Riders of A Certain Age presents Conversations Beyond the Barn

It’s Never Too Late for Horses | Presentation by Fran Severn

It’s Never Too Late for Horses might sound like a nice idea. Fran Severn argues it’s reality.
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, Fran shares insights from her work with adult riders and late starters, based on her book Riders of a Certain Age. She breaks down the mental hurdles, confidence struggles, and unexpected advantages that come with riding later in life or returning after time away.
If you’ve ever thought you missed your chance with horses, this conversation challenges that assumption and offers a more honest look at what it actually takes to start or start again.
Learn more:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel.
Subscribe for conversations about horses, riding later in life, and the people who make the equestrian world unique.
#HorseRiding #EquestrianLife #AdultRiders #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #HorseCommunity #EquestrianJourney #NeverTooLate

Cowboy Mounted Shooting | The Fastest Growing Western Sport | Interview with Cindy Stavely

Cowboy Mounted Shooting looks like something straight out of a Western movie. A rider gallops through a course, firing revolvers at targets with flashes, smoke, and speed. Think classic Hollywood moments like John Wayne charging across the screen in True Grit.
But this isn’t a movie stunt. It’s a real and rapidly growing equestrian sport.
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Cindy Stavely, a respected competitor in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting world. They break down how the sport works, how horses are trained for the noise and speed, what competitions look like, and why mounted shooting has become such a popular and family-friendly discipline in the Western riding community.
If you’re curious about western riding sports beyond barrel racing, reining, or ranch riding, this conversation offers a fascinating look at one of the most exciting disciplines in the horse world.
Learn more about Cowboy Mounted Shooting events:www.cmsaevents.com
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel.
Subscribe for conversations about horses, riding later in life, and the people who make the equestrian world unique.
Learn more:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”:https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/
#CowboyMountedShooting #WesternRiding #EquestrianSports #HorseSports #MountedShooting #CowboyCulture #WesternLifestyle #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #HorseCommunity #WesternHorse #EquestrianLife

Horses and Humans Research Foundation | Equine Assisted Therapy Explained | Interview with Pebbles Turbeville

Equine assisted therapy is transforming how we approach emotional, mental, and physical wellness—but it wasn’t always taken seriously. The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) is changing that by scientifically documenting the benefits of horse-assisted interventions and validating their effectiveness for a wide range of conditions.
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn interviews Pebbles Turbeville, CEO of HHRF, about the foundation’s groundbreaking work. They discuss how research is expanding understanding of equine therapy, its impact on mental health, physical rehabilitation, and why horses are such powerful partners in healing.
Learn more about the Horses and Humans Research Foundation:www.horsesandhumans.org
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more insights into horse care, equestrian lifestyles, and inspiring stories from the horse world.
Support the podcast:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”:https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/
#EquineTherapy #HorseTherapy #EquineAssistedTherapy #MentalHealth #HorseHealing #HorsesAndHumans #HorseWellness #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #EquestrianLife #HorseCare #EquestrianHealth

Fergus the Horse | Cartoonist Jean Abernethy on Horse Humor & Life Lessons

Horses bring laughter, mystery, and unforgettable moments into our lives—and few capture that better than Jean Abernethy. For nearly 20 years, Jean has entertained the horse world with her cartoons and books featuring Fergus the Horse, sharing the quirks, antics, and misadventures of our four-hooved friends. Her Facebook page has over 300,000 followers, and her books are beloved by horse lovers everywhere.
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn chats with Jean about her art, her career, and the enduring charm of Fergus. Discover the inspiration behind the cartoons and why horse stories resonate so deeply with riders and enthusiasts.
Learn more about Jean Abernethy and her work:www.jeanabernethy.com
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more conversations about horses, humor, and equestrian life.
Support the podcast:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”:https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/
#FergusTheHorse #JeanAbernethy #HorseHumor #HorseCartoons #EquestrianLife #HorseStories #HorseArt #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #HorseLovers #EquestrianCommunity #HorseFans

Animal Communicator | Interview with Leslie Cerinisi on Talking with Pets & Horses

Ever wondered what your dog, cat, horse, or other pet is thinking? Animal communicators have the rare ability to understand and “talk” with animals, helping humans connect more deeply with their furry, feathered, or four-hooved companions.
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn speaks with Leslie Cerinisi, also known as Leslie the Animal Communicator, about how she discovered her talent and how she helps animals and their humans communicate. From understanding odd behaviors to building stronger bonds, Leslie shares insights that may change the way you see your pets forever.
Learn more about Leslie Cerinisi:www.Ispeaktoanimals.com
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more conversations about horses, pets, and the fascinating ways humans connect with animals.
Support the podcast:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”:https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/
#AnimalCommunication #PetCommunication #HorseCommunication #AnimalTalk #AnimalBehavior #AnimalInsights #PetCare #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #EquestrianLife #AnimalLovers #EquestrianCommunity

ID-MyHorse | Emergency Identification for Horses & Riders | Interview with Nancy Thomas DVM

