are getting enough? One of the primary causes of equine colic is an insufficiently hydrated digestive system. What if we could monitor exactly how much water our horses drink and ensure they always have fresh water when they need it most? Well, apparently now we can. My guests today are Kelly and Dan Munro, the brilliant duo behind the popular Lighthoof Mud Management Panels. The Munros have a new solution to the old problem of too much time and stress around making sure horses have adequate water. Kelly, Dan, and Helena discuss their new high-tech product, the Cascada Automatic Waterer, and how it’s different than any other automatic waterer brought to market thus far. If your horses eat or sleep indoors, this is an episode you won’t want to miss, so listen in!

In search of something that can help keep your horses cool during extreme heat events, but that isn't quite as dramatic as installing an A/C unit in your barn? Consider a mist cooling system!

This episode's guest is Bashil Patel with Mistcooling, Inc., a Texas-based manufacturer of a product that can drop the ambient air temperature by 10-20 degrees - in or out of your barn. This is a system that leverages a simple physical process... evaporation. Bashil explains how mist cooling works, and how you can use it in your barn. Listen in! If your barn is your Happy Place, make it even happier with American Stalls!

No part of a horse barn is arbitrary. At least, it shouldn’t be. Every square inch of the space in which you keep your horses has a purpose, including the spaces where nothing exists - like doors.

In this episode, Helena covers some of American Stalls' most frequently asked questions about barn entry doors, and shares some key installation tips so these big, beautiful doors function as well as they look. Pretty is as pretty does they say, so listen in! This episode's content was provided by AMERICAN STALLS.

How can we set up our private farms to operate more efficiently? Saving time is such an important consideration when it comes to running a horse farm. In this episode, Helena offers a detailed explanation of a horse farm layout that provides the kind of convenience needed for a busy lifestyle, the physical space needed for healthy horsekeeping, and the features that support the emotional wellbeing of both horses and humans.

The Stall and Stable Inspired Farm Design is one of principle, not necessarily a blueprint. But the design can be incorporated into just about any property with the help of some professionals. Whether you are starting from scratch or doing so major remodeling, this is an episode that will help you understand how all the parts of a horse farm work together. Listen in!

"Any training can be done poorly and cause problems … it is not R+ that is causing the problem. It is the lack of understanding of how to properly apply the science."

-Shawna Karrasch

In this episode, Helena is joined by the equine clicker OG, Shawna Karrasch, to discuss the recent trend of horse training experts on social media (often with thousands of followers), who scoff at positive reinforcement (aka clicker) training.

It is clear that these particular experts are missing at least one of the three KEY elements required for success with R+, and it’s the missing element, or elements, that is the source of their trouble. If you struggle with clicker training, or if you have dabbled in it with poor results, this episode may change your perspective (and help create a more cooperative horse). Listen in!

This episode is brought to you by American Stalls and Barn Pros.

In this episode, we are talking simplicity, and how it can help you streamline your barn work and your business.

There are several ways to simplify your workflow. Today we’re going to discuss three key strategies that will help you streamline, free up energy, and remov blocking entities in your barn.

Joining Helena as co-host once again, is Buck Harris. As a small business champion in his industry, Buck works with entrepreneurs of all kinds; he and Helena often work together to help business owners figure out where they are stuck, and make suggestions for how they can move forward, all while taking into consideration the small business budget and typically scant resources. It is possible! Plus we welcome Sara Zwolenick, developer of the Barn Book, a genius product in its powerful simplicity. Listen in!

This episode is made possible with the support of AMERICAN STALLS

The road we travel to success with horses can be a long and arduous one. And when we turn a corner, it feels like we are getting closer to success. This is part 2 of 'Turning the Corner with Tik', a success story that follows Helena's journey with Siouxise. From struggling as a DIY horse trainer, to finding confidence as both a leader and a friend to horses, when you surround yourself with people who share your values as a horseman and a human being, magical things happen. Listen in!

This podcast is made possible with the generous support of AMERICAN STALLS.

Here we are again, discussing why horses are dying on the track, either racing or preparing to race in some of the biggest events in the equine world. With all of the money, effort, and time invested in these horses, why does the national spotlight keep finding something awful to shine on at the racetrack?

In this episode, I welcome back our favorite veterinarian, Dr. Madison Seamans, to talk about why it is just so darn hard to find the root cause (or causes) of racehorse deaths. It's a fascinating conversation, and one that may open your mind, so listen in!

This episode is proudly brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium quality barn components and accessories.

