HorseGrooms

HorseGrooms

HorseGrooms is a platform of resources, education, and support dedicated to ambitious grooms everywhere.

  1. 4d ago

    012 Meet HorseGrooms Foundation Board Member Grace Speckman: Financial Education, Recognition, and Supporting Grooms

    What does it take to build a stronger future for professional grooms, and how can financial education, career development, and recognition help transform the equestrian industry? In this episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast, Dinette Neuteboom sits down with Grace Speckman, financial advisor, lifelong equestrian, and board member of the newly established HorseGrooms Foundation, to discuss how the foundation is building on HorseGrooms’ mission to support and educate grooms around the world. Grace shares her perspective on why grooms deserve greater recognition and support, drawing on nearly 30 years in the horse world and her professional experience helping people manage their wealth. Together, they explore the HorseGrooms Foundation’s goals, including the Financial Corner, financial education tailored to the unique realities of working in the equestrian industry, and the importance of helping both grooms and employers understand the resources available to them. They also discuss practical ways to approach money with more confidence, from managing seasonal income and building an emergency fund to planning for retirement and exploring employee benefits. Looking ahead, Grace and Dinette share their vision for clearer career pathways, professional recognition, and a more supportive industry where grooms can thrive. Whether you're a professional groom, rider, trainer, barn owner, or equestrian employer, this episode offers valuable insight into why investing in the people who care for horses benefits the entire industry. The HorseGrooms Foundation and its mission Financial education through the Financial Corner Budgeting, saving, and planning for retirement Financial resources for equestrian professionals Employee benefits for grooms Career pathways and professional recognition How supporting grooms benefits the entire industry Instagram: Dollars and Horse Cents Grace's free guide, The Thoughtful Equestrian's Guide to Protect, Grow, and Pass on Wealth, is available through her social media links. Visit https://horsegrooms.com/category/foundation to learn more about the HorseGrooms Foundation, explore the Financial Corner, and discover educational resources designed to support grooms and equestrian professionals. Support the Mission: Help HorseGrooms continue building educational resources, financial support programs, and career development opportunities for grooms. Visit https://givebutter.com/general-operating-support-oayryl to  support the foundation and make a donation. 🌐 Website: https://horsegrooms.com📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horsegrooms📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horse.grooms/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@horse.grooms/▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HorseGrooms 🎧 Follow HorseGrooms for interviews with the world's top professional grooms, behind-the-scenes stories from international competitions, horse care education, career advice, and practical tips from experienced horse professionals. In This Episode:Connect with Grace SpeckmanExplore HorseGrooms and the Foundation

  2. Oct 7

    011 Nora Bilancioni: “I Loved Grooming. I Just Wish the Profession Had Taken Better Care of Me.”

    In this episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast, Dinette Neuteboom sits down with Nora Bilancioni, a former international show jumping groom from Sweden, for one of the most honest conversations yet about life behind the scenes in professional equestrian sport. After spending 12 years working in top stables across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, Nora shares the realities of the profession, from unforgettable championship moments to the physical and mental toll that ultimately ended her grooming career. Together, they discuss working conditions, burnout, communication, respect in the workplace, and what needs to change to create a healthier future for professional grooms. Whether you're an aspiring groom, rider, stable owner, or horse enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insight into the people who dedicate their lives to caring for elite horses. Follow Nora on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norabilancioni/ The following products and brands were discussed during this episode: Dettol Antiseptic Liquid Baby Oil Curry Comb 🌐 Website: https://horsegrooms.com 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horsegrooms 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horse.grooms/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@horse.grooms/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HorseGrooms 🎧 Follow HorseGrooms for interviews with the world's top professional grooms, behind-the-scenes stories from international competitions, horse care education, career advice, and practical tips from experienced horse professionals. Products Mentioned (Amazon Links)