Trail rides, camping trips, and equestrian events are meant to be fun—but emergencies can happen in an instant. If your horse runs off, becomes ill, or you’re injured while away from home, responders need immediate access to critical information about both horse and rider.
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Dr. Nancy Thomas, DVM about ID-MyHorse, a device designed to provide emergency responders with essential horse and rider information instantly. Learn how this innovative system helps prevent lost horses, delays in care, and unnecessary confusion during equine emergencies.
Learn more about ID-MyHorse:www.id-myhorse.com
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more practical tips, horse care insights, and stories from the equestrian world.
Support the podcast:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”:https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/
#HorseSafety #EquestrianSafety #IDMyHorse #HorseEmergency #TrailRideSafety #HorseCare #EquestrianLife #HorseHealth #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #EquestrianCommunity #HorseOwners

Inside Equine Event & Horse Show Photography | Interview with Summer Grace | Flaxen Mane Media

Turning a passion for horses into a career isn’t easy—but Summer Grace has done it in a unique way. As the owner of Flaxen Mane Media, she provides photography, publicity, and promotional services for equestrian businesses and horse shows.
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Summer about her journey as a professional horse show photographer, the behind-the-scenes of equestrian events, and how she captures the excitement, personalities, and stories of riders and organizers. Learn how her work helps promote the equestrian community and preserves unforgettable moments in horse sport.
Learn more about Flaxen Mane Media:www.flaxenmanemedia.com
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more insights on horse careers, equestrian life, and stories from the barn.
Support the podcast:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”:https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/
#HorsePhotography #EquineEvents #HorseShowPhotography #EquestrianLife #EquestrianCareers #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #HorseShow #HorseCommunity #EquestrianMedia #EquestrianBusiness #HorseLovers

Life After the Race Track | Off Track Thoroughbreds & Turning for Home | Interview with Danielle Montgomery

Watching Thoroughbreds thunder down the track is exhilarating—but what happens when a racehorse retires? Many face uncertain futures due to age, injury, or performance. Thankfully, programs like Turning for Home provide safe homes and new careers for off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs).
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn talks with Danielle Montgomery, director of Turning for Home, about how the organization rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes nearly 5,000 OTTBs. Learn how retired racehorses can thrive in second careers, and how organizations and communities work together to ensure their safety and happiness.
Learn more about Turning for Home:www.turningforhome.org
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more stories about horse care, equestrian life, and programs that make a difference in the horse world.
Support the podcast:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”:https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/
#OffTheTrackThoroughbreds #OTTB #HorseRescue #TurningForHome #RacehorseRehoming #EquestrianLife #HorseCare #HorsePodcast #RidersOfACertainAge #HorseRescueStories #EquestrianCommunity #RetiredRacehorses

Honey's Adventures | Equine Assisted Therapy with Mini Horses | Interview with Mary Rose Gullett

Equine assisted therapy is a powerful tool for emotional, physical, and mental wellness—but what if the therapy horse is just a few feet tall? In Florida, Honey's Mini Therapy Adventures brings mini horses directly to seniors, hospitals, schools, and counseling offices, making therapy more accessible and impactful.
In this episode of Conversations Beyond the Barn, host Fran Severn speaks with Mary Rose Gullett, founder of Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures, about how a small horse named Honey inspired a life-changing therapy practice. Learn how mini horses are transforming equine-assisted therapy and expanding opportunities for therapists and clients alike.
Learn more about Honey’s Mini Therapy Adventures:www.minitherapy.org
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the Riders of a Certain Age YouTube channel. Subscribe for more stories on horses, therapy programs, and equestrian life.
Support the podcast:https://ridersofacertainage.com/
Listen to Fran Severn’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide for Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”:https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/
#MiniHorseTherapy #EquineAssistedTherapy #MiniTherapyHorses #HorseTherapy #EquestrianLife #HorseCare #RidersOfACertainAge #AnimalTherapy #EquestrianCommunity #TherapyHorses #HorsePodcast #EquineWellness

Horse World Expo | Interview with Denise Parsons

Horse Expos celebrate all things equine with a weekend-long schedule of clinicians, demonstrations, competitions, and – of course – shopping. Expos draw as many as 30 thousand spectators and participants. It’s a massive undertaking with plans for the next expo starting a few days after the current one wraps up. 
What’s involved in planning, scheduling, and executing such an event. In this episode of “Conversations Beyond the Barn,” host Fran Severn gets the ‘behind the scenes’ view from Denise Parsons, the founder and president of Horse World Expo. Held early March in Harrisburg, PA, it draws horse lovers from throughout the mid-Atlantic to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. Tickets, parking passes, and schedules are available on the website at: www.worldhorseexpo.com
Conversations Beyond the Barn airs every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform and on the YouTube Channel “Riders of a Certain Age.” Click to subscribe. And please consider supporting the podcast through Buy Me A Coffee. 
https://ridersofacertainage.com/
You can find Fran’s audiobook “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide For Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond” on AMPlify Audiobooks https://proaudiovoices.com/product/riders-of-a-certain-age-your-guide-for-loving-horses-midlife-and-beyond/