Dear Horse World

Equine Neuroscience in Action: Turning Science into a Stronger Bond

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Stephen Peters, we move from theory to application — how to take the neuroscience of learning and connection and put it to work with your horse.

We explore:

• Why drilling a task can reduce dopamine and motivation
  
  

From the Navy to Neuroscience: What Horses Can Teach Us About the Brain

Before he became one of the most sought-after voices in equine neuroscience, Dr. Stephen Peters lived an entirely different life — growing up between Japan and England in a military family, serving as a Navy officer, and even working at Goldman Sachs. But a personal tragedy pulled him into the world of brain science, setting him...

You love your horse—but your bank account? Not so much.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “Can I really afford this?” while clicking “checkout” on supplements or showing fees, you’re in good company. Most riders are doing their best to make the numbers work in a sport that doesn’t exactly favour modest budgets.

In this episode of No Stupid Questions, Noëlle sits down with eq...

What If the Calmest Person in the Arena Was the Most Powerful?

Nick Dowers is a cowboy, a colt starter, a reined cow horse champion—and one of the most quietly revolutionary horsemen in the game. In this episode, 2016 Road to the Horse Champion and NRCHA finalist Nick Dowers joins Noëlle to break down how foundation, feel, and trust can take a horse from its first ride to world-class performance.

Why is balance the word every rider hears again and again—but still struggles to master?

In this special episode, 5* eventer and Grand Prix dressage rider Laine Ashker breaks down exactly what balance means, why it matters across every discipline, and how to actually develop it—in both your horse and yourself.

This conversation is the foundation of her 3-day “Building a Better Can...

When your horse gets injured, the usual path is clear: call the vet, follow the textbook treatment, hope for the best. Now consider this—what if the future of healing wasn’t in prescriptions and routine protocols, but in something far more powerful?

For decades, groundbreaking therapies like stem cells, ozone therapy, and PRP have been transforming human medicine. But in the horse world? They’ve been met...

High-performance horse care with no filter, no judgment, and zero dumb questions.

Let’s be honest: you’ve Googled “do calming supplements actually work?” an hour before your class while your horse dances in the cross ties. You’ve wondered if your “lazy” gelding is actually just cooked, and you’ve definitely had a moment mid-warm-up where your horse’s energy turned full-on feral.

This week, Noëlle sits down with Max Corcoran — Olymp...

Every rider knows the feeling: you're in the middle of a training session and something just doesn't click. There's a disconnect, not just with your horse, but with your approach and mindset. It's more than just a riding issue—it goes deeper, reflecting the challenges and complexities of the equestrian sport.

Today, we've got a guest who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo. Karl Cook is an Olympic med...

Every horse owner knows the feeling: walking through the field, chasing after a horse that won’t come, sensing that disconnect not just with the horse, but with life.

It’s more than just a training issue—it’s a reflection of something deeper, a desire for connection and harmony that feels out of reach.

Being around horses is about more than riding—it’s about finding peace, balance, and a deepe...

More real horses, more real problems—and more fresh perspectives on what might be going on beneath the surface.

 In Part 2 of this special Dear Horse World special double episode series, we’re continuing our conversation with Dr. John Langlois, an equine veterinarian with over 40 years of experience who now works exclusively in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).

After exploring three listener-submitted case studies in ...

Real horses, real problems—and a fresh perspective on what might be going on beneath the surface. In this special two-part Dear Horse World episode, we’re back with Dr. John Langlois, an equine veterinarian with over 40 years of experience who now works exclusively in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). After introducing us to the world of acupuncture, herbs, and energy balancing in our first conversation, Dr. Langlois ...

Every rider knows the feeling.

That moment when you and your horse are so in sync, it’s like you’re breathing together. No pulling, no gripping, no second-guessing—just presence, softness, and trust.
But then there are the other days.

You overthink. Your horse resists. Your leg tenses, your hands take instead of give. The connection frays. The confidence dips. And you wonder… Why does it feel so hard?
According t...

Think dressage is just for imported warmbloods and rhinestone-studded riders? Think again.

In this must-listen episode, NF+ Masterclass instructor Mette Larsen strips dressage down to what it really is: thoughtful, horse-first training that any rider can use to build better balance, deeper connection, and more confidence—arena or not.

You’ll learn how dressage can help trail horses stop tripping, sharpen your jump-off turns, and ...

What if going slow wasn’t falling behind—but finally getting it right?

Horse trainer and quietly powerful human Mirjam Dunkel is here to remind us that taking your time isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

With a background in liberty work, classical dressage, and cowboy realness, Mirjam’s trained over 100 young horses and built a reputation on softness, clarity, and doing right by the horse (even when it’s hard, messy, or humbling).

In thi...

This episode is brought to you by YETI.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) might sound ancient—but it’s helping modern horses in ways you might not expect.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. John Langlois, a Florida-based equine veterinarian with over four decades of experience, who now works exclusively with TCVM. 

After a long career in conventional veterinary medicine, a powerful experience treating broodmares with...

Content note: This episode discusses pregnancy, postpartum mental health, and the emotional challenges of stepping back from riding. Please take care while listening.

If you're an equestrian navigating pregnancy, trying to conceive, postpartum, or simply curious about how reproductive health intersects with riding, you're likely facing a storm of mixed messages.

Some riders are told to keep going as long as they feel fine, others a...

Olympic eventer Boyd Martin breaks down what bravery in the saddle really means—and it’s not just charging ahead without fear.

In this personal masterclass, he unpacks the emotional side of riding, from self-doubt and performance pressure to the inner fire that drives us.

Boyd shares how years of preparation, partnership with the horse, and mental clarity helped him navigate high-stakes moments like being the first rider out at the...

This episode is brought to you by Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc. and YETI. 

What do an Olympic champion and a barely-started colt have in common? According to David O’Connor—more than you think. In this rare and wide-ranging conversation, recorded live at Road to the Horse, we sit down with one of the most respected voices in equestrian sport to talk about where horsemanship is headed—and what still needs to ...

Let’s talk about the gap - the space between where you are and where you want to be in the horse world.

It’s frustrating. 
It’s overwhelming. 
And sometimes, it feels impossible to cross. 

You work hard. You love the sport. But the path to high-performance riding, a real career in horses, or even just feeling like you belong in this industry?

It’s blurry.

The people at the top make it look effortless, but the truth is, the real les...