What if you could buy a barn kit that has everything you ever wanted included? Quality wood, fittings, fasteners, and engineering all combined into one easy package that gets shipped to your farm sounds a little good to be true. But it’s not. In fact, that is exactly what BarnPros specializes in, and this episode explores the hows and whys of this innovative business that has horse people everywhere excited at the possibility of finally bringing their horses home. Listen in!

Who’s coming to visit us at Hoo Toooooo? Better yet, who wants to be neighbors? In this episode, Helena chats with Aiken real estate expert, Barb Gould Uskup, about what the market is like for horse properties in South Carolina right now. Get the scoop, get some advice, and get shopping. Listen in! This episode is brought to you by our friends at American Stalls; makers of premium quality stall components and accessories.

Outfitting today’s stable is not as simple as it once was. That’s because the options for comfort and safety have just about tripled in the last decade. Innovative products make our lives as horsekeepers easier and more gratifying than ever, and today’s episode features a discussion about some of my favorite items from American Stalls. Listen in!

In this special episode hosted by Horse Husband Extraordinaire, Buck Harris, you'll learn about Helena's history with horses and how it all lead to an exciting new chapter in her horsekeeping life.

Where did the Harrises settle for a winter retreat? Is there room for all three horses? What does the barn look like? Is it really necessary to leave Hoo Hollow behind for a few months every year? Gah! So many questions... Listen in!

This episode is brought to you with the support of American Stalls, makers of premium quality barn components and accessories.

You’ve heard Helena talk about how important fencing is to the safety of our horses, as well as for helping to keep our sanity in tact. We keep our horses in human environments; thankfully, new research is helping us design those environments to better suit our horses’ needs. But, even as our farms evolve, one feature will remain the same no matter what–perimeter fencing. Whatever happens inside the boundaries of your property depends on a your unique setup. The key to safety and sanity is keeping the horses INSIDE those boundaries. In this episode, Helena discusses the pros and cons of the most common fence materials used to enclose a property’s perimeter. Listen in!

This episode is brought to you by our friends at AMERICAN STALLS.

We horsepeople are always up for a good story, and our life with horses are never short on tall tales. But the best stories are those told by old pros. And I say that with great respect and admiration for today’s guest. Dr. Madison Seamans is back, and he has a great story to share with us about a mare named Whiskey who could certainly hold her liquor! Treating horses out in the field is what equine veterinarians do most often. Dr. Seamans’ insight about what goes into keeping our horses comfortable during treatment is fascinating and often funny… so listen in!

This episode is brought to you by our friends at American Stalls.

Am I the drama? Is it me? Oh, god, what if I AM the drama?

We all want a drama-free barn, and some barns advertise themselves as just that. But, we know better. When you work with animals things are gonna get emotional from time to time. And when you work with big animals, big emotions are part and parcel of living, loving, and working with them. So, how do we reduce the drama in our horse lives? Well, if you work in a barn or even volunteer your time at the place you keep your horses, there are some things to keep in mind that will make you a great member of any barn staff. A solid team is the key to a drama-free barn… so listen in!

We asked the Stall and Stable Facebook community to see what they would do with $150,000 cash. The answers came rolling in - most with hope and optimism, some with a bit of grumbling.

In this episode, Helena shares those answers with you, and provides insight about some of the more common responses and misconceptions. It is interesting that so many farm owners have no idea just what $150,000 will (and won’t) buy. Listen in!

Did you know that most farm disasters are preventable? The old adage that "horses are horses" and therefore just ripe for catastrophe is more myth than fact. While it's true that keeping large flight animals in containers designed for human convenience presents many challenges, the problem isn't with horses. It's with our lack of knowledge. My guest today, Dr. Rebecca Husted, is changing that by taking her knowledge and expertise in large animal rescue operations and sharing it with the horse world. This is an episode you don't want to miss, so listen in!

This episode is brought to you by: American Stalls

Brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS

In this episode of the Stall and Stable Show, Helena talks with beloved equine veterinarian, Dr. Madison Seamans. The conversation covers everything from what its like treating horses in the mountains of New Mexico, to natural selection, differences in horsekeeping between urban and rural environments, and advances in science that can help reduce the number of breakdowns of racing thoroughbreds.

Dr. Seamans is that unique combination of super intelligent, wise, kind, and humble professional. These qualities make him not only a trusted veterinarian, but a great teacher and storyteller. His devotion to improving the lives of horses and the people who love them is part of his greater purpose. So listen in to this episode, where you will learn, laugh, and enjoy the magic of Madison!

