The Equine Empress Podcast

What if the horse labelled "dangerous" was simply the horse no one had truly listened to? In this episode of The Year of the Horse Podcast, Hannah Freeman sits down with equine behaviour specialist and educator Terrie Douglas to explore a remarkable story of transformation. Terrie shares the journey of Owen, an off-the-track Thoroughbred widely considered dangerous after repeatedly bucking riders off and displaying aggressive behaviour. What began as a challenging riding horse soon became a life-changing lesson in trust, communication, and understanding the horse's perspective. After experiencing frightening incidents, including being charged and later kicked unconscious by the horse she had chosen to save, Terrie faced a crossroads familiar to many horse owners: give up, or find another way. Instead of relying on force, Terrie followed her curiosity. The result was a profound shift in her relationship with Owen and the development of what she now calls The Trust Pathway: a simple yet powerful approach that helps horses and humans create genuine partnership based on mutual trust rather than compliance. Throughout the conversation we explore: In this episode:  Why many so-called behavioural problems are actually attempts at communication  The hidden role pain, discomfort, and past experiences can play in equine behaviour  How horses often communicate long before humans notice the signs  Why trust creates both emotional connection and greater safety  The surprising power of giving horses meaningful choice  What changed almost overnight in Terrie's relationship with Owen  How curiosity can replace fear when working with challenging horses  The difference between managing behaviour and understanding behaviour  Why some of the most difficult horses often become the most rewarding partners  A simple exercise every horse owner can try today to deepen connection with their horse A Practical Takeaway Terrie shares a beautifully simple exercise designed to help horses voluntarily seek connection with their humans. Rather than asking anything of your horse, she suggests spending quiet, undemanding time in their presence. No training. No agenda. No expectations. Simply being together. Over time, many horses begin to approach willingly, creating opportunities for a deeper level of trust, communication, and understanding. Memorable Quote:"When horses feel heard, they rarely need to shout."While not a direct quote from the interview, this idea sits at the heart of Terrie's philosophy and the entire conversation. About Terrie Douglas Terrie Douglas helps horse owners develop stronger, safer, and more connected relationships with their horses through her Trust Pathway methodology. Her work focuses on understanding equine communication, building mutual trust, and creating willing partnerships that benefit both horse and human. Connect with Terrie https://rana-epona.com/thetrustpathway/ Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/thetrustpathway FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/358703987995650  If this episode spoke to you… you don’t have to just listen quietly on the sidelines.There are two ways to step in:→ Join the conversation inside my group This is where these ideas continue, expand, and turn into real discussions with other horsewomen: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theequineempress 👉 → Or, share your story on the podcast If you have experience, insight, or a journey that could help others… Message me “PODCAST” and let’s explore a conversation.

  What happens when you stop following the “shoulds”… and start listening to what actually lights you up? In this episode of The Year of the Horse, I’m joined by Tara Punter — a business and mindset coach on a mission to help women move beyond survival mode and truly thrive. Tara shares her journey from working as a groom and managing hospitality businesses to discovering her calling as an equine journalist… and then stepping into coaching after seeing the real impact of her work. It’s a story of bold decisions, saying yes before feeling ready, and following that quiet inner knowing when something just clicks. We explore:  The turning points that shaped Tara’s path into business and coaching  How mindset work shifted everything (even when she resisted it at first)  The powerful link between your thoughts, beliefs, and the results you create  Why so many women feel “not enough” — and how to start rewriting that story ✨ Plus, Tara shares a simple but incredibly effective technique you can use immediately to interrupt negative thinking and take back control of your mind. This is a grounded, honest conversation for horsewomen and business owners alike — especially those who know they’re capable of more, but feel held back by invisible patterns. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in comparison, self-doubt, or overthinking… this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. Connect with Tara: Find her on Instagram: @thethrivingbusinesswoman Explore her book Magnificent Mindset for a deeper dive into the science and practice behind her work. If this episode spoke to you… you don’t have to just listen quietly on the sidelines.There are two ways to step in:→ Join the conversation inside my group This is where these ideas continue, expand, and turn into real discussions with other horsewomen: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theequineempress 👉 → Or, share your story on the podcast If you have experience, insight, or a journey that could help others… Message me “PODCAST” and let’s explore a conversation.

There’s a moment, for many lifelong horsewomen, that isn’t often spoken about.The moment where things begin to change. Where experience is still there… but the body, the pace, the way of doing things starts to shift.In this first episode of The Year of the Horse, I sit down with Deb Donnelly, a horsewoman with over 40 years of training experience, to talk about what horses really teach us… not just about riding, but about being human.This is an honest, grounded conversation about ego, ageing, learning, and the quiet truth behind a life spent with horses.This episode is for you if: You’ve spent years around horses and know there’s always more to learn  You feel the gap between how things look from the outside… and how they actually feel  You’re navigating change, in your riding, your body, or your role in the horse world  You want a deeper, more honest connection with horses (and yourself) In this conversation, we explore: Why ego quietly blocks progress in horsemanship  The difference between how others see you and what’s really happening  How horses mirror our human relationships  What happens when you can no longer ride the way you once did  The overlooked value of older, experienced horses  Why forgiveness is one of the most important qualities in a horse  The importance of staying open, curious, and willing to learn A key takeaway you can use immediately:Stay open.Find people you respect. Learn from them. Take guidance when you need it.And when you’re working with horses, or choosing one, look beyond perfection.Look for: Forgiveness  Experience  Stability  A horse that meets you where you are now About Deb DonnellyDeb Donnelly trained horses professionally for over 42 years before retiring and turning her focus to writing.She is the author of:Square Corners: Horseman, Horsewoman StoryCommon Ground: Horses and HumansHer work explores how horses reflect our behaviour, relationships, and emotional awareness — offering lessons that extend far beyond the barn.You can follow her work and read her ongoing book releases here: 👉 Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/debdonleyauthorpage/If this episode spoke to you… you don’t have to just listen quietly on the sidelines.There are two ways to step in:→ Join the conversation inside my group This is where these ideas continue, expand, and turn into real discussions with other horsewomen: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theequineempress 👉 → Or, share your story on the podcast If you have experience, insight, or a journey that could help others… Message me “PODCAST” and let’s explore a conversation.