Canter Therapy

Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson
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A podcast hosted by Dr. Shelley Appleton of Calm Willing Confident Horses and Kathryn Christieson of Firenza Park Equine Services on all things horse and learning

  1. 103. The Hidden Impact of Stress on Mares, Hormones & Fertility

    1 DAY AGO

    103. The Hidden Impact of Stress on Mares, Hormones & Fertility

    What if stress is affecting your mare far more deeply than you realise? In this powerful episode, Dr Chris Mortensen shares research into how stress impacts mares, reproduction, hormones, blood flow, embryo quality, and behaviour. Shelley and Kat dive into: Exercise-induced stress and fertilityHormone disruption and cyclingGut health and stressLaminitis and metabolic issuesThe role of blood flow in reproductionWhy stressed plants may contribute to metabolic diseasePractical strategies for mare managementThis is an eye-opening conversation about the interconnectedness of stress, physiology, and horse welfare. Dr Chris Mortensen is an equine nutritionist and researcher with expertise in equine reproduction, stress physiology, gut health, and performance nutrition. He completed his PhD at Texas A&M University researching the impact of stress and exercise on mare fertility and embryo quality, and now works with Poseidon Animal Health focusing on evidence-based equine health and nutrition. Dr. Chris Mortensen, PhD Head of Education, Poseidon Animal Health Website: 🇺🇸 poseidonanimalhealth.com Website: 🇦🇺 poseidonanimalhealth.com.au Website: 🇳🇿 poseidonanimalhealth.co.nz Research referred to in this episode: Here are the citations formatted for your show notes: 1. Mortensen, C.J., Choi, Y.H., Hinrichs, K., Ing, N.H., Kraemer, D.C., Vogelsang, S.G., & Vogelsang, M.M. (2009). Embryo recovery from exercised mares* Animal Reproduction Science, 110(3-4), 237-244. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.01.015] 2. Smith, R.L., Vernon, K.L., Kelley, D.E., Gibbons, J.R., & Mortensen, C.J. (2012). Impact of moderate exercise on ovarian blood flow and early embryonic outcomes in mares. Journal of Animal Science, 90(10), 3770-3777. [https://doi.org/10.2527/jas2011-4713] Special for Podcast Listeners! Use coupon code: SHELLEYAPPLETON at the checkout of Poseidon Animal Health products to receive a discount. Support Canter Therapy Podcast: To find out more about Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson check out the Canter Therapy Podcast website: www.cantertherapy.com.au

    1hr 5min
  2. 102. Interview with Bob Wood

    6 DAYS AGO

    102. Interview with Bob Wood

    In this special episode of the Canter Therapy podcast, Shelley and Kat sit down with American horseman Bob Wood for a fascinating conversation about authentic horsemanship, rider development, leadership, and the timeless principles that underpin good horse training. Trained originally by a former US Cavalry horseman, Bob shares decades of hard-earned wisdom from a lifetime spent teaching riders, training horses, coaching eventers and polo players, restarting troubled horses, and helping people understand the deeper “why” behind effective horsemanship. In this episode, Bob explains: • What has been lost in modern horsemanship and rider education • Why good lesson horses and correct rider development matter • How to develop an independent, balanced seat by learning to move with the horse • The importance of leadership in creating true partnership with horses • Why some abused or dangerous horses may initially require “dominance” as Bob defines it, not cruelty, but clear, confident influence and boundaries • The difference between leadership, domination, and partnership • Why horses need humans to demonstrate competence and reliability • The problems created by social media horsemanship trends, over-humanising horses, and confusing sentimentality with training • How pressure, feel, timing, and attention shape horse training far more effectively than gimmicks or dependency-based approaches This is an honest, thought-provoking conversation that bridges old-school horsemanship wisdom with modern discussions about welfare, rider skill, and horse behaviour. Whether you’re a beginner rider, experienced trainer, or simply passionate about horses, this episode offers valuable insights into what it really takes to create calm, willing, confident horses and competent, grounded riders. We are incredibly grateful to Bob for sharing his experience and perspective, and we know this will not be the last conversation we have with him. To find out more about Bob Wood Website: http://www.triplecreekfarmpa.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobWoodHorsesForLife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UClZRgcA-CIydVmlMARcIq0A To find out more about Canter Therapy Podcast Website: https://www.cantertherapy.com.au To find out more about Dr Shelley Appleton Website: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calmwillingconfidenthorses Instagram: @calmwillingconfidenthorses To find out more about Kathryn Christieson Website: https://firenzapark.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirenzaPark Instagram: @firenzapark

    1hr 15min
  3. 101. Interview with Ian Leighton (Part 3)

