February 6, 2025 • 24 mins
Discover the magic of equine therapy with Dr. Sally Broder, the visionary behind HorseSensing in Shelby County, Kentucky. With a heartfelt journey that took her from the sunny shores of California to the rolling hills of Kentucky, Dr. Broder has established a sanctuary for veterans and individuals grappling with addiction. Her passion for American Saddlebred Horses is just the beginning. Through the lens of Chris Carl's inspiring transformation, we witness the life-altering power of horse-human connections that HorseSensing fosters. These stories highlight not just recovery and growth but a deep-seated resilience drawn from a unique therapeutic approach.
Step into the vibrant world of HorseSensing's community events where the elegance of American Saddlebreds meets fun-filled activities. From farm tours and grooming lessons to thrilling demonstrations, there's something for everyone. Curious about how these programs thrive? Learn about their creative funding through grants, donations, and lively events like the HorseSensing Hoedown. As Kentucky Hidden Wonders, HorseSensing's dedication to providing free support for mental health and substance abuse challenges has already touched many lives, with plans to reach even more. Join us for a conversation that promises inspiration and a glimpse into future possibilities.
Do you know someone who would be an excellent guest on Kentucky Hidden Wonders? You can nominate them by filling out the form linked HERE or going to visitshelbyky.com/podcast and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.
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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Mason Warren.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Janette Marson (00:21):
Welcome to Kentucky Hidden Wonders.
I'm Janette Marson and I'mMason Warren.
Together, we're uncovering thesecrets, stories and hidden gems
of Shelby County, Kentucky.
Mason Warren (00:32):
From unforgettable places to off-the-beaten-path
adventures.
Join us as we explore Kentuckytreasures and Shelby County's
best-kept secrets.
Janette Marson (00:41):
Today on our show we have Dr Sally Broder,
the executive director or ownerof Horse Sensing.
And correct me, Sally, if I'vegot that wrong.
What's your exact title?
Dr. Sally Broder (00:51):
Executive director and founder
Janette Marson (00:53):
and queen of all things, horse sensing.
Dr. Sally Broder (00:56):
Oh gosh,
Janette Marson (00:57):
Thank you so much for being on.
I appreciate you.
So first of all, tell us andthe listening audience a little
bit about yourself and then whatbrought you to horse sensing.
Dr. Sally Broder (01:11):
Okay, so I'm a clinical psychologist
originally from California and Iam certified in equine therapy
as well as licensed as apsychologist, and I started
horse sensing in California inabout 2009 to have a way to work
with veterans with PTSD usinghorses.
Janette Marson (01:34):
So what brought?
Dr. Sally Broder (01:34):
you to Kentucky American Saddlebred
Horses.
So I've been a huge fan since Iwas 15 years old.
I went to work as a groom withSaddlebreds and this is the
place to be.
Shelby County is the Saddlebredcapital of the world and I had
(01:55):
a horse that was going to beborn here, a Saddlebred I had
bred to a stud out here, and sowe kept visiting and when the
baby was born, we were visitingmore and more and finally we
bought a home here so that wecould retire here.
And we came out here and we didthe opposite of retire.
(02:15):
We started horse sensingfull-time, six days a week.
Janette Marson (02:19):
And how long ago was that?
How many years?
Dr. Sally Broder (02:22):
Well, we arrived in 2014, launched the
Kentucky Horse Sensing reallyabout 2020, which was COVID, and
opened to the public.
21, which was still COVID, andthen got a residential program
in 22, january of 2022.
(02:43):
And so now we house 20,.
Well, let's see 15 men now.
16 men and we're buildinghousing for four more, so it'll
be 20 by springtime and theystay with us nine months or
longer.
Mason Warren (03:00):
Oh, that's amazing .
That's amazing.
So in your residential program,who do you typically work with?
Who is in your residentialprogram at Horse Sensing?
Dr. Sally Broder (03:09):
Oh, that's amazing.
No direction really.
Maybe they're kind of stuck andsome way we find them.
They could have a substance useissue and they get referred to
(03:33):
us.
We're pretty unique and it's achance for them to have all day,
every day, equine therapy whilethey learn how to work in a
trade.
Janette Marson (03:46):
Gotcha, how many do you have?
How many residents, veterans?
Dr. Sally Broder (03:51):
So at the main facility we have six that
live on the property, and thenat the Phase 2 house around the
corner we have another four.
At the phase two house aroundthe corner we have another four,
and then we have room foranother six in the phase three
house.
So at any time there's going tobe about a third of them that
(04:14):
are veterans, and then the restwould be men in recovery from
addiction.
Right now we have a militaryveteran army and two Navy
veterans.
Janette Marson (04:27):
Very good.
So I know you said you're DrSally Broder and you've got
great background.
So, as these men and women arecoming to you, can you think of
a story where somebody's lifewas really changed because they
were at horse sensing andmeeting you and your husband and
(04:47):
doing all the things that youdo at horse sensing?
Dr. Sally Broder (04:50):
Oh, sure, thank you.
So I don't know if I said itearlier, but what we do is we
teach them how to workprofessionally in the American
saddlebred horse industry.
So in 22, when we firstlaunched the residential program
, we happened to get in our veryfirst class.
We got four veterans, twofemale, two male, and one of the
(05:14):
males was a gentleman namedChris Carl, who was an army vet,
iraq vet, and he really duginto the program.
