Advertise on podcast: Stall and Stable: Ideas for Happy Horsekeeping

We're just poppin in to your earbuds to talk about horse welfare and behavior from a birdseye view. Why is it important, how science has delivered important knowledge about behavior to the equine industry, and Helena's notes from her graduate studies at Penn. Listen in!

There are six primary behavior motivators for horses: 1) Food 2) Water 3) Safety 4) Comfort 5) Companionship 6) Reproduction To understand why a horse does something (good, bad, or indifferent), it is important to first think of the behavior as belonging to one of these six categories. When you identify which of the six motivators are influencing your horse in any given moment, it becomes much, much easier to meet their needs. And, when you meet their needs, they become much more cooperative. And yes, we want cooperation, not control. Listen in!

Helena is back for a very quick recap and update on her evolving role in the equine industry. As she completes year one of her master's program at PennVet, rest assured that her passion for making the world a better place for horses has not waned–not one, single bit.  For new listeners, this episode provides a brief background on Helena's career before horses, during horses, and today, which currently consists of being a full-time graduate student along with a few select equine behavior clients. Horse behavior is, and will be, the focus of her profession from here on out. So, listen in once more! 

If you recall Helena’s Arena From Hell project, you may remember that she put a 140′ x 80′ sand ring in at Hoo Hollow back in 2021. While the arena is just about perfect today, it took a lot of tears, sweat, and money to get it that way. The hardest part about that whole debacle, however, was that it didn’t have to be so horrible. If only Dickie Osborne was in the picture back then, sharing the inside scoop on how to build a sand arena the right way. This is gonna be one of those key episodes for farm owners, so listen in!

Wendy Murdoch comes back to the show to talk about how equine behavior, environment, and biomechanics work to settle an anxious horse. How does gravity play a role in a confident horse? And what would you do if you were dragged to a bougie party and then dumped by your date? Listen in to this super interesting discussion with one of the industry's most knowledgeable and experienced professionals in biomechanics and behavior! This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS, makers of luxury stall components and accessories.

We are back with our regular Triple Crown Nutrition Spotlight, answering listener questions with Triple Crown Feed specialist, Stacy Andersen. This month features the answer to a query submitted by Shannon, who had a follow-up question to our discussion about feeding the insulin resistant horse. There is a lot to keep track of when you're keeping a horse with a chronic health condition. Your veterinarian should always be the first place you go for advice, but with some insight from the folks at Triple Crown Nutrition, you'll have more information to work with as you partner with your vet on a plan to keep your horse healthy. Listen in!   

Are you interested in ways to keep your horse mentally and emotionally healthy? If your horse spends more than an hour or two in a stall, you will be interested in learning about today's guest: Marlow Morrison, inventor of the Snuffle Pasture, a unique product for stabled horses that creates relaxation and supports emotional wellness in equines of all kinds. Listen in!   This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS, makers of luxury stall components and accessories. From beautiful European stallfronts, to brick paver, brass bridle hooks, and much more.

Investing in your farm is usually a multi-step process that often happens after your business has been up and running for a while. But, finding the cash reserves to buy that manure spreader, run-in sheds for your pastures, upgrade your fencing, or install new footing in your arena, is a real challenge for most small business owners. That’s where #microloans come in. In this episode, we welcome financing expert and Stall and Stable business advisor, Buck Harris. Buck and Helena explain the SBA’s microloan program, the pros and cons of the program, and what these loans are best used for. Think footing, fencing, equipment, marketing, and even staff…so listen in!!

Temple Grandin is a world-renowned animal behaviorist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. She blazed many trails toward the humane treatment of livestock, and is the author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior. Dr. Grandin also has autism, and has done as much for neurodivergent people as she has for animal welfare. There's a brand new, inspirational documentary about her that was created by today's guests: John Festervand, Development Director at Colorado State, and John Barnhardt, Emmy Award-winning cinematographer. In this episode they discuss the making of the documentary, called "An Open Door", and offer a sneak peak into the life and work of an incredible woman. LISTEN IN!  

This is a Stall and Stable (+) PLUS episode. Building a barn from scratch requires a specific list of things to consider. It goes well beyond how many stalls, what kind of doors, and whether or not you want on-demand hot water. In this episode, Helena welcomes Hollyn Mangione, an Aiken horse neighbor and the woman from whom Helena and Buck purchased their new farm. Hollyn has many years of experience keeping horses and building private barns. She recently built a shedrow barn in the equestrian community called Bridle Creek, and joins the show today to discuss what kinds of things influenced many of the decisions she made along the way. If you are planning a new barn or thinking about modifying your existing one, this is an episode you’ll enjoy… so LISTEN IN! This episode is made possible in part by American Stalls, makers of fine quality stable components and accessories.

It's another Triple Crown Nutrition Spotlight episode, and this time, Helena and Stacy talk about how to choose a feed for those easy keepers, horses with metabolic issues, and other situations where low sugar / low starch diets are necessary for healthy horsekeeping. Plus, Helena shares an update on what's happening at Hoo Too! There's a brand new barn being built, the Hoo Crew is adapting to "summer in the South", and Helena prepares for graduate school at UPenn. What?! Lots to digest here, people, so listen in! (Pun very much intended!) This episode is made possible with the help of American Stalls, makers of premium quality barn components and accessories.

When I put out a call on Faceblast for a freelance professional to come out and give me a hand with my horses, Maria Falgione and her husband Ral Ayers came rollin up my driveway. I looked at Buck and said, "Well, you never know what you're gonna get, but you gotta keep tryin'". And from the minute Maria and Ral said "hello", the four of us were instant friends. Funny how that works. What I was not prepared for, was just how talented, kind, and genuine these two people were, and how much fun they brought to our new adventure in Aiken. And so, in this episode, I introduce you to my new co-host… Maria. To get a really good idea of what she brings to our show, Maria shares a funny story about how she used Facebook to get her first ride at the race track, and then how she and Ral eventually landed in Aiken. There's always something new at Stall and Stable, and this episode is no different… so listen in! This episode is brought to you by American Stalls, makers of premium quality stable components and acessories.

We are back with another Triple Crown Nutrition episode. Today we answer three listener questions about equine nutrition: 1) What's the most exciting research happening in equine nutrition right now, 2) How can owners best manage feed times and exercise in sport horses, and 3) Once a horse is in good weight (or overweight), how do we manage the change in feed to accomodate their new weight.  This episode is brought to you by AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium quality stable components and accessories. 

How can we set up our private farms to operate more efficiently? Saving time is such an important consideration when it comes to running a horse farm. In this subscriber-only episode, Helena offers a detailed explanation of a horse farm layout that provides the kind of convenience needed for a busy lifestyle, the physical space needed for healthy horsekeeping, and the features that support the emotional wellbeing of both horses and humans. The Stall and Stable Inspired Farm Design is one of principle, not necessarily a blueprint. But the design can be incorporated into just about any property with the help of some professionals. Whether you are starting from scratch or doing so major remodeling, this is an episode that will help you understand how all the parts of a horse farm work together. Listen in!

Wendy Murdoch joins Helena in this episode to talk about the biomechanics of the horse and rider partnership, her scientific background, the Feldenkrais Method that she employs to help riders find their best balance, and much more. Listen in! This episode is brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS, makers of premium stall components and barn accessories.