EP 83: Keeping Show Ponies Happy

EP 83: Keeping Show Ponies Happy

Author: Helena Harris October 30, 2021 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 colleagues about what they think qualifies as happy horse keeping. In this episode she chats with Piper Klemm, publisher of the Plaid Horse magazine and host of the Plaidcast, about what best practices she employes to keep her fleet of lease ponies happy and healthy, as well as what trends in the horse industry support a more holistic approach to caring for show horses. 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 108: Conversations with a Backcountry Vet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:48
Brought to you by: AMERICAN STALLS In this episode of the Stall and Stable Show, Helena talks with beloved equine veterinarian, Dr. Madison Seamans. The conversation covers everything from what its like treating horses i…
SS West - EP 3: Breeding Quarter Horses at Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:06
Brought to you by: Sabrina Hayes grew up riding and showing Quarter Horses. She currently has a small herd of broodmares, a yearling, and a pony that she keeps at home near Billings, Montana. Her goal is to raise quality…
EP 107: Clarabelle and the $12,000 Rock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:47
Brought to you by: American Stalls This episode takes listeners through Helena's journey with Clarabelle; from the day of the accident to the day this episode airs. From a seemingly small cut on a cannon bone, to three s…
SS West - EP 2: Horsekeeping with Tara in North Texas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:16
Brought to you by In this second episode of Stall and Stable West, guest host Tara Tibbets shares the details of her farm in North Texas, and how her barn setup works for her three horses and her lifestyle. Combining a l…
EP 106: Raising Horses in an R+ Environment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Brought to you by: American Stalls The way we keep horses is changing. As technology and research discover more things about horses that help us humans understand their needs better, our farms, barns, and methods need to…
EP 105: Microloans for Horse Businesses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:31
Brought to you by: American Stalls Investing in your farm is usually a multi-step process that often happens after your business has been up and running for a while. But finding the cash reserves to buy that manure sprea…
SS West - EP 1 - Tara's Montana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
Brought to you by: Barn Pros Well, America is a BIG country. Keeping horses in New England is not the same as keeping horses in Texas or California, or Montana. There are best practices and baselines wherever you live, o…
EP 104: What Creates Value in a Stable? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:34
Brought to you by American Stalls The topic of value in a boarding barn has been coming up a lot lately. What makes a place worth a certain amount and, outside of the cost to the proprietor, what should influence what on…
EP 103: Ten Tips for a Better, Safer Boarding Barn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:08
In my travels this summer, I visited several big barns and even more smaller ones. There are at least a hundred new tips I can share with you today, but I'll start with just ten of my most important takeaways. If you wan…
EP 102: Listener Q&A with American Stalls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
In this first episode back from our summer break, we answer listener questions about stall components, materials, and matting for run-in sheds. Listen in!