He had very serious anxiety andPTSD and we put him with a
horse that had equal PTSD to him, and so the benefit of that was
(05:39):
we had to teach Chris how tolearn to calm down himself so
that the horse wouldn't kill himbasically, and as a result the
horse now tolerates people muchbetter and Chris went on to be
quite a success in the horseindustry, working after he left
(06:01):
us for Stone Ridge Stables withJoey Newman, and then about a
year ago I was looking forsomeone to fill my education
director position, and that,essentially, is the person that
teaches all the guys everythingthey need to know, and then the
horse trainer teaches the other,and I asked Chris if he would
(06:25):
come and take that position.
And so that you know, two yearslater, after going through the
program, he accepted.
His boss has really never beenquite as nice to me ever since
then, because he's just theperfect guy.
When people call me they saythings like you know, sally, do
(06:48):
you have another Chris Carl, youknow.
So he has really found himselfthrough working with the horses
and through our program andwe're just really proud that
he's there.
Janette Marson (06:59):
That's so good.
Mason and I have both been tohorse sensing and I am a little
bit afraid of horses and I'mthinking horses sense what
people are feeling.
Dr. Sally Broder (07:10):
They can.
They definitely can.
And going back to Chris andthat horse, when he first
started working with that horse,there was an opportunity for
him to be in the bullpen whenthey were training him to pull a
cart and the horse flipped outand ended up to be in the
bullpen when they were traininghim to pull a cart and the horse
(07:31):
flipped out and ended upkicking Chris in the face
accidentally Right, and I saw itand he was laughing.
I said what are you laughingabout?
He said well, lukey just kickedme in the head.
And I said why are you laughing?
He said well, if that's the asbad as it's ever going to get,
I'm fine.
I'm not afraid anymore.
Mason Warren (07:48):
Oh my goodness, Wow.
Well, that is better him thanme, I guess, that anyway.
So so you're on your farm.
It's All saddlebred horses,right?
Dr. Sally Broder (08:02):
Almost all.
Mason Warren (08:03):
Okay, so why saddlebreds?
Why did you pick saddlebreds tobe the breed I know you said
from a younger age you've alwayskind of loved them.
But what drew you to them whenyou were younger and then to
stick with it now?
Dr. Sally Broder (08:16):
Well, so you guys go up every year to the
Kentucky State Fair?
Yes, and that is where we holdour World Championship Horse
Show.
Yep, that would.
So the Saddlebred Horse is whatwe call it's.
He's called the peacock of theshow ring because our breed
(08:38):
wants to be everything, all thebeauty and all the power and all
the presence that he is, andthey literally show off for you.
Janette Marson (08:50):
They are so fancy.
Mason Warren (08:51):
Oh yes, they're so fancy the majesty of them.
Fun to watch definitely.
Dr. Sally Broder (08:54):
Yeah, and there's nothing like them.
And I was exposed to my firstsaddlebred at 15.
I started with quarter horses,saw that first saddlebred got an
offer of a job as a groom and Inever looked back.
Janette Marson (09:10):
So I guess it's the magical, the way they just
the beauty of the horse is trulywhat drew you to them.
Dr. Sally Broder (09:17):
They're also big people pleasers.
They, you know they're big andpowerful, but they also want to
please you and they're smart.
So if you try to direct them ina in a way to train them, um,
as long as you use kindness, um,and reward them, they want to
perform their job for you and so, uh, they're very sensitive and
(09:43):
alert and there's just, in away they're similar to a
thoroughbred, because athoroughbred is what we call a
hot-blooded breed, and so is asaddlebred, but I think the
saddlebred is a little bit moreable to attune to the rider.
So there are lots of reasonsthat we love them.
(10:04):
They're very versatile too.
Janette Marson (10:07):
That's neat.
Now you mentioned the KentuckyState, fair Mason, of course,
and I are always there, but it'sexciting that the World
Championship is right here inKentucky.
Do you have horses that you'llbe showing here in Shelby County
or in Louisville showing?
Dr. Sally Broder (10:23):
here at the, here in Shelby County or in
Louisville, we have at leastthree, if not four, that will be
as part of horse sensing.
The guys train with show horses, they work on the show horses
and we'll be taking at leastthree, if not four, to the local
shows and there's two that wewould like to take to Louisville
(10:43):
, to Freedom Hall, to the WorldChampionship.
So we're going to work towardsgetting there.
It's very expensive to enter,to go to stable, to the whole
thing, so you have to make sureyou've got the blood stock to
take it Gotcha, but you worktowards it every day.
Mason Warren (10:59):
Yeah, and you've touched on it a little bit kind
of emotionally, but what setsapart a saddlebred from a
different type of breed of horse?
For the non-horse peoplephysically like, how does a
saddlebred look different fromanother type of horse, and
things like that.
Dr. Sally Broder (11:13):
Okay.
So if you look at a quarterhorse, you're going to notice
that their neck just naturallyhangs off of their shoulder
lower, and that's actuallysomething that they like.
Like that's part of the breedspecs, the point of the shoulder
(11:33):
and the withers in a saddlebred.
You want to see the neck comingup from that point.
You want to see a long, tall,graceful neck and a beautiful
head perched on top with theears forward.
You also want to see abeautiful back with the tail
(11:54):
that's perched up and out.
And then, in terms of whattheir movement is like, there's
something that we call motion oraction, and that's they are
(12:15):
born and bred to bring theirknee and their hocks up.
