Wild About Hooves! Barefoot Hoof Care with Jen Clingy & Jeremy Ford

In this episode, I chat with the founder and managing director of WOW Saddles: David Kempsell. WoW is a revolutionary saddle brand known for its fully adjustable, modular design that supports both horse and rider through every stage of development and performance. We dive into the inspiration behind WoW, the technology that sets it apart (like carbon fiber trees, Flair air flocking, and interchangeable seats and panels) and how this system helps improve comfort, movement, and balance. I’ve personally ridden in WOW Saddles for over 10 years and have always appreciated their adjustability, comfort, and unique look. Saddle fit is such a personal and important part of horse welfare, and when you find something that works, it’s a huge relief. This episode isn’t sponsored, I simply love talking about things I genuinely use and believe in. If you’re curious about saddle fitting, have a tricky horse to fit, or are tired of trialling saddles that never quite work, you’ll enjoy this conversation!

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Andrew McLean who is a renowned equine academic, author, coach, presenter, and founder of the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre. We explore key topics such as ethical use of reinforcement, welfare in horse sports, and the future of horse training and management. We also touch on Andrew’s fascinating work with elephants. Dr. McLean’s career includes winning the Eureka Prize for Science, coaching at elite levels, and riding competitively at high levels in eventing, dressage, and show jumping. He continues to shape the next generation through his contributions to Pony Club Australia's syllabus, and offers a Diploma in Equitation Science for all ages and levels. Enjoy the show!_____ 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE: Dr Andrew McLean has authored a nationally accredited horse training Diploma, the Diploma of Equitation Science. This qualification is suitable for all horse riders providing students with highly practical skills and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of horse handling, coaching and training. Graduates are equipped with increasingly sought after skills in equine management and evidence-based and ethical equine trainingStudy online with flexible timeframes and a range of payment options. To find out more visit: https://esi-education.com/courses/diploma/

“Feel is knowing what to do, timing is knowing when to do it” ~ Elsa Sinclair

In the latest episode of The Horsemanship Breakthroughs Podcast, I am joined by Olivia Kelly (Towers) @towers432, who shares her incredible story of being a successful professional Grand Prix Dressage Rider to finding the world of horsemanship and biomechanics. In this episode, we discuss:

If you’ve been following Shelby Dennis (aka Milestone Equestrian / @sdeques on social media), you know she doesn’t shy away from the hard conversations. She’s a passionate advocate for horse welfare, uncovering the harsh realities of the horse industry, and pushing for real change. Shelby is a professional horse trainer and equine behavior consultant with over 24 years of experience across multiple disciplines—including Arabian showing, hunter/jumpers, dressage, and even racehorses. She’s also taken her education seriously, working toward her Certificate of Equine Science and earning her Equine Behavior Consultant certification through IAABC. Her approach to training has evolved massively over the years, moving away from traditional punishment-based methods toward a more ethical, science-backed way of working with horses. She’s an incredible voice in the equestrian space, and I have so much admiration for the work she’s doing! In this episode, we dive into: 🐴 What sparked Shelby’s passion for horse welfare and the personal experiences that led her to advocate for change.🐴 How Shelby’s training has evolved over the years from punishment-based to reward-based.🐴 The biggest welfare concerns in the industry—harsh training methods, equipment, poor management, and a widespread lack of understanding of horse behavior.🐴 The moment Shelby started questioning traditional training and horse-keeping practices.🐴 The challenges of holding top riders accountable while leaving room for them to grow.🐴 Social media as both a tool for change and a platform for cancel culture—where’s the line?🐴 Why abuse persists at the top levels of competition, despite being more exposed than ever.🐴 Corruption in the horse world.🐴 Shelby’s vision for a better equestrian industry—and realistic changes that could actually happen.🐴 The million-dollar question: Do horses truly enjoy being ridden and competing?🐴 Ethical concerns beyond competition—how to spot truly ethical horsemanship.🐴 Two trainers setting a better example in horse sports.🐴 The use of R+ and R- in training—can pure R- ever be ethical?🐴 How Shelby handles backlash when calling out unethical practices.🐴 Debunking the “if the horse didn’t want to, they wouldn’t” myth.🐴 What keeps Shelby motivated to keep advocating for change.🐴 Common misconceptions about her work.🐴 Shelby’s personal goals with horses and training.🐴 Favorite horse books, resources, and what she’s currently learning.🐴 Plus SO much more! This conversation is eye-opening, thought-provoking, and (at times) confronting. Shelby’s bravery in speaking out—even in the face of backlash—is truly inspiring, and I know you’re going to take so much away from this episode. Let’s dive in! 🎧✨ ______ 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE: