103. The Hidden Impact of Stress on Mares, Hormones & Fertility

It’s just Shelley and Kat this week, catching up on what’s happening in their horse worlds and, as usual, ending up somewhere much deeper. From track systems, spring grass and subclinical laminitis to a training horse who simply wasn’t progressing, they explore how management, discomfort and physical limitations can show up as behavioural and training problems. Shelley also introduces her idea of the horse’s “capacity bank account”, a practical way of understanding why some horses struggle to cope with what we ask of them. Sometimes the answer isn’t better training. Sometimes we need to ask why the horse is finding the training difficult. Show Notes CANTER THERAPY SPECIAL OFFERS 50% OFF Kat’s Hoof Care Basics Course Learn how to better understand and care for your horse’s hooves with Kat’s Hoof Care Basics: Essential Guide to Understanding & Caring For Your Equine Hooves. Use coupon code CT50 for 50% off. LINK: https://firenzapark.com.au/online-learning/ 15% OFF Shelley’s Courses Get 15% off all of Shelley’s online courses for the next month. Use coupon code CANTERTHERAPY at checkout. LINK: https://calmwillingandconfidenthorses.thinkific.com PRE-ORDER: Why Horses Become Difficult Shelley’s new book, Why Horses Become Difficult: Understanding Behaviour, Capacity, and What Changes, is available to pre-order now and will be released on 30 October 2026. Pre-order today and receive 15% off using CANTERTHERAPY. LINK: https://calmwillingandconfidenthorses.thinkific.com/courses/why-horses-become-difficult LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP: Calm Willing Confident Horse Society Join Shelley’s Calm Willing Confident Horse Society for $250 (usual price $350) and become a member for life. Get access to Shelley, member resources, learning activities and social events without another monthly subscription. Use coupon code CANTERTHERAPYSOCIETY. LINK: https://calmwillingandconfidenthorses.thinkific.com/bundles/CWCH-society-project-reboot To find out more about Kat and Shelley, visit www.cantertherapy.com.au.

What if rebuilding confidence with your horse didn’t begin with pushing yourself harder? In this episode, Shelley and Kat talk with Sabrina Davies, founder of Her Ride, Her Way, about confidence, communication, people pleasing, self-doubt and why “just ride through it” might be some of the least helpful advice we give nervous riders. Sabrina shares her human-first approach to horsemanship and one powerful question: what might change with your horse if you changed something in yourself first?

What can we learn about a horse by really learning to see its body? In this fascinating and wonderfully candid conversation, Shelley and Kat talk with equine bodyworker Mary Sargeant about the experiences that transformed the way she sees horses. From dissections and compensation patterns to pain, rehabilitation, behaviour, riding, regulation and the increasingly popular language of choice and consent, Mary isn't afraid to question accepted ideas. She also explains why understanding anatomy doesn't need to be intimidating and how learning to recognise what is happening beneath the surface can help us make better decisions for horses. Funny, thoughtful and packed with ideas worth pondering, this is an episode about observation, curiosity and having the courage to ask: does what we believe about horses actually make sense?

Join Dr Shelley Appleton in conversation with Monique Craig, CEO and co-founder of EponaMind, for a thought-provoking discussion that begins with the hoof and expands into a much bigger conversation about how we understand horses. Drawing on decades of experience, research and practical observation, Monique explores hoof biomechanics, soundness, movement and why our preference for symmetry and control may sometimes work against the horse. Shelley and Monique also delve into training, riding, the relationship between science and intuition, the development of expertise, and the importance of questioning long-held equestrian assumptions. At the heart of the conversation is a simple challenge: to remain curious, look more closely at the horse in front of us, and be willing to reconsider what we think we know. Show Notes Visit EponaMind to learn more about Monique’s work, research, educational resources, publications, seminars, hoof care and equine technology: Website: https://www.eponamind.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EponaMind Email: [email protected]

Why is one horse constantly itchy while another is completely unaffected? And could allergies be behind problems like head shaking, coughing, poor performance or changes in behaviour? In this fantastic episode, Shelley and Kat are joined by Equine Dermatology Vet Dr Talia Morgan from Veterinary Dermatology Specialists in Western Australia to unpack the surprisingly complex world of equine allergies and skin disease. We explore Queensland itch, the fascinating "allergy bucket", asthma, head shaking, greasy heel, skin-barrier health, allergy testing and immunotherapy, plus loads of practical advice for everyday horse management. This episode is packed with those wonderful "I didn't know that!" moments and may completely change the way you think about your horse's skin. Show Notes Find Dr Talia Morgan: Veterinary Dermatology Specialists website vetdermspecialists.com.au (Reminder: Telehealth is available) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_talia/ 🎧 Canter Therapy Podcast: Listen on all your favourite podcast platforms. For more from Shelley and Kat, and to support the podcast and grab some cool Canter Therapy merchandise, visit cantertherapy.com.au.