So instead of trotting straightout, they trot up, and with our
shoeing and our training, weaccentuate whatever they're born
with.
And so if you ever saw a pictureof a saddlebred with, like the
one right behind you, that thatmare has the knee and knocked up
(12:39):
in the air, and that'ssomething that they naturally
have, so that sets them apart aswell, gotcha, they're so
beautiful, so beautiful, and youhave a beautiful farm too.
Janette Marson (12:47):
So that leads me to can people come to see your
farm?
Do you do tours?
Talk a little bit about how avisitor could get involved and
see these wonderful horses thatwe've been talking about.
Dr. Sally Broder (13:02):
We have started giving tours, both on a
small and larger scale, and weinvite bus tours.
They just call us at our numberand then anyone that's
interested in touring the farmon an individual or small tour
basis can just call us.
Also.
It's a good way to see if youmight even want to come out and
(13:25):
volunteer.
We have lots of volunteers andwe have a great time working
with the horses.
It's beautiful out there.
It's a great place to bringyour kids.
We have community events wherewe invite people to the farm
several times a year, but wewould love to see more tour
groups for sure.
Janette Marson (13:45):
Absolutely.
So what would a tour look like?
Let's say I've got my motorcoach and we're heading your way
.
What would a tour typicallylook like?
Or what do you do?
What do people say?
Do they get?
Mason Warren (13:56):
to brush a horse, feed a horse, anything like that
.
What's the hands-on part ofthat?
Dr. Sally Broder (14:01):
So for the people that do want the hands-on
, we invite them to have agrooming lesson.
We also invite them to learnhow to handle the horse a little
bit, and we take them out andteach them how to manage the
horse on the ground, how to walk, and then also we do
demonstrations.
So American Saddlebreds havethree gates, five gates.
(14:23):
They also go in a buggy or acarriage, so we give
demonstrations of those sopeople can see the example of
the breed.
We also have, believe it or not, we have a mini horse, and so
kids love our miniature horse.
We have another one coming.
So for the little ones and thepeople that are a little nervous
(14:45):
about bigger horses, we putthem on the miniature horse and
a pony or two that we have.
Janette Marson (14:50):
I'm guessing it's not a miniature saddlebred,
it's just a little horse.
Dr. Sally Broder (14:56):
That's a silly question.
Probably it's an actualregistered miniature horse.
He's 32 inches high.
Mason Warren (15:01):
Oh, that's adorable I have to measure my
dog.
I don't know how my dog I know.
Oh my goodness, I don't knowhow my dog compares to that.
Dr. Sally Broder (15:07):
He's Red Fox's Pistol Pete.
Mason Warren (15:10):
Oh my goodness, that's exciting that makes me
how you hear especially ifyou're watching the Derby or
anything like that horse names.
They're wild and they're outthere.
So how?
How do horse names work?
Is there like a namingconvention?
How does that work?
Dr. Sally Broder (15:27):
It's all about the breeding.
I'll give you an example.
So last, let's say my last coltthat's going to go into
training now.
His father's name is the WordIs Out.
His mother's name is TwinklingCharm.
My job was to put thosetogether.
(15:47):
So when you see a name, you'regoing to see a derivative of one
or both of the sire and the dam, and so what I ended up with
that quote was Shakespeare'scharm, thinking of Shakespeare
as the bard, as the word.
But if you look at a name,think of who's the daddy, who's
(16:07):
the mom, Fantastic.
And you can follow thosebloodlines all the way back.
So we're way back into the 1800s, our Saddlebred breed begins
Wow.
Janette Marson (16:18):
So also I'm just thinking how are you funded?
I know our listeners may wantto know a little bit, they may
want to donate or they may justbe curious.
So how is Horse Sensing fundedeach year to do these wonderful
things?
Dr. Sally Broder (16:37):
I am busy writing grants, constantly,
working on one for Brown, for meright now.
Oh, that's a good one.
I've never asked for one fromthem, so I'm going to cross my
fingers.
It's all grants, individualdonations and we also have these
fundraisers, but we do justrely on that stuff.
(16:58):
We don't get any majorgovernment funding or anything
like that.
Janette Marson (17:05):
A very worthy cause.
So, brown Foreman, if you'relistening, horse sensing is
worth every penny, definitely.
And I know you mentioned lotsof fundraisers, I'm sure Big
events.
Mason Warren (17:19):
What are some of the big events that you've got?
Maybe the annual ones.
Janette Marson (17:23):
Okay, so tell us what's going to happen.
Dr. Sally Broder (17:25):
Well, funny, you should ask that question
because our next one is going tohappen.
Well, funny, you should askthat question because our next
one is going to take place righthere in Shelby County.
It's called the Horse Sensing,Hoedown, and that'll be March
22nd and it was great fun lastyear.
We have a mechanical bull, wehave line dancing, line dancing
lessons we had last year.
We have poker, great barbecueand everybody wears cowboy hats
(17:50):
and cowboy boots and we have acostume contest of your favorite
country star.
So that's March 22nd.
And then the next thing wouldbe we have a pie contest at the
end of April.
We have a big fall festival inOctober and then we have a new
fundraiser that's going to beJuly 12th.
(18:11):
That's called a 4x4 Show andShine.
What is that?
Trucks any type of 4x4, aregoing to be all over our 30-acre
property and they compete forwho's got the hottest chassis.
