The Centauride: Horse Travel 101

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S3E8): Call the vet!

Just like any pet (or a car, or your own self), horses need routine care to keep them in top physical health. For an adventure horse like Apollo, though, taking care of his veterinary needs - whether routine or emergency - while traveling can get a bit tricky.

In this episode, Meredith and Apollo discuss the basics of horse health care and the special needs of an adventure horse.

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Want to see the video instead? Head over to my YouTube channel HERE

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S3E6): How to Train an Adventure Horse

What does it take to prepare your horse for a big adventure? In this week's episode, Apollo and Meredith share about their training journey together.

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S3E4): Apollo's great escape

Apollo has met thousands of horses across the country. Sometimes he makes a new best friend, and sometimes things don't go so great. Meredith talks about herd dynamics and how to introduce horses safely, and shares the story of Apollo's great escape..

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Book “Before Winter Comes”

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S2E6): Funny Stories and A Strange Request

We’re back! Did you miss us? After an unscheduled break (because, 2020) your favorite horse travel podcast returns with another exciting interview… this time with Cathleen from “A Strange Request,” who has a lot of funny and interesting stories to share from her horseback journeys through England and Ireland.

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About our Guest: Cathleen Leonard

I travel on horseback. It became a dream from the moment I first sat on a horse. In 2017 I rode 1000 miles from Scotland to Cornwall alone with one of my rescued horses. In 2018 I rode with my partner, Vlad, from Cornwall to Wales and all around Ireland on my other two rescued horses and my violin. Half way round we picked up a one-eyed mule near Limerick. I've written two books, one for each journey. We're currently stuck in Portugal with all our equines. We were due to set off in March to ride 3,000 miles across Europe to Romania but Spain went into lockdown and closed the borders the day we were due to set off. It's now too hot to travel on horseback and grass and water are scarce so we're staying in Portugal until the spring when we'll try to set off again.

Book “Fiddler on the Hoof”

Other resources:

Workaway

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Trick Training for Horses by Bea Borelle

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S2E5): Healthy as an adventure horse

Say "aaaaaahhhh"!

Keeping Apollo healthy is my number one priority. Careful considering is necessary for everything he eats, everywhere he sleeps, every step he takes. Of course, accidents still happen – sometimes they are unpreventable – and this, too, requires a unique strategy when you’re traveling the backroads of America by horse!

What do I love as much as horses? Reading about horses! It’s a rare day that doesn’t include time with my nose in a book. Let’s talk about a few of my recent (and Apollo approved!) favorites.

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What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

13:38 Eating for travel health

09:03 Playtime is the most dangerous part of the day

14:01 Safety on the road (keep off the grass!)

18:25 Social distancing before it was cool

21:19 The unavoidable

22:46 Horse books you should read

29:16 …and a bonus book review

32:44 Closing statements

33:25 End of episode

Resources:

Cavallo hoof boots

A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color by Mark Rashid

The Faraway Horses by Buck Brannaman

Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle

Stranger Planet by Nathan W. Pyle

All above resources are Amazon.com affiliate links for products mentioned in this episode.

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The Deaf the Daft and The Ditsy

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S2E4): Workout with Apollo

Getting Apollo ready for the 'Ride in 2016

Over 8000 miles of walking is enough to get any horse in shape!

Of course, there is more to getting a horse in shape to do this kind of adventure, and keeping him that way for so many days (and years) and miles. In this episode, I’ll share with you Apollo’s fitness routine for getting ready and staying ready to accomplish this adventure.

Plus, we’ll hear from Karen of Equine Unlimited talks about her horseback journey through the Scottish isles with her rescue mare Connie.

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What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

01:41 Preparing the equine athlete to perform safely

02:20 The biggest fitness challenge

05:04 Work hard, play hard, take a break

06:30 Spring training

09:16 Daily warm up and schedule

15:40 Differences from competitive endurance riding

18:06 Our 2020 fitness plan

20:54 Guest Karen Inkster talks about riding in Scotland

42:54 Closing statements

44:30 End of episode

About our Guest: Karen Inkster

After a 25 year gap in horse ownership I got a rescue mare Connie. She ended up having major behavioural issues, hence the reason I went on a 300km unsupported journey with her and my rescue collie Pip. Since then I got another horse, a Spanish Mustang who also has major behavioural issues which I am working through. I am passionate about being barefoot and bitless and I am currently setting up my own natural equine centre in Scotland where I will also offer long distance trail rides, camping in the hills.

