Relationship Episodes

Horse Brain, Human Brain was one of the first books I read when I was trying to understand horses better. So when I had the chance to sit down with its author, Janet Jones, for the podcast, I was pretty excited. Janet is a neuroscientist, horsewoman, and the author of her new book, A Horse's World. We talked about trust, fear, learning, the horse's sensory system, and some of the things horses notice that humans often miss. One thing that really stood out to me was this: Dogs...

Today I’m talking with Toni Mattson of Trinity Equestrian Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Toni and her team work with horses alongside veterans, first responders, youth, and individuals facing trauma, PTSD, dementia, and other life challenges. We talk about what horses notice about people, why they respond so honestly to emotion, and how animals can help people reconnect with hope, trust, and themselves. We also discuss Toni’s book Unlikely Recruits, her work with veterans, and Trinity...

What happens after the horse reacts? In this conversation, I talk with carriage driving trainer Christine Beattie about how driving changes the way we communicate with a horse — and why it can have such a big impact on the relationship. We talk about ground driving, working horses in real-world environments, and what horses need from us when things feel uncertain. A big part of this conversation comes down to something simple: It’s not whether the horse reacts… it’s wha...

“Find a dog that’s going to make you happy.” I sit down with Denise Fenzi to talk about choosing the right dog for your real life — not the one you think you should want. We talk about fit, expectations, training, and working with the dog in front of you. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/ Website links- denisefenzi.com fenzidogsportsacademy.com thedogathlete.com thehighdrivedog.com

In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, Barbara O’Brien talks with Rachel Windchaser, author and equine rewilding coach. Rachel runs Winchaser Ranch in Spain, where she cares for a rare herd of Spanish Mustangs. They talk about what it really means to “rewild” — how slowing down, breathing, and paying attention can change the way we connect with horses and with ourselves. Rachel explains the value of touch, rhythm, and trust, and why real horsemanship starts with self-awareness and ki...

Send us a text In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer podcast, host Barbara O’Brien chats with Jessica Gonzalez, a dedicated horse rescuer and author of Equine Empowerment. They discuss how horses help people heal, the power of positive reinforcement training, and the deep bond between horses and young people. Jessica shares her journey, the challenges of running a nonprofit, and the importance of trust, patience, and second chances—both for horses and humans. Key Takeaways: Horses provide...

Have you ever felt a profound connection to something that completely shifted your life's direction? In this episode of the Empathetic Trainer Podcast, we chat with Chris Lombard, a horse trainer and author who found his calling in the equine world at the age of 26. Chris shares his transformative journey from a conventional life to one filled with the peace and purpose he discovered through horses. We explore the deep emotional bonds between humans and horses, the courage it takes to follow on...

Ingrid Henry, an equine coach, discusses the importance of trust and consistency in building a strong relationship with horses

New Zealand Horse advocate and author, Julie Smart joins Barbara O'Brien in a conversation not just about training, but about retraining ourselves to listen, to watch, and to feel the subtle cues that horses give us when trying to communicate. We talk about how spending undemanding time with our horses changes how they feel about and us and can really help build a better, more trusting relationship. We also talk about how horses never stop learning and can be trained at any age with atunement a...