Brought to you by:

Sabrina Hayes grew up riding and showing Quarter Horses. She currently has a small herd of broodmares, a yearling, and a pony that she keeps at home near Billings, Montana. Her goal is to raise quality, versatile Quarter Horses to be competitive in the all-around Western and English events at stock breed shows (AQHA and NSBA). When she’s not keeping a close eye on her mares and foals, Sabrina works as a veterinary assistant to help support her farm. Listen in as host Tara Tibbets chats with Sabrina about how backyard breeding can responsibly produce fantastic horses.

Brought to you by: American Stalls

This episode takes listeners through Helena's journey with Clarabelle; from the day of the accident to the day this episode airs. From a seemingly small cut on a cannon bone, to three surgeries and over 30 days in the hospital, find out why distal limb wounds are a risk no horse owner should take on, and what, exactly, happened that turned a simple cut into a big mess. Listen in!

Brought to you by

In this second episode of Stall and Stable West, guest host Tara Tibbets shares the details of her farm in North Texas, and how her barn setup works for her three horses and her lifestyle. Combining a long family history in ranch-style horsekeeping with a modern take on life with horses in a suburban area, you’ll understand why Tara is perfectly suited for sharing her ideas for happy horsekeeping. Listen in!

Brought to you by: American Stalls

The way we keep horses is changing. As technology and research discover more things about horses that help us humans understand their needs better, our farms, barns, and methods need to shift a bit in order to leverage this new information so we keep our horses happy and sound far longer than in another time in history.

Positive reinforcement training is more than just shaping behaviors - it’s rooted in the principle that our work with horses must center around what is best for the horse. Today’s guest is Jessie Hillegas, warmblood breeder, R+ trainer, and owner of Edgewood Stable in Williamsport, PA. Jessie is also a driving force behind Shawna Karrasch Equine - the gold standard in positive reinforcement training for horses. Helena and Jessie talk about how Jessie keeps her high-level horses safe and happy while still ensuring their innate needs as horses are met. Listen in!

Brought to you by: American Stalls

Investing in your farm is usually a multi-step process that often happens after your business has been up and running for a while. But finding the cash reserves to buy that manure spreader, upgrade your fencing, or install new footing in your arena, is a real challenge for most small business owners. That’s where #microloans come in.

Today’s guest is financing expert and Stall and Stable consultant, Buck Harris. Buck and Helena explain the SBA’s microloan program, the pros and cons of the program, and what these loans are best used for. Think footing, fencing, equipment, marketing, and even staff...so listen in!!

Brought to you by: Barn Pros

Well, America is a BIG country. Keeping horses in New England is not the same as keeping horses in Texas or California, or Montana. There are best practices and baselines wherever you live, of course, but we’d be silly not to talk about ideas for happy horsekeeping in specific areas of this big country of ours. So, we’re adding a new series called Stall and Stable West, featuring Horse Radio Network host, foxhunter, hunter/jumper competitor, and horsekeeper extraordinaire, Tara Tibbets. Listen in to find out what this series is all about and perhaps learn a thing or two about horsekeeping in the West!

Brought to you by American Stalls

The topic of value in a boarding barn has been coming up a lot lately. What makes a place worth a certain amount and, outside of the cost to the proprietor, what should influence what one charges for board? Beauty is the eye of the beholder, of course, but there are certain, definable features that make boarding facilities attractive to horse owners. In this episode, Helena talks with pro rider, 3* eventer, and business owner, Bevin O’Reilly Dugan, proprietor of O’Reilly Equestrian in southern Vermont. Bevin and Helena discuss features of boarding barns that provide the most value. Listen in!

In my travels this summer, I visited several big barns and even more smaller ones. There are at least a hundred new tips I can share with you today, but I’ll start with just ten of my most important takeaways.

If you want horses to be your livelihood, there are best practices that will help ensure you do that, and you do it well. In all fairness to the horses, we owe it to them to make their homes safe, comfortable and as as low stress as possible - for them and for us. So listen in for ten tips that will keep your horses safe and you sane!

In this first episode back from our summer break, we answer listener questions about stall components, materials, and matting for run-in sheds. Listen in!

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!

Brought to you by Lucas Equine Equipment

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!

Brought to you by: Lucas Equine Equipment.

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!

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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!

Stall and Stable listeners are the BEST listeners ever!

In getting know some of you over the last year, I am both overjoyed and humbled by the stories you share with me. Stories about your barns, your horses, your accomplishments, and your challenges. It’s really starting to feel like a family.

Today, Helena welcomes a listener from South Carolina who brought her horses home for the first time with the help of our podcast. Listen in!

