Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle

By Jen and Barbara

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Episodes: 35

Description

Welcome to Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle an equine behaviour and training podcast with Jen Nash and Barbara Hardman.


There’s a lot of information out there about horses.


Some of it is brilliant. Some of it is outdated. Some of it has been repeated so many times we’ve stopped asking whether it was ever true in the first place.


So… we ask why.


We talk about equine behaviour, training, welfare, learning, veterinary medicine and the science behind the things we do with horses. We pull apart research, question long-held beliefs, tackle the things doing the rounds on social media and, increasingly, answer the questions you send in to us.


And we don't always agree. Sometimes there isn't a neat answer. Because behaviour is complicated. Horses are complicated. Humans are definitely complicated.


We’ve talked about everything from reinforcement, enrichment and emotional regulation to gastric ulcers, calming supplements, thermoregulation, travelling horses, cribbing collars and whether you should scrape the water off a hot horse.

And somehow we’ve also covered Beyoncé, jellyfish that don't sneeze and Barbara accidentally killing a rabbit while playing golf. Basically, things go off track. A lot.


But underneath the madness, we want to do one thing: help people think.

Not tell you what to think.


Ask better questions. Look at the whole horse. Be curious about the evidence. And maybe get a little more comfortable saying, “Hang on… why do we do it that way?”


Got something you want us to talk about? Send us your questions, dilemmas, unpopular opinions and things you've always wondered but perhaps been too afraid to ask. Nothing is off limits.


Welcome to Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle.


Real questions. Real conversations. Science, behaviour… and a reasonable amount of madness. 🐴🎙️


Episode Date
"Can All Behavioral Problems Be Blamed on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome?" with Dr Ben Sykes and Dr Amy Lovett
Sep 08, 2026
"Combined Reinforcement: Poisoned Cue or a Panacea for Modern Equine Training?" with Ella Bradshaw-Wiley - Part Two
Sep 01, 2026
"Combined Reinforcement: Poisoned Cue or a Panacea for Modern Equine Training?" with Ella Bradshaw-Wiley - Part One
Aug 25, 2026
"What Are We Getting Wrong About Equine Nutrition?" With Isabelle D’Costa - Part Two
Aug 04, 2026
"What Are We Getting Wrong About Equine Nutrition?" With Isabelle D’Costa - Part One
Jul 28, 2026
"What is being an Informed Rider?" With Katie Hancox - Part Two
Jul 07, 2026
"What is being an Informed Rider?" With Katie Hancox - Part One
Jun 30, 2026
"How do we help horses feel calmer without relying on calming supplements?"
Jun 18, 2026
"When do I know when it's time to stop giving food rewards?"
Jun 02, 2026
“To scrape, or scrape not to be…...?”
May 26, 2026
“I feel like I am rushing through steps with my training, do you have any advice for me on how I can set my animals up for success?”
May 19, 2026
Bonus Episode 6: Jen Pretends She's Not Competitive & Barbara Killed a Rabbit
May 15, 2026
"What is your Biggest 'Hot Take' on anything Equine or Animal Related?"
May 12, 2026
"Is There Such a Thing as the “Best” Way to Keep Horses?"
Mar 24, 2026
"Does Positive Reinforcement Lead to Biting Horses?"
Jan 23, 2026
"A Horse Without a Job, is Wasted"
Nov 12, 2025
"But They have A Good life..."
Nov 07, 2025
“Why Is Foraging Behaviour So Important in Horses?”
Nov 25, 2024
“Does Dominance Theory Still Hold Up in Modern Horse Training?”
Oct 14, 2024
“How Does Language Shape the Way We See Our Horses?”
Sep 09, 2024
“Behind the Slaughterhouse Gates: Irish Horse Industry Exposé”
Jun 17, 2024
"What’s the Difference Between Desensitisation and Systematic Desensitisation?"
Jun 03, 2024
Bonus Episode 6: Extinction in Behavioural Modification
May 20, 2024
Bonus Episode 5: Shaping Behaviours
May 06, 2024
Bonus Episode 4: Positive Punishment
Apr 22, 2024
Bonus Episode 3: Negative Punishment
Apr 08, 2024
Bonus Episode 2: Positive Reinforcement
Mar 25, 2024
Bonus Episode 1: Negative Reinforcement
Mar 11, 2024
"Is Riding Bitless Safe?"
Feb 27, 2024
"How Can Positive Habits Transform Life for Me and My Horse?"
Jan 15, 2024
"How Can I Train My Reindeer for Santa?"
Dec 18, 2023
“How Can I Tell if it’s Normal or Abnormal Behaviour?”
Nov 06, 2023
“What is Learning Theory?”
Oct 06, 2023
"How Can I Set My Horse Up for Success?"
Sep 29, 2023
The Pilot - Does Positive Reinforcement Lead to Biting Horses?
Sep 26, 2023