ECHO Equestrian Media

This week, we’re talking about horse shows, starting with a little recap of the week and getting into the cost of showing, the decline of local schooling shows, and how hard it can be to get started in horses. We talk about the different hunter and jumper divisions, why showing has gotten so expensive, and what that means for kids and adult amateurs who want to be involved. And, as always, we get into the bigger picture of where the sport is headed and how we can keep the focus on the horses.

This week, we’re talking about the HYCOAT situation and the questions it raises about veterinary medicine, off-label use, and responsibility. We get into the difference between a medical device and a drug, how products end up being used in ways they weren’t intended for, and what happened when contaminated HYCOAT was injected into horses’ joints.
We also talk about the roles of veterinarians, companies, and horse owners, and why transparency matters.

This week, we’re talking equine welfare, reporting concerns at horse shows, and what it actually takes to create change in the sport. We get into USEF’s new welfare initiatives, the challenges of speaking up when something doesn’t feel right, and what we’re rewarding in the show ring.

This week, we’re talking about veterinary mental health and why veterinarians face such high rates of suicide. We discuss the pressures of internships, long hours, financial stress, moral distress, and the reality of making difficult decisions for animals when there aren’t always good options.

We also get into empathy vs. compassion, compassion fatigue, client expectations, and what could be done to better support veterinarians throughout their careers.

This week, we’re talking horse shopping and all the things that come with it. From lameness and pre-purchase exams to injections, soundness, and the changing list of requirements for finding the right horse.
Plus, Barb’s current horse-less crisis and some family drama.

This week, we’re talking mentorship, the importance of vet-farrier relationships, and the Spruce Meadows Masters.

We’re back from our summer break and catching up on a little bit of everything. We talk about the SI joint and horse and rider asymmetry, the emaciated pony at the Hamptons Classic, and the conversation around horse welfare and social media.
We also get into reporting concerns, teaching riders more about horse management, and what happens to compassion when you work with animals for a living.

This week, we’re answering your questions, covering everything from favorite breeches and riding fitness to horse tricks and common skin issues.

We also talk about growing up riding together, what it was like having a veterinarian for a mom, and how our relationship has changed as we’ve gotten older.

This week, we’re talking "Faultless", the new docuseries following elite show jumpers around the world. We chat about the things we loved and give our thoughts on some of the editing choices.

Plus, we talk grooms, horse welfare, finding the right barn, online criticism, and the challenge of moving up the levels without asking too much of your horse.

Raw and unedited, an honest vulnerable conversation <3

This week, we're talking about heart horses, and what makes one horse different from all the rest.

We get into why some horses come into your life at exactly the right time, why those partnerships are so rare, and why saying goodbye is one of the hardest parts of loving them. We also share the story of Elle, the horse that shaped so much of Katie's riding career, and talk through the very recent loss of her, the grief that comes with it, and why heart horses never really leave you.

We'd love to hear about the horse you'll never forget.

In this episode, we break down how to assess body condition, common reasons horses lose weight, and the basics of a good weight-loss workup. From dental issues and parasite control to bloodwork and nutrition, we cover the steps to take before reaching for extra calories, plus practical feeding strategies that can help horses gain weight in a healthy way.

The recent dressage rule changes around double bridles got us talking about a lot more than just dressage. We get into bits, horse welfare, trainer responsibility, and where tradition still has a place in the sport.
Like most horse topics, it's a little more complicated than it seems.

This week, Katie sits down with her sister Jamie to chat all things growing up in a horse family. They get into Jamie's love of horses but fear of riding, what it's like being the younger sibling in the horse world, and why loving horses doesn't always mean loving competition. It's a light, silly episode filled with family stories, and a different perspective on growing up in a barn.

This week we're catching up on Mom's return to the show ring. We talk about PTSD, setbacks, horse show nerves, and the importance of community.

This week, we put ChatGPT's horse knowledge to the test and see what happens when AI starts answering
horse-world questions. Along the way, we discuss where horse people get their information, how we
evaluate advice, and why context matters when it comes to learning about horses.
We also get into horse culture, social media, competition, and why the equestrian community can s
ometimes feel both supportive and critical.

