Beyond the Arena: Equine Podcasts That Transform How We Think About Horses
Best Horse Podcasts for Curious Equestrians
The most profound conversations in the equestrian world aren't happening at competitions, they're taking place in research laboratories, alternative training grounds, and in the minds of riders brave enough to question everything they've been taught.
While most horse podcasts focus on winning ribbons and perfecting techniques, a revolutionary wave of equestrian podcasts is emerging that asks deeper questions: What does the science actually say about how horses learn? How do we prioritize welfare over tradition? What happens when we examine our own emotional responses to these sentient creatures?
If you're tired of surface-level horse talk and ready for equestrian podcast content that genuinely transforms your relationship with horses, these carefully curated horse podcasts will challenge your assumptions, expand your understanding, and quite possibly change how you see horses forever.
This guide features both actively publishing podcasts (releasing new episodes in 2025, last checked 26th May 2025) and valuable archived series that, while no longer producing new content, contain extensive libraries of transformational material. Many of the most profound insights in horsemanship are timeless, making archived podcast episodes just as valuable as the latest releases for any horse owner seeking deeper understanding.
The Science Revolution: When Research Meets Reality
The gap between what science tells us about horses and what many of us practice daily is staggering. These equestrian podcasts bridge that divide, translating cutting-edge research into practical wisdom that every horse owner can apply.
While some groundbreaking science-based horse podcasts have concluded their runs, their archives remain goldmines of evidence-based information that continues to transform how conscious horse riders think about horses and horse care.
What sets these horse podcast series apart is their commitment to evidence over tradition. They don't just tell you what to do—they explain why, based on peer-reviewed research that often contradicts long-held beliefs in the equestrian industry.
Challenging Conventional Wisdom: Where Courage Meets Curiosity
Some of the most transformative equestrian podcasts are those brave enough to ask: "But what if we're wrong?"
(Active Shows)
Curious Equestrian leads this charge with their provocative tagline "Where Conventional Wisdom Gets Bucked." This UK-based horse podcast continues to actively publish episodes, daring to ask “why?”. Recent episodes feature conversations with experts like Sue Dyson, an equine orthopaedic specialist with over 40 years of experience, discussing recognizing discomfort in ridden horses, or Dr, Gillian Higgins, a renowned expert in horse anatomy. Topics that directly challenge how many horse people assess their horses' wellbeing. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube Music (formally google podcasts).
(Inactive Shows)
The Willing Equine podcast with Adele Shaw takes a similar approach, focusing on how to use science-based horse training to improve the bond and relationship between you and your horse. Shaw interviews experts who discuss how to successfully integrate positive reinforcement into your training, a concept that challenges traditional dominance-based approaches.
The Inner Journey: Rider Psychology and Emotional Intelligence
Perhaps the most transformative equine podcasts are those that turn the lens inward, examining not just how horses think and feel, but how we do.
(Active Shows)
The Journey On Podcast with Warwick Schiller represents a profound shift in horsemanship discussion. Warwick Schiller's podcast is a journey of transformation and personal growth in horse training, benefiting both horse riders and owners. It features special guests who share life-altering stories and motivations. Schiller's approach recognizes that the biggest obstacles to good horsemanship often exist within ourselves.
(Inactive Shows)
Listening to the Horse by Elaine Heney focuses on improving the horse/human relationship, encouraging science based and ethically minded horse training, and a species appropriate way of keeping horses. The show covers relationship & confidence building with your horse, acknowledging that technical skill means nothing without emotional intelligence.
These shows understand a fundamental truth: horses are mirrors. They reflect our energy, our anxiety, our impatience, and our growth. The most profound transformation often happens not in the horse, but in the rider.
Beyond Traditional Training: Holistic and Alternative Approaches
A growing number of equine podcasts explore approaches beyond traditional methods and natural horsemanship that view horses as whole beings rather than just athletic partners.
(Active Shows)
Equine Energy Medicine Podcast brings you the latest on ancient and modern non-invasive, tools for the energetic and physical wellbeing of your horses. Tune in for holistic horse health, nutrition, energy medicine, and care. While this may sound esoteric to traditional riders, these approaches often reveal insights about stress, comfort, and wellbeing that conventional methods miss.
The Equestrian Tai Chi Podcast explores our Energy/Chi and the Horse's, and the energetic connection that's possible between us. It will also share about Taoist Philosophy and how we can bring it into a living reality in our lives. These concepts may initially seem foreign, but they address something many riders intuitively feel—that invisible connection that makes some partnerships magical.
