Heart of Horsemanship Podcast

Colton Woods
  • 4.9 (48)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

How can I have a stronger connection and relationship with my horse? How can I turn my passion for horses into a career? How can I build my confidence and overcome fears with my horse? How can I develop a well-rounded horse program that serves the horses and clients? Do I need to go to college for a career in the horse industry? How can I grow myself to help serve my horse better? Hey Folks and welcome to the Heart of Horsemanship Podcast where we will answer ALL of these questions and many more! Every week, your host Colton Woods brings you horsemanship hacks, business tips, equestrian motivation, personal and inspirational stories and even guests on the show that will help YOU take your horsemanship, relationships, careers and self to the entire NEXT LEVEL! Colton takes it the extra mile as he shares with you the practical and achievable steps he has taken to go from a childhood nonexistent with horses to traveling the world and teaching clinics, building the highly sought after horse and human development program at Colton Woods Horsemanship and not only making a living in the horse industry but loving the time he and his horses spend together. Horsemanship is not just a way to train a horse but it is everything we do with our horses and in our lives. That is right, this podcast is dedicated to helping fellow horse people learn more about their horses and themselves. Here on the Heart of Horsemanship Podcast we keep it fun, we keep it informative, we keep it real and we keep it positive. Thanks for tuning into the Heart of Horsemanship Podcast, now lets dive in.

  1. FEB 27

    The Truth About Wild Mustangs That Nobody In The Horse Industry Will Say

    America's wild Mustang crisis has reached a breaking point. Free high level horsemanship community for serious horse folks (training, personal development & more)- www.cavvy.coltonwoodshorsemanship.com/sign-up Free Resources for Horse Professionals! Horse Business Builders Playbook- https://horsebusinessbuilders.com/freedom-ebook Horse Business Personalized Assessment- https://www.horsebusinessbuilders.com/free-assessment Horse Business Builders Community- www.horsebusinessbuilders.com/free-community Watch Western Justice's Documentary Series- Love to Death- https://youtu.be/6v6TuvDrcbQ?si=T8nsrxGadCqV6mN7 Right now, there are over 100,000 excess feral horses living beyond what western rangelands can sustainably support. Some are slowly starving on overgrazed land. Others spend their entire lives confined in government holding facilities. And taxpayers spend over $150 million every year maintaining the situation without actually solving it. In this video, we break down: • How the Mustang crisis actually happened • The real numbers published by the Bureau of Land Management • Why the term wild horse may be misleading • The role of policy, activism, and management decisions • The difficult ethical conversation surrounding stewardship • A controversial but practical path toward a sustainable future This is not an emotional argument. This is a stewardship conversation. ⚠️ Fair warning: not everyone will agree with the proposed solution. But if you genuinely care about the long-term welfare of these horses, this discussion matters. Chapters 00:00 The Mustang Crisis Explained 01:51 Why This Conversation Matters 02:18 Wild vs Feral Horses 05:35 The Real Numbers Behind Overpopulation 10:24 How We Got Here 16:00 The Rancher Controversy 23:08 The Reality for Horses Today 25:28 Is There a Real Solution? 28:12 What Stewardship Really Means 31:55 The Controversial Proposal 35:42 What Happens Next

    38 min

  2. FEB 17

    The Real Reason Horse Professionals Stay Underpaid

    Join me in our Private FREE Cavvy Community that really gets it! https://cavvy.coltonwoodshorsemanship.com/ Join our Horse Business Builders Community! https://www.horsebusinessbuilders.com/grow If you're a horse professional working nonstop but still not seeing the profit margin to match your effort, this conversation is for you. In this video, we break down why so many horse professionals get trapped in "commodity" positioning and how to restructure your business so you stop competing on price and availability. Chapters: 00:00 – Why Most Horse Businesses Feel Busy but Broke 01:10 – What It Means to Be Treated Like a Commodity 02:10 – The Burnout Trap: Busy Without Margin 03:24 – The Market Won't Automatically See Your Value 05:10 – Price Shoppers vs Value Shoppers 06:30 – Structural Upgrade #1: Clear Positioning & Digital Presence 09:15 – Free Horse Business Assessment 09:45 – Structural Upgrade #2: Centralized Communication Systems 11:40 – Structural Upgrade #3: A Structured Sales Process 13:00 – Why It's Not a Talent Problem 14:10 – Elevate Yourself to Elevate Your Business 15:10 – Free Playbook + Final Encouragement

