The process of observing and then assigning meaning happens so fast in our nervous system that it takes practice to separate the two events. Often we have no idea we are even assigning meaning instead of just observing because our brains are predictive machines. It just feels normal to see something and immediately decide it is good, bad, right or wrong. It feels almost intuitive to decide a person or horse is just lazy, stubborn, has attention deficiencies or is just naturally high or low energy, which we like or don't like. Practicing observation, pulling our brain away from giving everything a meaning, is harder than it sounds but worth the effort. In the space of observing we have to slow down, pause our words and actions, and take in information. The information we take in about horses is what actually guides training, especially during rehab training or while developing balance for the first time. Timing yourself for just 5 full minutes of nothing but observation is how observational skills are developed and refined. Guest: Deb Romero, Certified Alexander Technique Instructorwww.optimalposture.orgHost: Kirsten Nelsen, professional horse trainerdeveloper of Training for Optimal Balancewww.wexfordfarm.com
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kirstennelsen.substack.com (https://kirstennelsen.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
19 Sept 2026
237: Can We Really Multitask?
The differences between multitasking and taking time to focus on one thing can make the difference between anxiety and calmness, tension and adaptability. Making changes during training, changing anything or creatively creating something new all require more concentration and focus compared to doing things that are already habitual, familiar. If we are not good at focusing on one thing, then making improvements with horses becomes harder not easier. The busier we are as riders, the less we feel or even notice how a horse is responding to what we are asking. Responses are unpredictable, from horses or people, so if we don't notice them, then we often don't know how to proceed. We get stuck going through the motions of training and miss a deeper connection with our horses. Guest: Deb Romero, Certified Alexander Instructorwww.optimalposture.orgHost: Kirsten Nelsen, professional horse trainerdeveloper of Training for Optimal Balance www.wexfordfarm.com
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kirstennelsen.substack.com (https://kirstennelsen.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
5 Sept 2026
236: Ride With Confidence
Guest Abby Shpilman shares some of her expertise as an anxiety therapist with anyone struggling with confidence issues. Whether we call it anxiety, self doubt or fear Abby and I are in agreement that the feelings are the key, not willpower! In order to move past fear issues we have to figure out what the feelings of it actually are inside the body, not the brain. Abby takes it a layer deeper with riders and non-riders alike by really digging into emotional memories that can become stuck in the body. And fear around horses can start to become a problem no matter how much horse experience you have, it happens to all of us at some point or with some horse. Abby works remotely with clients, like I do, in order to offer her specialized help to people with anxiety around the world. Guest: Abby Shpilman, Anxiety Therapistridewithconfidence.com.au @AbbyShpilman (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCZwaASOMH2mlg_MSpmp6AYQ) on YouTube Host: Kirsten Nelsen, professional horse trainerdeveloper of Training for Optimal Balance wexfordfarm.com @kirstennelsen (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCXHRWHKPjU8tC01Nn0dRF8Q) on YouTube
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kirstennelsen.substack.com (https://kirstennelsen.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
95,008
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
81
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
32
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