Riders of A Certain Age presents Conversations Beyond the Barn

Fran Severn

Ride into the world of all things equestrian with Fran Severn, author of Riders of a Certain Age, with the podcast “Conversations Beyond the Barn.” Each week, she’ll chat with people whose lives and careers involve horses in unexpected and unusual ways, discuss issues that affect everyone in the horse world, and share information about the best ways to care for your equine partner. Whether you’ve spent your entire life in the saddle or are new to the stable, Riders of a Certain Age presents: Conversations Beyond the Barn promises to entertain and inform you. Join Fran every Tuesday for “Conversations Beyond the Barn.”

Episodes

  1. 21 APR

    Cowboy Mounted Shooting | The Fastest Growing Western Sport | Interview with Cindy Stavely

    Cowboy Mounted Shooting looks like something straight out of a Western movie. A rider gallops through a course, firing revolvers at targets with flashes, smoke, and speed. Think classic Hollywood moments like John Wayne charging across the screen in True Grit. But this isn’t a movie stunt. It’s a real and rapidly growing equestrian sport. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Cindy Stavely, a respected competitor in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting world. They break down how the sport works, how horses are trained for the noise and speed, what competitions look like, and why mounted shooting has become such a popular and family-friendly discipline in the Western riding community. If you’re curious about western riding sports beyond barrel racing, reining, or ranch riding, this conversation offers a fascinating look at one of the most exciting disciplines in the horse world. Learn more about Cowboy Mounted Shooting events: www.cmsaevents.com Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for conversations about horses, riding later in life, and the people who make the equestrian world unique. Learn more: https://ridersofacertainage.com/ Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”: https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/ #CowboyMountedShooting #WesternRiding #EquestrianSports #HorseSports #MountedShooting #CowboyCulture #WesternLifestyle #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #HorseCommunity #WesternHorse #EquestrianLife

    21 min
  2. 14 APR

    Horses and Humans Research Foundation | Equine Assisted Therapy Explained | Interview with Pebbles Turbeville

    Equine assisted therapy is transforming how we approach emotional, mental, and physical wellness—but it wasn’t always taken seriously. The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) is changing that by scientifically documenting the benefits of horse-assisted interventions and validating their effectiveness for a wide range of conditions. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn interviews Pebbles Turbeville, CEO of HHRF, about the foundation’s groundbreaking work. They discuss how research is expanding understanding of equine therapy, its impact on mental health, physical rehabilitation, and why horses are such powerful partners in healing. Learn more about the Horses and Humans Research Foundation: www.horsesandhumans.org Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more insights into horse care, equestrian lifestyles, and inspiring stories from the horse world. Support the podcast: https://ridersofacertainage.com/ Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”: https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/ #EquineTherapy #HorseTherapy #EquineAssistedTherapy #MentalHealth #HorseHealing #HorsesAndHumans #HorseWellness #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #EquestrianLife #HorseCare #EquestrianHealth

    26 min
  3. 17 MAR

    Inside Equine Event & Horse Show Photography | Interview with Summer Grace | Flaxen Mane Media

    Turning a passion for horses into a career isn’t easy—but Summer Grace has done it in a unique way. As the owner of Flaxen Mane Media, she provides photography, publicity, and promotional services for equestrian businesses and horse shows. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Summer about her journey as a professional horse show photographer, the behind-the-scenes of equestrian events, and how she captures the excitement, personalities, and stories of riders and organizers. Learn how her work helps promote the equestrian community and preserves unforgettable moments in horse sport. Learn more about Flaxen Mane Media: www.flaxenmanemedia.com Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more insights on horse careers, equestrian life, and stories from the barn. Support the podcast: https://ridersofacertainage.com/ Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”: https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/ #HorsePhotography #EquineEvents #HorseShowPhotography #EquestrianLife #EquestrianCareers #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #HorseShow #HorseCommunity #EquestrianMedia #EquestrianBusiness #HorseLovers

    22 min
  4. 10 MAR

    Life After the Race Track | Off Track Thoroughbreds & Turning for Home | Interview with Danielle Montgomery

    Watching Thoroughbreds thunder down the track is exhilarating—but what happens when a racehorse retires? Many face uncertain futures due to age, injury, or performance. Thankfully, programs like Turning for Home provide safe homes and new careers for off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Danielle Montgomery, director of Turning for Home, about how the organization rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes nearly 5,000 OTTBs. Learn how retired racehorses can thrive in second careers, and how organizations and communities work together to ensure their safety and happiness. Learn more about Turning for Home: www.turningforhome.org Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more stories about horse care, equestrian life, and programs that make a difference in the horse world. Support the podcast: https://ridersofacertainage.com/ Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”: https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/ #OffTheTrackThoroughbreds #OTTB #HorseRescue #TurningForHome #RacehorseRehoming #EquestrianLife #HorseCare #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #HorseRescueStories #EquestrianCommunity #RetiredRacehorses

    24 min
  5. 3 MAR

    Honey's Adventures | Equine Assisted Therapy with Mini Horses | Interview with Mary Rose Gullett

    Equine assisted therapy is a powerful tool for emotional, physical, and mental wellness—but what if the therapy horse is just a few feet tall? In Florida, Honey's Mini Therapy Adventures brings mini horses directly to seniors, hospitals, schools, and counseling offices, making therapy more accessible and impactful. In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn speaks with Mary Rose Gullett, founder of Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures, about how a small horse named Honey inspired a life-changing therapy practice. Learn how mini horses are transforming equine-assisted therapy and expanding opportunities for therapists and clients alike. Learn more about Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures: www.minitherapy.org Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more stories on horses, therapy programs, and equestrian life. Support the podcast: https://ridersofacertainage.com/ Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”: https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/ #MiniHorseTherapy #EquineAssistedTherapy #MiniTherapyHorses #HorseTherapy #EquestrianLife #HorseCare #RidersOfACertainAge #AnimalTherapy #EquestrianCommunity #TherapyHorses #HorsePodcast #EquineWellness

    23 min

About

Ride into the world of all things equestrian with Fran Severn, author of Riders of a Certain Age, with the podcast “Conversations Beyond the Barn.” Each week, she’ll chat with people whose lives and careers involve horses in unexpected and unusual ways, discuss issues that affect everyone in the horse world, and share information about the best ways to care for your equine partner. Whether you’ve spent your entire life in the saddle or are new to the stable, Riders of a Certain Age presents: Conversations Beyond the Barn promises to entertain and inform you. Join Fran every Tuesday for “Conversations Beyond the Barn.”