Helena made fresh tracks with Siouxsie in the new sand ring, and so many things became clear during that ride. The change in Siouxsie's attitude, the way she feels while being ridden, the potential for developing a truly fit and healthy horse, and the feedback loop between a green horse and the human she’s come to trust. How does a horse’s environment make a difference in their future as athletes? There are many horses out there with similar stories who are simply asked, or told, to trudge along because their reluctance to work is perceived as lazy or naughty. More than one trainer made the same assumptions about Siouxsie, but in following her instincts, Helena learned something very important. Listen in!

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EP80: Footing, Fitness, and Stifles

Living with a horse person is a unique experience, especially when you’re not the kind of person who is completely obsessed with horses. Living with horses in your backyard is an equally unique experience, because horses aren’t just in your life, they ARE your life, whether you like it or not. In this episode, Buck joins Helena once again, but this time to discuss what it’s like to have every corner of your home, and most of your life, influenced by horses and horsey things. Listen in!

EP 79: It's Either Horses or Me!

 "The road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. Well, I say it’s paved with filter sand. Lots and lots of filter sand." In this episode, Helena recounts the horror story that is her sand arena project, and shares important information to have on hand before you hire someone to build an outdoor ring. From working with contractors and measuring for sand depth, to keeping your wits about you when a tropical storm turns everything to soup, this is a story that turns anguish into wisdom. Listen in! 

EP 78: The Arena from Hell

"One thing I’ve learned in my time on this planet, is that change is constant. Whether we invite it in or it arrives as an unexpected guest, our best strategy for dealing with it is to learn how to be adaptable." In this episode, Helena is joined by her husband Buck to discuss not one, but several big changes happening at Hoo Hollow. In life, in business, and in horses, change is indeed constant, how we roll with it is the difference between struggle and success. Listen in!

EP 77: Changes at Stall and Stable

Small farm or large, the essentials of horsekeeping are the same. Some methods we use to keep our horses happy and healthy will differ based on the way we use our horses, but the underlying principles are pretty firm, whether you have two acres or 20. In this episode, Helena shares some observations from her recent trip to several farms in the heart of horse country in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Listen in!

EP 76: Horsekeeping on Large and Small Properties

If you’re one of the lucky horse people who finally get to bring their horses home or start that boarding business you’ve always dreamed about, you’ll appreciate this episode. Tips and advice about horsekeeping are plentiful on the internet, but many of them are either unreliable, sketchy, or based on a situation that’s very different than yours. Today’s tips are generic enough to be used just about anywhere, they don’t cost you a fortune to implement, and each one is backed up by credible research. Plus, get the scoop on Helena's new sand ring in the works. Listen in!

EP 75: Top Tips for Happy Horsekeeping

Have you ever thought about adopting a wild mustang? With so many programs now available to help horse lovers learn to train these wild horses, having an idea about what to expect in the first few days and weeks of bringing one home could help you decide whether or not a mustang is in your future. Today’s episode features a conversation with horsemanship trainer, Don Jessop, about what to expect when you first bring home a mustang. From setting up food and shelter when they arrive, to training tips and setting realistic expectations. Don is an expert in teaching horse enthusiasts not just about training, but about leadership and healthy working partnerships with our horses. It’s a fascinating conversation, so listen in! 

EP 74: Bringing Home a Mustang

Whether you are thinking about building a small barn or a large one, there are thousands of decisions to make along the way. When it comes to the actual components of your stalls, this is where you need to really focus on making decisions that are safe and comfortable for your horses. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beauty. Nick Thornton from Lucas Equine Equipment helps us understand what our choices are when choosing stall components, so we end up with a barn that works as good as it looks. Listen in!  

EP 73: Choosing Stall Components for Your Barn

Now that COVID is settling into our rearview mirrors and Helena's out and about with her vaccinated self, she has some neat experiences to share with you. In the past three months, she's traveled to at least a dozen farms, met with barn owners and managers, attended clinics, and hosted some of her own. In this episode, she shares key takeaways from two of her favorite events, plus 10 new tips for helping you host a great clinic. Listen in!

EP 72: Clinic Takeaways & Tips

Whether you own your own farm or have dreams about it, this is an episode you want to listen to. Making money in the horse industry is tough. The good news, is that there is help you may not know exists. This week, Buck joins Helena to talk about loan programs available to equestrian businesses. Buck is an Economic Development specialist who works with entrepreneurs (yes, Ms. Horse Trainer, that’s you!) to help them get the financial and business support they need to start or grow their businesses. From farm purchases and arena construction to tractors and new footing, these things are closer to reality than you think. Listen in!

EP 71: SBA Loans for Horse Businesses

Fuzzy coats, sweaty horses, fancy horses, plain horses, all kinds of horses benefit from having their coats clipped. Did you think that clipping was just for show horses or very specific circumstances? It turns out that clipping is often necessary to keep our horses comfortable, whether they are competitive or pasture pets. There are many different ways to clip a horse, and doing so thoughtfully and precisely is what today’s guest does every day… so listen in and learn a little! 

EP 70: Clipping Horses

What’s the latest in forage-based diets for horses? What myths have plagued you, and what do we need to know in 2021 about feeding hay to keep our horses healthy and happy? Do horses need Omega-3 supplements? Is beet pulp all that helpful? What gut supplement can actually help prevent ulcers? Carey Williams, Ph.D., a research scientist and professor at Rutgers University Equine Science Center, joins Helena to discuss how to can keep our horses' digestive systems functioning well by focusing on forage. Listen in!

EP 69: Forage-Based Diets for Horses

Shopping for a tow vehicle can be a daunting task! In this episode, I recount my experience shopping for a truck that could haul my two-horse bumper pull trailer but also serve as our daily driving family vehicle. It took a lot of online research - and inner work - when talking with dealership sales reps who know little about hauling horses. Listen in!

EP 68: Truck Shopping for Bumper Pull People

Barns are the perfect proving grounds for efficient management and thoughtful design. There are many different ways we can improve upon our daily chores - from setting up feed and turning horses out, to sweeping up after all of those picked hooves. This week, I’m sharing a few observations and tips that can keep your barn chores flowing and efficient. Plus, one more update on Siouxsie and the Solitary Witch. Listen in to find out how we fared on the return trip to Hoo Hollow! This episode is brought to you by Load Trail and Purina Omega Match.

EP 67: Ten Tips for Better Barn Management

This episode was going to be about hoses, but so much has happened in the last three weeks, Helena thought it would be more fun to share her experiences (and epiphanies) with Siouxsie as a temporary client on training board at Unexpected Farm.  Plus, we get our geek on with Mark Hollahan from Tangent Materials as he explain just how Tangent Fencing is made and why it's a great choice for horse properties large and small. Listen in! 

EP 66: Siouxsie and the Not-So-Solitary Witch

Providing quality horse care is important to all equestrians. Since our horses are often a reflection of the environment we create, this podcast shares ideas, strategies, and innovative products that help us create the best home we can for them.

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Stall and Stable Podcast

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