Horsemanship: In Practice

DAMIEN MCNICKLE

Candid conversations with Equine professionals about horses, training and business.

Episodes

  1. 18 Sept

    Damien McNickle - The Messy Middle: Horses, Business & What I’m Still Learning

    For the final episode of Series 1, there’s no guest. Just me. I look back at the slightly unconventional route that brought me into horses, from riding schools and yard work to Australia, training horses professionally and eventually building McNickle Horsemanship. I also reflect on what I’ve taken from the conversations in Series 1, what I currently believe about training, where I know I still need to improve, and why both my horsemanship and my business are still very much works in progress. I haven’t made it. I’m still figuring it out. This is a bit of a look at the messy middle. If you’ve enjoyed Series 1, please share the podcast and let me know who you’d like to hear from in Series 2. McNickle Horsemanship Website: https://mcnicklehorsemanship.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McNickleHorsemanship/

  2. 11 Sept

    Tom Broadbridge - Barefoot, Hoof Boots & Building Pioneer

    Tom Broadbridge – Pioneer Hoof ProtectionIn this episode, I’m joined by Tom Broadbridge, founder of Pioneer Hoof Protection. Tom originally trained and worked as a farrier, with a particular interest in remedial shoeing and lameness. But an experience with a horse he had been unable to get sound challenged the way he thought about hoof care and ultimately led him towards barefoot horses and hoof boots. We talk about how the hoof functions, barefoot versus shoeing, trimming, track systems and why some horses may still need hoof protection. We then get into the story behind Pioneer Hoof Protection and Tom’s nine-year journey to develop a hoof boot designed to adapt to the individual horse. We talk about everything from his early experiments with 3D scanning and printing to prototyping, manufacturing, patents, funding and the realities of bringing a physical product to market. Tom also gives some visual demonstrations during the conversation. If you’d like to see these, the full video version of the episode will be available on YouTube. In this episode we discuss:Tom’s background in farriery and remedial shoeingThe horse that changed the way he thought about hoof careBarefoot versus traditional shoeingHow the hoof functions during movementNavicular syndrome and hoof functionTrack systems, diet and transitioning horses to barefootWhy some horses still need hoof protectionBarefoot trimming and maintaining the hoof between trimsThe advantages and limitations of hoof bootsWhy conventional hoof boots can be difficult to fitHow hoof shape changes throughout the trim cycleThe idea behind Pioneer Hoof Protection3D scanning, 3D printing and the early prototypesNine years of product development and testingDesigning a boot that can adapt to asymmetrical and changing hoof shapesThe materials and modular design of the Pioneer bootThe realities and costs of developing a physical equine productManufacturing, tooling, patents and fundingBuilding and marketing a small equine businessWinning the Horse Care & Horse Wear category and overall Innovation Award at BETA InternationalPioneer’s fitting service and growing network of hoof boot fittersWhy Tom thinks we need to listen to our horses moreFind out more about Pioneer Hoof ProtectionWebsite: https://pioneerhoofprotection.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pioneerhoofprotection/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PioneerHoofProtection/ Tom’s recommended learning resourceThe Hoof School Online hoof-care education covering hoof health, barefoot management, transitioning from shoes to barefoot and maintenance trimming. Website: https://www.hoofschool.com/ Watch the podcastTom uses a number of visual demonstrations during our conversation to help explain some of the concepts we discuss. The full video version of this episode will be available on the Horsemanship in Practice YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@d.mcnicklehorsestartingand2918

  3. 4 Sept

    Alex Geudon - The Equine Microbiome, Nutrition & the Whole Horse

    In this episode of Horsemanship in Practice, I’m joined by equine therapist Alex Geudon. Alex takes a whole-horse approach to her work, with a particular interest in hindgut and metabolic issues and how these may influence the health, behaviour and performance of the horse. We talk about the equine microbiome, what Alex means by dysbiosis, and some of the different symptoms she looks for when assessing a horse. From there, we get into the practical side of feeding and management, including forage, hay versus haylage, sugar, trickle feeding, movement and supplementation. We also discuss the realities of trying to make these changes when your horse is kept on a livery yard, where you may have limited control over forage and turnout, and I use my own horse as a practical example as Alex talks through some of the changes she has recommended for him. In this episode we discuss:Alex’s background and what led her into equine therapyThe equine hindgut and microbiomeWhat dysbiosis meansHow Alex believes gut health can influence health, behaviour and performanceForage and the differences between hay and haylageSugar and modern pastureTrickle feeding and movementTrack systems and individual managementMaking gradual changes to a horse’s dietMinerals, amino acids and B vitaminsAlex’s use of herbsListening to the individual horse rather than following a one-size-fits-all approachFind out more about AlexAlex Geudon Equine Therapist – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Alex-Geudon-Equine-Therapist-61581668819620/ EquiCircle https://www.equicircle.co.uk/ Resources mentioned in this episodeSimple System Horse Feeds https://www.simplesystemhorsefeeds.co.uk/ Discussed in relation to hay cobs and forage pellets. Progressive Earth https://www.progressive-earth.com/ Discussed in relation to minerals, amino acids and vitamin B complex. Final Forage https://finalforage.com/ Recommended during the conversation as a resource for learning more about forage and equine nutrition.