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of hosting Tik Maynard for a 2-day clinic in the Ocean State. It was a very enlightening two days!

Advanced Eventer, Horse Trainer, and author, Tik Maynard, is a quality human being. You sorta need to be if you're going to convince horses to be awesome, and Tik does that without even thinking about it. Do you how he's so effective as a trainer? It's because he thinks he is... Listen in!

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When you finally get your horses home, there is no other feeling like it. Looking out your window and seeing your favorite creatures enjoying life under your care is one of THE most gratifying experiences for a horse lover.

But there’s a flip side. Happy Horsekeeping isn’t as easy as it sometimes seems. While we can design our barns, yards, and turnout to keep our horses safe, feed them the best hay and grains, and provide a low-stress environment for them, there are times when that’s still not enough. Listen in!

There’s a wonderful surge in horse adoptions this year. Many rescue horses, however, are in poor condition, and that leaves adopters struggling to nurture their horses back to good physical and mental health. Our guest in this episode is Dr. Stacey Boswell, an equine veterinarian whose new book, The Ultimate Guide to Horses in Need, covers the most common issues facing rescued horses, and how we, as caregivers, can best support their return to good health. Listen in!

We're having a conversation about stall doors today. If you're a barn geek like us, every design element in a barn is meaningful, but perhaps none so much as doors, which can be used dozens of times a day. Doors need to be safe, efficient, functionally compatible with your barn's workflow, and of course, handsome.

Join Helena and guest, Nick Thornton of Lucas Equine, as they chat about what goes into choosing the right stall doors for a barn. Whether you're building new or ready to replace what you have, it's an interesting conversation about what kind of thoughts go into this important barn component. Listen in!

What’s so great about boarding? Lots of things, actually!

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.

"Terry is one of my favorite people to talk with because she’s not just a horse lover, she’s also an animal behavior expert who’s done amazing things with her own horse, as well as her clients’ horses."

Join Helena and Terry as they explore why boarding can be the ideal situation for some horse owners. Listen in!

In today’s episode, we revisit a favorite book of ours; The Compassionate Equestrian. The book describes 25 principles that compassionate equestrians use as a guide to create healthy and productive relationships with their horses.

As we circle back to the principles of compassion when we work with our horses, this episode’s conversation digs deeper into the concept of reducing drama with your horse (and your barnmates) by checking in with yourself and your ego. Ooooh, listen in!

In another installment of "Siouxsie and the Solitary Witch", Helena catches listeners up on the first year (and canter!) with her OTTB mare, Siouxsie.

One of the hardest things to overcome when you work by yourself, and you're a bit of an overachiever, is to stop second-guessing yourself. And lemme tell ya, a Thoroughbred in your back yard will most certainly give you reason to second-guess yourself!

In today’s episode, Helena talks about how one middle-aged mom and backyard horse owner is faring as she works on bringing along a green OTTB mare in the midst of a pandemic. From inside the mare’s stall, to the life that revolves around the little stable just outside the kitchen window. Listen in!

BlackLivesMatter means the black community deserves to be heard, embraced, and celebrated, especially in the horse world. We are Equestrians first, whether we’re bay or gray shouldn’t matter, and yet it does. Still.

In an effort to move the dial of racism down to zero, Helena talks with two smart, young women who know a thing or two about horses, podcasting, and grace. Abriana and Caitlin from the Young Black Equestrians podcast explain the origins of their show, what frustrates them as black horse people, and how white people can start to pick up some of the slack and start advocating for our fellow horsemen and women of color. Listen in!

One of great things about podcasting is the opportunity to connect with other horse owners and sharing their stories and ideas for happy horsekeeping. We welcome one such listener today, Lori Rodriguez, from Tallahasse, Florida. Lori shares with us a bit about her life as a new backyard horse owner in the Sunshine State, including how she handles the heat, the bugs, manure, and more. Listen in!

Today’s episode was going to be about bailing twine. In light of the recent events in America, the discussion will instead be about how having our horses at home can teach us about silver linings. For every frustration, every complaint, every step backwards we take in our horse lives, there’s a blessing hidden just beyond it. Stick around and see if you agree.

There’s been a lot of activity at our place these last few months. The quarantine has us sheltering in place here in Rhode Island, but that doesn’t mean there’s been a lack of things to do. On the contrary! From finishing our new hay shed, to major driveway construction, Buck and I have been busy little bees. Stick around to find out what inspired Buck to get back in the saddle, how our backyard barn has been serving Brody and Siouxsie, and how this time of isolation has also brought an opportunity for self-reflection and a new respect for horsemanship. Listen in!

