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Be Your Best Horsemanship

Be Your Best Horsemanship

Phil Haugen 346 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

"Be Your Best Horsemanship" is hosted by professional horse trainer and clinician, Phil Haugen. Inspired by his “1% better everyday" training philosophy, Phil explains the methods, mindset, and performance tips that drive continuous learning and growth in horsemanship, as well as in life. Join us each week as Phil shares his experiences over the past 30+ years in the horse training industry, discussing the methods that have helped him bridge the language barrier between horse and rider to enhance understanding and performance from foundation to finish.

Episodes

The Weanling and Yearling Work You Can't Afford To Skip
The Weanling and Yearling Work You Can't Afford To Skip Oct 13, 2026 00:43:35 One of the biggest challenges in starting young horses is when their physical development gets ahead of their mental development. That's why I believe some of the most valuable training we can do happens long before a horse's first ride.In this episode, I'm sharing some takeaways from our recent Colt Starting Mentorship and why I put so much emphasis on working with weanlings and yearl
The Three Non-Negotiables of Colt Starting
The Three Non-Negotiables of Colt Starting Oct 6, 2026 00:31:59 You may not consider yourself a colt starter, but if you're breeding, raising, owning, or handling young horses, you're already influencing their training.Every interaction a horse has during their weanling and yearling years shapes the foundation they'll carry into training later in life. The habits we create and the responses we reinforce all have the potential to make the training p
Why Soft Hands Don't Always Create Soft Horses
Why Soft Hands Don't Always Create Soft Horses Sep 29, 2026 00:32:43 You may have heard the phrase, "soft hands create soft horses." In this episode, I'm sharing my perspective on this training philosophy and why focusing too much on being "soft" can sometimes create more confusion than confidence in your horse.Tune in as I break down what clear communication really looks like, how to make your signals easier for your horse to understand, an
Building Ranch-Raised Performance Horses with Shane & Allyson Eliason
Building Ranch-Raised Performance Horses with Shane & Allyson Eliason Sep 22, 2026 00:40:32 In this episode, I'm joined by Shane and Allyson Eliason of Eliason Performance Horses in Snowville, Utah. As fifth-generation ranchers, Shane and Allyson run an impressive cattle and performance horse breeding operation in the high desert country of Utah, spanning tens of thousands of acres with 30+ broodmares and three stallions. Join us as we discuss how their program came together, the uni
Hidden Habits That May Create Anxiety or Resistance in Horses
Hidden Habits That May Create Anxiety or Resistance in Horses Sep 15, 2026 00:22:37 This episode is inspired by a question from one of our loyal listeners and Be Your Best Membership members. Her question is: What’s something you see good riders doing that they don’t realize is actually creating anxiety or resistance in their horses?Tune in to hear my take on this question as I share some hidden habits that even the most skilled riders fall back on from time to time that can crea
Finding Joy in the Process
Finding Joy in the Process Sep 8, 2026 00:36:01 There are always going to be things we can’t control—the weather, our circumstances, or how quickly progress comes—but we can control how we approach them. In this episode, I talk about adjusting our training through the summer heat, the difference between happiness and joy, and why learning to enjoy the process matters both in horsemanship and in life. I also share some thoughts on gratitude, res
Developing & Testing Your Horse's Mental Toughness
Developing & Testing Your Horse's Mental Toughness Sep 1, 2026 00:37:31 In this episode, I’m talking about what it takes to build both the mental and physical toughness needed to perform when the pressure is on. Tune in as I share how to prepare horses for the situations they’ll face in competition, how a horse's physical and mental performance are connected, and how repetition helps turn the right responses into habits. Whether we’re preparing ourselves or our ho
Adjusting Your Approach To Fit Your Horse
Adjusting Your Approach To Fit Your Horse Aug 25, 2026 00:43:29 The better we become at reading the horse in front of us, the better we can apply what we know to help that horse succeed.In this episode, I’m sharing examples from some of the rope horses in our program and how the same training principles can require a different application from one horse to the next.Tune in as I talk through scoring, rate, positioning, stopping, release points, and using differ
Always in Growth Mode
Always in Growth Mode Aug 19, 2026 00:39:37 If you want a result you aren't getting, you've got to be willing to do something you aren't doing. In this episode, I'm talking about what it means to stay in growth mode—from developing young horses and recognizing that each one is going to progress differently, to evaluating our own horsemanship and making changes when something isn't working. I also share a few takeaways fr
The Owner's Role in the Training Process
The Owner's Role in the Training Process Aug 11, 2026 00:27:29 As an owner, your role in your horse’s training process starts long before you ever drop them off at the trainer’s barn. In this episode, I talk about how the handling and preparation we put into our young horses as weanlings and yearlings can make a huge difference when it comes time to start them as two- and three-year-olds. I also share why good communication between the owner and trainer matte
Getting Ahead of Your Horse's Hydration with Dr. Jyme Nichols from Bluebonnet
Getting Ahead of Your Horse's Hydration with Dr. Jyme Nichols from Bluebonnet Aug 5, 2026 00:53:11 The summer season puts a different level of stress on your horses. When you are in the 'heat' of training and competition, maintaining adequate hydration is key to proactively preventing physical issues, as well as boosting overall health and performance in your horses. Join me as I sit down with equine nutrition expert, Dr. Jyme Nichols from Bluebonnet, as she shares tips for getting ahea
Adjusting Your Training Routine in the Summer Months
Adjusting Your Training Routine in the Summer Months Jul 29, 2026 00:31:31 Every season requires something different from both you and your horse. In the summer months, heat, humidity, and longer days can take a physical and mental toll, which means your training program has to adapt. In this episode, I talk about why listening to your horse is more important than sticking to a rigid schedule, how to recognize when physical fatigue is turning into mental defensiveness, a

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