Be Your Best Horsemanship

Epizódok

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  Establishing The Essential Connection With Your Horse 21.07.2026 21p

  When it comes to horsemanship, connection is key. Establishing that initial connection with your horse is what opens the door to creating trust, confidence, and control—especially at faster speeds. Tune into this episode as I break down the differences between physical manipulation and mental connection and share how to get that essential connection established with your horse.
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  What You Repeat, You Become 15.07.2026 39p

  This episode is all about habits―developing the routines, mindset, and systems to be your best everyday. Join me as I share some of my favorite takeaways from James Clear's book, Atomic Habits, and how these philosophies carry over into the horsemanship journey.
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  Why Great Preparation Always Wins 07.07.2026 32p

  One thing I've learned over the years is that preparation has a way of showing up when it matters most. In this episode, I talk about preparing our horses by exposing them to new situations that build confidence instead of fear; preparing ourselves by learning from different trainers and developing a program that fits our horses and our goals; and preparing for the realities of competition, including less-than-ideal weather, ground conditions, and unexpected challenges. You can't control every situation you'll encounter, but you can control how prepared you are when it happens.
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  Determining Realistic Development Timelines for Performance Horses 30.06.2026 36p

  Today's performance horses are more athletic and talented than ever before—but that also means it can take time for all those pieces to come together. In this episode, I talk about why you can't always judge a horse after a few rides, the importance of realistic development timelines, and why patience, consistency, and a long-term plan are essential to bringing out a horse's full potential.
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  How To Be Safe Around Reactive Horses 23.06.2026 38p

  One thing about horses—they have a way of keeping you humble. In this episode, I'm sharing a recent buck-off experience that reminded me how quickly things can change when a horse has a reactive moment.After more than 40 years of riding and training horses, I can tell you this: experience doesn't make you immune to getting caught off guard. What it does is make you a better student of the lessons that come with it.Join me as I talk about the importance of preparation, awareness, and safety around reactive horses, along with what I learned from this experience and how it will influence my approach moving forward.
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  Staying Consistent with Your Training Program 17.06.2026 34p

  One of the biggest challenges in horse training today isn’t a lack of information—it’s knowing how to apply it correctly. With podcasts, videos, clinics, and training advice coming from every direction, it’s easy to jump from one method to the next before giving any program enough time to work.In this episode, I talk about the importance of picking a program, understanding the purpose behind it, and staying consistent long enough to create real progression. Join me as I discuss why long-term success comes from committing to the fundamentals, evaluating progress over time, and trusting the process long enough to let both you and your horse improve together.
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  Managing Your Energy & Avoiding Burnout 09.06.2026 18p

  In this episode, I share some thoughts on managing your energy and avoiding burnout—both mentally and physically. Tune in as I talk about the importance of staying fresh and sharp, creating routines that help you progress, and knowing when it's time to recharge your batteries. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and your horse is step back, freshen up, and come back with a better mindset. Remember, it's the little things you do on a consistent basis, over a long period of time, that make a big difference. Just focus on winning the day and being in a better position when it's over than when it started.
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  Riding One-Handed vs. Two-Handed 02.06.2026 29p

  Most of us spend a lot of time riding our horses two-handed, especially when we're training, tuning, and helping them understand new concepts. But at some point, you've got to put one hand down and find out how much of that foundation is really there.In this episode, I talk about the benefits of riding both one-handed and two-handed, how each serves a different purpose in your training program, and why riding one-handed is one of the best ways to evaluate your communication, softness, and connection to your horse's mind and feet. I also share some simple exercises you can use to identify holes in your foundation, clean up your signals, and build a horse that stays between your hands and legs—even when the pressure gets turned up.
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  Breeding Horses With The End Goal In Mind 26.05.2026 29p

  In this episode, I'm sharing my thought process behind breeding performance horses with a purpose and having the end goal in mind from the very beginning. From cow-run crosses to run-run crosses, I break down some of the strengths, challenges, and tendencies I’ve experienced with different types of horses and why not every cross fits every rider or discipline.Whether you’re raising rope horses, barrel horses, or all-around performance horses, having a plan matters. The better we understand the horse we’re trying to create, the better chance we have of setting them up for long-term success.
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  The Difference Between Riding and Training 20.05.2026 42p

  There’s a big difference between riding horses and training them. In this episode, I break down the mindset, consistency, and intentionality required to move from just putting miles on a horse to actually helping them progress. Whether you’re starting colts, seasoning performance horses, or simply trying to become a better horseman, this episode will challenge you to think differently about the work you do every time you swing a leg over a horse.
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  Putting Your Horse Back Together During Competitive Seasons 12.05.2026 34p

