The Elevated Equestrian

Samantha Baer
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The Elevated Equestrian is where horse people come to think deeper about riding, training, and connection. Hosted by professional event rider Samantha Baer, the podcast dives into biomechanics, horse welfare, mindset, and the realities of modern equestrian sport. Each week brings honest conversations with riders, trainers, and innovators who are changing how we work with horses. If you want to ride better, think differently, and put your horse first, this podcast is for you.

  1. 2D AGO

    Training the Prey Animal Brain - Dr. Janet Jones

    What's really happening in your horse's brain when the pressure is on — and why does it matter for how we train? In this episode, neuroscientist and lifelong horse trainer Dr. Janet Jones (author of Horse Brain, Human Brain and the upcoming A Horse's World) joins the podcast to unpack the science behind the prey animal brain at every level of performance. We get into what's actually happening neurologically when a horse is stressed at a show, why confinement and tight tack make fear worse, how trust is built (and how quickly it can be broken), the difference between learning and performing in the horse's brain, why drilling destroys motivation while practice builds it, how surprise-based rewards create stronger neural connections than predictable food treats, and why the best thing most riders can do is simply slow down. Dr. Jones also shares why a horse's skin is more sensitive than a human fingertip, why it takes at least a year of daily interaction to build real trust, and how mixing disciplines keeps horses mentally and physically healthier. Whether you're starting a young horse, competing at the upper levels, or just trying to better your relationship with your horse — this one's packed with science you can actually use. 🎧 Follow The Elevated Equestrian Podcast so you never miss an episode → available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts🔗 Find all things Elevated Equestrian: https://www.samanthabaer.com/links

    1h 12m

  2. APR 6

    The Lost Language Between You and Your Horse - Dr. Allison Baier

    Physical therapist and lifelong equestrian Dr. Allison Baier of EquiPT joins the podcast to explore why so many riders feel disconnected from their bodies in the saddle — and what to do about it. Drawing from her training in somatic experiencing and over a decade of physical therapy, Allie explains the "felt sense," how fight, flight, and freeze states show up in your riding, and why no amount of stretching or positive self-talk can release what's actually stuck in your body. We talk about why adult amateurs struggle with fear more than kids, how orienting to your environment can break a panic spiral at a show, and what happens when you stop trying to fix the problem and start noticing what's already working. If this episode hit home, do us a huge favor — follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with a rider who needs to hear this. It's the single best way to help us keep bringing conversations like this one to more riders. 🐴

    55 min

  3. MAR 30

    The Chemistry Behind How You Show Up for Your Horse - Katie Edmonds (F)NTP

    Are you white knuckling your way through barn chores, rushing between rides, and wondering why your body keeps revolting? In this episode, nutritional therapist and endometriosis educator Katie Edmonds of Heal Endo breaks down the difference between CAN chemistry (cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine) and DOSE chemistry (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins) — and why the one you're living in is shaping everything from your hormones to your horse's behavior. We talk about chronic inflammation as the root of conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, and Hashimoto's, why high-performing equestrians are especially prone to nervous system dysregulation, and how being a highly sensitive person in a sport that demands toughness creates a cycle that can wreck your health. Katie shares practical ways to shift out of survival physiology — including the concept of "pottering" — so you can show up for your horse from a place of regulation instead of white-knuckled control. Whether you're managing a diagnosed condition or just feel like something's off, this episode will change how you think about performance, partnership, and what it really means to take care of yourself so you can take care of your horses. Follow The Elevated Equestrian on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

    52 min

  4. MAR 23

    The Behavior Problem That's Actually a Tack Problem — Linda Hauck

    In this episode Samantha Baer sits down with Linda Hauck, founder of Tapestry Equine Products, racetrack trainer, eventing technical delegate, and competition coach with over 40 years in the barn. Linda didn't design her products from a boardroom — she designed them because her horses were telling her something wasn't working, and she actually listened. They talk about why horses go to the back of the stall when you tack up, how the wrong girth kills movement and willingness, the spur Linda built after testing every option on the market on herself, and why the neck strap belongs on every horse regardless of level. If your horse seems duller or more resistant than they should be, start here. 🎓 FROM STIFF TO SUPPLE IN 28 DAYS Six ride-along audio lessons coached in real time, right from the saddle. Presale is 40% off — code applied automatically at checkout. Ends March 14th. Stiff to Supple

