HORSE, FIRST - with Lockie Phillips

In this episode of Horse First, Lockie Phillips is joined by senior clinician and long-time colleague Michelle Knapp for a conversation about one of the most difficult challenges in horsemanship:

How do we pursue higher levels of skill, precision, and performance without falling back on lower-quality training practices?

Together, they explore the role of dressage in modern horsemanship, the difference between refinement and control, and why advanced work should demand more understanding—not more force.

They also discuss what it means to teach under a shared banner without becoming a copy of someone else, how to avoid guru culture as a teaching team grows, and why the best teachers create independent thinkers rather than loyal followers.

Along the way, Michelle shares her thoughts on the students she loves teaching most, the art of holding people through meaningful breakthroughs, and how to maintain high standards without breaking horses—or humans—in the process.

This is a conversation about leadership, refinement, and the responsibility that comes with helping both horses and people become more capable.

Because better horsemanship isn't about doing more.

It's about doing it better.

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In this episode of Horse First, Lockie Phillips dismantles one of horse culture’s most dangerous myths: that confusion always creates tension, behavioural problems, or unsafe horses. Confusion is not failure, it is cognition, and it is an essential part of real learning. A horse who is never confused is either repeating what they already know or performing without understanding, like a parrot mimicking words. This episode argues plainly that obedience is not cooperation, and that horses trained with the ability to consent, dissent, and offer alternatives become safer, steadier partners. When horses have a way to say no without needing a dangerous way out, humans can finally relax, trust the dialogue, and know that participation is real.

For more information check out www.emotionalhorsemanship.com!

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In this episode of Horse First, Lockie Phillips explores the idea that truly centring the horse automatically changes the human. Horse First is not human last, it’s the reciprocal path to becoming more regulated, more accountable, and more skilled, because horses respond to our nervous systems, our timing, and the space we take up, not our intentions. In a world that already centres humans by default, focusing on the horse becomes a rare correction that benefits both species at once. A grounding episode on selflessness, proportion, and the kind of human horses invite us to become.

The EH School is a quiet place in a loud industry.

A low-cost, high-value membership where horse people come to slow down, think clearly, and build real skill with horses at the centre.

With a deep video library, an off-social discussion space, and live calls with Lockie, you’ll have support that feels steady, practical, and refreshingly human.

Not a system to obey.

A craft to practice.

https://emotionalhorsemanship.com/eh-school-sign-up

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In this episode of Horse First, Lockie Phillips sits down with long-time collaborator and now teaching team member, Lori Halliday.

This conversation explores a shift happening quietly within horsemanship—a movement that is less visible, less performative, and increasingly happening beneath the surface. Together, they discuss what it means to carry forward work that challenges traditional systems, and why meaningful change often doesn’t happen in the spotlight.

Using the idea of an “underground railroad” of horsemanship, this episode looks at how people are being guided—sometimes gently, sometimes reluctantly—out of dominance-based approaches and into something more honest, more humane, and more sustainable for the horse.

They also explore the responsibility of teaching within this space, how to avoid guru dynamics as the work grows, and what it means to develop real authority without losing independence of thought.

This is a conversation about quiet influence, long-term change, and the kind of work that doesn’t need to announce itself to be effective.

Because not all progress is visible.

But it is happening.

BOOK IN WITH LORI HALLIDAY HERE: https://emotionalhorsemanship.com/lessons-and-coaching

Connect with Lori's Non-Profit Ranch here:  https://www.horseandheart.org/

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In this episode of Horse First, Lockie Phillips explores the growing tension between clear-eyed discernment and the way it’s often mislabeled as judgment when it challenges harmful norms in horse culture. When people name impact, ask hard questions, or speak up for the horse, discomfort can quickly turn into attempts to silence dissent. This conversation unpacks the difference between moral condemnation and ethical clarity, and why horses depend on humans who are willing to notice, assess, and stay steady even when the room gets uncomfortable.

Come and learn with Lockie inside the EH School.
A low-cost, high-value, flexible membership for horse people who want more than quick fixes and louder answers.
Inside, you’ll find a growing video library, a thoughtful off–social media discussion space, and live coaching calls with Lockie, all designed to help you get to the heart of what’s really happening in your horsemanship.
This is not about following a method.
 It’s about building clarity, skill, and confidence, with horses first.
If you’re looking for a steady place to learn, reflect, and progress without force or overwhelm, you’ll feel at home here.
https://emotionalhorsemanship.com/eh-school-sign-up
Come and learn with Lockie inside the EH School.
A low-cost, high-value, flexible membership for horse people who want more than quick fixes and louder answers.
Inside, you’ll find a growing video library, a thoughtful off–social media discussion space, and live coaching calls with Lockie, all designed to help you get to the heart of what’s really happening in your horsemanship.
This is not about following a method.
 It’s about building clarity, skill, and conf
For more information check out www.emotionalhorsemanship.com!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.