We had an entirely different episode planned for today. Dr. Karyn Malinowski, was kind enough to agree to a 2-part series on horse keeping at Rutgers University Equine Science Center. Well, we got part 1 down okay, but as we connected last week to begin recording part 2, Dr. Malinowski and Helena found that their casual conversation about their horses was just the antidote to the ho hum glum if isolation. And so that’s what you get today - an interesting conversation about Standardbreds, a mid-life crisis, crashes, lessons learned, laughable moments, and horses loved. This is the kind of thing horse people do... when we're not riding, of course. So listen in!

Dr. Karyn Malinowski, an accomplished equine scientist, is the Founding Director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES). She joins Helena in this episode to talk about current best practices in horsekeeping. Listen in to hear about how the experts at Rutgers manage things like the dietary requirements of their horses, turnout, herd dynamics, and more. Dr. Malinowski is such an enthusiastic leader in our industry, you're going to love this episode!

As we move closer to peak infection rates of coronavirus in the United States, more and more states are reporting their hospitals becoming overburdened with sick patients, healthcare workers are also becoming infected. This makes any visit to the hospital an especially risky one. The governing bodies of most equestrian sports have issued notices to riders to take extra steps to reduce the everyday risks that are inherent in our sport, as well as those risks we take as we push ourselves toward specific goals.

For many pleasure riders, taking some time off from riskier activities isn’t such a hassle, except for the fact that we’re not quite sure what to do to keep our horses busy physically and mentally. In this episode, I have another list for you. This one is smaller than the last. It includes 10 things you can do with your horse to stay active, engaged, and fairly safe. Listen in!

It may seem odd, at a time like this, to talk about saving time, when we’re all locked in our homes with nothing but time. But it’s actually a great time to talk about time. While our everyday lives have slowed to a crawl, let’s take this opportunity to get creative about the ways in which we can optimize our time at the barn so we can enjoy every minute there. In today’s solo episode, Helena shares 25 tips that can save you time and energy. Listen in!

Meghan Hamilton runs a quality dressage training facility in southern New England. Like all horse owners, managing the manure pile is something she calculates into the cost of doing business. Unlike others, however, Meghan's manure pile isn't in her debit column. Nope. Meghan has actually turned her horses' manure into a profit center using a pretty straightforward composting system. And the best part is that she funded a good chunk of it with funds from her state's agricultural division. Listen in and learn!

We are talking emergency planning and first aid in this episode. Our guest is Catherine Frend-Gillihan from Equi-First Aid USA, an organization that provides customized health and safety training courses for people in the equestrian industry. Catherine and Helena talk about some of the things we all need to be thinking about before an emergency arises. Even if we are not 100% prepared for whatever chaos comes our way, just thinking about these things and putting some best practices into place can mean the difference between life and death. Listen in!

We’re getting down to business today, listeners, and whether or not you own an equine business doesn’t matter. As I chat with social media pro, April Hardeman of Make It Rein, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for how today’s social platforms can improve your access to equestrian businesses, professionals, and opportunities as a user, and how to best leverage the media as a business owner. 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, though.

Our guest today is Nick Thornton from Lucas Equine Equipment, makers of fine stall components that are manufactured right here in the United States. Nick is going to help us understand what our choices are when choosing stall components so we end up with a barn that looks as good as it functions. Listen in!

Not everyone can build the ideal barn in size, layout, or amenities. In that case, some creativity and a modest budget can make it all work nicely. Buck joins me today to talk about what's happening at our place these days, how we are managing Siouxsie's life to manage her ulcers, and the thought process behind adding a new shed to our property. Listen in!

This episode is brought to you by our friends at LUCAS EQUINE EQUIPMENT, makers of fine stall systems and accessories.

World Class Grooming Pro, Emma Ford, returns to Stall and Stable to chat with us about some interesting tips from her clinic in Rhode Island a few weeks ago.

We talk winter blanketing, turnout, horse care, and transporting Olympic horses by air and by truck. We also chat about what kinds of things the team at Phillip Dutton Eventing do in order to prepare their horses for a possible run for the gold in Tokyo this year. As always with Ms. Ford, it is a very interesting and fun conversation. Listen in!

Happy holidays, everyone! If you’re a horse person listening to this episode you know full well that stalls don’t muck themselves, so keep yourself company today with our final episode of the decade!

Stick around as two old friends, horse people, and veteran podcasters talk about life with horses, podcasting, moving from north to south, and everything in between.

