The Empathetic Trainer

Send us a text

New Zealand Horse advocate and author, Julie Smart joins Barbara O'Brien in a conversation not just about training, but about retraining ourselves to listen, to watch, and to feel the subtle cues that horses give us when trying to communicate.
We talk about how spending undemanding time with our horses changes how they feel about and us and can really help build a better, more trusting relationship. We also talk about how horses never stop learning and can be trained at any age with atunement and understanding.
Julie recommends books like 'True Horsemanship Through Feel' by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond, and 'Warwick Schiller's Principles of Training'. Julie shares her biggest failure, which involved a horse named Ethel, and how it taught her the importance of not believing what others say about horsemanship. They also talk about fear and the need to acknowledge and respect it, as well as the luckiest thing that has happened to Julie, which is having her mother as a role model.

https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a text

As a professional animal trainer and photographer, Barbara O'Brien has worked with animals in film and photography for over twenty years.

Today, she’s meeting with Debra Schneider, animal communicator. When Debra talks to animals, they talk back. Learn how, you too, can begin to hear what your dog is telling you.

https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a text

Lockie Phillips, Founder of Emotional Horsemanship, joins us on our podcast to share his insights on empathy and horses. He tells us how we can reimagine horse training and move beyond obedience to establish a deeper connection based on compassion.

Lockie believes that training programs should be horse centered and focused on the well- being of the horse rather than performance. And that real change requires patience, understanding and the willingness to adapt to the individual needs of each horse.

This episode paints a hopeful picture of a future where the bond between horses and humans grows stronger through empathy and understanding. Join us as we explore this transformative philosophy in equine care and training.

https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a text

Susan Friedland and I explore the world of Marguerite Henry, a beloved author whose stories have enchanted readers for years. From "Misty of Chincoteague" to "King of the Wind" and so many others, Henry's books have made a lasting impression on people of all ages.

We talk about how much Henry loved horses, especially Morgan horses, and how her stories were influenced by her roots in the Midwest. Susan shares how Henry was kind and caring towards her readers, even writing them personal letters. Susan also had the chance to see original art by Wesley Dennis who illustrated many of Henry's books.

Our chat also touches on how Henry's books have inspired young readers to love horses and how they've brought horse lovers together. Whether we're talking about the excitement of the Chincoteague Pony Penning Swim or the comfort horses can bring, we celebrate Henry's legacy and the happiness her books bring to so many people.

https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

Send us a text

Equine photographer, Shelley Paulson shares with us the life changing event that caused her to take a different career path and how her growing understanding of how horses think and feel has changed how she views them with a whole new lens.

https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/