  3. Sep 30

    010 Why Do We Love Horses So Much? Lynn Thomas on the Horse-Human Connection

    Lynn Thomas, co founder of Horses for Mental Health, has spent more than 30 years working in mental health and incorporating horses into programs that help people grow, heal, and better understand themselves. In this episode, she shares what makes the horse human connection so powerful and how horses can help people recognize patterns, become more self aware, and experience meaningful moments of connection. Lynn also discusses the unique relationship between grooms and horses, and how the amount of time grooms spend caring for horses creates opportunities for deeper connection and self reflection. She shares stories from her own Mustang, Milkshake, as well as powerful examples from equine assisted mental health programs, and explains why sometimes simply pausing and being with a horse can be one of the most meaningful parts of the day. The conversation also introduces HORSETOBER and the Pass the Braid Challenge, an annual celebration of the horse human connection created by Horses for Mental Health. Lynn explains the meaning behind the braid and encourages horse people to share their stories, celebrate their horses, and help others understand the important role horses continue to play in our lives. • The powerful connection between horses, humans, mental health, and personal growth • What Lynn learned from her Mustang Milkshake about listening to yourself and letting go of the “shoulds” • How grooms can use everyday moments with horses as opportunities for connection, reflection, and self awareness • A guided reflection exercise to help listeners explore what a meaningful horse has taught them about themselves • HORSETOBER, the Pass the Braid Challenge, and the importance of sharing the stories behind our relationships with horses The following organizations, programs, and services were discussed during the interview: • Horses for Mental Health • Equine assisted mental health services • Horsetober • Pass the Braid Challenge • Acres for Life, an equine assisted mental health program in Minnesota • Zoetis, founding sponsor of Horses for Mental Health Horses for Mental Health helps raise awareness and support programs providing mental health and personal growth services incorporating horses. Their website also provides resources for finding equine assisted programs and learning more about how horses are being incorporated into mental health and well being services. Horses for Mental Healthhttps://horsesformentalhealth.org Horsetoberhttps://horsesformentalhealth.org/HORSETOBER Find an Equine Assisted Mental Health Programhttps://horsesformentalhealth.org/organizations Horses for Mental Health on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/horsesformentalhealth/ Horses for Mental Health on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/HorsesForMentalHealth Horses for Mental Health on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@horsesformentalhealth Lynn Thomas is the co founder and president of Horses for Mental Health. She has spent decades working in mental health and equine assisted services and has helped advance the use of horses in mental health and personal growth programs. HORSETOBER takes place October 1 through October 31 and celebrates the horse human connection. Participants are encouraged to spend meaningful time with a horse, create a braid in whatever form feels meaningful, share their horse story, and use #HORSETOBER and #PassTheBraid to help spread the celebration. The braid represents connection, relationships, and the many individual stories that come together to form the horse human community. A braid can be created in a horse's mane or tail, worn in your own hair, made from ribbon or rope, turned into jewelry, or created as another meaningful symbol of a horse or relationship. 🌐 Websitehttps://horsegrooms.com 📘 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/horsegrooms 📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/horse.grooms/ 🎵 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@horse.grooms ▶️ YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@HorseGrooms