Our guest this week is Horse Radio Network founder and president, Glenn the Geek. Join us for some chill conversation as we all wind down for a few days of peace and harmony. Listen in!

If you ask 10 equestrians what "quality" means in terms of horse care, there is no doubt you will get ten different answers! That's a problem when business owners open their barns for boarding. It may not be their problem, but it is certainly a problem for the customer - the horse owner.

As with any equestrian professional or service provider, accreditation is key to establishing trust with the customer.

In this episode, guest Christy Landwehr of the Certified Horsemanship Association chats with Helena about what certification means to equine businesses, why a barn owner should consider getting certified, and how one goes about the process. Listen in!

This episode gets a little personal, and that's Helena for you! She is the kind of "girl" who wears her big ole bleeding heart on her sleeve, welcoming anyone willing to listen to join in on her story.

But this isn’t a sad story; it’s a happy one. Well, it’s both, actually. And that’s what horses do for us. They help us uncover parts of ourselves that need work, and they help us uncover the parts of us that already perfect. As a horsewoman who spends a lot of time alone with her horses, Helena has learned so much about herself. She shares a particularly important one in this episode. Perhaps you can relate. Listen in!

In horses, we’re always looking to build the better mousetrap. Whether it’s a product or service that saves time, money, or headaches, we’re all about it. Of course, there’s a balancing point between the cost of bringing a new product into your barn and the benefit that product offers. In this episode, Helena reviews her experience with a new type of bedding - shredded cardboard - and she chats with the owner of a brand new company that makes this bedding. Listen in!

Piggybacking off of episode 24 and the concept of horse people carving out professional niches for themselves, today’s topic covers one of those niches - professional Groom. There are so many different responsibilities when it comes to horse care, and it kinda makes sense that as our industry evolves, and our higher education system starts supporting the development of equestrian professionals, new careers are being born. Our guest today is Kelly Gross, founder of Best Playing Pony, a niche business we can all appreciate. Listen in!

The winner of our Trafalgar Square Books free book giveaway contest is announced in this episode, along with some personal updates that you may find interesting.

The life of the backyard horse owner is as different for each of us as we are different from one another. At the same time, there are SO many things we have in common. Perhaps Helena’s experiences with equine gastric ulcer syndrome will resonate with some of you who have similar things happening in your horse lives. Listen in!

I think we’ve all experienced that dreaded moment when your farrier says, “I have bad news; I’m moving to the moon.” Ha! It doesn’t matter where she or he is moving, if they can’t take care of your horses feet anymore, they may as well be moving to the moon. Your heart sinks, you start to sweat, and then the real panic sets in. Where on earth am I going to find someone as good?!

Or maybe you run a boarding barn and you stall mucker showed up late one too many times for her own good. Where do you start? Craigslist? Indeed? Your local paper? Just the thought of all this logistical malarkey is enough to make any horse person break out in hives. And that’s what we are talking about today - a new online service that connects horse owners with horse professionals.

Oh, and we’ve got something to say about hives, as well. If you’ve ever handled hay and walked away with itchy, screaming hives, you don’t want to miss this episode, so listen in!

We’re going world class today with a guest who works at the top level of our sport. She’s the kind of person who’s brain I could pick for days on end and still never feel satisfied. Her name is Emma Ford, and her career as a professional groom, most notably as Olympian Phillip Dutton’s groom, affords her an expertise in horse care that few can rival. The exception would be Cat Hill. You see, Emma and Cat wrote a fabulous book together. It’s called World Class Grooming for Horses, and every horse owner should have this book in their horse library because IT. IS. AWESOME. And by awesome, we mean, Has Lots of Pictures.

Emma joins Helena in this episode to talk about how she got to where she is today, what has kept her on the Phillip Dutton Eventing team for so long, and a few pro tips you may be surprised to hear. Listen in!

For the small horse property owner, keeping grass turnout grassy enough to be an asset is always a challenge. And while we can’t stop horses from being hard on the land upon which they live, we can take certain steps to reduce the damage they do to their paddocks. In this episode, Helena shares 10 tips for helping to keep your small turnout in tip-top shape. Plus, we review an innovative product that can help keep your grass in tact. Listen in!

In our continuing series on books we recommend for your stable's library, we discover a new horse training program called The Compassionate Equestrian. The book, The Compassionate Equestrian, co-authored by Susan Gordon and Dr. Allen Schoen, DVM, MS, describes the 25 principles that compassionate equestrians use as a guide to create healthy, happy, and productive relationships with their horses.