    13 min

  3. FEB 13

    4 Ways Horse Farms Handle Manure (Worst to Best)

    Join me in our Private FREE Cavvy Community that really gets it! https://cavvy.coltonwoodshorsemanship.com/ Join our Horse Business Builders Community! https://www.horsebusinessbuilders.com/grow Manure is one of the biggest hidden headaches on horse farms — it piles up, takes space, attracts flies, smells bad, and quietly costs you time and money. In this video, we break down 4 manure composting systems for horse farms, ranked from the worst option to the best option, so you can choose the simplest, most effective manure management system for your facility — whether you run a small private barn or a large professional operation. Chapters 00:00 The Manure Problem Every Horse Farm Faces 01:18 Option 1: Letting Manure Pile Up (Worst Way) 03:07 Why Manure Piles Take Years to Break Down 04:52 Option 2: Turning Piles to Speed Composting 07:10 Why Turning Compost Reduces Flies, Smell, and Space 08:58 Option 3: Windrow Composting for Large Horse Farms 11:36 Option 4: Using Chickens for Composting 14:35 Why Spreading Raw Manure on Pastures Backfires 16:05 Choosing the Right Composting System for Your Farm 17:35 Final Thoughts + Next Video Tease

    14 min

  4. FEB 11

    Manure Is Costing Horse Farms More Than They Realize

    Join me in our Private FREE Cavvy Community that really gets it! https://cavvy.coltonwoodshorsemanship.com/ Join our Horse Business Builders Community! https://www.horsebusinessbuilders.com/grow Manure management is one of the most ignored money leaks in horse businesses. Most barns are paying too much, wasting time, or creating environmental and compliance risks without realizing it. In this video, we break down practical, real-world manure waste management strategies for horse farms, boarding barns, lesson programs, and training facilities. You'll learn how poor manure systems quietly drain your profits and what smarter barns do to manage waste efficiently, legally, and sustainably. We cover: - Why manure management becomes a hidden cost center - The true cost of poor waste systems - Common manure disposal mistakes horse farms make - Affordable manure management options for small and large barns - How to reduce hauling, labor, and mess - What professional barns do differently If you're running a horse farm and constantly dealing with manure piles, high hauling bills, or frustrated staff, this video will help you rethink your system so it supports your business instead of dragging it down. This is for horse business owners who want: ✔️ Lower operating costs ✔️ Cleaner, safer facilities ✔️ Less daily labor stress ✔️ More professional systems ✔️ Fewer compliance and neighbor issues Chapters: 00:00 Why Manure Management Is a Hidden Cost 01:12 The Real Cost of Poor Manure Systems 02:54 Common Manure Mistakes on Horse Farms 04:31 Small Barn Manure Solutions 06:12 Large Barn Waste Management Systems 08:05 Reducing Hauling, Labor, and Mess 09:57 Composting vs Removal: What Works 12:03 What Professional Horse Farms Do Differently 14:01 How to Fix Your Manure System

    10 min

  5. FEB 7

    Why Most Horse Farms Are Bleeding Money (And Don't Know Why)

    Join me in our Private FREE Cavvy Community that really gets it! https://cavvy.coltonwoodshorsemanship.com/ Join our Horse Business Builders Community! https://www.horsebusinessbuilders.com/grow Most horse farms aren't struggling because they "don't work hard enough." They're bleeding money because their business model is quietly broken. In this video, we break down the real reasons horse businesses stay stressed, underpaid, and overwhelmed, even when they're fully booked and working nonstop. You'll learn why adding more horses, more lessons, or more clients often makes the problem worse, not better. We cover: - The hidden math behind why most horse businesses lose money - The difference between being busy vs being profitable - Why "just raise your prices" doesn't fix broken systems - The common money leaks draining horse farms - What sustainable, professional horse businesses actually do differently If you run a boarding barn, lesson program, training business, or therapeutic riding program and feel like you're always behind financially, this video will help you see the real problem clearly and give you a smarter path forward. This is for horse business owners who want: ✔️ Less burnout ✔️ More financial stability ✔️ A professional, sustainable operation ✔️ A business that supports your life instead of consuming it Chapters: 00:00 Why Most Horse Farms Are Losing Money 01:05 Being Busy vs Being Profitable 02:48 The "More Horses" Trap 04:34 Why Working Harder Makes It Worse 06:21 The Real Cost of Running a Horse Business 08:02 The Biggest Money Leaks in Horse Farms 10:14 Why Pricing Alone Won't Fix Your Business 12:03 What Sustainable Horse Businesses Do Differently 14:02 How to Start Fixing the Problem 16:01 Final Reality Check for Horse Business Owners