My two rescue horses have taught me so much, I now have such a better understanding of equine behaviour and I am passionate about rehabilitating "problem" horses.

Equine Unlimited

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S2E3): Feeding an adventure horse

Feeding a horse is simple, right? They eat grass.

Well, yes. But also, no. There are many, many things to know about horse nutrition, and especially when you’re feeding an adventure horse.

Rule #1: Don’t forget to pack some apples.

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey (The Centauride), talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

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What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

01:25 Horses eat grass, how complicated could it be?

02:56 Proper horse nutrition is very important

04:52 The big problem of feeding Apollo during our journey

06:50 Why horses (usually) can’t change their diet from day to day…

14:32 … except Apollo does! (and why he’s just fine)

20:50 Apollo’s breakfast and dinner recipe

27:33 Treat time (do you know what a carrot sounds like?)

29:52 Adventure horses cannot be picky eaters

31:47 Closing statements

32:51 End of episode

Resources:

Cool Calories (affiliate link)

Horse electrolytes (affiliate link)

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Willow Domestic Violence Center Website

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S1E14): Where are we going next?

The big question of the moment – and, honestly, at any point in the ride – is where have we been and where are we going? (Yes, I know that’s two questions).

With the uncertainties of travel restrictions and safety during this COVID-19 epidemic, that question is more relevant than ever. In this episode, I’ll give you a brief rundown of where we’ve been, what’s left to cover on the route, and what the plans are going forward from here.

Plus, special guest Lisa of Willow Domestic Violence Center joins us for a very informative conversation about domestic violence, including useful advice on talking with teens, helping victims, and fun ways you can help end DV in your community.

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey (The Centauride), talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

Listen Here

Or find us on your favorite streaming app.

What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

01:42 have you been on my website

02:29 the original 2020 plan and how Coronavirus has affected this

03:41 where we have already been

04:45 where we still have left to ride

06:02 how Apollo and I will get home at the end and what we’ll do next

07:27 what I’m most looking forward to seeing in the remainder of our ride

10:01 spread the word, help me find local hosts and helpers!

11:17 welcome guest Lisa

12:09 Willow’s many wonderful services

18:43 knowing what healthy vs unhealthy relationships look like... before unhealthy becomes dangerous

20:49 how to talk to teens about dating violence, effectively

24:08 how to help someone you’re worried about

26:21 how to help end domestic violence in your community

31:29 you are not alone

31:44 Conclusion

32:42 End of episode

About our Guest: Lisa of Willow Domestic Violence Center

Willow is the licensed residential and non-residential Domestic Violence Provider in Monroe County, New York. We have a variety of services including: a 24/7 hotline/textline, emergency shelter, court advocacy services, counseling, prevention education and training, mobile advocacy, human trafficking prevention, etc. Willow is focused on being survivor centered and using a trauma informed approach in everything we do.

For 13 years prior to being at Willow I worked in Higher Education in Monroe County. My role for most of those years was the person on campus who dealt with student behavior (for lack of a better comparison, a campus judge). So, I was talking with students every day about things like substance use/abuse, vandalism, assault, arson, rape, dating violence, stalking, disruptive community behavior, and general college student tom foolery. I was the primary person on campus who students came to speak with when something happened to them in the sexual assault and dating violence realm and was also doing all the training, policy writing and implementation across campus. When the position became open at Willow, I jumped at the chance to be on the other end of the spectrum of the issue talking about prevention and support rather than the back end talking about and doling out all the consequences. It's been an amazing change, this is an amazing organization!

Willow on Facebook

Willow on Instagram

Willow on Twitter

Willow’s help numbers (call from anywhere!)

