Making Milestones

The life update that changes everything: grief, burnout, a breakup, and a move to 133 acres in the Rockies.

Shelby shares the breaking-point year that forced her to stop tolerating a life that felt suffocating—and the chain of losses, realizations, and bold decisions that led her to a fresh start.
What starts as a deeply personal update becomes a brutally honest look at what it means to outgrow the life you built. Shelby opens up about her dad’s death, years of burnout in the horse industry, the pressure of running a business under consumer scrutiny, and the emotional toll of trying to keep going while silently unraveling.
Then comes the turning point: ending a relationship that no longer felt aligned, trusting a new path in the Rockies, and taking a leap that required moving an entire farm, six horses, three cats, and a dog nearly 900 kilometers.

Support the podcast:
⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠shopmilestoneeq.com⁠⁠
Order my new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Subscribe to youtube: youtube.com/c/shelbydennis

summary

In this engaging conversation, Shelby and Gaia Resmini delve into the evolving landscape of rewards-based horse training, recent high-profile competitions, and the systemic challenges within the horse industry. They explore the importance of progress over perfection, the impact of purity culture, and how systemic change can be fostered through community and education.

Follow Gaia here: instagram.com/gaia_resmini
Support the podcast:
⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠shopmilestoneeq.com⁠
Order my new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠⁠⁠

keywords

horse training, rewards-based training, horse welfare, British brideless competition, systemic change, purity culture, emotional regulation, horse safety, industry reform

In this insightful conversation, Shelby Dennis and Alexa Linton explore the parallels between horse and human physical and emotional health, emphasizing the importance of listening to our bodies, addressing trauma, and fostering compassionate relationships with horses. They challenge industry norms, discuss the impact of training practices, and advocate for a more humane, self-aware approach to horsemanship and life.

Where to find Alexa:
outsidetheboxequine.com
instagram.com/alexalinton
instagram.com/outsidetheboxequine

Support the podcast:
⁠⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠⁠
⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠⁠
⁠⁠shopmilestoneeq.com
Order my new book: ⁠⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠⁠

Keywords

horse health, human wellness, trauma, training ethics, emotional resilience, horsemanship, animal welfare, self-care, industry critique

In this episode, Shelby interviews a special guest, Chloe Johnson, a certified bit fitter and equine health advocate, discusses the mechanics of bits, the importance of proper fit, and ethical practices in horse training. She shares insights on common equipment issues, industry misconceptions, and the future of humane horsemanship.

Key Topics
Horse bit mechanics and fit
Common oral damage from bits
Ethical considerations in horse equipment
Industry misconceptions and marketing tactics
Future of humane horsemanship and organizations

Where to find Chloe:
SpottedhorseLLC.com
https://www.instagram.com/spottedhorsellc/

Support the podcast:
⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠
⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠
⁠shopmilestoneeq.com
Order my new book: ⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠

In this episode, Shelby interviews Elise Miki, an osteopath and equine therapist, discusses the myths surrounding early training of young horses, focusing on skeletal maturation and its implications. The conversation challenges industry norms, emphasizing evidence-based practices for horse health and longevity.

Where to find Elise:
equiliabriatherapeutics.com
instagram.com/eqtherapeutics

Support the podcast:
⁠⁠http://patreon.com/sdequus⁠⁠
⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/sdequus⁠⁠
⁠⁠shopmilestoneeq.com
Order my new book: ⁠⁠⁠milestoneequestrian.ca/publications⁠⁠⁠
Keywords

horse training, skeletal maturation, equine osteopathy, horse health, early training myths, bone development, veterinary research, horse industry critique