The Vital Horse Podcast

Nurturing Nature Equine
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What does horse health and happiness mean and look like? As a vet, I am keen to define and strive for a state of health that is far more than just the absence of disease. Vitality, instead, is my aim - where exuberance, vigour, growth, strength, and energy are words you would use to describe your horse's state. This podcast explores nurturing the innate nature of animals to address the deep roots of this vitality. It is about you being able to help your horse fully, and strengthen and celebrate your relationship as a result. Dive in for in-depth discussions by guest speakers and me.

  1. Posture for health and wellbeing

    10/23/2025

    Posture for health and wellbeing

    In this episode, I talk about posture as both an indicator and an influencer of health and wellbeing. I cover which body areas to observe and which body areas have particular influence in governing posture, and how lifestyle and management can affect posture and the physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing of our horses. About the host: Dr Lily Wilson is a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. She runs a veterinary rehabilitation facility on a track system in West Sussex and has particular interest and expertise in species-appropriate lifestyles, postural improvement, and ethical behaviour modification. She also does home visits for whole horse evaluations and dentistry, and runs online courses, consultations, and coaching calls. Lily’s passion is helping people and animals to live their best life together by nurturing their all-round wellbeing and unique partnership. She is fascinated by all aspects of wellbeing from how the body functions in health and disease to how we all learn, think and feel, and how all of this is intertwined. She wants to help people on their journeys of discovering how to keep horses’ bodies and minds healthy, comfortable, active and engaged and to explore the integral role of both the horse’s and our emotions in all of this. Relevant links: Attuned Assessment online workshop Attuned Assessment in person workshop Whole horse rehab boarding Please do subscribe and share this podcast where you think others also need to hear it.

    34 min
  2. Thorough investigations of horses with Dr Daniella Vansteenkiste

    07/27/2025

    Thorough investigations of horses with Dr Daniella Vansteenkiste

    In this episode, I talked to Dr Daniella Vansteenkiste of VSK Veterinary Neurology. We looked at neurology, the importance of a thorough and focused physical examination when investigating for possible pain and dysfunction, and at pain physiology in a way that will help you as an owner to get the help your horse needs. About the host: Dr Lily Wilson is a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. She runs a veterinary rehabilitation facility on a track system in West Sussex and has particular interest and expertise in species-appropriate lifestyles, postural improvement, and ethical behaviour modification. She also does home visits for whole horse evaluations and dentistry, and runs online courses, consultations, and coaching calls. Lily’s passion is helping people and animals to live their best life together by nurturing their all-round wellbeing and unique partnership. She is fascinated by all aspects of wellbeing from how the body functions in health and disease to how we all learn, think and feel, and how all of this is intertwined. She wants to help people on their journeys of discovering how to keep horses’ bodies and minds healthy, comfortable, active and engaged and to explore the integral role of both the horse’s and our emotions in all of this. About the guest: Dr. Daniella Vansteenkiste is a board-certified veterinary neurologist with a lifelong passion for horses. With a strong international background, she offers expert consultations in equine neurology to support owners, veterinarians, and trainers seeking answers to complex neurological cases. Dr. V earned her veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College in London 2014. She then completed a small animal rotating internship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in New Jersey, followed by a research fellowship at the University of Missouri. She completed her neurology and neurosurgery residency at The Ohio State University, where she also earned a master’s degree. Her thesis focused on cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM, also known as Wobbler’s Syndrome). Dr. V also completed her neurosurgery certificate and continues to invest time in learning new surgical techniques. Dr. V sees small animal patients at Metropolitan Veterinary Associates, in Norristown, Pennsylvania where she sees a wide array of patients with both medical and neurosurgical problems. She is starting up a consulting service that she tells us more about in the episode itself, called VSK Veterinary Neurology. In her spare time, Dr. V loves to work with her horses Zookie and Sesame. She strives to combine species appropriate care, good horsemanship and performance. At home, Dr. V loves to spend time with her husband and their pets, Victor (dachshund) and Marty (cat). If Dr. V wasn’t focusing all her time on her patients then she would probably open up a sourdough bakery! Relevant links: VSK Veterinary Neurology Attuned Assessment Whole horse rehab boarding Please do subscribe and share this podcast where you think others also need to hear it.

