Equine'n'Wine

This episode was inspired by a thoughtful email from Stephanie in France, which got us reflecting on the horse books that shaped us — from childhood pony stories to the training manuals that still influence how we ride today.
We take a nostalgic trip back to the “pony book era”, chatting about classics like Black Beauty, Pony Club manuals, and those unforgettable illustrated guides that made us fall completely in love with horses (and gave us a few unrealistic expectations along the way!).
From there, we move into the books that truly shaped our horsemanship, including BHS manuals, Horse Master’s Notebook, and the work of Mark Rashid — exploring how different philosophies, training systems, and teaching styles can both guide and confuse riders.

✨ Books we mention in this episode include:
Pony Era:
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.
The Manual of Horsemanship - Pony Club Manual.
The Threshold Picture Guides by Tony Weber, illustrated by Carol Vinsor.
Educational:
BHS Manuals. Official handbook - Complete manual of horse and stable management.
Horse Masters Notebook by Mary Rose.
Mark Rashid Books - Free on Audible. Horses Never Lie, Considering the Horse, A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Colour etc.
Thinking Riding by Molly Sivwright.
Celebrity Jumping Exercises by various authors.
101 Showjumping Exercises and The Dressage Exercises from same series by Linda L.Allen.
Training the Young Horse by Pippa Funnell.
Other Recommendations:
The Connemara Journey by Hillary Brandt.
Feeding Herbs to Horses by Wendy & Terry Jennings.
Essential Oils for Horses by Carol Faith.
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
Plus, a few extra recommendations for anyone looking to expand their horsey bookshelf.

Whether you’re rediscovering riding or deep in your horsey journey, this episode is a reminder that there's really nothing quite like a good book.
📩 Got a favourite horse book we should read? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast!

Spring has arrived… and so has the snowstorm of horse hair.
In this episode, we’re talking about something many riders don’t admit to, being allergic to the very animals we adore. From sneezing through the big shed to managing hay dust, pollen, and stable mould, Emma-Jane shares what it’s like being allergic to horses since birth… and still choosing this life anyway.... Lorna shares how painful it was to have a little sister that did make that choice!!
But it’s not just humans.
We also dive into allergies in horses, including sweet itch, dust sensitivity, feed reactions, and contact allergies — what to look for, when to call the vet, and how to manage flare-ups without chasing every trend on the yard.
💌 Featuring a listener question from Hannah in Norfolk about managing a cob with suspected sweet itch — and whether natural remedies actually help.
🌿 Emma-Jane also shares the soothing shampoo and herbal spray recipes she created for Daisy during midge season.
As always, we explore the balance between holistic support and proper veterinary care — because “natural” doesn’t automatically mean safe.
If you’re sneezing through the shed season or battling itchy tails and raw manes, this one’s for you.
📩 Got a horsey dilemma? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 Subscribe, rate & share if you’re loving the pod!

You asked — we answered! This week, we’re diving into our inbox to tackle the brilliant, baffling, and occasionally bonkers questions from you, our lovely listeners.

In this bumper Q&A episode, we dive into your emails with topics as real and relatable as ever. From dodgy saddle-fitting advice to ghost-hunting geldings and the emotional rollercoaster of loaning your beloved horse — we've got you covered. 💌
✨ Featuring listener questions from Ireland, the UK, and the USA:
🐴 Can a quick saddle-fitting course really do harm?
🛒 Why does my horse spook at the same wheelbarrow every day?
🤝 What should I ask before loaning my horse?
🏇 What’s the etiquette for your first ever riding clinic?
Plus, Lorna channels her inner calm and Emma-Jane… well, she tries!
Got a question, story or horsey dilemma? Email us at [email protected] — we’d love to feature you in a future episode!
#EquinenWine #HorsePodcast #ListenerQA #SpookyPonies #SaddleFitFails #LoaningYourHorse #ClinicPrep #RealRiders #HorseHumour #SistersWhoRide

As always, it’s a wild ride of advice, giggles, and a few golden nuggets from Lorna to take home to your own tack room.
👯‍♀️ Hosted by Irish author Emma-Jane Leeson & South African coach Lorna from @stridesforsuccess
📩 Got a question? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 New episodes weekly — subscribe and leave a review if you’re loving the chaos!

In this episode, Lorna and Emma-Jane dive into the ever-evolving world of modern horse care — from embracing natural wellness to questioning traditional methods. They reflect on what's working, what's just trending, and what needs a healthy dose of common sense!

From Natural Fly Repellent to pulling manes *yikes!* and everthing in between.

Share your own natural care tips, cautionary tales, or questions by emailing [email protected] and don't forget to subscribe and rate the show!

Let’s be honest — some things never leave us. Like the sound of an instructor bellowing “HEELS DOWN!” across the arena when we were just trying to stay on. 😅
In this nostalgic-meets-hilarious episode, we’re reliving all the classic riding lesson commands that haunted our childhoods — from spaghetti rein syndrome to questionable posture metaphors.
🐴 Plus, Emma-Jane (fresh off an ‘Intro to Western Riding Day’ at Bullhorn Ranch, Co. Kildare) can’t stop dropping Western references… much to Lorna’s absolute horror/delight.
💬 Listener memory (ok, fine — a tweaked version of something E-J heard this week):
A friend once said, “My instructor used to shout ‘Keep the fiver under your arse in canter!’ — I didn’t know what she meant, but I clenched for dear life!”
Also featuring:
• Lorna’s breakdown of which old-school instructions actually work
• Why modern riders deserve more explanation and less yelling
• And a tonne of old school Golden Nuggets that might change the way you teach (or ride)
🫶 Join us for the chaos, the canter clenching, and the clarity.
📩 Got a memory or question? Email us: [email protected]
🎧 New episodes every week — subscribe, share, and leave a review if you’re loving the show!