Heal Your Horse

In this soulful episode, Nika Vorster sits down with Emma Actis, founder of Emma Actis Horsemanship and creator of The Chestnut Mare Method. Emma shares her early experiences growing up on a cattle ranch, the moment a young rescue horse named Charger changed everything she thought she knew, and how a lifetime of listening, failing, and observing has shaped her gentle, intuitive approach to horsemanship.Together, they explore:Why “difficult” horses are our greatest teachersHow to communicate through body language, play, and empathyWhy true leadership isn’t about dominance, but emotional consistencyThe surprising connection between softness, strength, and self-awarenessThis episode is a reminder that real horsemanship isn’t about control — it’s about curiosity. And that sometimes, the hardest horses arrive to show us the parts of ourselves that need softening most.

What if your emotions weren’t getting in the way of your success—but guiding you toward it?In this transformative episode, Nika Vorster sits down with Dr. Anne-Marie King, medical doctor turned elite performance coach and creator of The Realignment Method. Together, they unpack why so many high achievers—especially equestrians—get caught in cycles of pressure, perfectionism, and burnout.Anne-Marie shares her four-part Realignment Process: 1️⃣ Non-Resistance – accept what you feel 2️⃣ Non-Judgment – understand, don’t fight it 3️⃣ Non-Attachment – release control of outcomes 4️⃣ Alignment – reconnect with excitement and flowThey explore why high performers often confuse suffering with success, how emotions serve as powerful intelligence, and the subtle gender differences in how men and women approach growth. Whether you’re an athlete, leader, or rider chasing your next level—this episode will help you free yourself, not fix yourself.

In this deeply moving episode, Nika sits down with Zoe Van Kruiningen-Coade, founder of Get Good With Horses and former Parelli professional, to explore the truth behind horse-human connection.Zoe shares how her 900 kg Irish Warmblood, Mia, forced her to question everything she thought she knew — leading her to discover that real horsemanship begins when the ego ends.From building trust with traumatized horses to balancing empathy with clarity, Zoe and Nika dive into:The moment Zoe realised her horse was mirroring her own energy.Why softness, not strength, creates true partnership.How to stop using your horse as a therapist — and start showing up as the grounded leader they deserve.This conversation is a reminder that getting good with horses isn’t about technique — it’s about who you become in the process.

What happens when your gym strength doesn’t translate to the saddle?In this episode, Nika Vorster talks with dressage rider and founder of Equibody Fit Fitness, Jack, about the gap between general fitness and rider-specific fitness. Jack shares how his powerlifting background left him with tight hips and poor mobility, and how retraining his body — even learning the splits — transformed his riding at Grand Prix level.Together, they discuss Equibody’s mission to help riders build a body that “just works,” the differences in training for men and women, and why most riders should focus on the 80% foundations rather than the last 10% of optimization. If you’ve ever felt strong in the gym but stiff in the saddle, this episode will change the way you think about rider fitness.

What separates a good rider from a great one? According to Dan, it’s not flashy exercises or quick fixes—it’s repetition, fitness, and mindset.In this episode, Nika sits down with international rider and coach Dan, whose career spans from the junior European Championships to over 15 years of training riders in the UK and Italy. They explore why the fundamentals never stop mattering, how to address “bad habits” with clarity and consistency, and the role of rider fitness in building confidence in the saddle. Dan also shares his coaching philosophy: listening first, acting second, and empowering riders to be self-sufficient rather than dependent on a trainer.Whether you’re chasing medals or just aiming to ride with more confidence, this episode is packed with practical wisdom.

What if the “dangerous” horse isn’t dangerous at all—but depressed or misunderstood?In this episode, Nika Vorster speaks with equestrian coach and author Joanna (Horses Explained) about horse psychology and the overlooked mental health of our equine partners. Joanna shares insights from her book Understanding Horse Depression, explains the difference between temperament and personality, and breaks down the four temperament types that shape how horses respond to training. Together, they explore how rider energy and emotions influence horses, why labels like “difficult” can hide deeper issues, and how rehabilitation rooted in patience and empathy changes outcomes. Joanna also tells the story of her horse Ella, a so-called “dangerous” mare who became a trusted partner through understanding and trust.Joanna wants to clarify a few things from the conversation:The Research citation is credit to a 2012 study by Carole Fureix and Martine Hausberger.-The link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22761752/ Clarification on horse depression- This is a brief introduction to horse depression. The first step in recognizing subtle signs is knowing your individual horse and being familiar with the equine ethogram so you can distinguish species-typical behaviours from those that may suggest a problem. Depression in horses is a real, diagnosable condition with specific symptoms; I’d love to dive deeper into this in a future conversation.Definitions to include:Temperament: A horse’s inborn way of reacting to the world—how sensitive he is, how quickly he startles, and how easily he settles. Temperament shows up early, is largely genetic, and remains stable over time. We can shape responses, but not the core reactivity.Personality: The whole picture—temperament plus learned patterns from experience and environment, along with quirks, preferences, and social habits. Personality evolves over time, but core traits tend to stay recognisable.In short: Temperament is innate; personality is temperament shaped by environment and experience. By improving the environment and handling, we can influence (not replace) aspects of personality while respecting the horse’s nature.To work or contact Joanna directly: Book a Horse Personality Portrait: www.horsesexplained.comInstagram: @horsesexplainedMedia/Lessons/Workshops: horsesexplained@gmail.comUpcoming book: Understanding Horse Depression — releasing Spring 2026.  

What if your horse’s body language is telling you more than you realise?In this conversation, Nika Vorster sits down with equine behaviourist Carolina (Horse Conversations) to explore the subtleties of equine communication and the role of positive reinforcement in training. Carolina shares her personal journey into natural horsemanship, how a traumatised horse shifted her approach, and why observing tiny changes in eating, expression, and posture reveals so much about a horse’s emotional state. Together, they unpack whether issues stem from past trauma or present handling, how horses act as mirrors of human emotions, and why curiosity is the most powerful tool a horse owner can bring to training.To work with Caroline directly, click on the link below. https://horseconversations.com/

What if your horse’s “naughty” behaviour is really pain—and the rehab plan is missing the point? In this conversation, Nika Vorster and equine practitioner Ansley Bevan dig into evidence-informed, horse-centered rehab. From Florida’s heat to the UK’s milder climate, they compare management realities, unpack why traditional stall-rest protocols can fail the horse mentally, and explore how behaviour is a primary signal of discomfort. Ansley shares lessons from her horse Charlie, the origins of her Equine Wellness Academy, and why educating owners creates better outcomes than chasing quick fixes. If you’ve felt stuck, gaslit, or overwhelmed, this one offers a grounded roadmap for advocating for your horse—with patience, presence, and practical tools.Ansley's contact details: Website: abequinetherapy.com/academy Instagram: @abequinetherapy