    14 min

  6. JAN 31

    Why Horse People Should Read The USDA Update Very Carefully

    The USDA recently released an update on the Horse Protection Act, and a lot of horse owners, trainers, and professionals walked away feeling confused or frustrated. Why would a rule meant to protect horses be delayed? And why are so many horse people concerned about what comes next? In this video, we break down the USDA Horse Protection Act update in plain English and explain why this issue goes far beyond horse welfare. While the stated goal is to prevent abuse and end soring, the proposed amendments raise serious concerns about enforcement, expanded definitions, and long-term federal control over the horse industry. We discuss how the Horse Protection Act originated in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, why compliance rates are already extremely high, and why that matters when justifying sweeping new regulations across all breeds and disciplines. We also explain how redefining "soring" to include general soreness creates subjective enforcement that could affect any horse in training or competition. This video also covers the potential impact of mandatory federal inspectors at horse shows, how increased costs and bureaucracy could eliminate shows without improving horse welfare, and why many large equine organizations failed to push back or properly inform their members. This is not a debate about horse welfare versus riding, training, or competing. Horse people already care deeply about their animals. The real question is who gets to make decisions about the future of the horse industry: the people who live it every day, or those who regulate it from a distance. If horse owners and professionals don't stay informed, engaged, and willing to speak up, the narrative will be written by someone else, and the consequences will affect every discipline. 00:00 – USDA Horse Protection Act update explained 00:45 – Why horse people are frustrated and confused 01:25 – When horse welfare turns into control 02:10 – Tennessee Walking Horse compliance and reality 03:10 – Expanded soring definitions and subjective enforcement 04:25 – Federal inspectors at horse shows and rising costs 05:20 – Why equine organizations stayed silent 06:35 – Why the delay is not a win 07:40 – Who decides the future of the horse industry 08:45 – Why horse people must stay informed and speak up

    10 min

  7. JAN 25

    Why Rescues Should Not Save Every Horse

    Want to be a part of a Horse Community that values deep partnerships and real skills? Join me in our PRIVATE Cavvy Community that really gets it! https://cavvy.coltonwoodshorsemanship.com/ 👆🏻 7 Day Free trial if you want to take it for a test ride!  In this episode, we explore the often misunderstood world of horse rescues. We discuss the importance of proper management over misguided rescue attempts that may do more harm than good. We also emphasize the need for rescues to prioritize and make logical decisions, despite emotional environments, to avoid overextending their resources. Additionally, we address the misuse of rescue terminology and the detrimental impact it has on genuine rescue efforts. Let's unpack the realities, debunk myths, and focus on what truly benefits the horses. 00:00 Introduction to Horse Rescue Dilemmas 00:11 The Reality of Mustang Management 00:51 Distinguishing True Rescues from Scams 02:54 The Emotional Impact on Real Rescues 05:23 The Consequences of False Rescue Claims 08:09 Objective Horse Management

    10 min

  8. JAN 20

    How Fake Rescues Are Scamming Good Hearted People

    Want to be a part of a Horse Community that values deep partnerships and real skills? Join me in our PRIVATE Cavvy Community that really gets it! https://cavvy.coltonwoodshorsemanship.com/ 👆🏻 7 Day Free trial if you want to take it for a test ride!  In this episode, we discuss the concerning trend of individuals and organizations posing as legitimate horse rescues while actually running profit-driven operations. We delve into how these groups manipulate well-meaning donors through emotional marketing strategies, making false claims about saving horses from dire situations. Our discussion highlights the difference between genuine nonprofits truly rescuing distressed horses and those deceitfully flipping horses for profit. We emphasize the importance of using discernment and understanding the qualifications of real rescues to protect both the animals in need and the integrity of authentic rescue organizations. 00:00 Exposing Fake Rescues 02:20 Manipulative Marketing Tactics 03:46 The Reality of Horse Auctions 05:28 True Rescue Efforts 06:21 Nonprofit Status and Legal Issues 07:21 Defining Real Rescue Work

    9 min
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4.9
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

How can I have a stronger connection and relationship with my horse? How can I turn my passion for horses into a career? How can I build my confidence and overcome fears with my horse? How can I develop a well-rounded horse program that serves the horses and clients? Do I need to go to college for a career in the horse industry? How can I grow myself to help serve my horse better? Hey Folks and welcome to the Heart of Horsemanship Podcast where we will answer ALL of these questions and many more! Every week, your host Colton Woods brings you horsemanship hacks, business tips, equestrian motivation, personal and inspirational stories and even guests on the show that will help YOU take your horsemanship, relationships, careers and self to the entire NEXT LEVEL! Colton takes it the extra mile as he shares with you the practical and achievable steps he has taken to go from a childhood nonexistent with horses to traveling the world and teaching clinics, building the highly sought after horse and human development program at Colton Woods Horsemanship and not only making a living in the horse industry but loving the time he and his horses spend together. Horsemanship is not just a way to train a horse but it is everything we do with our horses and in our lives. That is right, this podcast is dedicated to helping fellow horse people learn more about their horses and themselves. Here on the Heart of Horsemanship Podcast we keep it fun, we keep it informative, we keep it real and we keep it positive. Thanks for tuning into the Heart of Horsemanship Podcast, now lets dive in.

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