Hotline 585-222-7233

Text line 585-348-7233

Other domestic violence resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1−800−799−7233

What it is, and even more ways to get help

Also mentioned in this episode:

Ride Route and Schedule

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Rhythms Fitness Studio website

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S1E13): The 5 worst drivers, and 1 pedestrian

Apollo and I encounter dangerous, rude, and hostile drivers every single day. Whether we’re riding though a city or in the country, on a busy highway or a quiet dirt road, bad drivers are everywhere.

The five types of worst drivers are people who honk, people who yell, people who are impatient, people who drive too fast, and people who drive too close. Here are stories of the very worst of each of these five types of bad drivers that we have dealt with during the last 8,200 miles. Plus, the worst pedestrian!

We’ll also talk about one of my favorite things… Zumba! Mary of Rhythms Fitness Studio joins us to talk about why Zumba is great for everyone, and to share a few fun travel stories of her own.

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey, talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

Listen Here

Or find us on your favorite streaming app.

What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

01:21 The worst of the people who honk

04:27 The worst of the people who yell

08:10 The worst of the people who are impatient

15:44 The worst of the people who drive too fast

19:01 Bonus! The worst pedestrian

22:32 The very worst of the worst

27:43 Guest Mary talks about Zumba

38:54 Closing statements

40:19 End of episode

About our Guest, Mary of Rhythms Fitness Studio

After decades working as a manager within the California Community College system, I retired and decided to dance into my golden years! I had been in the Peace Corps in my youth and always loved Latin music and dance. So when Zumba came along I was immediately hooked. I have owned or taught at Rhythms for nearly a decade and love the movement and the joy it brings all of us.

Rhythms Fitness Studio Facebook

YouTube channel “Rhythms Fitness at the Cedar Ridge Y”

Zumba International – and find a class near you!

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S1E11): The food episode

Confession time: I travel to eat. Sure, I have plenty of other good reasons for this ride, too. Food tourism, though, is a daily pursuit when I’m on the road with Apollo. In this episode, I share some of my favorite foods and food experiences from our travels, what Apollo likes for treats, and some surprising regional delights. Plus, Emily Davis, author of Damsel No More, talks about her inspiring story of healing from trauma with the help of horses.

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey, talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

Listen Here

Or find us on your favorite streaming app.

What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

00:57 Interview with Emily Davis

10:50 Traveling to eat

12:09 Snack bars

13:01 Donuts

16:30 Ice cream

18:40 New Mexican cuisine

20:32 Seattle-style biscuits and gravy

21:45 New York City, foodie heaven

23:00 My food hobby

23:59 Hot dish

24:32 Lefse

26:14 Fried okra

26:32 Elephant ears

27:02 Idaho-style snow cones

27:59 All-you-can-eat fundraisers reflect the region: crab, rocky mountain oysters, lutefisk, spaghetti

30:19 Where is Apollo when I’m eating these things?

32:28 Apollo’s favorite foods

33:04 Recipes

34:16 Closing statements

35:04 End of episode

About our Guest: Emily Davis

After leaving an abusive relationship, I spent three years reconnecting with my power through connecting with horses as a trail guide in the mountains of Lake Tahoe. It was also a huge step for me to reconnect with my intuitive gifts that were blocked by all the trauma of the abuse I suffered. I spent many years learning how to clear my trauma, heal, and re-learn my magic and then documented part of that process in my book Damsel No More!

I now help people to discover their purpose through accessing their own magic! We all have intuitive gifts (think psychic, medium, tarot, etc) but they are often blocked by the icky parts of life. However, clearing the path to our gifts helps us to realize and live in our purpose in all aspects. Listeners can download a copy of my book Damsel No More for free on my website and ask a free intuitive guidance questions!

Website

Instagram

Butler County Donut Trail

Emily's Podcast: Perceptionists Anonymous

On Apple Podcasts

On Spotify

Resources:

Snack bars review

Amish Crack donuts

New York City “5 Best Foods”

Scotchies recipe

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How to be a hosting helper

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S1E10): Fence, toilet, French fries… check!

West Virginia sunrise. Photo by Amy VanHorn.

Sleep is for the weak. Apollo and I ride all day and all night.

