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-makingPractical expertise versus simplified “science flag” thinking, and why long-term patterns matterWeanling handling as a real-world laboratory for repetition, refinement, and risk reductionTiming, including “rewarding the thought” and recognising the earliest onset of behaviour“No complete solutions, only trade-offs” applied to tying, handling, and trainingThe 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.
