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Canter TherapyAuthor: Dr Shelley Appleton & Kathryn Christieson
A podcast hosted by Dr. Shelley Appleton of Calm Willing Confident Horses and Kathryn Christieson of Firenza Park Equine Services on all things horse and learning Language: en Genres: Education, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 97. A Controversial Conversation: Freedom To or Freedom From?
Monday, 24 November, 2025
In Episode 97 of the Canter Therapy Podcast, Shelley and Kat walk straight into controversy and unpack one of the horse world's most heated topics: what does freedom really mean for domestic horses?Using a spicy young chestnut filly with dangerous kicking habits as a case study, they explore how early handling, feet care and smart use of pressure can free a horse from a lifetime of stress, conflict and labels like "dangerous."From the ideology of giving horses "freedom to" choose, consent and say no, to the more practical and welfare focused idea of giving horses "freedom from" pain, insecurity and chronic stress, Shelley and Kat pull apart the assumptions behind popular narratives about agency, choice, barefoot feet, laminitis and turnout.This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about cognition, ethics and reality for horses living in a human world, and it will absolutely ruffle a few feathers.To learn more about Shelley and Kat and the balanced, evidence based approaches they promote for horse training and care, visit their websites:Dr Shelley Appleton: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.auKathryn Christieson: https://firenzapark.com.auFor more information about the Canter Therapy Podcast, to suggest episode ideas, or to enquire about sponsorship or advertising, head to:https://www.cantertherapy.com.au