One such equestrian is today's guest: Melissa Deal, an upper-level dressage rider, instructor, and trainer. Melissa has an impressive academic and experiential background, so we are thrilled to chat with her about how living and working with the 25 principles of Compassionate Equitation can improve your horse's attitude, help you achieve your riding and training goals, and create a more harmonious relationship with your horse. Listen in!

Our guest this week is Dr. Bob Grisel, DVM, an equine lameness specialist and author of the book, Equine Lameness for the Layman; a must-have book for any serious horseman's library. With a helpful glossary of technical terms, lots of illustrations, and the brilliant use of QR codes and videos that complement specific sections of text, you will really appreciate the in-depth knowledge that Dr. Grisel's book literally puts in your lap.

We talk with Dr. Grisel in this episode about ways in which we can better observe our horses to catch lameness issues as early as possible, which can help us actually improve our horses' long term health, soundness, and wellbeing. Listen in!

Wouldn't it be great if every barn could have it's own little library in the tack room, stocked with books old and new about horses and horsemanship?

Working with our friends at Trafalgar Square Publishing, the Harris clan is building up our library of treasured reading material. The first new book in our updated library is already a favorite: In the Middle are the Horseman, by Tik Maynard. It is a fantastic read!

Tik joins Helena in this episode to talk about some of the experiences he wrote about in the book, and how they translate to modern horsemanship for both the pleasure rider and the competitive equestrian. Listen in!

Horses have a great internal system for regulating their body temperatures when they’re at liberty, but sometimes we need to help them find ways to stay cool and comfortable on the hottest of days. In this episode, we share 10 tips for cooling off those hot ponies. Listen in!

If you are plagued by a growing manure pile and no solid plan for disposal, you’ll appreciate today’s chat about ideas that can relieve your manure pile stress. In this episode, Helena welcomes back her horse husband, Buck, and they discuss some of the more popular options for manure management and removal, what they tend to cost, as well as the pros and cons of each. What did the Harrises choose for their small horse property? Listen in to find out!

Our dreams and realities don’t always match up. While many of us would love to have a stable full of happy, healthy horses, and satisfied boarders, it rarely ever works out the way we imagine it should. That doesn’t mean, however, it can’t be awesome.

In this episode of the Stall and Stable show, Helena is joined by guest, Sheri Grunska, author and owner of ProBarn Management, a stable management consulting firm. Sheri and Helena discuss what kinds of things a boarding business owner needs to consider in order to get the reality a little bit closer to the dream. Listen in!

If you dream about owning your own horse property, or if you have one you need to sell, you will appreciate Helena's chat with real estate expert, Megan Stout, of Results Real Estate Solutions. Not only is Megan a great realtor, she’s also the Hunt Secretary for Full Cry Hounds in Huntsville, Alabama. As a life-long equestrian with experience in many disciplines, Megan knows a thing or two about what horse people really want when they go house hunting. From home buyers’ top wishes, to things you should do when selling your farm, Megan’s got some great tips for us. Listen in!

Have you ever wondered where your hay comes from? In this episode, we learn about what it takes to produce the most important component of a horse’s diet. Plus, we learn about things like how spot a good bale when you see one, how to measure moisture content, prevent spontaneous combustion, and more. This is an episode that's chock full of really interesting information. LISTEN IN!

Wanna keep your horses at home but don't have much space? This episode takes you through some of the planning and design choices Buck and Helena made while setting up their 2-stall, backyard barn. From sand footing in the barnyard, to a riding ring that multi-tasks like a boss. We talk fencing materials, gate choices, and more. Listen in!

If you run a boarding stable, you have probably experienced more in life than most people! The good, the bad, the easy, and the oh my god will this day ever end? In this episode, we’re talking about 5 strategies that can not only ease the pain of those difficult days, but that can actually boost your business by making your clients happy without sacrificing the kind of horse care you know you can offer. 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!

I have a nice little Kingston bumper pull. I don’t need a new trailer, but whenever I’m at a big horse expo, I find myself inexplicably drawn to the trailer area like a moth to a flame. Last fall, in Massachusetts, I discovered a new line of all-in-one horse trailers from Equi-Trek called the Vision. The urge to hop in and drive away with it was overwhelming! Since I couldn’t do that, I invited Lynn Roberge from L and D trailers to come on the show this week and tell us all about these super cool load-and-go miracles of the horse world. Join me as we will learn together what these thoughtful trailers have to offer horse owners both in the US and abroad. Plus, what do the experts say about whether or not horses prefer rear-facing travel. Listen in!