Just kidding. After riding for ten or fifteen miles each day, Apollo and I both need somewhere safe (and hopefully comfortable too) where we can rest at night. Every night. For all three years and 8,200 miles we’ve traveled so far. We’ve stayed with a lot of strangers, and in some pretty strange places. This week’s guest Amy talks about (the not so strange time) when we stayed with her in West Virginia, and about why you should put French fries on your salad.

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey, talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

Listen Here

Or find us on your favorite streaming app.

What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

01:07 The minimum requirements for overnight: a fence, grass (or hay), and water

02:19 The kinds of places we stay (spoiler: it’s not always horse property!)

03:47 Strange but true problems from places we’ve stayed

06:09 Why I don’t camp or “just stop” on the side of the road

07:28 How I find places to stay

09:21 That awkward moment when a horse and rider ring your doorbell

10:53 What happens when I can’t find somewhere to stay?

11:44 The difficult lesson of learning to trust

13:30 How does Apollo the adventure horse feel about this?

15:46 The key elements to finding safe stops for 8,200 miles (so far…)

16:25 Guest Amy VanHorn

28:06 Closing statements

28:46 End of episode

About our Guest: Amy VanHorn

We (Meredith and Apollo) stayed with Amy and her family when we rode through West Virginia in July 2019. Due to a dangerous heat wave, we were forced to take shelter there for a week. Amy was a wonderful host, and kindly agreed to share on Have Horse Will Travel what it was like to have us as guests.

From left to right, Amy, Meredith, Eden, and Thomas

Resources:

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Yellow/reflective safety vest

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S1E9): How NOT to get squished on the road

Roads are not a safe place to ride a horse, but sometimes doing so is necessary. With a little preparation, though, road riding can be a (relatively) safe and enjoyable way to expand your riding horizons… without getting squished by a bad driver!

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey (The Centauride), talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

Listen Here

Or find us on your favorite streaming app.

What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

01:20 Why would anyone ride a horse on the road?

04:51 How do you choose a good road for riding?

06:20 Preparing with safety gear

09:48 Be able to call for help

10:34 Hoof safety for road riding

13:46 Training your horse to think and to trust

16:04 “Scary things are going to happen.”

16:51 A list of scary things Apollo and I have encountered

18:02 That one mailbox…

19:37 The time we were buzzed by a helicopter

22:21 The (first) time we rode next to a train

25:46 Scary dogs and scary people

31:18 “It’s a big game of chicken, and I’m stuck in the middle”: dealing with bad drivers

34:14 Closing statements

35:16 End of episode

Resources:

Colorful quarter sheet

Colorful helmet cover

EquestriSafe: reflective tape and other safety gear

Clip-on red flashing lights

Helmet (Meredith’s favorite)

Mirror for helmet (Meredith’s favorite)

Leg holster for phone

Cavallo ELB hoof boots (Apollo’s favorite)

*all product links are affiliate or sponsor, and help support the Centauride’s mission

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Support This Podcast:

YouTube: What Apollo Wears

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S1E8): How I pack for the ride

One woman, one horse, and all the stuff we both need to journey on, day after day, in every kind of weather, through 48 states... What do we carry and how does it all fit?!

From pack weight and how to attach it all to the saddle, to what exactly is in each saddle bag and why, this episode will give you the answers to all your questions about our travel supplies.

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey (The Centauride), talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

Listen Here

Or find us on your favorite streaming app.

What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

00:25 Intro

00:35 It all has to fit on Apollo

01:26 How much weight can one horse carry?

03:47 How much volume can one horse carry?

04:51 Why don’t I use a pack horse?

10:05 An overview of my saddle bags and supplies

10:52 Bag #1 - emergency and daily ride supplies

14:25 Water for me, water for Apollo

15:48 Bag #2 - Apollo’s feed supplements

17:55 Bag #3 - my layers bag

19:04 Bag #4 - camping and horse supplies

23:17 Bag #5 - my personal supplies including maps

29:19 My riding vest - all the stuff I can fit in my pockets

33:52 My PSA about carrying phones when riding

34:39 How do I keep my phone charged?

