Ask An Expert: Horse Care and Riding Advice

About Ask An Expert: Horse Care and Riding Advice

Ask An Expert is your go-to for practical, real-world advice from top equestrian pros. Whether you’re curious about improving your riding, training a green horse, or mastering horse care, our expert guests are here to help. Hosted by Ride iQ, these conversations are relatable, insightful, and packed with tips you can use right away. Want more? Ride iQ members get access to over 100 exclusive episodes just like this one, plus unlimited audio lessons you can follow while you ride, taught by some of the best coaches in the business. Head to Ride-iQ.com to get started for free today.

Publisher

Ride iQ

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Oct 2024

Latest episode

6 May 2026

Latest episodes

47 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 May 2026

   Trust Your Gut: How the Equine Microbiome Impacts Health and Performance

   Are you making the right choices for your horse’s digestive health, or is their internal ecosystem suffering in silence? In this episode of Ask an Expert, Dr. Mary Beth Gordon, Senior Director of Equine Technical Innovation for Purina Animal Nutrition, demystifies the equine microbiome and explains how it impacts every aspect of your horse’s well-being. Episode Highlights: 9:04: What the microbiome actually is, why it matters, and how it functions as your horse’s hidden health driver 18:24: Real-world warning signs your horse’s microbiome may be out of balance and key links to behavior, immunity, and colic risk 25:31: How fiber, feed, stress, and even travel or medications can shape the gut 30:18: The difference between prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics - and how to spot products that actually work Meet the Expert, Dr. Mary Beth Gordon Dr. Mary Beth Gordon is the Senior Director of Equine Technical Innovation at Purina Animal Nutrition, where she leads research focused on equine nutrition, exercise physiology, and digestive health. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Delaware Valley University and her PhD in Animal Science, with a focus on equine nutrition and exercise physiology, from Rutgers University. In addition to her work in research, Mary Beth is active in the horse world as a dressage rider. Episode Sponsor Connaway & Associates The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance. Visit www.connaway.net (http://www.connaway.net/) or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options. Brought to you by Ride iQ This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com (https://www.ride-iq.com/?utm_source=aae_podcast&utm_medium=show_notes).

2. 

   29 Apr 2026

   The Secret to a Happy Equine Athlete (That Most Riders Miss)

   Ride iQ is currently offering a special Kentucky Legacy Rate - a 20% lifetime discount on membership, available for one week only. Use code LEGACY at Ride-iQ.com (https://legacy.ride-iq.com/?utm_source=aae_podcast&utm_medium=show_notes) to lock in your savings for as long as you remain a member. What if your horse’s happiness is the missing piece in your performance? In this episode of Ask an Expert, renowned Grand Prix dressage rider and clinician Karen Rohlf shares her holistic approach to creating joyful equine athletes. Blending classical dressage with natural horsemanship, Karen dives deep into what real partnership looks like, how to recognize true happiness in your horse, and why everyday choices make a difference. Episode Highlights: 11:56: Introducing the Happy Athlete Training Scale and why happiness and harmony come before communication, biomechanics, and sport 19:44: Concrete ways to add more choice, enrichment, and mental stimulation to your horse’s daily routine 27:37: What true harmony feels like, how to “join up” with your horse, and why being present and patient matters more than you think 34:11: The nine habits of excellent horsemanship and why a sense of humor is a secret weapon for riders at any level 44:16: Understanding healthy biomechanics, practical tips to find your horse’s “sweet spot,” and why trust and curiosity fuel athleticism Meet the Expert, Karen Rohlf Karen Rohlf is the founder of Dressage Naturally, an internationally recognized clinician, and the author of multiple books on training and horsemanship. She is known for her approach that prioritizes partnership, empowers riders as students, and blends classical dressage with relationship-based training. Karen focuses on developing the mental, emotional, and physical connection between horse and rider, with a goal of helping both horses and humans thrive. Episode Sponsor Connaway & Associates The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance. Visit www.connaway.net (http://www.connaway.net/) or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options. Brought to you by Ride iQ This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com (https://www.ride-iq.com/?utm_source=aae_podcast&utm_medium=show_notes).

3. 

   22 Apr 2026

   Every Breath Counts: Understanding the Equine Respiratory System

   Understanding and protecting your horse’s respiratory health is key to their comfort, performance, and long-term well-being. In this episode of Ask an Expert, equine respiratory specialist Dr. Laurent Couëtil breaks down the most common issues affecting horses’ lungs and airways. You’ll learn how to identify early signs of asthma, what makes environments either harmful or protective, and which practical steps can make a major difference. Episode Highlights: 06:16: What equine asthma is, why it’s often missed, and key environmental triggers every horse owner should know 11:38: If asthma is genetic, environmental, or both and what current research tells us about risk factors 28:53: What actually causes inflammation in the horse’s airway, why invisible dust matters most, and how hay feeding practices can dramatically reduce risk 45:13: Traveling with hay, head position during hauling, and best-practice strategies to prevent both asthma flares and respiratory infections 50:11: How to recognize subtle signs of asthma, when to call the vet, and what treatments protect your horse without compromising performance Meet the Expert, Dr. Laurent Couëtil Dr. Couëtil is a professor of large animal medicine at Purdue University, where he directs the Equine Sports Medicine Center and is involved in equine research initiatives. With a veterinary degree from France, a residency at Tufts, and a PhD in respiratory physiology, his work has significantly advanced the understanding and management of respiratory health in sport horses. Episode Sponsor Connaway & Associates The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance. Visit www.connaway.net (http://www.connaway.net/) or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options. Brought to you by Ride iQ This episode is part of the Ask An Expert podcast series, usually available exclusively in the Ride iQ app, where members have access to more than 200 expert interviews covering training, horse care, sports psychology, and more. Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches. Members also get weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts, exclusive podcast episodes, dressage test playbooks, and supportive community conversations that make learning feel fun and doable. If you’d like to explore what Ride iQ offers, you can learn more and start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com (https://www.ride-iq.com/?utm_source=aae_podcast&utm_medium=show_notes). Want straightforward, expert advice on keeping your horse sound and thriving? Dr. Erica Lacher’s eight-part program, Horse Health Essentials, is now available, and you can use code POD35 for 35% off. Learn more at RideIQElevate.com/horse-health (https://www.rideiqelevate.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=in_stride_show_notes).

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

10 ratings

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