    1 hr
  3. Expectations of our horses with Yasmin Stuart

    07/06/2025

    Expectations of our horses with Yasmin Stuart

    In this episode, I talk with Yasmin Stuart, equine physiotherapist and trauma informed horse trainer, about our approach to horses, both philosophical and practical. We talk about our expectations of our horses and about having both an evidence base and intuition as to what we can ask of them and do for them, and reflect on some important lessons some very special horses have taught both of us. I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation, and I think we have room for much more! About the host: Dr Lily Wilson is a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. She runs a veterinary rehabilitation facility on a track system in West Sussex and has particular interest and expertise in species-appropriate lifestyles, postural improvement, and ethical behaviour modification. She also does home visits for whole horse evaluations and dentistry, and runs online courses, consultations, and coaching calls. Lily’s passion is helping people and animals to live their best life together by nurturing their all-round wellbeing and unique partnership. She is fascinated by all aspects of wellbeing from how the body functions in health and disease to how we all learn, think and feel, and how all of this is intertwined. She wants to help people on their journeys of discovering how to keep horses’ bodies and minds healthy, comfortable, active and engaged and to explore the integral role of both the horse’s and our emotions in all of this. About the guest: Yasmin Stuart is an Equine Physiotherapist & Trauma Informed Horse Trainer who practices in the UK. She combines evidence informed practice with philosophy and intuition to create positive changes in the horse industry by empowering horse guardians to make informed choices for their horse as a unique individual collaborating as an even more unique partnership. Yasmin's approach combines behavioural assessment, manual therapy and movement therapy to support postural restoration and overall horse wellbeing. Relevant links: Yasmin Stuart Equine Physio Yasmin on Facebook Yasmin on Instagram Attuned Assessment Whole horse rehab boarding Please do subscribe and share this podcast where you think others also need to hear it.

    1h 35m
  4. Some very special horses

    06/27/2025

    Some very special horses

    I wanted to spend an episode talking about some very special horses to me, and how they have led me to the work I am doing now. There have been several very significant horses in my life, who have been my teachers, and most importantly my friends. I felt I needed to honour their part in the work that I do now, because it really wouldn’t have happened without them. About the host: Dr Lily Wilson is a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. She runs a veterinary rehabilitation facility on a track system in West Sussex and has particular interest and expertise in species-appropriate lifestyles, postural improvement, and ethical behaviour modification. She also does home visits for whole horse evaluations and dentistry, and runs online courses, consultations, and coaching calls. Lily’s passion is helping people and animals to live their best life together by nurturing their all-round wellbeing and unique partnership. She is fascinated by all aspects of wellbeing from how the body functions in health and disease to how we all learn, think and feel, and how all of this is intertwined. She wants to help people on their journeys of discovering how to keep horses’ bodies and minds healthy, comfortable, active and engaged and to explore the integral role of both the horse’s and our emotions in all of this. Relevant links: Attuned Assessment Needle shyness online course Whole horse rehab boarding Please do subscribe and share this podcast where you think others also need to hear it.

    57 min
  5. Healthcare and connection

    06/04/2025

    Healthcare and connection

    In this episode, I talk about how investigating and addressing healthcare concerns is an opportunity for improving our relationship with our horses. Aspects of husbandry or veterinary procedures that our horses find difficult can be indicators of underlying physical, mental, and emotional factors that will be helpful for us to address. And acknowledging and honouring their signals to us that this is the case builds connection and a more rewarding relationship. About the host: Dr Lily Wilson is a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. She runs a veterinary rehabilitation facility on a track system in West Sussex and has particular interest and expertise in species-appropriate lifestyles, postural improvement, and ethical behaviour modification. She also does home visits for whole horse evaluations and dentistry, and runs online courses, consultations, and coaching calls. Lily’s passion is helping people and animals to live their best life together by nurturing their all-round wellbeing and unique partnership. She is fascinated by all aspects of wellbeing from how the body functions in health and disease to how we all learn, think and feel, and how all of this is intertwined. She wants to help people on their journeys of discovering how to keep horses’ bodies and minds healthy, comfortable, active and engaged and to explore the integral role of both the horse’s and our emotions in all of this. Relevant links: Needle shyness online course Needle shyness free webinar Please do subscribe and share this podcast where you think others also need to hear it.

    42 min
  6. What does it mean when my horse... ?

    05/24/2025

    What does it mean when my horse... ?

