EP251: USPC Equine Welfare Task Force

In this episode I am joined by the USPC Equine Welfare Task Force, made up of: Dr Stacy Anderson, Heather Bell, Dr Laura Thompson, Christina Keim. In creating this, they are leading the way for education on equine wellness and will have a huge influence on a new generation of horsemen. This is so important and I’m excited to have these wonderful women on the pod. I think you’ll love hearing about what they’ve created and will be left feeling optimistic. 

About the Guests:

Christina Keim, M.Ed., M.F.A. is an award-winning equestrian journalist and professional horsewoman with over 25 years experience in the industry. Her written work has appeared extensively in top equestrian publications, and she is the author of the new book, Unwanted: the Causes and Effects of America's Horse Population Crisis. For nearly twenty years a top intercollegiate hunter seat coach, Ms. Keim now teaches compassionate horsemanship and offers Equestrian Yoga and Mounted Mindfulness sessions both on the road and out of her Cold Moon Farm in Rochester, New Hampshire (christinakeim.com). 

Heather Bell: Life member of USPC. Graduate A. Career as a Wildlife biologist specializing in endangered species recovery, and leading agencies through contentious decisions and change.  

Dr. Stacy Anderson DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS-LA is an equine surgeon who serves as Dean of the Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University. A Pony Club Graduate ‘A,’ she has served as a USPC National Examiner, national committee member, and contributor to the USPC Equine Welfare Taskforce. Dr. Anderson has trained and competed horses and riders through Preliminary level eventing and Prix St. George level dressage. She is a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist, and is currently working toward her Gold medal with her12 year old Swedish warmblood gelding.  

Dr Laura Thompson has been an ambulatory equine vet in northern Colorado for almost 25 years. She teaches part time at Front Range Community college for the last 20+ years. She has her USPC H-A rating and still rides and competes. Her daughter competes at the FEI level in vaulting and they trained their own horse from scratch to FEI.  

About the Host:

Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs. 

Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.  

Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry. 

Resource Links:

• Article about USPC Equine Welfare Task Force: https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/uspc-brings-equine-welfare-to-the-forefront-with-happyhealthyhorse-initiative/ 
• Pony Club Vision & Values: https://ponyclub.org/about/by-laws-policies 
• Pony Club Official Policy Statement: https://files.ponyclub.org/resources/24/0160_EQUINE_WELL-BEING 
• AUDIOBOOK Dressage Naturally: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/book-audio-573092 
• Naturally VIDEO CLASSROOM: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/ 
• Ask a question or leave a message for the pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AskKarenAnything 
• How To Create A Happy Athlete course: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/hats Discount code: HATS100 to save $100 
• Private Consult: https://karenrohlf.as.me/schedule/d1232333/appointment/1513707/calendar/any?appointmentTypeIds[]=1513707 
• The Dressage Naturally Book+Video: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/book-dvd
• Karen Rohlf’s Course: Sweet Spot of Healthy Biomechanics: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/sweet-spot-course 
• Get 3 free training videos: https://dressagenaturally.net/free-dressage-training-videos/ 
• Course: Habits For Excellent Horsemanship: https://dressagenaturally.net/habits. 
• Program for Professionals: TYB Action & Support Group: https://dressagenatural.samcart.com/products/action-and-support-group-tyb/ 
• Join the conversation in our Dressage Naturally Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DressageNaturallyLand 

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it! 

Don’t forget to FOLLOW the podcast! 

Leave us an iTunes review - Did you love it? Let us know!