  4. 28 Aug

    Josh Milburn - Natural Balance Dentistry

    In this episode I’m joined by Josh Milburn of Milburn Equine. Josh is an equine dental practitioner and former farrier who specialises in Natural Balance, or Neuromuscular Dentistry. We talk about his journey from farriery into dentistry and why his experience working with horses’ feet led him towards a very different way of thinking about the mouth. We explore how the teeth and jaw can influence the rest of the horse, including posture, movement, balance and behaviour. Josh explains the importance he places on the TMJ and incisors, what he looks for when assessing a horse, and some of the changes he sees following dental treatment. We also discuss wolf teeth, young horses, sedation, power tools, behavioural problems during dental treatment and why Josh’s approach remains controversial within parts of the equine dental profession. Towards the end, we get into the importance of questioning established practices in the horse world, and Josh shares some of the resources he enjoys for continuing to learn. Find Josh / Milburn Equine: 🌐 Website: https://www.milburn-equine.co.uk/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590004452145 Josh’s podcast recommendations: 🎧 Adult Onset Horsemanship – Daniel Dauphin https://dauphinhorsemanship.com/podcasts/ 🎧 Everyday Mulemanship – Ty Evans https://tsmules.com/podcast

  5. 21 Aug

    Dr Russell McKechnie-Guire - Centaur Biomechanics

    Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire is the founder of Centaur Biomechanics and one of the leading researchers in horse and rider biomechanics. In this episode, Russell shares his journey into horses and equine research before we explore how horses move, the factors that can influence their balance and symmetry, and what riders and trainers can learn from the science of equine biomechanics. We discuss: How to observe and assess a horse’s posture and movementThe relationship between laterality, asymmetry and discomfortWhy taking time to notice small changes in our horses mattersUsing targeted exercise and pole work to improve movementHow the rider’s balance, position and movement affect the horseRising trot, diagonals and pressure through the saddleThe relationship between the horse, saddle and riderWhat to look for when choosing a saddle fitterTurning scientific research into useful, practical information for horse ownersFind out more about Russell and his work: Centaur Biomechanics websiteCentaur Biomechanics on FacebookCentaur Biomechanics on InstagramResources mentioned in this episode: Dr David Marlin’s AnimalwebVeterinary CompendiumSociety of Master Saddlers

  6. 14 Aug

    Holly Barber - Working Equitation

    In this episode of the Horsemanship: in Practice podcast, I’m joined by Holly Barber, a horse trainer, riding instructor and one of Britain’s leading competitors in working equitation. Holly has represented Great Britain 13 times and, riding her Lusitano Exparta D’Atela, finished sixth in the world at the 2018 Working Equitation World Championships. She is also an Advanced National Champion, a Level 4 trainer and a national judge with the Association for British Working Equitation. We talk about what working equitation involves, Holly’s experiences, and how she thinks about training horses, and teaching riders. You can find Holly and follow her work here: Pine Lodge School of Classical Equitation on Facebook Holly Barber on Instagram You can also follow Steelehorse, Holly and Freddy Steele’s training and performance partnership: Steelehorse on Facebook Steelehorse on Instagram Steelehorse website If you’re interested in trying working equitation or finding out more about the sport, visit: The Association for British Working Equitation

  7. 7 Aug

    Millie Martin - Equine Behaviour & Positive Reinforcement

    In this episode of Horsemanship in Practice, I’m joined by Millie Martin of Equus with Millie, an accredited equine behaviourist and positive reinforcement trainer. Millie and I approach horse training from quite different perspectives, which leads to a really interesting conversation about how horses learn, where our methods differ and where there is more common ground than you might expect. We discuss: Force-free training and positive reinforcementThe four quadrants of learningClicker training and shaping behaviourUsing food effectively in trainingPain, stress and behaviourFear, thresholds and desensitisationA case study involving a horse with a serious fear of bicyclesOur different approaches to loadingWorking with vets and needle-shy horsesThe importance of staying open-minded as trainersPaying attention to what our horses are trying to tell usFind MillieEquus with Millie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Equuswithmillie/ Email: equuswithmillie@gmail.com Millie’s recommended resourcesThe Relational Horse: How Frameworks of Communication, Care, Politics and Power Reveal and Conceal Equine Selves Edited by Gala Argent & Jeannette Vaught https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isbn/9789004514935/html (Un)Stable Relations: Horses, Humans and Social Agency Lynda Birke & Kirrilly Thompson https://www.routledge.com/UnStable-Relations-Horses-Humans-and-Social-Agency/Birke-Thompson/p/book/9780367874506

  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Candid conversations with Equine professionals about horses, training and business.

Information

  • Creator
    DAMIEN MCNICKLE
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 DAMIEN MCNICKLE
  • Show Website
    Horsemanship: In Practice

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