I don't know what they competefor, but it's a chance for the
(18:32):
kids to come out and see thesegreat vehicles at a horse farm.
Janette Marson (18:36):
Yeah, that is horsepower, right Horsepower,
there you go, there's yourmarketing campaign.
Mason Warren (18:42):
That's the thing you could use that for free.
Dr. Sally Broder (18:44):
We always like to have a way for people to
visit at the same time thatwe're doing a fundraiser,
because they love it out there.
Janette Marson (18:51):
Are you doing a chili cook-off this year?
Dr. Sally Broder (18:54):
Sadly we're not Okay, so we're going to
serve chili at the Fall Festival.
Janette Marson (19:00):
Oh, that'll be good.
That'll be good.
I recall being a judge for that.
Yes, you were.
It was fantastic fun.
All the other judges also hadtender tummies like I, so we
weren't sure who was going totest the really hot chilies.
But that was wonderful and Iknow, is your pie.
Dr. Sally Broder (19:18):
The pie and cake contest.
That's similar, only pies andcakes.
April 26th Okay, wonderful,it's all chocolate this year.
Janette Marson (19:25):
All chocolate cakes and pies and then for the
hoedown, I think I've seen onFacebook that you've been
promoting some line dancinglessons and places that people
so do you recall, like wherepeople can go to learn line
dancing?
Dr. Sally Broder (19:40):
Our next lesson is coming up this Sunday
and it's at the Baghdad RuritanClub.
Janette Marson (19:46):
Okay, I don't know if this will air in time
for that, but do they do thatthroughout the year?
Yes, ruritan, okay.
Dr. Sally Broder (19:52):
Yeah, at Baghdad Ruritan Club I think
we're doing it every otherSunday past the hoedown and
people love to line dance, soit's a lot of fun.
Mason Warren (20:01):
Gotcha and if people want tickets for the
hoedown do and if people wanttickets for the hoedown.
Do they buy them online on yourwebsite?
Dr. Sally Broder (20:06):
They can come to the website and I've got the
link there where they can buytickets or tables, and if they
want a sponsor, they can call medirectly.
That's probably the best way,and your website is
wwwhorsesensingcom.
Janette Marson (20:22):
And phone number that you would want people to
call.
Oh, thank you 650-776-4313.
Is there anything else abouthorse sensing that you would
want people to know about?
So our show name is KentuckyHidden Wonders, and you are
truly a hidden gem, hiddenwonder, but your name is getting
(20:43):
out there, definitely.
But what would you want thoselistening to know about horse
sensing and your passion forwhat you do?
Dr. Sally Broder (20:53):
I think that, more than anything, I always
like to have people think aboutif they've known someone in
their life in their family,friends, relatives that has
needed help with eithersubstance abuse or mental health
, and if they feel like theycould be helped by what we have
to give.
We're totally free.
(21:15):
That's another thing.
We don't cost anything.
So I want people to know thatAlso, that it's not just for the
people that we serve in theresidential program, that we're
also completely open to thepublic and the community and I
want to urge people to comebecause we want to share what we
(21:35):
have.
Janette Marson (21:36):
So how do people find?
So if I was having a problem, Icould just reach out to you.
Dr. Sally Broder (21:41):
You just call that number and you're going to
get me, because it's my cellphone.
Janette Marson (21:44):
That's fantastic .
What a wonderful mission.
Mason Warren (21:52):
Mason, can you think of any other questions?
I love horse sensing.
How many people have you had?
Dr. Sally Broder (21:55):
go through the program altogether since you
opened.
So right now we're on number 44.
Janette Marson (21:59):
Okay, All right, what's your plans for the
future?
So you've talked a little bitabout what you've got.
Now, what's coming up?
Yeah, what's coming.
Plans for the future yeah, likewhat?
So you've talked a little bitabout what you've got now.
Right, what's your what'scoming up?
Yeah, what's coming up for?
Dr. Sally Broder (22:10):
horse sensing future-wise.
That's interesting.
So my goal for 2025 is to have35 in this year.
Serve 35 people in theresidential program and place
them at horse farms and get themon their feet and move in a
positive direction and reducethe suicide rate.
Janette Marson (22:32):
Wow, that is a fabulous mission.
Yes, and did you say that youhave all three of your overnight
houses?
I mean they're all three built,and are you planning on more
residential homes for people orwhile they're staying, believe
it or?
Dr. Sally Broder (22:51):
not.
We're expanding by convertingour second barn into housing for
four more people, so you knowhow barn dominiums are really
popular right now.
We're building our very ownbarn, dominium.
Get in on the trend, and italso.
It saves so much money to usean existing structure, and so we
don't have to raise quite asmuch.
Janette Marson (23:13):
Right, have you already started on that?
Dr. Sally Broder (23:14):
Yes, we have Floor's in the framing's done,
oh my goodness, then the snowstarted, Then the snow yeah,
it's being built by the Amishteam that built our original
barn.
Mason Warren (23:28):
Oh, that's amazing .
Well, they will have it done inno time, if the weather
cooperates.
Janette Marson (23:34):
Anything else, mason, I don't have anything
else.
Thank you so much.
It's really a wonderful missionand we love horse sensing.
We love you and we're so happythat you're on our show.
Dr. Sally Broder (23:47):
Oh, thank you for having us.
We love you and we're so happythat you're on our show.
