Building Better Hunters W/ Katie Armstrong LIVE | Ep 67

This episode dives into a conversation that started online and quickly sparked a much bigger discussion about horsemanship, training, genetics, and the relationship we have with our horses.

Katie shares how a life-changing rotational fall—and the loss of use of her left arm—completely shifted the way she approached horses and ultimately led her toward teaching better horsemanship. We talk about why giving horses more tools, confidence, and education can make them safer and happier partners, and why conversations around training methods can sometimes become so controversial.

We also revisit a recent viral clip and unpack some of the reactions surrounding it, including the debate over genetics versus training, the role riders and trainers play in a horse’s behavior, and why some behaviors may be managed or improved but never completely disappear.

From groundwork and emotional awareness to choosing the right horse for the rider in front of you, this conversation is ultimately about asking better questions, staying open-minded, and continuing to learn—for ourselves and for our horses. It’s an honest conversation about the topics that aren’t always easy to talk about in the equestrian world, but probably need to be.