  4. Sep 23

    009 Freelancing, Boundaries, and Building a Business: What We Learned from Our Conversation with Lucie Kostecka

    Freelance groom Lucie has built a career traveling the world, working for top riders across Europe, the United States, and Canada while helping care for high-performance show jumping horses. In this episode, she shares what it's really like to work as an international freelance groom, from finding clients and setting professional boundaries to navigating visas, invoicing, and life on the road. Lucie also discusses what she's learned from working in elite barns, why teamwork and horse welfare always come first, and how continuous learning has shaped her career. Beyond grooming, she talks about launching EQ, a new marketplace app for buying and selling secondhand horse tack, and why she believes grooms should develop business skills and additional income streams. Whether you're considering freelance grooming, already working in the industry, or simply curious about life behind the scenes in international horse sport, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world experience. In This Episode How to build a successful international freelance grooming careerFinding clients, setting rates, and establishing professional boundariesWorking in elite barns across Europe, the U.S., and CanadaHorse welfare, teamwork, and the habits of successful professional barnsLaunching the EQ secondhand tack marketplace and building income beyond groomingProducts & Services Mentioned The following products and services were discussed during the interview: MagnaWave therapyHorsery StallMonitorEQ secondhand tack marketplace app Connect with Lucie Equine Freelance Serviceshttps://equinefreelanceservices.com EQ Marketplacehttps://eqqu.app Lucie can also be found through her website and social media, where she shares updates about freelance grooming services, MagnaWave therapy, and the EQ marketplace. 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/equinefreelanceservices/ 📘 Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/lucy.freelancer.412045/ Connect with HorseGrooms 🌐 Websitehttps://horsegrooms.com 📘 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/horsegrooms 📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/horse.grooms/ 🎵 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@horse.grooms ▶️ YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@HorseGrooms 🎧 Follow HorseGrooms for interviews with the world's top professional grooms, behind-the-scenes stories from international competitions, horse care education, career advice, and practical tips from experienced professionals across the equestrian industry.

  5. Sep 16

    008 Managing 79 Horses with Kristen Chandler | Systems, Leadership & Exceptional Horse Care

    What does it take to successfully manage nearly 80 horses, multiple trainers, international travel, veterinary schedules, farriers, staff, and clients, all while keeping horse welfare at the center of everything? In this episode, HorseGrooms sits down with Kristen Chandler, Barn Manager at Oakland Stables, to discuss the systems, leadership, and horsemanship behind one of the industry's most respected operations. Kristen shares how she built her career from 4-H to managing elite show jumping programs, why communication is the foundation of every successful barn, and the organizational systems that keep dozens of horses and people moving in the same direction every day. Whether you're managing two horses or eighty, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can immediately apply to your own stable. In This Episode Kristen's journey from 4-H to managing elite show jumping operationsWhat it takes to manage nearly 80 horsesBuilding systems that prevent things from falling through the cracksThe famous Oakland whiteboard scheduling systemManaging veterinarians, farriers, paperwork, and horse showsWhy communication is the most important management toolCreating a positive culture where grooms want to stayDaily horse care routines that catch problems earlyWhy turnout is essential for horse happinessProper grooming routines that make the biggest differenceHiring, training, and retaining great groomsLeadership lessons for barn managersPreventing burnout while managing a large operationAdvice for aspiring professional grooms and managersProducts & Tools Mentioned Kristen discusses several products and management tools throughout the episode: Horse Care Curry combBody brushSoft finishing brushTail detanglerShampoo (used sparingly)Stable Management WhiteboardDry erase markersNotebook and penDaily spreadsheetsWeekly scheduling spreadsheetsWhatsAppTurnout scheduleEquipment Horse walker (Florida facility) Connect with Kristen & Oakland Stables Oakland Stables Kristen recommends reaching out through Oakland Stables on Instagram. Send them a DM for questions about the operation, employment opportunities, or getting in touch with the team. 📸 Instagram @Oakland Stables Connect with HorseGrooms 🌐 Websitehttps://horsegrooms.com 📘 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/horsegrooms 📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/horse.grooms/ 🎵 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@horse.grooms ▶️ YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@HorseGrooms 🎧 Follow HorseGrooms for interviews with the world's top professional grooms, behind the scenes stories from international competitions, horse care education, and practical tips from industry experts.

