Horse Person

Esme Higgs grew up as a shy horse-crazy kid in a non-horsey family. But as a teenager, she persuaded her parents to film her on her horse who had a knack for picking up the wrong lead. She wanted to see if she could figure out why he was picking up the wrong lead, but then her phone ran low on storage. "No problem," she thought. "I'll upload it to Youtube to free up storage."
That was about 10 years ago, and now she has over 2M followers and over 5B views of her content - one of the most famous and prolific equestrian content creators in the world.

In this episode, Esme opens up about growing up publicly online, navigating burnout and boundaries, and why making horses feel accessible has always been at the heart of her work. We also dive into the surprisingly small team behind her content empire and the powerful ways she's used social media to advocate for horses and animal welfare.

The biggest takeaway from this episode? Whatever you're chipping away at, keep chippin'. It might lead you to some wild places you never expected.

This episode is sponsored by Hooves and Paws. Use code HP15 for 15% off your order.
Let's just get this out of the way: There is no such thing as a symmetrical rider.
In this episode, we're joined by physiotherapist and rider Maeve Sheridan, and we go deep into the rider's seat. We talk about why it matters so much and why many of us are chasing the wrong things when we try to "fix" it.
We talk about:
Why every single rider has asymmetries and why that's not a failure
What your seat really is from a mechanical standpoint
How your pelvis, hips, and breath affect your horse more than you think
The difference between mobility and control (and why you need both)
Why "engaging your core" might actually be making things worse
Common rider issues like chair seat, back pain, and collapsing on a circle—and what's actually behind them
The truth about trendy riding fixes (yes, including bands and posture gadgets )

This episode is proudly sponsored by Hooves and Paws. Go to hoovesandpaws.com/horseperson or use code HP15 for 15% off your order. No shipping minimums, 365-day return policy, hundreds of thousands of happy customers. 
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-69dfae47-e58c-8333-9041-7be529e6067d-11" data-testid= "conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> For nearly two decades, Amber Marshall has shaped how millions of people see horses through Heartland. But who is she beyond the screen? In this episode, Amber opens up about the responsibility of representing horses to a global audience, how she balances authenticity with storytelling, & what Heartland gets right (and has to adapt) about real horse life.
We also go deeper into Amber's personal journey as a horsewoman. We discuss how horses grounded her in an industry built on performance, and what she's learned from living a true ranch life. This is an honest, thoughtful conversation that will remind you what you're missing if you're too busy thinking about the future or the past; Amber will invite you to sink into the moment and be where your feet are. 
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After losing all three of her horses within a year, sport psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser returns to share what it really looks like to begin again. In this episode, we explore the emotional and psychological reality of getting back in the saddle after loss, from the unexpected voice in your head telling you to "get off," to the brain's need for familiarity, certainty, and control.
Dr. Jenny breaks down how to distinguish fear from intuition, how your nervous system impacts your riding, and why starting over can feel so overwhelming even for experienced riders. We also talk about practical tools like breathwork, visualization, and co-regulation, and how shifting your mindset from expectation to support can transform a new partnership. This is a conversation about grief, growth, and rebuilding trust both in yourself, and in a new horse.

This episode is sponsored by Corro. Click here and use code horsewoman15 at checkout. 
There's a version of this sport that tells you success looks one way: the right horse, the right path, the right goals.
And then there's real life, especially as adult amateurs. We have financial hurdles, time constraints, and changing priorities, It's time to embrace that. 
In this conversation, Madelyn Houser of @theblondeandthebay_ got really honest about her journey from losing her confidence, to completely redefining what success looks like as an amateur rider riding unconventional horses in the sport of dressage. For her, it meant letting go of what others expected or thought, and getting real with herself about what felt comfortable and happy to her. 
We talk about over-horsing ourselves, the pressure to "push through," and the reality that not everyone is riding a six-figure warmblood (in fact, most of us don't!)… and that doesn't make you any less of a rider. If anything, it might make you a better one.
If you've ever felt behind, intimidated, or questioned your path in this sport, this episode is for you.