    In this episode, I talk about interpreting signs that your horse is showing. Do certain signs lead us to certain interpretations? Sometimes, but more often than not, we need to do a bit more detective work than that. This detective work includes figuring out the underlying processes that makes the signs come about, exploring which parts are relevant when, and checking back in over time to see what is changing. To avoid tunnel vision, it is often helpful to view the investigative or diagnostic process as more of an untangling work in progress than a linear check-box-exercise. About the host: Dr Lily Wilson is a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. She runs a veterinary rehabilitation facility on a track system in West Sussex and has particular interest and expertise in species-appropriate lifestyles, postural improvement, and ethical behaviour modification. She also does home visits for whole horse evaluations and dentistry, and runs online courses, consultations, and coaching calls. Lily’s passion is helping people and animals to live their best life together by nurturing their all-round wellbeing and unique partnership. She is fascinated by all aspects of wellbeing from how the body functions in health and disease to how we all learn, think and feel, and how all of this is intertwined. She wants to help people on their journeys of discovering how to keep horses’ bodies and minds healthy, comfortable, active and engaged and to explore the integral role of both the horse’s and our emotions in all of this. Relevant links: Attuned Assessment online workshop - next dates May - June 2025 Needle shyness online course Rehabilitation boarding Please do subscribe and share this podcast where you think others also need to hear it.

    41 min
  7. Coping and thriving

    05/16/2025

    Coping and thriving

    In this episode, I talk about coping and thriving. My aim is vitality as opposed to simply health as the absence of disease. In this episode, I talk through my thoughts on horses' ability to cope with the inevitable stressors that are a part of life, and how their capacity for doing this is the key, with building this capacity opening the door to thriving. About the host: Dr Lily Wilson is a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. She runs a veterinary rehabilitation facility on a track system in West Sussex and has particular interest and expertise in species-appropriate lifestyles, postural improvement, and ethical behaviour modification. She also does home visits for whole horse evaluations and dentistry, and runs online courses, consultations, and coaching calls. Lily’s passion is helping people and animals to live their best life together by nurturing their all-round wellbeing and unique partnership. She is fascinated by all aspects of wellbeing from how the body functions in health and disease to how we all learn, think and feel, and how all of this is intertwined. She wants to help people on their journeys of discovering how to keep horses’ bodies and minds healthy, comfortable, active and engaged and to explore the integral role of both the horse’s and our emotions in all of this. Relevant links: Attuned Assessment online workshop - next dates May - June 2025 Needle shyness online course

    28 min
  8. What can our horses tell us?

    02/10/2025

    What can our horses tell us?

    In this episode, I talk about what we can learn about our horses by observing signs as diverse as their body and hoof shape, behavioural responses, facial expressions, and movement. We can gather information that can help us answer questions about their underlying health, any pain, how they sense and learn, and what they need. About the host: Dr Lily Wilson is a veterinary surgeon practicing in the UK. She runs a veterinary rehabilitation facility on a track system in West Sussex and has particular interest and expertise in species-appropriate lifestyles, postural improvement, and ethical behaviour modification. She also does home visits for whole horse evaluations and dentistry, and runs online courses, consultations, and coaching calls. Lily’s passion is helping people and animals to live their best life together by nurturing their all-round wellbeing and unique partnership. She is fascinated by all aspects of wellbeing from how the body functions in health and disease to how we all learn, think and feel, and how all of this is intertwined. She wants to help people on their journeys of discovering how to keep horses’ bodies and minds healthy, comfortable, active and engaged and to explore the integral role of both the horse’s and our emotions in all of this. Relevant links: Attuned Assessment online workshop - next dates February - March 2025 Online consultations Rehabilitation boarding service

    38 min
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About

What does horse health and happiness mean and look like? As a vet, I am keen to define and strive for a state of health that is far more than just the absence of disease. Vitality, instead, is my aim - where exuberance, vigour, growth, strength, and energy are words you would use to describe your horse's state. This podcast explores nurturing the innate nature of animals to address the deep roots of this vitality. It is about you being able to help your horse fully, and strengthen and celebrate your relationship as a result. Dive in for in-depth discussions by guest speakers and me.

Information

  • Creator
    Nurturing Nature Equine
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr Lily Wilson MRCVS 2025
  • Show Website
    The Vital Horse Podcast