Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle
Welcome to Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle.In the world of equine behaviour and training, there's a vast sea of information, research, and opinions that can sometimes make your head spin. It can be challenging to sift through it all and distinguish fact from fiction.So, how do we navigate this?Well, we've decided to tackle it head-on through candid, informative chats.We dive deep into the critical topics, exploring different perspectives in an effort to reach well-informed conclusions.Our podcast is your guide to understanding and dissecting tricky, and potentially dangerous topics of equine behaviour and...
âTo scrape, or scrape not to beâŚ...?â
Itâs hot.
The horses are sweating.
And once again, the yearly horse-world civil war has begun: âTo scrape or not to scrape?â
Every summer this debate comes back around social media like clockwork. Hose the horse down and scrape the water off immediately⌠or leave the water on because it actually helps cool them?
Apparently, according to some corners of the internet, if you leave water on your horse they will immediately boil alive.
So naturally⌠we decided to talk about the physics.
In this...
âI feel like I am rushing through steps with my training, do you have any advice for me on how I can set my animals up for success?â
âI feel like I am rushing through steps with my training, do you have any advice for me on how I can set my animals up for success?â
And honestly? If youâre asking yourself that question⌠youâre probably already doing better than you think.
Because the people worrying about going too fast are usually the people trying hardest to listen to the animal in front of them.
In this episode, we get into:
 Why trainers need to set themselves up for success too  Why reducing your training days can sometimes improve progr...Bonus Episode 6: Jen Pretends She's Not Competitive & Barbara Killed a Rabbit
Hi All,
Weâve lots of B-roll and outtakes⌠mainly because me and Jen will talk for about three hours... The podcasts go up and somehow become an hour long through editing magic, somewhere in the middle!
But this is our downtime too. Weâll sit and talk absolute nonsense to each other for 45 minutes before & after recording, and sometimes there are little snippets left at the end of the timeline that I never quite know whether to include or not.
So here is how the sausage is made, why Jen insists she isnât...
"What is your Biggest 'Hot Take' on anything Equine or Animal Related?"
This episode starts with sneezing. Naturally. "I expect nothing less from you lot ..."Â
 #JellyfishDontSneeze which somehow becomes important enough to deserve its own hashtag.
Then one of our listeners from Canada asked us: âWhat is your biggest hot take on anything equine or animal related?â
Which immediately exposed the fact that Barbara didnât actually know what a âhot takeâ was. Or for us Irish/UK folks⌠âan unpopular opinionâ.
So Jen had to explain it to Barbara... And from there⌠honestly, things escalated.
We got into:
 why travelling hors..."Is There Such a Thing as the âBestâ Way to Keep Horses?"
What does good actually look like for horses?
Not the version weâve inherited. Not the version thatâs easiest to manage. The version that actually meets their needs. It's tricky,
In this episode, Jen and Barbara dig into enrichment for horses.
Weâre talking ethology. What horses are built for. What theyâre missing. Why that matters more than any system label, plus how you can find the gaps and fill them Because this isnât just âtrack vs traditional livery.â Itâs about whether the life weâre offering lines up with the animal in...
"Does Positive Reinforcement Lead to Biting Horses?"
In this episode, Jen and Barbara revisit a conversation thatâs come back into the spotlight, one that clearly still needs to be had. Weâve reimagined our original pilot episode and asked the big question again: does positive reinforcement lead to biting in horses?
While the original pilot is still available, this episode takes the discussion further. We dive much deeper into what actually causes biting in horses, unpacking the difference between correlation and causation, and clarifying why positive reinforcement itself isnât the culprit itâs often made out to be.
This rei...
"A Horse Without a Job, is Wasted"
This was our very first episode back in September 2023, and Iâm reposting it here because itâs super relevant to our newest episode!
In this podcast, we try something a little different: a debate! If youâre 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 a...
"But They have A Good life..."
Weâre back! Jen had the audacity to go and get married, and now Iâm here editing this and complaining about her selfish behaviour⌠prioritising love over the podcast (how dare she!) đ¤Ł
It took us two hours to talk about this because itâs been way too long since weâve 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 canât stop.
Enjoy the madness. References below. I definitely re...
âWhy Is Foraging Behaviour So Important in Horses?â
 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?Â
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 horseâs welfare from the ground up.Â
Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.
âDoes Dominance Theory Still Hold Up in Modern Horse Training?â
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 humanâhorse relationships. As always, itâs an open conversation grounded in science, compassion and curiosity.
Voic...
âHow Does Language Shape the Way We See Our Horses?â
Weâre back from our summer break and kicking off a brand new season! đ
In this episode, we catch up on what weâve been up to, whatâs coming next for the podcast, and some of the things weâve 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 âlanguageâ horses use to communicate with us.
We explore:
How the language we use shapes our mindset, expectations, and welfare decisionsThe difference between describ...âBehind the Slaughterhouse Gates: Irish Horse Industry ExposĂŠâ
Welcome to a powerful and timely special episode of our podcast. In this edition, we tackle the investigation by RTĂ that uncovered shocking systems of animal-welfare abuse and food-safety failures in the horse-slaughter industry.Â
Weâll 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 RTà 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...
"Whatâs the Difference Between Desensitisation and Systematic Desensitisation?"
In this episode, we chat all about desensitisation and more importantly, how it differs from systematic desensitisation. These terms often get used interchangeably, but theyâre not the same!
We break it down in a practical and horse-friendly way:
What each method actually involvesHow theyâre used in behaviour modificationWhen things can go well⌠and when they can go wrongWhy careful planning and ethical considerations are keyJoin 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.
V...
Bonus Episode 6: Extinction in Behavioural Modification
 Here we talk about Extinction, when a behaviour reduces because it no longer âworksâ 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.Â
Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.
