The Whoa Podcast about Horses and Horsemanship

ep 226 Johnny Flores Podcast

Ep. 225 Podcast News

Ep 225 Whoa Podcast News Ep 225 Whoa Podcast News Welcome to the Whoa Podcast about Horses and Horsemanship. There's no guest today, just me, and I've got some important news to share about the future of this podcast. So, saddle up and stick around. When I began this journey in 2012, I did not know where it would lead. I had come to horses late in life. I hadn’t grown up in the Western culture or in the horse world. I had owned my horse long enough to know how little I actually knew. I ...

Discovering Estancia Ranquilco With Tom Carrithers

Discovering Estancia Ranquilco: A Conversation with Tom Carrithers The Magic of Estancia Ranquilco Hidden away in the vast landscapes of western Argentina lies a gem: Estancia Ranquilco. Managed by T.A. Tom Carrithers, this ranch promises unparalleled adventures in its sprawling 100,000 acres. I reached out to Tom to explore more. Journey with Tom Carrithers Tom's connection with Ranquilco is deep-rooted. At age ten, he began exploring this land when his father, Ashley Carrithers, bou...

Horse Fly Spray Solution: 'Stop Buggn'

Horse Fly Spray Solution: 'Stop Buggn'  Introduction to Michele Navarro Are you on the hunt for an effective horse fly spray? Look no further. Today, we're spotlighting Michele Navarro, an expert in the horse world and an innovator in the realm of horse fly spray solutions. Besides running a diverse ranch in Gilroy, California, Michele faces a problem common to many: the persistent nuisance of flies. Why 'Stop Buggn' is the Horse Fly Spray You Need It's not just any fly spray; it's ...

Exploring the Canadian Horse: Talking with Gail Cuthbert Brandt

Exploring the Canadian Horse: Talking with Gail Cuthbert Brandt Reveille Merit Flamme-de-Nuit, Owned by Ken Morris   I wanted to learn more about "Cheval canadien", the Canadian Horse. I spoke with , an expert on Canadian history and a former breeder, Gail Cuthbert Brandt. Join us as we dive into the world of the Canadian Horse, its fascinating history, versatile uses, and unique personality traits. Canadian Horse History Gail Cuthbert Brandt takes us through the captivating history...

Andria Hautamaki's Lens: A Journey of Journalism and Horses

Andria Hautamaki's Lens: A Journey of Journalism and Horses Andria Hautamaki is a remarkable freelance photo and print journalist. She has carved her niche in the realms of agriculture, the environment, and rural life. Publications such as National Geographic, CNN, and The New York Times have publisher her freelance work. As an avid reader of Western Horseman, I have read and enjoyed many of Andria's articles over the past months. She has a unique perspective and a diverse range of topics. ...

Ep 220 Will Grants Pony Express

Will Grant on Pony Express: Horseback Journey Welcome to our conversation with author Will Grant. Grant's debut book, "The Last Ride of the Pony Express," takes us on a captivating journey. Let's delve into his experiences, encounters, and the remarkable impact of this legendary adventure. Grant's background as a cowboy and horse trainer adds authenticity to his writing. He remembers his mentorship under Jack Brainard fondly, which deepened his love for horses.. Grant took a 2,000-mile h...

Horseback Adventures and Endurance Riding

Horseback Adventures and Endurance Riding Margaret Reynolds is an endurance rider who enjoys traveling abroad on horse adventures. When my friend and listener, John Zeliff, told me she would make a great guest, I listened. John is president of the NATRC, and we had him on the show a while back to talk about endurance riding. Margaret Reynolds is a Master Growth Catalyst of Breakthrough Masters Unlimited. For over 20 years, she has helped companies grow and improve their businesses. She ...

Ep 218 We Read Horse Books

Igniting Imagination: A Journey into Kids Summer Reading with Author Rae Rankin Discover the magic of Kids Summer Reading as we sit down with award-winning author Rae Rankin in this captivating episode. Rae's deep love for writing and reading has led her to become an influential figure in the literary world, inspiring young readers through her enchanting stories. Embark on a captivating adventure into the realm of Kids Summer Reading as we sit down with accomplished author Rae Rankin. Wit...