Many of us have had to board our horses at one point or another. And, I bet many of you, like me, have had good experiences and bad experiences. If we’re lucky, we learn from both, so that ultimately, we have more good experiences than bad ones. In truth, there is no perfect boarding barn - just like there are no perfect boarders. But you know, things don’t have to be perfect to be ideal.

In this episode, we explore the concept (or is it fantasy) of the perfect boarding barn with Terry Golson of the Cooperative Horse. Terry is a lifelong horsewoman who combines classic horsemanship with a reward-focused methodology to create enthusiastic and conflict-free partnerships between horses and riders. She joins me today to talk about how we can find (and create) the ideal boarding situation for our horses and ourselves. Listen in!

Best practices in stable management often start with responsible horse ownership. One of the easiest and most effective ways to make sure our horses don't end up on a slaughter truck, or lost in catastrophic situations, is to microchip them.

In this episode, Helena and Buck are joined by microchipping expert, Cailin Monahan, from the Datamars corporation. Find out how microchips work, why they are important, and how to get one for your horse. Listen in!

Neat Product Episode!

I’m joined by Horse Husband extraordinaire, Buck Harris, today, as we talk the business of horses. More specifically, horse products. Buck accompanied me to the Equine Affaire expo in New England last fall, where we met many equine entrepreneurs as we searched for innovative products and services to feature on our podcast.

One of our favorites was the Scratch N All, a self-scratcher product made by Cynthia Garry’s company, Animent. We chat with Cynthia today to find out what it’s like to be an entrepreneur in the equine industry, and how a product like Scratch N All goes from a lightbulb moment on the farm, to a viable product in the equestrian marketplace. Listen in!

Nikki Alvin-Smith is an international Grand Prix dressage trainer, competitor, and clinician. She also writes equestrian ‘How To’ articles for horse publications, like Chronicle of the Horse, The Horseman’s Yankee Pedlar, Equine Journal, and more.

Together with her husband Paul, who is also a Grand Prix dressage clinician, Nikki imported and bred Hanoverians for twenty six years. This dynamic dressage duo currently live on the beautiful Willowview Hill Farm in upstate New York, where they still breed and train horses from start to Grand Prix.

While both have worked with more than a few icons in the dressage world, the Alvin-Smith’s have been most influenced by their work with Olympic trainer, Raul de Leon, and Grand Master Herbert Rehbein, of Germany. In this episode, I chat with Nikki about Willowview Hill, and how their every day farm routine supports their dressage athletes at the highest level.

Making everyday barn chores easier first requires making them simpler. Take watering for example. Filling buckets lined up in stalls each morning and evening is essential, no matter where you keep your horses. Heading out to faraway lands to prep paddocks and pastures for turnout, however, can be one of those farm tasks that eats up time, energy, and for the professional barn manager… money. In my search for simple products that solve these kinds of problems, I found one called Drinking Post. Today’s episode explores the need for, design, and features of this neat new product. Listen in!

Thoroughbred racing has long been a part of American history. So has the unfortunate demise of thoroughbreds when they are no longer able to generate income for their owners. In response to the overwhelming numbers of ex-racing thoroughbreds headed to slaughter, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program was founded, offering retired racehorses new opportunities for compassionate homes and suitable jobs. Recently, New Vocations completed construction of a brand new, state-of-the-art equestrian facility focused primarily on housing thoroughbreds in transition. This episode is about how the design and buildout of that facility serves the New Vocations mission. Listen in!

Wouldn’t it be nice to curry, brush, and tack up in a grooming stall that was warm in the winter? Your horse would appreciate a warm back just as much as you would appreciate warm hands and toes as you hop in the tack for a brisk winter workout. And don’t forget the therapeutic bennies from increased O2 to joints and muscles, thanks to low-level laser light solariums from Drimee.

The best way to be safe around horses is to become an educated horse person and follow good safety practices. This is especially important in the stable, where our horses spend a lot of their time. Today's guest is author, illustrator, and international clinician, Susan E. Harris. Susan wrote and illustrated all three U.S. Pony Club Manuals of Horsemanship - the closest thing the U.S. has to documented standards in care for horses. In this episode, Susan and Helena talk about, and expand upon, the essentials of horsekeeping that Susan wrote about that Horsemanship series. Join us!

Building a barn in the backyard for our beloved horses is a dream for many horse owners. Waking up to nickers and neighs, choosing your own hay, and relishing in the comfort of knowing your horses are perfectly blanketed can be more than just a dream if we play our cards right and start planning now. In this episode, Jill Siragusa, Chief Marketing Officer for modular barn-building company, Horizon Structures, joins Helena to chat about the process of building one of their barns and what kinds of features we really need.