Meet Your Hosts
Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie
đ§barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie âď¸+353 85 143 8688
 Jen Nash (The...
Bonus Episode 5: Shaping Behaviours
 This short episode dives into Shaping, reinforcing small steps toward a bigger behaviour. We explore how to break behaviours down, how to celebrate progress, and how shaping creates confidence and curiosity in learning. Ideal for anyone wanting more softness, clarity, and joy in their training.Â
Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.
Meet Your Hosts
Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie
đ§barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie âď¸+353 85 143 8688
 Jen Nash (The Equine...
Bonus Episode 4: Positive Punishment
 In this episode, we take a calm and honest look at Positive Punishment, adding something aversive to reduce behaviour. We discuss why itâs widely used, why it can create fallout, and how it affects emotional state and trust. No judgement, just clear, science-based exploration to help listeners understand the implications.
Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.Â
Meet Your Hosts
Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie
đ§barbara.j.hardman@brighth...
Bonus Episode 3: Negative Punishment
 Here we explain Negative Punishment, removing something the horse wants to decrease a behaviour. We talk about time-outs, the role of clarity, and how to avoid frustration or confusion. A gentle, practical overview of a concept often misunderstood in training discussions.Â
Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.
Meet Your Hosts
Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie
đ§barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie âď¸+353 85 143 8688
 Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequ...
Bonus Episode 2: Positive Reinforcement
 This bite-sized episode focuses on Positive Reinforcement: adding something the horse values to encourage behaviour. We chat about food rewards, scratches, marker signals, and what makes reinforcement actually reinforcing. Perfect for anyone curious about introducing R+ into training routines.Â
Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.
Meet Your Hosts
Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie
đ§barbara.j.hardman@brighthorse.ie âď¸+353 85 143 8688
 Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk
Bonus Episode 1: Negative Reinforcement
 In this quick bonus episode, we break down what Negative Reinforcement really is â and what it isnât. We talk about the role of pressure and release in horse training, how timing shapes the horseâs experience, and how this form of learning can be used thoughtfully and ethically. Short, simple, and straight to the point.Â
Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.
Meet Your Hosts
Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie
đ§ba...
"Is Riding Bitless Safe?"
In this episode, we explore a big and sometimes hotly debated question in the horse world: Is riding bitless safe?
We look at what the research says, how bitless bridles actually work, and the factors that influence safety from training and communication to physical comfort and emotional wellbeing. We also unpack some of the common myths and assumptions (on both sides of the bit vs. bitless conversation).
This isnât about declaring one method ârightâ or âwrongâ itâs about understanding the horseâs experience, improving clarity in our cues, and making informed, welfare-focuse...
"How Can Positive Habits Transform Life for Me and My Horse?"
In this episode, we take a closer look at how everyday habits, both human and equine, shape behaviour, wellbeing, and the relationship we build with our horses.
We explore what positive habits really look like for you and your horse, how they form, and why consistency matters more than perfection. From small routines around handling, training, and care to the internal habits we carry as humans ,such as expectations, emotional regulation, and timing, we discuss how these patterns influence learning and trust.
Building positive habits isnât about rigid rules or doing things ârightâ all the ti...
"How Can I Train My Reindeer for Santa?"
In this festive episode, we share the story of the time we were hired by Santa Claus himself to help with some behavioural modification for one of his reindeer!
This particular reindeer was having feelings about pulling the sleigh and when youâre part of a global overnight gift-delivery team, thatâs kind of a big deal.
With Santaâs permission (he was very generous and fully consented to the case being discussed he loves education!), we walk you through:
What the behaviour looked likeHow we assessed the reindeerâs emotional state and motiva...âHow Can I Tell if itâs Normal or Abnormal Behaviour?â
In this episode, we take a closer look at how to recognise whatâs normal horse behaviour and what may be a sign that something is off.
We talk about how horses communicate stress, comfort, curiosity, pain, and emotional wellbeing and why context is everything. From subtle posture changes to bigger behavioural patterns, we explore how to observe horses with curiosity rather than judgement.
Understanding what is ânormalâ for an individual horse is key to good welfare, effective training, and strong relationship-building. This episode is all about tuning into the horse in front of us, listen...
âWhat is Learning Theory?â
In this episode, we break down Learning Theory, what it is, why it matters, and how it shows up every day in our interactions with horses (whether we realise it or not).
We explore the core principles behind how animals learn, including reinforcement, punishment, shaping behaviour, and emotional associations. Most importantly, we talk about how understanding these concepts can make us clearer, kinder, and more effective in our training.
If youâve ever wondered why a behaviour happens, why something works (or doesnât), or how to build training that truly supports your hors...
"How Can I Set My Horse Up for Success?"
In this episode, we dive into one of the most important questions in horse training: How can we set our horses up for success?
We talk about what âsuccessâ actually means from the horseâs perspective, how environment and emotional state shape behaviour, and the small training adjustments that make a big difference. From clear communication to thoughtful reinforcement, we share practical ways to support your horse so learning feels safe, achievable, and enjoyable for both of you.
This episode is all about building confidence, reducing frustration (in horses and humans!), and creating those...
The Pilot - Does Positive Reinforcement Lead to Biting Horses?
Welcome to our very first episode! The audio is a little rough around the edges (we were still finding our sea legs), but the conversation is a good one.
In this episode, we explore a big question in the horse training world: Does positive reinforcement lead to biting?
We dig into what the research says, where the concern comes from, and how training approach, timing, and clarity can shape behaviour. Whether youâre new to positive reinforcement or already using it in your horseâs training, this discussion offers food for thought, reassurance, and...