Janette Marson (23:49):
Oh, thank you for having us, absolutely Thank
you, thank you.
Mason Warren (23:55):
This has been Kentucky Hidden Wonders.
Thank you to Dr Sally Broderfor coming on the show to talk
about horse sensing and thankyou for listening.
If you've made it this far,make sure you subscribe and
leave us a review.
It means the world to us.
We'll be back in two weeks witha brand new Kentucky Hidden
Wonder.
Bye everyone.
Kentucky Hidden Wonders is aShelby KY Tourism production.
(24:19):
Your hosts are Janet Merson andMason Warren.
To learn more about Shelby KYTourism and to start planning a
visit, head to visitshelbykycom.
Welcome to Kentucky Hidden Wonders.
I'm Janette Marson and I'mMason Warren.
Together, we're uncovering thesecrets, stories and hidden gems
of Shelby County, Kentucky.
Mason Warren (00:32):
From unforgettable places to off-the-beaten-path
adventures.
Join us as we explore Kentuckytreasures and Shelby County's
best-kept secrets.
Janette Marson (00:41):
Today on our show we have Dr Sally Broder,
the executive director or ownerof Horse Sensing.
And correct me, Sally, if I'vegot that wrong.
What's your exact title?
Dr. Sally Broder (00:51):
Executive director and founder
Janette Marson (00:53):
and queen of all things, horse sensing.
Dr. Sally Broder (00:56):
Oh gosh,
Janette Marson (00:57):
Thank you so much for being on.
I appreciate you.
So first of all, tell us andthe listening audience a little
bit about yourself and then whatbrought you to horse sensing.
Dr. Sally Broder (01:11):
Okay, so I'm a clinical psychologist
originally from California and Iam certified in equine therapy
as well as licensed as apsychologist, and I started
horse sensing in California inabout 2009 to have a way to work
with veterans with PTSD usinghorses.
Janette Marson (01:34):
So what brought?
Dr. Sally Broder (01:34):
you to Kentucky American Saddlebred
Horses.
So I've been a huge fan since Iwas 15 years old.
I went to work as a groom withSaddlebreds and this is the
place to be.
Shelby County is the Saddlebredcapital of the world and I had
(01:55):
a horse that was going to beborn here, a Saddlebred I had
bred to a stud out here, and sowe kept visiting and when the
baby was born, we were visitingmore and more and finally we
bought a home here so that wecould retire here.
And we came out here and we didthe opposite of retire.
(02:15):
We started horse sensingfull-time, six days a week.
Janette Marson (02:19):
And how long ago was that?
How many years?
Dr. Sally Broder (02:22):
Well, we arrived in 2014, launched the
Kentucky Horse Sensing reallyabout 2020, which was COVID, and
opened to the public.
21, which was still COVID, andthen got a residential program
in 22, january of 2022.
(02:43):
And so now we house 20,.
Well, let's see 15 men now.
16 men and we're buildinghousing for four more, so it'll
be 20 by springtime and theystay with us nine months or
longer.
Mason Warren (03:00):
Oh, that's amazing .
That's amazing.
So in your residential program,who do you typically work with?
Who is in your residentialprogram at Horse Sensing?
Dr. Sally Broder (03:09):
Oh, that's amazing.
No direction really.
Maybe they're kind of stuck andsome way we find them.
They could have a substance useissue and they get referred to
(03:33):
us.
We're pretty unique and it's achance for them to have all day,
every day, equine therapy whilethey learn how to work in a
trade.
Janette Marson (03:46):
Gotcha, how many do you have?
How many residents, veterans?
Dr. Sally Broder (03:51):
So at the main facility we have six that
live on the property, and thenat the Phase 2 house around the
corner we have another four.
At the phase two house aroundthe corner we have another four,
and then we have room foranother six in the phase three
house.
So at any time there's going tobe about a third of them that
(04:14):
are veterans, and then the restwould be men in recovery from
addiction.
Right now we have a militaryveteran army and two Navy
veterans.
Janette Marson (04:27):
Very good.
So I know you said you're DrSally Broder and you've got
great background.
So, as these men and women arecoming to you, can you think of
a story where somebody's lifewas really changed because they
were at horse sensing andmeeting you and your husband and
(04:47):
doing all the things that youdo at horse sensing?
Dr. Sally Broder (04:50):
Oh, sure, thank you.
So I don't know if I said itearlier, but what we do is we
teach them how to workprofessionally in the American
saddlebred horse industry.
So in 22, when we firstlaunched the residential program
, we happened to get in our veryfirst class.
We got four veterans, twofemale, two male, and one of the
(05:14):
males was a gentleman namedChris Carl, who was an army vet,
iraq vet, and he really duginto the program.
He had very serious anxiety andPTSD and we put him with a
horse that had equal PTSD to him, and so the benefit of that was
(05:39):
we had to teach Chris how tolearn to calm down himself so
that the horse wouldn't kill himbasically, and as a result the
horse now tolerates people muchbetter and Chris went on to be
quite a success in the horseindustry, working after he left
(06:01):
us for Stone Ridge Stables withJoey Newman, and then about a
year ago I was looking forsomeone to fill my education
director position, and that,essentially, is the person that
teaches all the guys everythingthey need to know, and then the
horse trainer teaches the other,and I asked Chris if he would
(06:25):
come and take that position.
And so that you know, two yearslater, after going through the
program, he accepted.
