Send Us Your Questions

This was our very first episode back in September 2023, and I’m reposting it here because it’s super relevant to our newest episode!

In this podcast, we try something a little different: a debate! If you’re familiar with debate club rules, one person must defend the topic and one must oppose it. We did this using the current research in the field and went head-to-head to hash it out.

There are points involved, plus some hidden secret words we have to sneak in to earn bonus points!

Debating topics in horse care and equitation is valuable. Jen and I do this for fun and learning, and we still love each other afterwards. Good learning comes from respectful debate and from exploring different ideas and research within the field.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 Info@TheEquineMethod.co.uk ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

We’re back! Jen had the audacity to go and get married, and now I’m here editing this and complaining about her selfish behaviour… prioritising love over the podcast (how dare she!) 🤣

It took us two hours to talk about this because it’s been way too long since we’ve recorded, so the chaos here is high and I refuse to edit more then I need to.

Will these episodes get shorter? Maybe, Hopefully?

Will they actually? Probably not. We just can’t stop.

Enjoy the madness. References below. I definitely recommend “Tea and Consent”.

References:

“But my horse is well cared for”

Can’t jump, won’t jump

Tea and Consent

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 Info@TheEquineMethod.co.uk ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

In this episode, we take a closer look at the role of foraging in equine wellbeing. Horses are hard-wired to graze for many hours a day, so what happens when we limit or disrupt this natural behaviour?

Barbara and Jen discuss their research, practical ways to support natural foraging, and how it links to emotional regulation, behavioural health, and performance. A must-listen for anyone wanting to support their horse’s welfare from the ground up.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 Info@TheEquineMethod.co.uk ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

In this episode we dive into the controversial and widely debated topic of dominance theory. Is it still relevant, or has modern behavioural science moved on? We chat about what dominance theory actually is, how it came to influence horse training, and why it continues to spark disagreement today.

Join us as we explore what the latest research says, how dominance-based approaches compare with evidence-based, ethical training methods, and the real impact this has on horse welfare and human–horse relationships. As always, it’s an open conversation grounded in science, compassion and curiosity.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 Info@TheEquineMethod.co.uk ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

We’re back from our summer break and kicking off a brand new season! 🎉

In this episode, we catch up on what we’ve been up to, what’s coming next for the podcast, and some of the things we’ve been reflecting on over the break.

Our main topic this week is language both the words we use when we talk about horses, and the “language” horses use to communicate with us.

We explore:

• How the language we use shapes our mindset, expectations, and welfare decisions
• The difference between describing behaviour vs. labelling the horse
• How horses communicate emotional states through posture, movement, and subtle expression
• Ways to shift from judgement to curiosity
• And how a more thoughtful vocabulary can lead to better understanding and kinder training

This is a reflective, gentle, conversation-based episode a thoughtful place to start the new season together.

We’re happy to be back. 💛

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 Info@TheEquineMethod.co.uk ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

Welcome to a powerful and timely special episode of our podcast. In this edition, we tackle the investigation by RTÉ that uncovered shocking systems of animal-welfare abuse and food-safety failures in the horse-slaughter industry.

We’ll unpack:

• How hundreds of horses declared unfit for human consumption ended up in slaughterhouses.
• The Abuse that took place in the slaughter house, uncovered by RTÉ documentary.
• The mechanics of identity fraud and traceability failures in the equine food chain.
• First-hand interviews from protesters outside the slaughterhouse site and what it means for horse care, regulation, and public trust.

For the first time on our show, we dive deep into the uncomfortable side of the industry, exploring why these failures matter for us as equine professionals, and how we as behaviourists and caretakers can respond.

Join us as we listen, learn, challenge, and think about what real welfare, transparency and ethical oversight should look like in horse care.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 Info@TheEquineMethod.co.uk ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

In this episode, we chat all about desensitisation and more importantly, how it differs from systematic desensitisation. These terms often get used interchangeably, but they’re not the same!

We break it down in a practical and horse-friendly way:

• What each method actually involves
• How they’re used in behaviour modification
• When things can go well… and when they can go wrong
• Why careful planning and ethical considerations are key

Join us as we explore how to build confidence and reduce fear in horses using evidence-based approaches, with a dash of humour, honesty and real-life case examples.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 Info@TheEquineMethod.co.uk ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

Here we talk about Extinction — when a behaviour reduces because it no longer “works” for the horse. We look at what extinction bursts are, what emotional responses can show up, and when extinction may or may not be an ethical or effective choice. Clear, considerate, and welfare-focused.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 Info@TheEquineMethod.co.uk ☎️+44 7902920923