    3 MAR

    101. Interview with Ian Leighton (Part 3)

    Ian Leighton returns to Canter Therapy for his third appearance and, once again, delivers the kind of practical wisdom that’s hard to argue with. We dig into why nothing we ask of horses is natural, and what that means for training young horses, building trail confidence, and handling “won’t go past that” moments without accidentally rewarding the stop or turning work into punishment. Ian breaks down how to get forward in a way that doesn’t blow horses up, why you can only truly change one thing at a time, and why the best work often happens when nobody’s watching. We also talk coaching humans, including fear, ego, and learning differences, and how riders unknowingly create the very problems they blame on the horse. If you want a clearer horse, a calmer ride, and fewer arguments, this one’s for you. Support Our Episode Sponsors & Learn More This episode of Canter Therapy is proudly supported by the people behind it. If you value thoughtful, experience-based horsemanship conversations, you can support the podcast by supporting our sponsors. You can learn more about Ian Leighton, his clinics, events, and horsemanship philosophy at www.ianleightonhorsemanship.com. If you’ve ever considered attending a multi-day clinic, keep an eye on his event calendar. They tend to fill quickly, and they are genuinely transformative for riders who want depth, not gimmicks. To learn more about Shelley’s programs, courses, books, and the Calm Willing Confident Horses membership society, visit www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au. For evidence-based hoof care support and educational resources from Kat Christieson, visit www.firenzapark.com.au. And if you’d like to directly support the Canter Therapy Podcast, you can find more episodes and merchandise at www.cantertherapy.com.au. Every share, follow, subscription, and hoodie purchase helps us continue bringing experienced voices and grounded ideas to the horse world. Thank you for being part of the Canter Therapy community.

    1hr 26min
  4. 100. Learning Horses the Hard Way (and Why It Worked)

    8 FEB

    100. Learning Horses the Hard Way (and Why It Worked)

    In this episode of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley and Kat speak with Stacey Wallace about one of the most rapid and grounded transformations she has witnessed in a horse owner. Stacey returned to horses as an adult, postpartum, without a pony club background and with a young, reactive horse that challenged her confidence and skills from the outset. Over a relatively short period of time, Stacey developed exceptional handling skills, sound decision-making, and the ability to calmly navigate complex situations that derail many horse owners. Her progress was supported not only by structured learning, but also by her own background in cheerleading and the Air Force, which shaped her discipline, ability to practise methodically, take responsibility, and stay calm under pressure. A central theme of the conversation is how working within Shelley’s framework, through the Complete Reboot program and the Calm Willing Confident Horse Society, helped Stacey cut through the noise of conflicting expert advice. Rather than becoming dependent on opinions, Stacey learned a process for observing, testing, and refining her approach. She also speaks openly about the role of trusting her gut, particularly when expert advice conflicted or did not align with what she was seeing in her horse, even when faced with soundness issues, hoof concerns, injuries, and management challenges. This episode offers an honest and practical look at what is possible for first-time and adult horse owners who never went to pony club, do not have the “perfect” horse, and are trying to build real capability in a confusing horse world. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe. And if you’d like to support it in a more tangible way, visit the Canter Therapy website to explore Shelley and Kat’s education resources, clinics, and events. There’s also merchandise, because nothing says “I appreciate critical thinking and horses” quite like a hoodie! Visit www.cantertherapy.com.au for more information.

    1hr 11min
  5. 99. The Ragged Edge of Horsemanship with Peter Cowell

    3 FEB

    99. The Ragged Edge of Horsemanship with Peter Cowell

    In this episode, Shelley sits down with horseman and educator Peter Cowell, the “man of a thousand sayings” who quietly delivers some of the most grounded, practical horsemanship insight you’ll hear. Peter shares how he found his way into horses (yes, it started with a girl), the three formative mentors who set his standards early, and why real learning is built in layers rather than slogans. The conversation explores what Peter calls the “ragged edge” of practice: handling weanlings year after year in the same facilities, with the same bloodlines, and refining timing, feel, and risk management through relentless repetition. You’ll hear honest discussion about trade-offs (there are no complete solutions), why context matters more than certainty, and how skilled horse people can unintentionally skip teaching because they do not realise how much they are doing in the micro-moments. Peter also explains how his use of a flag evolved from driving horses to helping them think forward, and why “that’s a goal, not a method” should probably be written on half the walls in the horse industry. Peter will be returning for a part two. Homework has been assigned. ​How early mentors shape standards and decision-making​Practical expertise versus simplified “science flag” thinking, and why long-term patterns matter​Weanling handling as a real-world laboratory for repetition, refinement, and risk reduction​Timing, including “rewarding the thought” and recognising the earliest onset of behaviour​“No complete solutions, only trade-offs” applied to tying, handling, and training​The missing middle ground in the horse world, and why it is where most people actually live You can find out more about Peter Cowell here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConundrumHorseHandling Email: conundrumhorse@hotmail.com To learn more about the Canter Therapy Podcast, suggest an episode idea, or support the show, visit:www.cantertherapy.com.au To find out more about Dr Shelley Appleton and support her work, visit:www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au To find out more about Kathryn Christieson and support her work, visit:www.firenzapark.com.au If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with friends. It helps us bring thoughtful, skilled voices to the forefront of the equestrian world.

