EP 78: The Arena from Hell

EP 78: The Arena from Hell

Author: Helena Harris September 11, 2021 Duration: 31:39

"The road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. Well, I say it's paved with filter sand. Lots and lots of filter sand."

In this episode, Helena recounts the horror story that is her sand arena project, and shares important information to have on hand before you hire someone to build an outdoor ring. From working with contractors and measuring for sand depth, to keeping your wits about you when a tropical storm turns everything to soup, this is a story that turns anguish into wisdom. Listen in!


Helena Harris hosts Stall and Stable: Ideas for Happy Horsekeeping, a place where the details of daily life with horses are given thoughtful attention. The premise is simple yet profound: the well-being of our horses is deeply intertwined with the spaces and routines we build. This podcast digs into that reality, moving beyond theory to share practical, real-world advice. You’ll hear from veterinarians, farriers, barn managers, and other equestrian specialists, but the conversations feel more like insightful chats between friends who are deeply passionate about animal care. They cover everything from stall design and pasture management to selecting the right tools and understanding equine behavior, always with an eye toward creating a harmonious and sustainable environment. Whether you’re a parent introducing children to their first pony, a professional running a boarding facility, or someone who finds peace in the quiet of the barn after work, there’s something here for you. Each episode of this podcast aims to make the complex aspects of horsekeeping more approachable, offering strategies and product insights that can be applied directly to your own stable. It’s about fostering a lifestyle where both horses and their people can thrive, celebrating the unique bond that makes all the hard work worthwhile. Tune in for a blend of expertise and heartfelt conversation that reflects the true rhythm of life with horses.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Stall and Stable: Ideas for Happy Horsekeeping
Podcast Episodes
EP 91: Helena's Road Trip to Ocala [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:34
What do you do when all your favorite horse people are gathering at one place, 1200 miles away, to share ideas and new methods for training horses, but the new COVID variant is raging in every state on the eastern seaboa…
EP 90: Texas Horsekeeping with Tara Tibbetts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:30
We cover a different part of the United States in this episode, as Helena talks with Tara Tibbetts, host of the Foxhunting series on the Horse Radio Network. Tara originally hails from Montana, but has been keeping horse…
EP 89: Happy Horse Clicking, with Shawna Karrasch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:28
In this sixth installment of the HRN Host Series on Happy Horsekeeping, Helena welcomes the legendary Shawna Karrasch, the trainer responsible for bringing positive reinforcement to the horse world. Shawna is the host of…
EP 88: Donkeys Need Us Too [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:04
Donkeys are equines that have been used as working animals for at least 5000 years. And with more than 40 million donkeys in the world today, there is a tremendous need to offer them protection in sanctuaries, in legisla…
EP 87: Horsekeeping for Healthy Hooves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:31
This episode was made possible by our podcast partners: Lucas Equine Equipment, Tangent Materials, and listeners like you! This is the fifth in a series of conversations Helena has with the Horse Radio Network show hosts…
EP 86: Happy Horsekeeping with Endurance Champ, Karen Chaton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:19
This episode is brought to you by Load Trailer trailers. We're back with another episode in the HRN Host Series on Happy Horsekeeping. This time Helena is joined by endurance pro, and host of Endurance Day on Horses in t…
EP 85: An Equine Business Owner Takes a Leap of Faith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:15
Brought to you by: Lucas Equine Equipment When Heather Schneider realized that she had been running her horse business in survival mode for longer than she cared to admit, she knew it was time for a change. From buying a…
EP 84: How a Holistic Vet Keeps Horses in Sarasota [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:01
This is part 3 of the HRN Host Series, brought to you by Load Trail Trailers. The saying goes, "If you ask ten horse people how to do something, you'll get ten different answers." In this episode, Helena talks with Dr. W…
EP 83: Keeping Show Ponies Happy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:40
This is part two of the HRN Host Series on Stall and Stable. The saying goes, "If you ask 10 different horse people how to do something, you'll get 10 different answers." Helena puts that adage to the test asking her HRN…