  As we get into the busy summer rodeo season, there comes a point where a lot of horses—and riders—need to be put back together a little bit. When you’re hauling hard, competing often, and asking your horse for everything they have every run, it’s easy for confidence, softness, and connection to start slipping.In this episode, I talk about recognizing when the wheels are starting to come off and how to go back to the foundation to restore your horse’s confidence and understanding. Tune in as I discuss reconnecting the horse’s mind, body, and feet, why slowing things down can actually move you forward faster, and how to help your horse get back to feeling relaxed, responsive, and confident in their job.
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  The Magic Recipe for Making a Great Horse 06.05.2026 36p

  I think a lot of times, when people come to my clinics―or anyone else's clinics, for that matter―they expect to leave with a magic recipe on how to make a great horse. And, I always tell people: the magic is: there is no magic. There's a basic process of fundamentals, and there's the decision to commit to executing that process consistently over a period of time. Tune into this episode as I share a few stories from this week of training and how we are using our own 'magic' to take some horses from good to great.
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  Being a Winner at the Game of Life 28.04.2026 31p

  In this episode of Be Your Best Horsemanship, I talk about what it really means to be a winner—not just in the arena, but in life. Every day, we’re faced with challenges, distractions, and situations that don’t go as planned, and how you respond to those moments is what ultimately defines you.Tune in as I share some thoughts on staying consistent in your training, getting comfortable being uncomfortable, and why real progress comes from the habits you build day in and day out. We’ll also revisit some foundational principles—connecting with your horse’s mind, body, and feet—and why all the knowledge in the world doesn’t replace time and experience in the saddle.At the end of the day, being a winner isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and striving to be a little better every time you step on a horse.
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  Behind the Scenes of Horsemanship Clinics 21.04.2026 34p

  In this episode, I'm answering some questions about what really goes on during my horsemanship clinics. Tune in as I break down some of the key themes, training philosophies, and perspectives that trainers need to have to get the most out of the clinic experience.
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  The Opportunity for Today's Colt Starters 14.04.2026 38p

  There's a big opportunity I see coming in our industry, and that is the growing need for quality colt starters. As the number of registered horses continues to increase, the number of people with the time, experience, and feel to start them right is getting smaller.Join me as I break down my perspectives on this topic, including a recap our recent colt starting mentorship―the conversations, challenges, and wins we had throughout the week, and what experiences like this mean for the next generation of colt starters.
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  Why Multitasking Doesn't Actually Help You Get More Done 07.04.2026 24p

  This is a republish of one of our most listened-to episodes, focused on the misconception that multitasking leads to more productivity. This is a topic that I wanted to bring up again because, especially this time of year, the temptation to multitask grows even stronger.As we head into the busy spring and summer seasons, it’s easy to feel pulled in a lot of different directions. When we're busy, we naturally look for ways to stack our tasks and get more done. But in horsemanship, dividing your attention often does more harm than good.In this episode, I break down why doing less, with more focus, leads to better results and a more productive day.
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  Staying True to the Process 31.03.2026 1ó 1p

  In this episode, I'm joined by one of my long-time friends and fellow horsemen, Mark Upton, as we discuss the importance―and challenges―of staying true to the process, both in life and horsemanship. Mark shares his perspectives on balancing his passion for horsemanship with his corporate career at Central Life Sciences and how he finds time to make meaningful progress with his horses. Join us as we chat about our individual processes for progressing a horse from foundation to finish and some of the key parts of our training process that make all the difference.
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  Foundational Equine Health & Vaccinations with Merck Animal Health's Dr. Chrissie Pariseau 24.03.2026 50p

  In this episode, I sit down with Merck Animal Health’s Dr. Chrissie Pariseau to discuss what we learned from last fall’s EHV-1 outbreak and how it reinforces the importance of maintaining regular vaccination and booster schedules. Dr. Pariseau breaks down common vaccine programs, including core and risk-based vaccines, along with best practices for foals, pregnant mares, and newly purchased horses. We also discuss the importance of minimizing the spread of infectious diseases and maintaining strong biosecurity—both at home and on the road—especially for training facilities with horses coming and going regularly. This is a must-listen heading into the spring season, when increased hauling and exposure can elevate disease risk.
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  Establishing Rope Horse Fundamentals 17.03.2026 29p

  When you’re roping on young horses, introducing the right fundamentals early is key to building confidence, consistency, and setting them up for long-term success. Tune into this episode as I get into the basics of starting rope horses and some of the things to watch for that early on that can create bad habits down the road. I also touch on the tie-down vs. no tie-down conversation and what to consider when integrating this tool into your training routine.
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  Sharpening Your Edge as a Trainer 10.03.2026 34p

  In this episode, I talk about how every response we get from our horses comes back to us—our thoughts, our body position, and the signals we give. That's why it's so important for us to stay sharp and in-tune throughout the training process. When we lack awareness, it often creates anxiety and frustration for the horse. Issues people blame on the gate, the box, or the environment are usually not about the obstacle itself—it’s the discomfort the horse associates with what happens after they’re there. Whether it’s helping your horse get into the right body position or recognizing when something physical might be bothering them, awareness matters. If you learn to listen, your horse will tell you exactly how good of a job you’re doing.