The Welfare Revolution: Putting Horses First
The most important transformation happening in the horse world is the shift toward genuine welfare-first thinking.
Several equine podcasts are leading difficult but necessary conversations about practices we've long accepted. They're asking uncomfortable questions: Are traditional training methods actually harmful? How do we recognize subtle signs of distress? What does it mean to truly put the horse's needs first?
These discussions aren't about shaming traditional approaches, but about evolving toward practices that serve horses better. The science is clear: stressed, fearful horses don't learn well and don't perform at their best. Welfare and performance aren't opposing forces, they're complementary.
The Research-to-Practice Pipeline
What makes these equestrian voices transformative and so valuable is their ability to translate complex research into practical application. Research shows that podcasts provide successful "edutainment," supporting learning by helping horse enthusiasts internalize knowledge in a positive and supportive environment.
Shows like Equine Innovators (Active) interview University of Kentucky equine researchers to discuss how the latest science impacts how we care for horses, while The Mad Barn Academy Podcast (Inactive) focuses on research-based feeding and management strategies to support your horse's performance and well-being. All content is reviewed by veterinarians, researchers and equine nutritionists.
International Perspectives: Learning Across Cultures
The UK's contribution to transformative equine podcasting cannot be overstated. Curious Equestrian ranks #1 among UK equestrian podcasts, but it's joined by other thoughtful shows like The Equestrian Business Podcast and Listen With EquiTeam (both Active)that bring European perspectives to global horsemanship discussions.
The Equestrian Experience Podcast features elite and up-and-coming riders including hosts Amanda Ross (Eventer, Olympian) and Bex Mason (Grand Prix Show Jumper) who "tell all" and provide "your exclusive ticket to the knowledge of their peers including high-profile equestrians, equine professionals and even brands."
These international voices often challenge American-centric approaches to horse training and management, offering cultural perspectives that can be profoundly eye-opening.
The Courage to Question
What unites all these transformative equine podcasts is their willingness to question assumptions. They ask:
What if the way we've "always done things" isn't the best way?
What if horses have emotional needs we've been ignoring?
What if the biggest changes need to happen in us, not our horses?
What if welfare and performance are actually the same goal?
These aren't comfortable questions, but they're necessary ones.
Finding Your Transformation
The beauty of this new wave of horse show is that they meet you wherever you are in your journey. Whether you're questioning training methods you've used for years, exploring the emotional side of horsemanship, or diving deep into equine science, there's a show that will challenge and inspire you.
Start Here:
New to questioning conventional wisdom? Begin with "Curious Equestrian" for accessible myth-busting
Want hard science? Try "Mad About Horses" or "Conversations in Equine Science"
Ready for deep psychological work? Explore "The Journey On" with Warwick Schiller
Interested in holistic approaches? Sample "The Willing Equine" or "Listening to the Horse"
The Ripple Effect
These transformative equine shows are creating ripple effects throughout the horse community. Listeners average 20.9 years of experience with horses, showing that even experienced horseople are hungry for new perspectives. As these ideas spread, they're quietly revolutionizing how we think about training, welfare, and the fundamental nature of our relationships with horses.
The conversation is changing. Traditional dominance-based approaches are giving way to partnership models. "Breaking" horses is becoming "starting" horses. Force is being replaced by understanding.
Beyond Competition, Toward Connection
While arena success will always have its place, these equine podcasts recognize that our relationships with horses offer something far more valuable than ribbons and trophies. They offer transformation—not just of our horsemanship skills, but of ourselves.
The most profound moments in horsemanship rarely happen in competition. They happen in quiet moments of connection, in breakthroughs of understanding, in the courage to try a different approach because it's better for the horse.
Your Journey Starts Now
The traditional equestrian world tells us that experience equals expertise, that tradition equals truth, and that questioning established methods equals disrespect. These transformative equine podcasts suggest something different: that true expertise comes from continuous learning, that truth emerges from evidence, and that the deepest respect we can show horses is to always be willing to do better.
Ready to think differently about horses? Start with one episode that challenges something you believe. Question one training method you've always accepted. Explore one new perspective on horse psychology.
The arena will always be there. The real transformation happens in your mind, your heart, and in those quiet moments when you realize that everything you thought you knew about horses was just the beginning.
The revolution in horsemanship isn't happening in competitions—it's happening in conversations. Join the discussion. Your horse is waiting.
Did we miss your favourite podcast from this list, let us know in the comments!