In this episode, I'm joined by a very special guest who has become a friend and inspiration in both life and business. Nate Horner with Horner Equine joins us for this episode as we dig into the mindset and habits that it takes to run a successful cattle and horse operation, as well as a thriving veterinary clinic. As a self-proclaimed 'recovering perfectionist,' Nate shares the strategies that have helped him find balance in his personal and professional life, all while continuing to become a b...
Jul 15, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 31
Knowledge without application doesn’t get you very far. You can know everything there is to know, but if you don’t apply it at the right time, it won’t do much good—and the same goes for your equipment. In this episode, I’m sharing a few training moments from the week that reminded me how important it is to use your tools with purpose and adjust based on what your horse needs from you that day.
Jul 08, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 30
This week, I’m reflecting on the freedoms we celebrate—both in life and in horsemanship. One of the greatest gifts we have as horsemen and women is the ability to write our own script. We get to take the foundational knowledge passed down from others and apply it in a way that fits our own journey. In this episode, I’m sharing a few thoughts on learning from experience, staying present in the process, and appreciating the moments that matter most.
Jul 01, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 26
Life, business, and horsemanship all move in seasons. In this episode, I’m sharing some thoughts on recognizing the season you’re in—whether it’s a time to build, grow, or simply stay the course. Especially with our horses, those slow-building seasons matter. It might not always feel flashy, but laying that foundation is what sets everything else up. Stay the course, stay consistent, and trust the process—the results will come.
Jun 24, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 25
If you’re in a season where things feel heavy—like you’re stuck, behind, or just not making the progress you hoped for—this episode is for you. In this segment, I talk about what it means to stay the course, why it’s often darkest before the dawn, and how patience plays a critical role in both training and competition. Great things are right around the corner—keep showing up and being your best.
Jun 17, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 24
This episode is a reminder that even when things don’t go exactly to plan — like when it rains for days and keeps you out of the saddle — there’s still progress to be made. Join me as I share what I’ve been working on despite the weather and why focusing on what you can do matters more than chasing perfection. In this episode, I'm also introducing two new mentorship formats we’ll be offering this fall—one focused on building confidence in horse and rider, and another designed to help rope horses...
Jun 10, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 23
This week, I'm recapping a long spring run of clinics and sharing a few thoughts that have been on my mind as I settle back into home life — including a special new addition to our family: a pony for my granddaughter. Whether it’s horsemanship or life, I’ve been reminded lately that the basics still matter, and so does slowing down to enjoy the people and moments that matter most.
Jun 03, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 22
In this episode, I sit down with Ben Janssen of Cimarron Trailers to talk about their philosophy of being “Better by Design.” Just like in horsemanship, building a great trailer—or a great company—starts with attention to detail, a commitment to quality, and a clear purpose behind every step of the process. From the shop floor to the arena, we talk about how putting value into the work you do creates the best outcome possible for the ones you're serving. Episode Resources: Learn more about Cimar...
May 27, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 21
Even though the principles of good horsemanship stay the same, every day—and every clinic—brings new opportunities to learn and grow. In this episode, I’m reflecting on our recent clinic in Gillette, WY, and how the basics of horsemanship show up differently with every horse and rider. I wrap up with a reminder that’s been on my mind lately: “Worrying about tomorrow’s problems only steals today’s joy.” We’ve only got one shot at this life—let’s go all out and make the most of every day....
May 20, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 20
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Jyme Nichols, Director of Nutrition at Bluebonnet Feeds and host of the Feed Room Chemist podcast , for an in-depth conversation about keeping your horse healthy from the inside out. We dive into hydration hacks for hauling and summer competition, break down the three key areas of the horse’s digestive and metabolic system, and talk through common signs of hind gut health issues you don’t want to overlook. Whether you’re on the road or riding at home, this epis...
May 13, 2025•42 min•Season 5Ep. 19
In this episode, I am joined by Mark Upton with Central Life Sciences to talk about fly and pest control as we head into a wet spring season. Tune in as we discuss why a solid prevention and maintenance program is one of the most important things you can do to protect your horses, your facilities, and your peace of mind. From product tips to timing strategies, this conversation is all about staying proactive—not reactive—as the temperatures rise. Episode Resources: Clarifly Larvicide: Feed addit...
May 06, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 18
In this episode, I'm recapping some key takeaways from our recent mentorship week, reflecting on the power of continuous self evaluation. One thing that really stood out was the influence of each participant’s willingness to invest their time, energy, and resources into bettering themselves—not just for a few days, but for the long haul. In this segment, we dive into the importance of staying committed to honest self evaluation across three core areas: business, marketing and brand building, hor...
Apr 29, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 17
This week on the podcast, I’m sharing a few thoughts that have been on my mind as we head into our next mentorship week. In this episode, I talk about a moment where I caught myself getting frustrated and had to step back and remind myself of something important: if I’m not getting the results I want from my horse, that’s on me. It’s a good reminder that growth comes when we take full ownership of the process—not just when things are going right, but especially when they’re not. Whether you’re r...
Apr 22, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 16
Your horse is only as consistent as you are. If you want your horse to be more consistent, that consistency has to begin with you first. In this episode, I’m sharing how your habits and mindset directly shape your horse’s confidence, foundation, and ultimately, the consistency of their performance.
Apr 15, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Road to the Horse was everything I thought it would be―and more. From picking my colt to riding the obstacle course in the final round, this journey was one of the biggest challenges―and growth moments―of my life. Join me as I share my insights from the competition and what I'm taking away from this experience. Episode Resources: Watch the Replay of RTTH 2025: https://roadtothehorse.com/how-to-watch-road-to-the-horse-2025/...