Horse Health with Dr. Madison Seamans

Horse Health with Dr. Madison Seamans Looking for expert insights on horse care? Look no further than this podcast episode featuring our special guest, Dr. Madison Seamans, with over fifty years of experience as a professional horseman and equine veterinarian. Our guest is in an exclusive equine practice for 37 years and has even instructed at the prestigious UC Davis Veterinary Medical Center. But what really sets him apart is his passion for horses and his avid trail riding experiences,...

Ep 216 Stone Horse

Ep 215 Bill Oliver Horsemanship

Ep 214 V6 Ranch Podcast with Jack Varian

Discover the Thrill of Competitive Trail Riding with John Zeliff, President of NATRC

Discover the Thrill of Competitive Trail Riding with John Zeliff, President of NATRC If you're an avid rider or just love spending time outdoors, try competitive trail riding. It's an exciting equestrian sport that combines horseback riding with endurance and navigation skills, and John Zeliff, the president of the North American Trail Riding Conference (NATRC), wants to introduce you to it. As a young man, John discovered his passion for horseback riding while exploring the countryside with ...

Ep 212 Bakersfield Junior Rodeo

Mastering the Art of Colt Starting with Shawn Dunn

Mastering the Art of Colt Starting with Shawn Dunn As a seasoned colt-starter with over three decades of experience working with horses across the country, Shawn Dunn has a unique insight into the art of colt starting. From the basics of training to the finer details of horse behavior, Shawn has seen it all and is eager to share his knowledge with others. In this episode, we delve into the world of colt starting and learn about Shawn's approach to horse training. We also explore the impor...

Josh Lyons Horsemanship

Josh Lyons Horsemanship Josh Lyons grew up learning horsemanship from his dad. John Lyons was one of the first trainers I remember seeing on back in the early 2000s. I was new to horses and really did not know what I was doing. The TV show showed me there was a whole style of horsemanship that was effective and, with work and study, easy for anyone to learn. Back in 2017, I was lucky enough to catch up and interview Josh's sister, Brandi, about her Lyons's No Limit Clinic. This year, I wa...

Breakaway From Cancer

Breakaway From Cancer Today we are doing something a little different. Often, I get requests from someone to be on the show. They have a good book, a new piece of tack, or a good cause. There's not enough content for an entire show, but it's worthwhile information I think you's like to know. Since I'm producing a long version every other week, I thought I'd experiment with a short podcast in between. Let me know what you think. Beth Papopnik's friend and breakaway roper, Emily, contracted...

Horseman Jeremy Dunn

Horseman Jeremy Dunn Jeremy Dunn is a horseman and rancher living south of Bakersfield. Jeremy is a horse trainer and clinician, but I don't think he likes that label much. From what I've seen, Jeremy is more of an artist than a technician as he works with horses. As part of their Horsemanship series, Johnny Flores Horsemanship is hosting a clinic with Jeremy done at their ranch, March 11, 2023, in Acton, California. On today's show, we talk about his philosophy and what you can expect from...

Michael Canfield Lucky Star Horsemanship

Michael Canfield Lucky Star Horsemanship I met Michael Canfield while learning Clinton Anderson's Downunder Horsemanship Method. Before the podcast, when I was studying videos from Downunder Horsemanship, I joined the No Worries Club in 2007. Back then, the Club had various groups of NWC members around the country. We would get together and practice our horsemanship skills. Michael Canfield formed the NorCal Brumbies and we held several events practicing together. We had a few grand adven...

Madison Seamans Cowboy Poet Veterinarian

Madison Seamans Cowboy Poet Veterinarian Dr. Madison Seamans is one of those rare individuals you can't help but like for the moment you meet him. Then, the longer you are around him, the more you figure out how smart he is. It's a rare find in today's world. Dr. Seamans has been practicing vet medicine four nearly four decades. You see a lot of "stuff" in that time, some you just can't help but learn from. He squeezes everything out of those experiences. Part of it is use in his veteri...

Leadership Coach Danielle Aamodt

Leadership Coach Danielle Aamodt As a leadership coach, Danielle Aamodt wants us to strive to be our best selves. Danielle's superpower is in translating study-driven leadership practices. She breaks down the principles of leadership so everyone understands their job. When people are working toward a common goal, teamwork is essential to success. By relating the team aspect to horses in a herd, she can illustrate how to best accomplish common goals. Danielle Aamodt uses her communication ...