35:46 Closing statements

36:36 End of episode

Resources:

YouTube: The Road Horse's Guide to Saddling

Some of our tack and gear:

The following affiliate links help to support this podcast:

Portable phone charger

Electrolytes (for humans)

Equine Weight Supplement

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Twitter

YouTube

Support This Podcast:

Books

Store

Mermaid Magick on Facebook

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S1E7): Your questions, answered!

It’s the episode you’ve been waiting for… where I answer all your biggest questions! From what Apollo and I like to eat to how we pick the route, it’s all in here. Plus, learn about my favorite hobby – mermaiding! – with special guest Mermaid Liberty.

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey (The Centauride), talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

Listen Here

Or find us on your favorite streaming app.

What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

01:08 Diane asks: How is Apollo?

02:13 Pam asks: How do you pick your exact route?

04:31 Shelley asks: Where will you go this year, approximately? Do you need places to stay?

06:43 Laurie asks: How much trouble or ease have you had making contacts for places to stay?

08:07 Anonymous asks: What do you do in the winter?

09:58 Interview with Mermaid Liberty

11:26 What does it mean to be a mermaid?

12:53 How mermaiding can help with riding horses

16:13 When Mermaid Liberty swam with alligators

18:50 Mermaids help the environment

21:23 Mermaiding is for everybody!

23:44 How to become a mermaid

28:51 Casey asks: What has been your favorite local food you've tried on the ride?

32:55 Destiny asks: I know you have been able to attend a few fairs during your travels. Which has been your favorite and why?

35:36 Anonymous asks: Are you rich? How can you afford to do this?

36:59 Closing statements

37:50 End of episode

About our Guest, Mermaid Liberty:

My name is Davina Liberty and I am a professional Mermaid and founder of the school Mermaid Magick, as well as the Non-profit beach cleanup ground, Mendocino Mermaids. We enjoy the opportunity to allow artistic expression and imaginative play, while also promoting exercise and community involvement.

Mermaid Resources:

Mermaid Magick website

Mermaid Liberty on YouTube

Follow Our Adventure:

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Support This Podcast:

Books

Store

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Have Horse Will Travel podcast (S1E6): How we plan the route

Step One: Ask Apollo!

Riding over 10,000 miles through all the lower 48 states is not a simple matter of hopping in the saddle and riding off into the sunset(s). It took years of planning, daily flexibility, and a bit of magic to make it work. Oh, and of course a horse with excellent map reading skills.
Also, our guest Peggy Delgado Fava from Sacramento's Bridge Network talks about human trafficking.

Listen weekly as Meredith and Apollo share about their multi-year 48-state journey (The Centauride), talk with interesting guests, and discuss the realities of domestic abuse.

Listen Here

Or find us on your favorite streaming app.

What to Listen For:

00:25 Introduction to the episode

01:23 Pre-ride planning with maps

02:28 Why roads and not trails?

03:36 Looking at previous 48 state ride maps

07:00 Throwing out all my maps

08:14 Geographical distribution of resources

11:05 Finding places to stay each night, and how it has changed since I started

14:00 Step one: the big picture

15:03 Step two: mapping the end point for each day

17:09 Step three: choosing the roads to get there

20:35 The types of maps I use

22:56 Local advice

23:39 That time I rode Apollo on an interstate

28:21 Guest Peggy with the Bridge Network

31:14 Human trafficking victims - who are they and why?

36:17 What can be done to end human trafficking?

38:30 Where does trafficking happen?

38:42 How do you recognize a trafficking victim?

39:38 What can YOU can do to help end trafficking?

42:29 Closing statements

43:07 End of episode

About our Guest: Peggy Delgado Fava

I am the founder and Executive Director for Bridge Network Corporation, a nonprofit organization established in 2011 to provide resources for at-risk and Commercially Sexually Exploited Children/Teens (CSECT) out of the Sacramento County Juvenile Detention Facility and in the greater Sacramento region.

Bridge Network’s vision is to be a connecting conduit “or the bridge” between mentors, advocates, other service provider agencies and local community organizations. Our organization's key programs are centered around fostering positive and healthy relationships. Our goal is to motivate and inspire by offering hope and an optimistic approach to sexually exploited children and teens.

Bridge Network website