Apr 08, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 14
I recorded this episode just before heading out to Lexington for Road to the Horse 2025. Now that the event has come and gone, it’s interesting to look back and see how the themes I talked about truly played out in real time. In this episode, I’m diving into the importance of staying true to your brand—what it means to trust your process, build your brand through every experience, and embrace the philosophy of “no risk, no story.”
Apr 01, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 13
In this episode, I am sharing some final thoughts before we pack up and head to Lexington, Kentucky, for my first ever Road to the Horse competition. The journey of getting here has been full of full-circle moments, and I could not be more excited to get in that round pen at Kentucky Horse Park and showcase the impact that the horse has had on my life. Episode Resources: Watch the Livestream of Road to the Horse 2025: https://roadtothehorse.com/how-to-watch-road-to-the-horse-2025/ View the Road ...
Mar 25, 2025•22 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In this week's episode, I am covering the importance of establishing control of one of the five main body parts of a horse: the ribcage . This episode is inspired by a question from one of our listeners who was having challenges with her barrel pattern. Tune in as I address this topic, as well as share a recap of our first colt starting mentorship of the year. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses . To...
Mar 18, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 11
As we are preparing for a week of colt starting mentorships, I want to share one of the most important fundamental skills we cover in our first day of training: being present. Any time you are working with a horse (especially a colt), there is always an inherent risk factor to be aware of. In this episode, I am sharing some best practices for maintaining safety when handling horses. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit philhaugenhorsemanship.com/cours...
Mar 11, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 10
How many times do we let our thoughts get in the way of our own success? As I am preparing for one of the greatest challenges of my training career, Road to the Horse , I am reminded just how important it is to take control of my thoughts. In this episode, I am sharing the importance of reframing your thoughts and mastering the art of "talking" yourself into success. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses ....
Mar 04, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 9
In this episode, I'm breaking down some of the essential elements that truly make a difference in horse training. Whether you're working with a young horse, refining an older horse’s skills, or troubleshooting a specific challenge, understanding the key factors at play can help you build a more effective and rewarding training program. We'll cover: ✅ The role of equipment selection – how the right tools can enhance communication. ✅ Why time is one of the biggest factors in successful training ✅ ...
Feb 25, 2025•30 min
How many times in life do we make decisions based on fear? Whether it is the fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of uncertainty, or another hesitation, there are moments in life where we may be scared to take the necessary next step forward. Our horses are very intelligent beings that have similar hesitations when they are put in new or uncomfortable situations. In this episode, I am sharing some advice on how to help your horses face their fears and develop confidence outside of their comfo...
Feb 18, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In this episode, I am sharing a recap of our first public clinic of the year in Llano, TX, as well as a funny story from a recent trip to the chiropractor. Join me as I uncover the importance of always maintaining a mindset of growth and learning how to find little lessons in everyday life. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses . To request a topic for our next episode, visit: ...
Feb 11, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 7
This week , we’re diving into the important distinction between coaching and training. While training a horse often focuses on the physical aspects—what they can do and how they respond—coaching goes deeper, engaging the emotional and mental components of horsemanship. A great coach doesn’t just teach; they lead, communicate, and encourage, helping both horse and rider develop confidence, understanding, and trust. In this episode, I'm sharing some parallels between coaching and horsemanship, emp...
Feb 04, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this week's episode, I am breaking down the meaning of the quote: "A goal without a plan is just a wish." Join me as I share some insights on how to take this theory and implement it effectively into your everyday life. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses . To request a topic for our next episode, visit: philhaugenhorsemanship.com/podcast ...
Jan 28, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 5
By nature, horses come with certain traits and characteristics, some of which are developed early on in their foundation, and others that are purely genetic. As a trainer, it’s important to recognize the difference between foundational traits and genetic traits in horses and understand how they shape the way we train. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses . To request a topic for our next episode, visit: ...
Jan 21, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode, I am covering the four phases of a horse's mental game, understanding how to identify which phase your horse is in, and how to help the horse switch to a productive state of mind. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses . To request a topic for our next episode, visit: philhaugenhorsemanship.com/podcast . ...
Jan 14, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 3
What is the cost of doing this? For years, that is the question I used to ask myself any time I considered investing in myself or my training business. And for years, this mentality kept me stuck right where I was. Until one day, I realized that I should have been asking myself, what is the cost of not doing this? In this episode, I'm breaking down my perspective on determining cost vs. reward and sharing the one mindset shift that changed the game in my personal development journey. Episode Res...
Jan 07, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode, I'm joined by 2024 Road to the Horse Champion, Tik Maynard. Tik's story is truly inspiring, as he shares his journey from growing up in the English riding world to discovering a passion for natural horsemanship. Join us as we dive into Tik's training background, the progression of his horsemanship journey, and a behind-the-scenes look at his preparation for Road to the Horse. Episode Resources: Road to the Horse: https://roadtothehorse.com/ Tik Maynard Bio: https://roadtothehors...
Dec 31, 2024•58 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this week's episode, I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude as I reflect on the past year. Join me as I share some of my main focuses for the year ahead in hopes that it will inspire you to find small ways to be your best every day. Episode Resources: To join our online training community, visit philhaugenhorsemanship.com/courses . To request a topic for our next episode, visit: philhaugenhorsemanship.com/podcast ...
Dec 24, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 52