  6. Sep 9

    007 What Equestrian Employers Can Do to Build Stronger Teams and Keep Good Grooms - With Ippos Pro Consulting

    Natalia Zoi has worked as a professional groom in top European show jumping stables and for top trainers in the harness racing industry in the United States. Throughout her career, she has seen how communication, leadership, and workplace structure can influence not only employees but also the success of an entire equestrian business. While working full-time as a groom, Natalia earned her MBA and surveyed 354 equine professionals about their experiences in the industry. That research, combined with her own experience, led her to launch Ippos Pro Consulting, a company that helps equestrian employers build stronger teams, improve communication, and reduce staff turnover. In this episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast, Natalia explains why employers and employees often want the same things but experience very different pressures. Ippos Pro works with both sides to identify where communication or management may be breaking down and helps businesses put practical systems in place before small problems become bigger ones, or resignations. Natalia also explains what working with Ippos Pro actually looks like, from talking separately with employers and employees to regular check-ins and ongoing support. Much of the process can be done remotely, making this type of support accessible to equestrian businesses in different locations. The conversation explores staff retention, leadership, career development for grooms, and an important idea for our industry: supporting employees and running a successful equestrian business are not competing goals. Stronger teams can mean greater consistency for the horses, better staff retention, and a stronger, more sustainable business. This is an episode for grooms, but especially for riders, trainers, barn owners, and managers who employ them. If you know an equestrian employer who could benefit from this conversation, please share the episode with them. Why employers and employees often want the same things but see the business from different perspectives How Ippos Pro Consulting helps equestrian employers strengthen communication and retain good staff Why regular employee check-ins can address small problems before they become bigger ones What Natalia's survey of 354 equine professionals revealed about working in the horse industry What strong equestrian leaders do differently Why staff turnover is a business issue, not just an employee issue How better structure and communication can create more consistency in horse care Why career development can help good grooms stay engaged and build longer careers What working with Ippos Pro actually looks like and how equestrian employers can get started Ippos Pro Consulting https://ippospro.com/ Email: ippospro@gmail.com Natalia can also be found on Instagram and Facebook at Ippos Pro Consulting, where she shares insights on equine business management, workplace communication, and improving the employee experience within the horse industry. 📘 Facebook Ippos Pro Consulting Ltdhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590291580553 📸 Instagram Ippos Pro Consulting @ippospro 🌐 Website https://horsegrooms.com 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/horsegrooms 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/horse.grooms/ 🎵 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@horse.grooms ▶️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@HorseGrooms 🎧 Follow HorseGrooms for interviews with the world's leading professional grooms, behind-the-scenes stories from international competitions, horse care education, career advice, and practical insights from experienced professionals across the equestrian industry.re In This EpisodeConnect with NataliaConnect with HorseGrooms

  7. Sep 2

    006 Horse Care Has No Borders: Sofia Viola on Spruce Meadows, Ventago, and Grooming Across Cultures

    Maria Sofia Viola has built an international career as a professional show jumping groom, caring for elite horses across continents as part of Saudi Olympic rider Abdulrahman Al-Rajhi’s team. Fresh off a major win with Ventago at Spruce Meadows in Canada, she joins The HorseGrooms Podcast to share what goes into preparing a horse for top-level competition and what life looks like behind the scenes when your work takes you around the world. In this episode, Sofia talks about the routines behind Ventago’s Spruce Meadows victory, how she adapts her care to the individual horse, and what she has learned from working and traveling in very different countries and cultures. She also shares her experiences living and working in the Middle East, how climate and local conditions can influence horse care, and why respect and adaptability are so important when working internationally. The conversation also explores one of the special things about horse sport: the way it brings people together. Grooms, riders, and team members from different countries, languages, and backgrounds often work side by side with one shared focus: the horse. Sofia reflects on the friendships she has built through the sport and why horses can create common ground between people who may otherwise have very different lives. Whether you are an aspiring groom, an experienced equestrian professional, or simply interested in international horse sport, this episode offers a practical and personal look at horse care, travel, teamwork, and the people behind the horses. In This Episode Sofia Viola’s journey to becoming an international show jumping groomThe horse care and routines behind Ventago’s Spruce Meadows victoryHow Sofia adapts her care to the individual horseCaring for horses while traveling internationallyLife and horse care in the Middle EastAdapting to different countries, cultures, climates, and working environmentsWhy respect and adaptability matter when working internationallyHow horses bring together people from different cultures and backgroundsWhy sharing knowledge and supporting fellow grooms benefits the professionConnect with Sofia Viola Instagram @mrsfvl Sofia shares behind-the-scenes moments from international competitions, daily stable life, horse care, and her work with elite show jumping horses. Connect with HorseGrooms 🌐 Website https://horsegrooms.com 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/horsegrooms 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/horse.grooms/ 🎵 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@horse.grooms ▶️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@HorseGrooms 🎧 Follow HorseGrooms for conversations about horse care, the grooming profession, international competition, career development, and the people behind the horses.

