The Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast
Ross Cooper of Rosca Horsemanship and Amy Mitchell of Areion Academy and Strong Foundations Hoof Care are your hosts of The Little Horse, Big Conversation Podcast, bringing you the conversations that need to be heard.
Together, Ross and Amy shine a light on the topics they’re most passionate about, expanding honest, often unspoken discussions into engaging, informative, and thought-provoking episodes.
Exploring the powerful parallels within the horse–human partnership, they dive into equine welfare, training, and hoof care, alongside personal growth, psychology, and self-development.
Alongside their own perspectives, they are joined by a diverse range of guess, experts and voices from within and beyond the equestrian world—offering fresh insights, challenging perspectives, and real-life experiences that deepen the conversation and broaden understanding.
With a blend of expert knowledge, lived experience, and meaningful dialogue, this podcast uncovers the lessons, awareness, and opportunities our horses continually offer; both in horsemanship and in life.
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
During the latest episode, your co-hosting duo bring the focus to the wide-reaching subject of equine pain, condensing this subject in to an informative and thought provoking conversation on the subject of pain.Together, Ross and Amy discuss some of the science behind what pain is, some of the physical and postural presentations you might see alongside the challenges faced as an equine professional and the broader considerations of the ethics involved.
-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday May 05, 2026
Tuesday May 05, 2026
This week Amy and Ross are talking canine, equine and the nervous system and are excited to be joined by Rose Waldrup of the Waldrup Somatic Method for canines.Founder of the Waldrup Somatic Method, a pioneering, nervous system based approach to working with dogs that shifts the focus from behaviour to regulation, the work of Rose Waldrup bridges somatic theory, neuroscience and the human-canine relationship to help dogs move from survival to safety and connection.During this episode they explore how behaviour can be misunderstood and is a reflection of the nervous system, the difference between training and regulation, how dogs mirror the nervous system of humans states and what this means for connection and the role of safety, consent and co-regulation in healing.The exploration and contrasts between the human, canine and equine nervous system that are explored in this episode are a sure-fire eye opener, whether your interest is humans, canine or equine.Rose regularly works with rescue dogs, high-arousal and shutdown cases, collaborating with shelters and organisations across the United States where she is based.
To find out more on the Waldrup Somatic Method including free resources and courses visit www.waldrupsomaticmethod.com-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
Is there a hidden agenda behind our ridden decisions?
With the potential to be one of the most controversial topics of recent episodes, Amy and Ross explore the ethics of intervention within our horses pathology and the motivation behind these decisions; where does the line sit on improving our horses quality of life for them or extending their working life for rider benefit?Ross and Amy get straight into the meat and grey areas with this weeks episode, not to be missed!
-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Celebrating our 1 year anniversary of the Little Horse Big Conversation Podcast, we are joined by equine researcher and hoof dissection specialist, Lindsey Field from The Study Of The Equine Hoof.
Lindsey shares with us what first began her interest in the hoof dissections, her findings throughout the years and discusses contributing factors to care and management of the healthy hoof.
To find out more on the work of Lindsey Field visit https://hoofstudies.com/-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Could dopamine be hijacking your mind?In this weeks episode, Amy and Ross discuss one of the most well-known neurotransmitters and it's relationship in shaping behaviour; dopamine.The duo discuss the role of dopamine in learning, how this can reinforce habits that keep us hooked on seeking those small 'hits, and most importantly, how we can hijack them back with a series of ways that can help you seek a more natural dopamine release and challenge those unhealthy habits.
-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
During this weeks episode, Ross and Amy are excited to be joined by life-long horsewoman, research scientist and best-selling author of the book ‘Sacred Spaces, Dr Susan D Fay.
This wholesome conversation with Dr Susan takes us through her early journey as a lifelong horsewoman, introducing us to the horses that shaped the trajectory of her career and the quest that led her to find the sacred space, the title of her best-selling book ‘Sacred Spaces’, and her work promoting communion of the horse with a blend of science and spirit.
Together with Amy and Ross, Dr Susan discusses the challenges of a writer in a world of artificial intelligence, the kind of change needed within ourselves to better our horsemanship, and the announcement of her new and upcoming book series.Ross and Amy are pleased to be hosting Dr Susan for her first UK clinic in August 2027; stay tuned for details!
To find out more on the work of Susan Fay visit https://www.drsusanfay.com/ -
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
Within the horse world, whether we are horse owners, trainers, hoof-care professionals or bodyworkers, we are taught how to do things — the “right” techniques, the trusted methods, the proven systems. But what happens when those very methods start to limit us?
In this episode, Amy and Ross explore both the benefits and pitfalls of working within structured modalities. When does guidance support the horse, and when does it box us in? If you've ever questioned whether you're following a formula or truly seeing the whole horse, this conversation will challenge and inspire your learning mindset.
-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
This week Ross and Amy are joined by world renowned horseman and best-selling authors, Mark Rashid and Crissi McDonald.
Mark Rashid is an internationally known clinician and bestselling author of sixteen books, known for his ability to work with the horse, instead of against them. Some of his titles include "Considering The Horse," "Horses Never Lie," and "For the Love of the Horse."
Crissi McDonald is an award-winning author of five books, two of them about the horse and human bond. She travels with Mark and teaches clinics alongside of him, as well as being a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner.
A flowing conversation that could of lasted for many hours more, Mark and Crissi visit with Amy and Ross about the importance of internal softness, the changes in horsemanship through the years and reveal a worldwide exclusive on their upcoming book release with Dr Steve Peters, "A Horse's Life".To find out more on the work of Crissi Mcdonald visit http://www.crissimcdonald.com To find out more on the work of Mark Rashid visit: http://www.markrashid.com and Considering The Horse, Mark Rashid on Facebook.
-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
In Western culture, death, grief and loss are topics that are often left undiscussed due to cultural norms and the strong emotional ties they evoke in us, yet difficult conversations are often the ones that offer the most benefit.Recalling on their past experiences, Amy and Ross talk openly about their experiences with loss and we can better navigate grief, not just for ourselves, but the support we can offer to our horses.This insightful conversation highlights the different types of grief, how loss may effect behaviour and the development of attachment styles as well as providing ways to process heavier emotions and how to prepare during difficult times.
-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/

Tuesday Jan 13, 2026
Tuesday Jan 13, 2026
What can change when you are in the presence of love?
In this wholesome conversation, Amy and Ross explore the concept of love; not the emotion as we perceive it, but love as regard, love as a frequency and love a state of being and the profound changes it can make in the connection to, not just our horses, but to ourselves as well.“Love is the quiet energy that tells a horse it is safe enough to show us the truth.”
- Amy Mitchell
-
Enjoyed listening to the latest episode? If so, please leave us a rating or review!Stream all episodes now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Podbean and Spotify!Keep up-to-date with Ross at htpp://www.rosscooperofficial.co.uk Keep up-to-date with Amy at https://www.areion.co.uk/