    1hr 2min
  6. 98. Stress, Gut Health, and Horses with Dr Chris Mortensen

    16 JAN

    98. Stress, Gut Health, and Horses with Dr Chris Mortensen

    Horses did not evolve for stalls, separation, transport, or high-pressure routines, yet this is the reality most horses live in today. That mismatch creates chronic stress, and the consequences do not stay hidden. They show up in digestion, behaviour, performance, soundness, and long-term health. In this episode, Dr Chris Mortensen (Poseidon Animal Health) explains why stress and gut health sit at the centre of so many modern horse problems, and why missing this link keeps people chasing symptoms instead of causes. We unpack what the hindgut actually does, how stress alters digestion, and why the gut microbiome plays such a powerful role in how horses cope with domesticated life. Chris also clearly explains the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, cutting through common misconceptions that cost horse owners time, money, and progress. If you care about making better decisions for your horse, this conversation will change how you think about stress, feeding, and what “supporting the horse” really means. Show Notes: Dr Chris Mortensen Dr Chris Mortensen is a PhD-qualified equine nutritionist and international educator specialising in stress physiology, gut health, and equine performance. Poseidon Animal Health Poseidon Animal Health develops evidence-based equine nutrition and gut health solutions, working with leading scientists to support long-term horse health and resilience. To find out more about Dr Chris and Poseidon Animal Health Products visit the Poseidon Animal Health website: https://poseidonanimalhealth.com.au To receive 10% off Poseidon Animal Health Products Click HERE or use code SHELLEYAPPLETON at checkout.

    1hr 5min
  7. Episode 97. A Controversial Conversation: Freedom To or Freedom From?

    24/11/2025

    Episode 97. A Controversial Conversation: Freedom To or Freedom From?

    In Episode 97 of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley and Kat walk straight into controversy and unpack one of the horse world's most heated topics: what does freedom really mean for domestic horses? Using a spicy young chestnut filly with dangerous kicking habits as a case study, they explore how early handling, feet care and smart use of pressure can free a horse from a lifetime of stress, conflict and labels like "dangerous." From the ideology of giving horses "freedom to" choose, consent and say no, to the more practical and welfare focused idea of giving horses "freedom from" pain, insecurity and chronic stress, Shelley and Kat pull apart the assumptions behind popular narratives about agency, choice, barefoot feet, laminitis and turnout. This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about cognition, ethics and reality for horses living in a human world, and it will absolutely ruffle a few feathers. To learn more about Shelley and Kat and the balanced, evidence based approaches they promote for horse training and care, visit their websites: Dr Shelley Appleton: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au Kathryn Christieson: https://firenzapark.com.au For more information about the Canter Therapy Podcast, to suggest episode ideas, or to enquire about sponsorship or advertising, head to: https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

    48 min
  8. EPISODE 96. Inside the Horse: Dissection Lessons, Digital Pulses & the Whole-Horse Reality

    06/11/2025

    EPISODE 96. Inside the Horse: Dissection Lessons, Digital Pulses & the Whole-Horse Reality

    Kat has just come back from a three-day equine dissection in Wagga hosted by Dr Heidi McGraw and led by Dr Raquel Butler (with nods to pioneer Sharon May-Davis). We unpack what anatomy really looks like (spoiler: nothing like the textbook), why fascia and “everything’s connected” matters, how X-rays can miss early change, mares’ ovaries, the ethics/wicked-problem of riding, and Shelley’s new tech toys—from the Lami-Tag for digital pulses (laminitis) to Equestric Saddle Clip for gait/HR tracking - plus what’s coming up in Shelley’s “Teaching People How to Work with Horses” course and "Whole-Horse" workshops and more! Episode Information: Find Shelley's Clinics and Workshop Information here: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au/clinics For Information on Shelley's "Teaching People How to Work With Horses" click here: https://calmwillingandconfidenthorses.thinkific.com/bundles/teaching-people-how-to-work-with-horses-the-human-side-of-equestrian-learning For information on the Equestric Saddle Clip (use coupon code SHELLEYAPPLETON15 to get 15% discount) click here: https://www.equestic.com/ref/45/?apply_coupon=SHELLEYAPPLETON15 For information on the Lami-Tag (IMPORTANT: Shelley is still testing and has not yet confirmed the benefit or accuracy of this device) click here: https://www.lami-tag.com To find out more about Shelley, her teachings, resources and how to learn from her, click here: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au/ To find out more about Kat and her services, courses and workshops, click here: https://firenzapark.com.au To find out more about Canter Therapy Podcast and put in suggestions for episode topics, click here: https://www.cantertherapy.com.au

    47 min
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About

A podcast hosted by Dr. Shelley Appleton of Calm Willing Confident Horses and Kathryn Christieson of Firenza Park Equine Services on all things horse and learning

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr Shelley Appleton and Kathryn Christieson
  • Show Website
    Canter Therapy

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