  8. Aug 26

    005 How FLAIR® Nasal Strips Help Horses Breathe: Dr. Jim Chiapetta Explains the Science

    This episode is sponsored by Achieve Equine. Veterinarian, researcher, entrepreneur, and Achieve Equine founder Jim Chiapetta joins the HorseGrooms Podcast to take a deep dive into one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of the equine athlete: the respiratory system. Jim explains how horses breathe during exercise, why horses are obligate nasal breathers, and how the respiratory system can become a limiting factor in performance. In this episode, Jim explains the science behind FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips, including how they support the soft tissues of the nasal passages and reduce the effort required to bring air into the lungs. He also discusses proper application, respiratory load, and what research has shown about the use of the Strips during hard work. Jim and Dinette also discuss exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), why a horse does not necessarily need to have a visible nosebleed to have bleeding in the lungs, and the role that exercise intensity and respiratory pressure can play. From the mechanics of a horse taking in roughly 1,500 liters of air per minute during intense exercise to the energy required simply to breathe, this conversation gives grooms a fascinating look at the physiology behind equine performance and why paying attention to breathing matters. How the equine respiratory system works during exercise and why oxygen is essential to every athletic systemWhy horses are obligate nasal breathers and how the nasal passages respond to the enormous demands of exerciseThe science behind FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips, proper application, and how they can reduce respiratory effortExercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), nosebleeds, and the pressures placed on the lungs during intense exerciseRespiratory load, energy expenditure, and what research has shown about how FLAIR Strips may help horses work more efficientlyThe following products, equipment, and topics were specifically discussed during the interview: FLAIR® Equine Nasal StripsAchieve EquineEquine bootsLeg wrapsLasixRespiratory monitoring and research equipmentJim explains that FLAIR Strips are designed to support the soft tissue behind the nostrils rather than physically pulling the nostrils open. He recommends careful application, including cleaning the nose and positioning the edge of the Strip approximately two finger widths above the nostrils. The conversation also explores the difference between reducing respiratory resistance and increasing oxygen intake. According to Jim, the Strips allow the horse to take in the same amount of oxygen while doing so with less work. Jim also discusses his work developing equine products through Achieve Equine, drawing on his background as a veterinarian and his experience developing human medical devices. FLAIR® is offering HorseGrooms Podcast listeners 20% off FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips. Use code HORSEGROOM20 at checkout to save on your order. This offer is valid for one use per customer. Visit https://flairstrips.com to shop and redeem the offer. Terms and conditions may apply. 🌐 Websitehttps://horsegrooms.com 📘 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/horsegrooms 📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/horse.grooms/ 🎵 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@horse.grooms ▶️ YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@HorseGrooms 🎧 Follow HorseGrooms for interviews with the world's top professional grooms, behind-the-scenes stories from international competitions, horse care education, and practical tips from industry experts. 🌐 Websitehttps://flairstrips.com 💼 LinkedIn — Jim Chiapettahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jimchiapetta/ 📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/flairstrips/ 📘 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/FLAIRStrips 🎵 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@flairstrips ▶️ YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@flairstrips In This EpisodeProducts MentionedExclusive Discount for HorseGrooms Podcast ListenersConnect with HorseGroomsConnect with FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips

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About

HorseGrooms is a platform of resources, education, and support dedicated to ambitious grooms everywhere.

Information

  • Creator
    HorseGrooms
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © HorseGrooms
  • Show Website
    HorseGrooms

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