Episodi

  • Equine Hanna Somatics — Training the Nervous System with Alissa Mayer

    Equine Hanna Somatics — Training the Nervous System with Alissa Mayer
    Jan 16 2026
    In this episode, Celina Skogan from Equidemia speaks with Alissa Mayer BSc (Equine), EHSE-C, director of the Equine Hanna Somatics® Professional Training & Certification Program, about how Hanna Somatics principles can be applied to horses — why chronic tension isn’t just a mechanical issue, how the nervous system learns and unlearns movement, and what this means for prehab, rehab and training. This conversation bridges neuroscience, motor learning, pain science and equine performance, offering a fresh perspective on posture, comfort and movement quality — and reframing persistent muscle tension as a neurophysiological learning pattern that can be retrained, not just worked on. You will gain a clear understanding of what Equine Hanna Somatics actually addresses, how sensory-motor amnesia can develop in horses through stress and learned patterns and why voluntary pandiculation plays a central role in restoring movement awareness. The episode highlights where this approach can be genuinely effective, where its limits lie and how it can be integrated thoughtfully alongside veterinary care and training. It also offers insight into how nervous-system-based learning may shape the future of sustainable performance and equine welfare.
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    1 ora e 23 min
  • Happy athletes don’t bleed

    Happy athletes don’t bleed
    Nov 14 2025
    In this episode, I talk about cognitive dissonance in the horse world: why we do what we know we shouldn’t – and how to move from maybe to integrity. We revisit Festinger’s theory, real barn-life examples, and research showing how humans often adjust perception when they don’t want to change behaviour. Pop-culture bridge: Fettes Brot – “Jein”. The perfect anthem for ambivalence.
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    29 min
  • Embodiment – How Emotions Take Shape in the Body Part 3

    Embodiment – How Emotions Take Shape in the Body Part 3
    Nov 7 2025
    In this episode, we explore how emotions take shape in the body – in humans and in horses alike. What we call a “gut feeling” is actually measurable through breathing, posture, and muscle tone. 📎 Key research mentioned: Hausberger et al. (2021): Detecting Welfare in a Non-Verbal Species: Social/Cultural Biases and Difficulties in Horse Welfare Assessment Additional recent research: ScienceDirect article 💡 Takeaways: Emotions aren’t just in the mind – they show up in the body. The horse’s body speaks first – we often listen too late. What we perceive as “normal” may already signal compromised welfare. Awareness + training = learning to read the body.
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    30 min
  • Emotions Are Biology – How the Body Feels, Learns and Reacts

    Emotions Are Biology – How the Body Feels, Learns and Reacts
    Oct 31 2025
    Emotions aren’t moods or attitudes – they are biology in action. In this episode of Science & Soulfulness for Equestrians, we dive deep into the neurobiology of feeling: What happens inside your horse when it reacts? How do hormones like cortisol, dopamine, and oxytocin shape its behavior? And why is emotional safety the foundation for all real learning?
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    37 min
  • Emotions in horses Part 1 - Who’s really feeling what and why we often misread horses

    Emotions in horses Part 1 - Who’s really feeling what and why we often misread horses
    Oct 24 2025
    Two people, one horse – and two completely different interpretations. “He’s scared.” – “No, he’s just being stubborn.” Both convinced they’re right. This episode dives into why perception isn’t the same as truth, how our brains constantly predict what we see, and why that means we often misread our horses. Celina explores what science really says about emotions in horses – from Cathrynne Henshall to Karen Merkies and Wathan & McComb – and why “excitement” doesn’t automatically mean “joy.” You’ll also learn how to read your horse more accurately and empathetically, without falling for the traps of projection, bias, or over-interpretation. 🌍 Learn More If you want to truly understand your horse’s emotions – not just interpret them – join the Horsefriends Campus at Equidemia: 👉 https://shop.equidemia.com/s/Equidemia/knowledge-nerd
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    34 min
  • Ethics Part 2: “You’re Taking My Clients Away” ?!

    Ethics Part 2: “You’re Taking My Clients Away” ?!
    Oct 10 2025
    “If people start listening to you, there’ll be no horses left for classical training.” Seriously? In this episode, we take a closer look at why statements like this still appear in the horse world – and what they reveal about our relationship with knowledge, responsibility, and change. 🔍 What it’s about In this episode, Celina Skogan openly addresses a topic many in the horse industry prefer to avoid: the fear of knowledge – and the business model that has grown from it. We talk about: - Why not knowing can be frightening – and why that’s exactly where real progress begins. - How “owner shaming” often serves as a distraction – and a profitable one. - Why no single method can ever work for every horse. - How science means responsibility, not isolation. - And why sometimes, going “back to school” is the best thing we can do. Celina reminds us that ethics don’t destroy the business – they’re what finally make it honest.
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    28 min
  • Topline syndrome - and what's behind it

    Topline syndrome - and what's behind it
    Sep 19 2025
    On the podcast, we disscuss today Topline Syndrome. It´s everywhere right now. Each riding style claims its own recipe: more collection, head down, fascia release. But if we look closer, we quickly realize: it’s not that simple. In this new podcast episode, we look beyond the myths. Because: we don’t see true health during training, but in moments of rest. Context is king.
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    37 min
  • My horse has ulcers - what’s really behind it

    My horse has ulcers - what’s really behind it
    Sep 5 2025
    I thought this topic had been covered long ago – but in practice, myths and dangerous half-truths about gastric issues in horses still come up every single day. That’s why, in this episode, we’re setting the record straight and sharing the latest scientific insights. You’ll learn: ▶️ Why gastric problems are more the rule than the exception ▶️ Which therapies make sense – and which don’t ▶️ Why at Equidemia we always start by (not) excluding GI diseases ▶️ How stomach health affects your horse’s entire biomechanics
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    59 min