His boss has really never beenquite as nice to me ever since
then, because he's just theperfect guy.
When people call me they saythings like you know, sally, do
(06:48):
you have another Chris Carl, youknow.
So he has really found himselfthrough working with the horses
and through our program andwe're just really proud that
he's there.
Janette Marson (06:59):
That's so good.
Mason and I have both been tohorse sensing and I am a little
bit afraid of horses and I'mthinking horses sense what
people are feeling.
Dr. Sally Broder (07:10):
They can.
They definitely can.
And going back to Chris andthat horse, when he first
started working with that horse,there was an opportunity for
him to be in the bullpen whenthey were training him to pull a
cart and the horse flipped outand ended up to be in the
bullpen when they were traininghim to pull a cart and the horse
(07:31):
flipped out and ended upkicking Chris in the face
accidentally Right, and I saw itand he was laughing.
I said what are you laughingabout?
He said well, lukey just kickedme in the head.
And I said why are you laughing?
He said well, if that's the asbad as it's ever going to get,
I'm fine.
I'm not afraid anymore.
Mason Warren (07:48):
Oh my goodness, Wow.
Well, that is better him thanme, I guess, that anyway.
So so you're on your farm.
It's All saddlebred horses,right?
Dr. Sally Broder (08:02):
Almost all.
Mason Warren (08:03):
Okay, so why saddlebreds?
Why did you pick saddlebreds tobe the breed I know you said
from a younger age you've alwayskind of loved them.
But what drew you to them whenyou were younger and then to
stick with it now?
Dr. Sally Broder (08:16):
Well, so you guys go up every year to the
Kentucky State Fair?
Yes, and that is where we holdour World Championship Horse
Show.
Yep, that would.
So the Saddlebred Horse is whatwe call it's.
He's called the peacock of theshow ring because our breed
(08:38):
wants to be everything, all thebeauty and all the power and all
the presence that he is, andthey literally show off for you.
Janette Marson (08:50):
They are so fancy.
Mason Warren (08:51):
Oh yes, they're so fancy the majesty of them.
Fun to watch definitely.
Dr. Sally Broder (08:54):
Yeah, and there's nothing like them.
And I was exposed to my firstsaddlebred at 15.
I started with quarter horses,saw that first saddlebred got an
offer of a job as a groom and Inever looked back.
Janette Marson (09:10):
So I guess it's the magical, the way they just
the beauty of the horse is trulywhat drew you to them.
Dr. Sally Broder (09:17):
They're also big people pleasers.
They, you know they're big andpowerful, but they also want to
please you and they're smart.
So if you try to direct them ina in a way to train them, um,
as long as you use kindness, um,and reward them, they want to
perform their job for you and so, uh, they're very sensitive and
(09:43):
alert and there's just, in away they're similar to a
thoroughbred, because athoroughbred is what we call a
hot-blooded breed, and so is asaddlebred, but I think the
saddlebred is a little bit moreable to attune to the rider.
So there are lots of reasonsthat we love them.
(10:04):
They're very versatile too.
Janette Marson (10:07):
That's neat.
Now you mentioned the KentuckyState, fair Mason, of course,
and I are always there, but it'sexciting that the World
Championship is right here inKentucky.
Do you have horses that you'llbe showing here in Shelby County
or in Louisville showing?
Dr. Sally Broder (10:23):
here at the, here in Shelby County or in
Louisville, we have at leastthree, if not four, that will be
as part of horse sensing.
The guys train with show horses, they work on the show horses
and we'll be taking at leastthree, if not four, to the local
shows and there's two that wewould like to take to Louisville
(10:43):
, to Freedom Hall, to the WorldChampionship.
So we're going to work towardsgetting there.
It's very expensive to enter,to go to stable, to the whole
thing, so you have to make sureyou've got the blood stock to
take it Gotcha, but you worktowards it every day.
Mason Warren (10:59):
Yeah, and you've touched on it a little bit kind
of emotionally, but what setsapart a saddlebred from a
different type of breed of horse?
For the non-horse peoplephysically like, how does a
saddlebred look different fromanother type of horse, and
things like that.
Dr. Sally Broder (11:13):
Okay.
So if you look at a quarterhorse, you're going to notice
that their neck just naturallyhangs off of their shoulder
lower, and that's actuallysomething that they like.
Like that's part of the breedspecs, the point of the shoulder
(11:33):
and the withers in a saddlebred.
You want to see the neck comingup from that point.
You want to see a long, tall,graceful neck and a beautiful
head perched on top with theears forward.
You also want to see abeautiful back with the tail
(11:54):
that's perched up and out.
And then, in terms of whattheir movement is like, there's
something that we call motion oraction, and that's they are
(12:15):
born and bred to bring theirknee and their hocks up.
So instead of trotting straightout, they trot up, and with our
shoeing and our training, weaccentuate whatever they're born
with.
And so if you ever saw a pictureof a saddlebred with, like the
one right behind you, that thatmare has the knee and knocked up
(12:39):
in the air, and that'ssomething that they naturally
have, so that sets them apart aswell, gotcha, they're so
beautiful, so beautiful, and youhave a beautiful farm too.
Janette Marson (12:47):
So that leads me to can people come to see your
farm?
Do you do tours?
Talk a little bit about how avisitor could get involved and
see these wonderful horses thatwe've been talking about.