Horses in Ukraine

Horses in Ukraine Horses in Ukraine have gotten a raw deal. Ukraine, in Eastern Europe, is a beautiful country about the size of Texas. Wikipedia says Ukraine is a unitary republic with a free-market economy. (While I'm not sure what that means exactly, as an American, it sounds pretty good to me.) Then, Russia decided it wanted to own the Ukraine, and a war broke out. The conflict places thousands of horses in the middle. Well, all animals really. Many humanitarian groups have stepped u...

The Importance of a New Veterinarian

The Importance of a New Veterinarian How important is a newly graduated veterinarian to an established practice?I worked as a animal care technician in the 1970s and was lucky to see a few new grads added to the practices I worked at. They always brought a new energy to the practice, not to mention new styles and techniques. The established doctors gave them the experience of working outside an academic environment in exchange for the latest in veterinary practice. It is a great deal for ...

New Bakersfield College Rodeo Team Formed

New Bakersfield College Rodeo Team Formed You'd think as big as an agricultural, beef-producing county as Kern is, there would be rodeos all the time. And, in reality, there are. We've got the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association producing bull riding, youth, and PRCA rodeos. There's the Glenville Rodeo and the Sheriff's Posse Rodeo. We have a Bakersfield Youth Rodeo Club. But, with all that, there was no community college rodeo. That is until adjunct professor, Andrea Prise, formed the Bak...

Gabrielle Diakon and Equestrian Yoga

Gabrielle Diakon and Equestrian Yoga We last visited with Gabrielle Diakon, Gabby, nearly two years ago amid quarantine and COVID. Gabby is still doing yoga for equestrians and working with horses. Now, she is podcasting. Gabrielle Diakon's Rolling My Third Eye Podcast is available on all podcast platforms. Her show focuses on equestrian mindfulness and deals with fear, anxiety, and many other issues competitive horse riders deal with. But, Gabby has also widened the show to include mediat...

Cristobal Scarpati Horsemanship

Cristobal Scarpati Horsemanship Cristobal Scarpati and I met at the 2014 Horseman Reunion in Paso Robles. There, among some of the top colt-starters of the time Buster McLaury, Trevor Carter, Mary Kitzmiller, Clayton Edsel, and Buddy Uldrickson, was Cristobal's father, Oscar. I was new to horsemanship and colt-starting. Oscar walked into the round pen with no equipment and no shoes. How was this trainer going to start this colt? Over the next three days, Oscar had his colt gentled and read...

Building Rider Confidence

Building Rider Confidence   Samantha Shanks-Husbands knows the importance of rider confidence. Once a rider loses confidence, especially an older rider, it is extremely difficult to get it back. Samantha works with equestrians of all ages and skill levels. Her techniques help riders focus on what is important. Breathing is especially important in her program. Samantha feels that proper breathing can lead to a calmer horse as well as relax a nervous rider. Another technique she uses is cre...

Johanna Sheehe and Equine Law

Johanna Sheehe and Equine Law Johanna Sheehe has a lifelong passion for horses. Growing up on a farm, Johanna began riding around age 5. Her experience is in the English disciplines. For most of her life, she has been around Arabians, half Arabians, and national show horses. Recently, she has learned to jump horses. But Johanna also has a passion for equine law and blended the two together. Her Florida law firm, Sheehe & Associates, P.A. , has 45 years of experience in insurance litigati...

Horseman Domenico Sumonte

Horseman Domenico Sumonte Domenico Sumonte considers himself more of a horse-Man than a horse trainer. I'm lucky enough to have an arena at the End of The Road Ranch where I can work my horses. One trainer that works out of this barn is Domenico Sumonte. In between working our horses, Dom and I struck up a friendship. In our casual conversations, I quickly learned Dom has experienced an exciting life with horses. I wanted to learn more about his life and philosophy. Dom is a self-taught ...

Along for the Ride Symposium Recap

Along for the Ride Symposium Recap On the last week of February 2022, we traveled to the South Point Casino for the Along for the Ride Symposium Andrea Fappani, Shawn Flarida, and Nick Dowers. The brainchild of Andrea Fappani, this first-time event, brought together the leading money winners in reining with the express purpose of sharing ideas about horse training. The symposium featured the colt starting technique of 2-time Road to the Horse Champion, Nick Dowers. Nick started two colts ...