    52 min

  5. MAR 16

    Giving Horses a Voice - Grete Jørgensen

    Grete Jørgensen is a researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research who's spent years studying how horses communicate preferences — including the viral blanket study that taught horses to use symbols for yes and no. In this episode, we talk about what it actually took to teach horses to make choices, and what it revealed about how we train them. We get into why some horses were too shut down to even touch the board, the cold-blooded horse who kept asking for a blanket when everyone assumed he'd be fine, how positive reinforcement was the only way to make the study work, whether horses should have a say in how they're kept and trained, and why the culture of "kick and pull" often starts at Pony Club. Whether you're competing at the top level or just want a better relationship with your horse, this one's worth a listen. Connect with Grete:Horse Voice Project: nibio.no/en/projects/giving-the-horse-a-voice-horse-welfare-and-owner-awarenessNews article: nibio.no/en/news/2026/new-research-project-gives-horses-a-voice 🐴 Ready to help your horse move better? Check out my course From Stiff to Supple in 28 Days – currently 40% off at $58 (regular $97). Presale ends March 15th. 👉 samanthabaer.com/courses

    1h 1m

  6. MAR 9

    Competition Culture & Doing Right by the Horse - Matt Brown

    Samantha Baer sits down with Matt Brown, a five-star eventer and horse trainer based in Pennsylvania who's been vocal about rethinking how we use tools like whips in competition. In this episode, we talk about his journey from traditional, dominance-based training to a more horsemanship-focused approach - and what it took to make that shift while competing at the highest level. We get into why being named a Rio Olympic alternate was actually his lowest point, the difference between a shut-down horse and a horse with a voice, his decision to ride Kentucky 2025 without a stick, how outcome-based culture affects both horses and riders, and having honest conversations about what needs to change in horse sport. Whether you're competing or just trying to build a better partnership with your horse, this one's worth a listen. 🐴 Ready to help your horse move better? Check out my course From Stiff to Supple in 28 Days – currently 40% off at $58 (regular $97). Presale ends March 15th.👉 Course

    53 min

  7. MAR 2

    Why 95% of Riders Have Back Pain (And How to Finally Fix It) - Matthias Agneessens

    What if the resistance, crookedness, and tension you feel in your horse is actually coming from you? In this episode, I sit down with Matthias Agneessens — manual therapist, biomechanics specialist, and the man treating some of the world's top show jumpers — to break down exactly why rider posture and muscle activation is the missing piece most trainers never address. We talk about why your gym work might be making things worse, how a blocked psoas affects both you AND your horse, and why "fix the rider and all the horses get better" is the most underrated truth in equestrian sport. Work with Matthias - Www.move2ride.com 🎧 Speaking of unlocking your horse's body — my course From Stiff to Supple in 28 Days is in presale right now at 40% off. Six ride-along audio lessons you can listen to straight from the saddle. Presale ends March 14th — grab it here: https://www.samanthabaer.com/courses/stiff-to-supple-28-days

    1h 43m

  8. FEB 23

    How to Actually Stay Present With Your Horse (And Why It Changes Everything) - Natalie Hummel

    Presence is one of those things everyone in the horse world talks about but almost nobody explains how to actually get there. This week I sat down with high performance and nervous system coach Natalie Hummel and honestly this might be one of my favorite conversations we've had on the pod. We get into why presence is the single most powerful thing you can bring to your horse, what's actually blocking you from accessing it (and why it has nothing to do with focus or discipline), the real root underneath fear and performance anxiety, why awareness alone isn't enough to change your patterns, and how the work I do with horses and the work Natalie does with humans turned out to be almost identical. I also share my own burnout and people pleasing era that I'd honestly rather forget — but it's too relevant not to. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right and still hitting a wall, this episode is going to reframe a lot for you. Your horse already knows how to be here. This is about catching up to them. 🎓 My course From Stiff to Supple in 28 Days is in presale right now. Six ride-along audio lessons designed to systematically unlock your horse's body and yours. 40% off, code applied automatically at checkout. Presale ends March 14th. Grab it here: https://www.samanthabaer.com/courses/stiff-to-supple-28-days

    58 min
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About

The Elevated Equestrian is where horse people come to think deeper about riding, training, and connection. Hosted by professional event rider Samantha Baer, the podcast dives into biomechanics, horse welfare, mindset, and the realities of modern equestrian sport. Each week brings honest conversations with riders, trainers, and innovators who are changing how we work with horses. If you want to ride better, think differently, and put your horse first, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Baer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Samantha Baer
  • Show Website
    The Elevated Equestrian

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