Dr. Sally Broder (13:02):
We have started giving tours, both on a
small and larger scale, and weinvite bus tours.
They just call us at our numberand then anyone that's
interested in touring the farmon an individual or small tour
basis can just call us.
Also.
It's a good way to see if youmight even want to come out and
(13:25):
volunteer.
We have lots of volunteers andwe have a great time working
with the horses.
It's beautiful out there.
It's a great place to bringyour kids.
We have community events wherewe invite people to the farm
several times a year, but wewould love to see more tour
groups for sure.
Janette Marson (13:45):
Absolutely.
So what would a tour look like?
Let's say I've got my motorcoach and we're heading your way
.
What would a tour typicallylook like?
Or what do you do?
What do people say?
Do they get?
Mason Warren (13:56):
to brush a horse, feed a horse, anything like that
.
What's the hands-on part ofthat?
Dr. Sally Broder (14:01):
So for the people that do want the hands-on
, we invite them to have agrooming lesson.
We also invite them to learnhow to handle the horse a little
bit, and we take them out andteach them how to manage the
horse on the ground, how to walk, and then also we do
demonstrations.
So American Saddlebreds havethree gates, five gates.
(14:23):
They also go in a buggy or acarriage, so we give
demonstrations of those sopeople can see the example of
the breed.
We also have, believe it or not, we have a mini horse, and so
kids love our miniature horse.
We have another one coming.
So for the little ones and thepeople that are a little nervous
(14:45):
about bigger horses, we putthem on the miniature horse and
a pony or two that we have.
Janette Marson (14:50):
I'm guessing it's not a miniature saddlebred,
it's just a little horse.
Dr. Sally Broder (14:56):
That's a silly question.
Probably it's an actualregistered miniature horse.
He's 32 inches high.
Mason Warren (15:01):
Oh, that's adorable I have to measure my
dog.
I don't know how my dog I know.
Oh my goodness, I don't knowhow my dog compares to that.
Dr. Sally Broder (15:07):
He's Red Fox's Pistol Pete.
Mason Warren (15:10):
Oh my goodness, that's exciting that makes me
how you hear especially ifyou're watching the Derby or
anything like that horse names.
They're wild and they're outthere.
So how?
How do horse names work?
Is there like a namingconvention?
How does that work?
Dr. Sally Broder (15:27):
It's all about the breeding.
I'll give you an example.
So last, let's say my last coltthat's going to go into
training now.
His father's name is the WordIs Out.
His mother's name is TwinklingCharm.
My job was to put thosetogether.
(15:47):
So when you see a name, you'regoing to see a derivative of one
or both of the sire and the dam, and so what I ended up with
that quote was Shakespeare'scharm, thinking of Shakespeare
as the bard, as the word.
But if you look at a name,think of who's the daddy, who's
(16:07):
the mom, Fantastic.
And you can follow thosebloodlines all the way back.
So we're way back into the 1800s, our Saddlebred breed begins
Wow.
Janette Marson (16:18):
So also I'm just thinking how are you funded?
I know our listeners may wantto know a little bit, they may
want to donate or they may justbe curious.
So how is Horse Sensing fundedeach year to do these wonderful
things?
Dr. Sally Broder (16:37):
I am busy writing grants, constantly,
working on one for Brown, for meright now.
Oh, that's a good one.
I've never asked for one fromthem, so I'm going to cross my
fingers.
It's all grants, individualdonations and we also have these
fundraisers, but we do justrely on that stuff.
(16:58):
We don't get any majorgovernment funding or anything
like that.
Janette Marson (17:05):
A very worthy cause.
So, brown Foreman, if you'relistening, horse sensing is
worth every penny, definitely.
And I know you mentioned lotsof fundraisers, I'm sure Big
events.
Mason Warren (17:19):
What are some of the big events that you've got?
Maybe the annual ones.
Janette Marson (17:23):
Okay, so tell us what's going to happen.
Dr. Sally Broder (17:25):
Well, funny, you should ask that question
because our next one is going tohappen.
Well, funny, you should askthat question because our next
one is going to take place righthere in Shelby County.
It's called the Horse Sensing,Hoedown, and that'll be March
22nd and it was great fun lastyear.
We have a mechanical bull, wehave line dancing, line dancing
lessons we had last year.
We have poker, great barbecueand everybody wears cowboy hats
(17:50):
and cowboy boots and we have acostume contest of your favorite
country star.
So that's March 22nd.
And then the next thing wouldbe we have a pie contest at the
end of April.
We have a big fall festival inOctober and then we have a new
fundraiser that's going to beJuly 12th.
(18:11):
That's called a 4x4 Show andShine.
What is that?
Trucks any type of 4x4, aregoing to be all over our 30-acre
property and they compete forwho's got the hottest chassis.
I don't know what they competefor, but it's a chance for the
(18:32):
kids to come out and see thesegreat vehicles at a horse farm.
Janette Marson (18:36):
Yeah, that is horsepower, right Horsepower,
there you go, there's yourmarketing campaign.
Mason Warren (18:42):
That's the thing you could use that for free.
Dr. Sally Broder (18:44):
We always like to have a way for people to
visit at the same time thatwe're doing a fundraiser,
because they love it out there.
Janette Marson (18:51):
Are you doing a chili cook-off this year?
Dr. Sally Broder (18:54):
Sadly we're not Okay, so we're going to
serve chili at the Fall Festival.
