Katrin Silva: From Dressage to Western Riding

In this heartfelt episode, Paula Curtis sits down with horsewoman and author Katrin Silva, who shares her story of moving from Germany to New Mexico and finding her place between dressage and Western riding. Together they explore what it means to ride with awareness, adaptability, and empathy—no matter the discipline. Katrin reflects on how horses have been her greatest teachers, guiding her to value inclusivity, fitness, and mindfulness as cornerstones of horsemanship. This is a conversation about embracing change, deepening partnership, and remembering why we ride in the first place—because of the horse. Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 | Katrin’s Journey from Germany to the U.S. 09:54 | The Evolution of Dressage and Western Riding 20:13 | Bridging Disciplines: Western and Classical Dressage 28:59 | Understanding the Heart of Horse Training 33:07 | Practical Skills for Trail Riding and Beyond 33:59 | Endurance Running and Riding 36:37 | Mindfulness in Endurance and Horsemanship 38:24 | Setting Boundaries with Horses 40:14 | The Importance of Movement for Horses 44:29 | Rider Fitness and Its Impact 48:45 | Communicating Clearly with Horses 53:50 | The Therapeutic Role of Horses 58:22 | The Future of the Horse Industry 01:07:07 | Closing Reflections and Outro Resources ☆ Get a Free Ticket To The Online Horse Fair --> https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/free-ticket ☆ Access All Horse Fair Presentations In Our Membership --> https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/membership ☆ Visit Our Merch Store --> https://shop.artofthehorseman.com/ ☆ Follow Us On Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/ArtoftheHorseman ☆ Follow Us On Youtube --> https://www.youtube.com/@Artofthehorseman ☆ Follow Us On Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/artofthehorseman