Sandy Collier, Hall of Fame Horsewoman

Sandy Collier, Hall of Fame Horsewoman Sandy Collier has an amazing life with horses. She was the first woman to win the Snaffle Bit Futurity. Her peers have inducted her into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the NRCHA Hall of Fame. Horse and Rider named her one of the Top 50 Riders of All-time in All Disciplines. In the last few years, she has judged at Road to the Horse and the Snaffle Bit Futurity. Along with cutting horse champion, Barbra Schulte, they team up offering clinics to improve ho...

Sami Hernandez Diamond Crest Stables

Sami Hernandez Diamond Crest Stables Sami Hernandez is a longtime horsewoman, trainer, and horse show judge headquartered at her Diamond Crest Stables in Bakersfield. Along with her husband, George, they have a ton of horsemanship experience teaching people and training horses. I really enjoy talking to both of them. Perhaps I can get George on the show in the future. You’d like him. While they deal with horses working at a higher level, they also work with novice and intermediate horses an...

Christmas Greetings 2021

Christmas Greetings 2021 I want to offer a Christmas Greeting for 2021. We had a pretty good year of shows. We began by talking with Dan Dauphin about bits. Dan has since begun his own podcast and is killing it with loads of great content. I hope you’ll check out his Adult Onset Horsemanship Podcast. We talked to my friend, Joanne Galbraith, who at 82 is still actively riding and full of stories growing up with horses. I really enjoy talking with some of the more - how to say it - riders ...

Globetrotting Horse Adventures With Kate Pilcher

Globetrotting Horse Adventures With Kate Pilcher We could all use a little vacation. Wouldn’t a horseback adventure be great? Sometimes it seems the civilized world has taken a temporary leave of common sense. But over the last 18 months, if you have a horse, you know there is one sure place to escape, the saddle. Kate Pilcher found her happy place when she escaped to Kenya. It was such a life-changing experience; she wanted to share it with others. Then she found a great adventure ride in ...

Dust n' Diamonds Mounted Drill Team

Dust n' Diamonds Mounted Drill Team Today, we are out at Rancho Rio Equestrian Center with the leaders of the local equestrian drill team, Dust n' Diamonds Mounted Drill Team. Shawna Pendley is the choreographer and drill master and Marilyn Morphis, “Mo”, is her eyes on the ground. On a side-note — we are outside the main arena before the drill team practice. There’s traffic, planes and even fire engines that tried to invade our interview. Trying to get good sound was definitely challenging...

NRCHA Judge Bill Enk

NRCHA Judge Bill Enk On a previous show, I talked to Patti Carter, Director of Judges for the AQHA. Today, I share an interview with Bill Enk, Director of Judges for the NRCHA. A lifelong horseman at 77, Bill has a wealth of experience in the horse show world. He’s judged horses almost all his life. He’s been a judge at the AQHA World Show many times and he judged the Road to the Horse. Even if you don’t show, what Bill has to say about horsemanship is important to anyone who rides.  It ...

AQHA Horse Show Judging with Patti Carter

AQHA Horse Show Judging with Patti Carter If there are no judges, there are no horse shows. The judge can make or break a horse show experience. Because they are essential to competition, I thought it would be good to talk with an experienced judge. Patti Carter is the Senior Director of Judges at the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Assn.). AQHA certifies over 800 judges and Patti oversees them all. She is in charge of educational programs, testing programs, and monitoring judges' performanc...

Listener Stories and Paso Finos

Listener Stories and Paso Finos After listening to my podcast about the health issues I had with my Quarter Horse mare, Jessie, Vicky Gormanly emailed me to tell me about her Paso Fino, River. We talked about her search for the right horse. Vicky wanted a Paso Fino and, after a long search thought she had found the perfect horse for her. The mare came from a reputable stable, RY Farms. She had ridden the horse, then had her vetted. A friend helped her transport River to her new home at Happ...

Competitive Trail Riding with North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC)

Competitive Trail Riding with North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) Are you looking for a little adventure? Give competitive trail riding a try. The North American Trail Ride Conference is a governing body over competitive trail riding (CTR). In this episode, I talk to Sarah Rinne, NATRC's Executive Director about the sport. Involved with the organization since 1988, Sarah is a wealth of knowledge. The NATRC sets rules and has guidelines for trail rides. Sanctioned NATRC rides judg...

Equine Emergency Preparedness

Equine Emergency Preparedness Equine emergency preparedness is so not a glamorous topic. And, it doesn't matter if you live in California with our fires and earthquakes (there was a 3.0 last night) or in the Midwest, or in a different country. Bad things will happen. No one wants to think about the disaster that may happen. No one wants to picture what will happen to their horse if they are unprepared. But as powerful as horses are, they can be extremely fragile in many situations. In past ...