Janette Marson (19:00):
Oh, that'll be good.
That'll be good.
I recall being a judge for that.
Yes, you were.
It was fantastic fun.
All the other judges also hadtender tummies like I, so we
weren't sure who was going totest the really hot chilies.
But that was wonderful and Iknow, is your pie.
Dr. Sally Broder (19:18):
The pie and cake contest.
That's similar, only pies andcakes.
April 26th Okay, wonderful,it's all chocolate this year.
Janette Marson (19:25):
All chocolate cakes and pies and then for the
hoedown, I think I've seen onFacebook that you've been
promoting some line dancinglessons and places that people
so do you recall, like wherepeople can go to learn line
dancing?
Dr. Sally Broder (19:40):
Our next lesson is coming up this Sunday
and it's at the Baghdad RuritanClub.
Janette Marson (19:46):
Okay, I don't know if this will air in time
for that, but do they do thatthroughout the year?
Yes, ruritan, okay.
Dr. Sally Broder (19:52):
Yeah, at Baghdad Ruritan Club I think
we're doing it every otherSunday past the hoedown and
people love to line dance, soit's a lot of fun.
Mason Warren (20:01):
Gotcha and if people want tickets for the
hoedown do and if people wanttickets for the hoedown.
Do they buy them online on yourwebsite?
Dr. Sally Broder (20:06):
They can come to the website and I've got the
link there where they can buytickets or tables, and if they
want a sponsor, they can call medirectly.
That's probably the best way,and your website is
wwwhorsesensingcom.
Janette Marson (20:22):
And phone number that you would want people to
call.
Oh, thank you 650-776-4313.
Is there anything else abouthorse sensing that you would
want people to know about?
So our show name is KentuckyHidden Wonders, and you are
truly a hidden gem, hiddenwonder, but your name is getting
(20:43):
out there, definitely.
But what would you want thoselistening to know about horse
sensing and your passion forwhat you do?
Dr. Sally Broder (20:53):
I think that, more than anything, I always
like to have people think aboutif they've known someone in
their life in their family,friends, relatives that has
needed help with eithersubstance abuse or mental health
, and if they feel like theycould be helped by what we have
to give.
We're totally free.
(21:15):
That's another thing.
We don't cost anything.
So I want people to know thatAlso, that it's not just for the
people that we serve in theresidential program, that we're
also completely open to thepublic and the community and I
want to urge people to comebecause we want to share what we
(21:35):
have.
Janette Marson (21:36):
So how do people find?
So if I was having a problem, Icould just reach out to you.
Dr. Sally Broder (21:41):
You just call that number and you're going to
get me, because it's my cellphone.
Janette Marson (21:44):
That's fantastic .
What a wonderful mission.
Mason Warren (21:52):
Mason, can you think of any other questions?
I love horse sensing.
How many people have you had?
Dr. Sally Broder (21:55):
go through the program altogether since you
opened.
So right now we're on number 44.
Janette Marson (21:59):
Okay, All right, what's your plans for the
future?
So you've talked a little bitabout what you've got.
Now, what's coming up?
Yeah, what's coming.
Plans for the future yeah, likewhat?
So you've talked a little bitabout what you've got now.
Right, what's your what'scoming up?
Yeah, what's coming up for?
Dr. Sally Broder (22:10):
horse sensing future-wise.
That's interesting.
So my goal for 2025 is to have35 in this year.
Serve 35 people in theresidential program and place
them at horse farms and get themon their feet and move in a
positive direction and reducethe suicide rate.
Janette Marson (22:32):
Wow, that is a fabulous mission.
Yes, and did you say that youhave all three of your overnight
houses?
I mean they're all three built,and are you planning on more
residential homes for people orwhile they're staying, believe
it or?
Dr. Sally Broder (22:51):
not.
We're expanding by convertingour second barn into housing for
four more people, so you knowhow barn dominiums are really
popular right now.
We're building our very ownbarn, dominium.
Get in on the trend, and italso.
It saves so much money to usean existing structure, and so we
don't have to raise quite asmuch.
Janette Marson (23:13):
Right, have you already started on that?
Dr. Sally Broder (23:14):
Yes, we have Floor's in the framing's done,
oh my goodness, then the snowstarted, Then the snow yeah,
it's being built by the Amishteam that built our original
barn.
Mason Warren (23:28):
Oh, that's amazing .
Well, they will have it done inno time, if the weather
cooperates.
Janette Marson (23:34):
Anything else, mason, I don't have anything
else.
Thank you so much.
It's really a wonderful missionand we love horse sensing.
We love you and we're so happythat you're on our show.
Dr. Sally Broder (23:47):
Oh, thank you for having us.
We love you and we're so happythat you're on our show.
Janette Marson (23:49):
Oh, thank you for having us, absolutely Thank
you, thank you.
Mason Warren (23:55):
This has been Kentucky Hidden Wonders.
Thank you to Dr Sally Broderfor coming on the show to talk
about horse sensing and thankyou for listening.
If you've made it this far,make sure you subscribe and
leave us a review.
It means the world to us.
We'll be back in two weeks witha brand new Kentucky Hidden
Wonder.
Bye everyone.
Kentucky Hidden Wonders is aShelby KY Tourism production.
(24:19):
Your hosts are Janet Merson andMason Warren.
To learn more about Shelby KYTourism and to start planning a
visit, head to visitshelbykycom.
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