What does it actually take to compete FEI? This week we're talking passports, paperwork, horse show check-ins, and the realities of international competition. We also get into the cultural differences between dressage and jumpers, why different personalities gravitate toward different disciplines, and what draws riders to different corners of the horse world.

This episode dives into horse training, welfare, and the blurry line between correction and punishment. Using recent controversies as a starting point, mother and daughter unpack positive vs. negative reinforcement, fear-based riding, learned helplessness, and the responsibility trainers, owners, and riders have to advocate for horses — both in and out of the ring.

In this episode, mother and daughter discuss the things only horse people will understand, from “barn time” and footing to water buckets and personal hygiene. Welcome to the world of niche horse people behavior.

In this episode, mother and daughter discuss performance anxiety in the horse world, from show ring nerves to the pressure riders put on themselves. They talk through confidence, overthinking, competition, and the mental side of riding, while sharing personal experiences and perspectives from both junior and professional life in the sport.

In this episode, mother and daughter discuss misinformation in the horse world, from viral trends to veterinary advice. They cover how to fact-check research, what makes a source credible, trust and how to navigate differing professional opinions.

In this special episode, Katie is joined by her husband Henry while Barb is away for the week. Henry answers a mix of horse related questions, from colors and disciplines to riding terms, and shares early horse memories and favorite trips. The episode wraps with Henry's take on life with a horse girl.

In this episode, mother and daughter discuss what to consider before starting your horse hunt, how budgets and expectations shape the process, and the realities of importing horses. They also break down pre-purchase exams, what they involve, what to do before scheduling one, and why doing your homework ahead of time can save you time, money, and stress when searching for the right horse.

A chaotic Q&A episode covering horse girl “icks,” sock preferences, favorite products, and why tail brushing is basically a crime. Mother daughter share real advice on new riders, horse welfare, and managing metabolic issues—plus a surprise throwback to the iconic horse show song.

In this episode, mother and daughter catch up ahead of their trip to the FEI World Cup Finals, from Lillie Keenan fan-girling to childhood Las Vegas memories. They break down how World Cup qualification works, discuss veterinary roles at FEI events, and swap stories as they look ahead to a weekend of high-level competition and horse shopping.

This episode dives into myths and misconceptions in the horse world, questioning what is versus what ought to be. From blanketing and cooling to feeding and supplements, they break down common practices and challenge tradition.

This episode dives into the reality of slaughter in agriculture, the ethics around horse slaughter, and the growing “unwanted horse” problem. Breaking down what actually happens, why it’s so complicated, and what responsibility really looks like when horses reach the end of their careers.

This episode dives into what it really looks like to support people and animals. We talk volunteer work, misconceptions, community, and the role animals play in all kinds of lives.

This episode dives into horse safety, from trailering accidents to lunging mistakes and barn aisle hazards. They share real experiences that show how quickly things can go wrong around
horses, and the lessons that stick with you long after they happen.

This episode dives into tack, lameness, and horse welfare. Breaking down crookedness vs. lameness, draw reins, noseband tightness and FEI regulations. Begging the question, what does success really mean in this sport.

This week’s Q&A covers lameness, tail swishing, leasing vs. buying, riding schedules, and the fine line between desensitizing and flooding.
We answered your questions and probably stirred the pot a little.

In this episode, mother and daughter chat about riding accidents and the lasting mental
impact they leave behind. They discuss PTSD, the physical and emotional aftermath of
trauma, and why “just getting over it” isn’t how healing actually works.
This episode explores fear, identity, and the difficult reality of continuing to ride after injury.

From NCAA equestrian drama to horse show moms and barn fashion, this episode provides a candid look at expectations, and what happens when the “dream” doesn’t look the way you imagined.

In this episode, a mother and daughter dive into ethics in the horse industry through the lens of breeding and veterinary medicine. They talk honestly about raising, selling, and letting go of horses, the difference between loving the sport and loving the animal, and why breeding with intention is harder than it looks. From late-night foalings and airport semen runs to uncomfortable ethical gray areas, they share real stories from their lived experiences.

A lifetime in the horse world, told in real time. From backyard sawhorses to Grand Prix dreams, mother and daughter recount the horses that shaped them.

Hear what it’s really like to grow up, and grow old, with horses.