Nancy McKnight and Pony Club

Nancy McKnight and Pony Club Kelly McKnight emailed me to say his mother, Nancy, would be a delightful guest on the podcast. Nancy McKnight is 89 years old and spent much of her adult life helping children learn horses and horsemanship through her affiliation with the US Pony Club. The mission statement of the Pony Club is: The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. is an educational organization which builds the foundations of teamwork and sportsmanship through riding, mounted sports, care of hor...

Brett Wright Low-Stress Cattle Operation

Brett Wright Low-Stress Cattle Operation Brett Wright has a cow/calf operation in Oklahoma. Three years ago he changed things up. Instead of using motorized vehicles to move his cattle, he switched to horses. The results impressed him. Brett looked for ways to improve his horsemanship and recently attended a Martin Black cow-working clinic. Brett is a listener of the Whoa Podcast. He emailed me wanting to talk about being a rancher and his life with horses. His passion for his work really...

Horseback Archery

Horseback Archery When I think of horseback archery, I think of Robin Hood and Medieval Times. I didn't realize people were practicing it today. We did a podcast on Cowboy Mounted Shooting a few years ago, and that was fun. While riding through nearby Rancho Rio Equestrian Center, we noticed them setting up the arena for an event. I keep a watch for happenings here because it is one of my favorite stables. We can ride right along the Kern River. But I hadn't heard of this. When I asked a...

Talking Billy Cook Saddles

Talking Billy Cook Saddles Billy Cook Saddles have been around since 1953. Saddle making has always been a mystery to me. It's a craft, a skill. Working leather has so many aspects: tanning, cutting, stamping, sewing. A saddle maker needs to know all of these skills. He needs to know how to choose the leather too. When Billy Cook passed away in 2019 at the age of 89, it looked like his saddle business might die too. That business included several loyal employees, many who were skilled art...

Michelle Gilles Promoting Women and Horses

Michelle Gilles Promoting Women and Horses Michelle Gilles, horsewoman and trainer, knows women are the backbone of the horse industry. Based in the Central Valley of California, Michelle trains horses, holds clinics, and shows in reined cow horse. Growing up with horses, Michelle trained under some very impressive trainers including Les Vogt, Charles Wilhelm, and John Ward. She's learned not only about horses, but the business side of being a horse trainer. Michelle and I met back in 201...

Joanne Galbraith Telling Horse Stories at 82

Horse Stories with Joanne Galbraith Joanne Galbraith is still going strong at age 82. Of course, you would guess that's she has been around horses all her life. She worked at feedlots and ranches and held her own with men. She passed along a love of horses to her kids. And she loves competing. Joanne rides in Gymkana events on her good horse, Ricky. I first met Joanne several years ago when I was looking for a horse. While I didn't purchase a horse from her, I could tell she had a trained...

Dan Dauphin Talks About Bits and Horses

Dan Dauphin Talks About Bits and Horses Dan Dauphin knows the mechanics and physics of bits. Honestly, I put a snaffle in my horse's mouth and don't think little more about it. What goes on in there is a giant mystery to me. Oh, I know that when I pull on the right rein; he goes right. But, I can't really see what's going on down there and can only imagine what's happening in that giant cavern in his head. Dan Dauphin study the build and mechanics of not only the horses' mouth, but the bits...

Jim Masterson Explains His Method

Jim Masterson Explains His Method Early in my horsemanship journey, I volunteered at Equine Affaire in Pomona. So it must have been around 2006 or 2007, while moving from one exhibit to another, that I saw this man giving a demonstration about massaging a horse.  Well, at least that's what it looked like to me. Over the course of the weekend, and the years I continued to volunteer; I saw Jim Masterson a couple of times. My duties as a volunteer always moved me around, so I never got to see ...

Equine Nutrition With Will Friday

Equine Nutrition With Will Friday Equine nutrition is a complicated subject, so I went out and found someone who has been studying it for quite some time.Will Friday has been on the show before talking about the Masterson Method, a blend of massage and chiropractic.  Will works on some very expensive performance horses.  As part of his program, he has taught himself the ins-and-outs of equine nutrition.  I've been working my horse, Scratch, pretty hard as we prep for Ranch Riding shows.  I'...