The Centaur Podcast

Host: Camron Adibi
Episode: Mother and Students Share Their Experience
Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartwarming episode, host Camron Adibi visits the home of Erica and her two daughters, Olivia (8) and Emmy (11), to discuss their experiences in his unmounted equine learning program. This program seeks to build authentic, respectful connections between humans and horses, especially beyond traditional riding. The discussion journeys through initial motivations, first impressions, key lessons around teamwork and communication, powerful moments with horses, and lasting personal growth for both students and their mother.

The episode offers unique insights into how unmounted equine programs support both equine and human well-being, the power of gentle teaching, and the profound emotions that come from horse-human bonds.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Motivations to Join the Program

• Emmy's Motivation ([02:18])
  • Had prior horseback riding experience and was "curious to try something a little bit different" (Emmy, [02:33]).
• Olivia's Motivation ([03:13])
  • Previous barn experience was not enjoyable; wanted more hands-on interaction.
  • Joined without knowing details—her mom signed her up for the surprise factor.
    • “She didn’t even tell me she was signing me up.” (Olivia, [03:57])
• Erica’s Motivation as a Parent ([04:36])
  • Returned to riding herself as an adult.
  • Inspired to try Camron’s program by reports from trusted homeschool friends:
    • “You guys would love this. We know you would love it. You have to do it.” (Erica, [05:00])
  • Saw it as a unique opportunity to experience something new with her children.

2. Initial Impressions and Reflections

• Weather and Mood
  • Sessions began in the freezing cold of January, contributing to initial grouchiness ([07:05]).
  • But Emmy recalls excitement based on friend's recommendations: "I was excited. I was curious...didn't really know what to expect." (Emmy, [07:48])
• Homeschool Context
  • Family’s homeschooling background provided flexibility for unique experiences ([06:19]).
  • Homeschooling fosters openness to diverse learning styles—parallels with Camron’s educational approach of letting students “discover what you need to discover” ([08:25], [09:06]).

3. Freeform Learning and Discovery

• Learning by Doing and Observing
  • Students appreciated Camron’s method of encouraging exploration and individual meaning-making.
    • “You will each take something different from this. Each horse is taking something different from this.” (Erica, [10:20])
• Contrast with Traditional Lessons
  • Erica reflected on mainstream programs as “top-down,” emphasizing “do it this way.”
  • In Camron's program, adaptability and personalization took focus.

4. Teamwork and Communication Lessons

• Pairs-Based Activities and Peer Learning ([15:42])
  • Students always worked in pairs with a horse to strengthen teamwork and observation skills.
  • Olivia:
    • “That helped both kids work together and all three of them with the horses.” ([15:42])
• Verbal vs. Nonverbal (Body Language) Cues ([18:30])
  • Emmy noted differences in training styles—some barns use more voice commands, others rely on body cues.
  • Recognized horses respond differently depending on tone and body language:
    • “If you’re yelling at them because you’re angry…that will make them anxious.” (Emmy, [18:43])
• Horses as Active Communicators
  • Understanding horses’ personalities and adjusting communication style accordingly.

5. Memorable Activities and Practical Learning

• Obstacle Courses and Groundwork ([23:09])
  • Favorite experiences included trotting and walking horses through arena obstacle courses:
    • “I really liked trotting and walking with the horses in the arena.” (Olivia, [23:03])
• Lead Rope Handling ([24:14])
  • Importance of rope technique and subtle cues:
    • “They feel everything in the rope…even squeezing the rope.” (Camron, [24:45])

6. The Art of Asking, Not Telling

• Building True Partnership
  • Erica discussed the transformative difference between “asking” and “telling” horses to do something:
    • “We really learned how to ask these animals to do what we wanted…turning everything on its head that we had already been doing.” (Erica, [26:10])
• Comparisons to Traditional Instruction
  • Reflected on mainstream lessons focused on commands and force (kicking, using the crop) versus gentle, communicative approaches.

7. Horse Stories and Emotional Connections

• Hunter’s Journey ([31:31])
  • Once a schooling horse, Hunter suffered from untreated pain and was slated for euthanasia before rescue and retirement.
    • “He was throwing riders…put his former owner in the hospital…near the end of his life, which happens to so many horses.” (Camron, [32:30])
  • Post-rescue: emerged as gentle leader in the herd and with students:
    • “He’s very gentle now…majestic…definitely the leader.” (Emmy, [33:19])
• Pixie’s Story
  • Overcoming adversity—Pixie is a young mini missing one eye but remains confident and connected.
    • “Pixie is special to me because she doesn’t have an eye…and she’s very special.” (Olivia, [35:33])
• Romeo – The Smart, Curious One
  • Described as extremely clever and inquisitive.
    • “I still say he’s the smartest horse on earth…he’s so curious.” (Camron, [37:51]), (Erica, [37:54])

8. Profound Moments: Horse Meditation and Shared Energy

• Guided Meditation with Horses ([40:48])
  • Group practiced mindful breathing (“horse breaths”) in the arena with the herd.
  • Horses freely interacted—Hunter notably approached participants during meditative moments.
    • “We all stood there and we breathed with the horses…Hunter came and stood in between some of us.” (Emmy, [41:15])
  • Emotional moment shared by parent Beth, who prayed for Hunter and witnessed him shed a tear.
    • “She saw a tear come out of his eye.” (Erica, [42:32])

9. Personal Growth and Outcomes

• Increased Confidence & Communication Skills
  • Olivia: “I feel like I’m less shy and like I don’t get that shy anymore.” ([44:28])
• Connection Beyond Riding
  • Emmy: “Hanging with animals, especially horses, you can really meditate with them…they can tell by your feelings, and that affects how they’re feeling.” ([45:11])
• Impact on Homeschoolers
  • Unique, flexible opportunity to deepen emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

10. Why Recommend This Program?

• Benefits for Children and Horses
  • Olivia: “It helps you be less anxious. It teaches you how to be kind with animals…and to anything.” ([47:35])
  • Emmy: “Therapeutic equine learning…humans can help [horses] get over [bad things], and horses can also give therapy for humans in return.” ([48:10])
• Perspective for Parents
  • Erica highlighted generosity as the core value:
    • “You are teaching humans to be generous to the horses, and through that generosity, then we receive so much…we felt like we left your program each day…with this amazing sense that we had given.” ([50:15])

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Letting Students Discover:
  • “My approach…was to literally let you discover what you need to discover.” — Camron ([08:25])
• On Flexible Learning:
  • “We will each take something different from this. Each horse is taking something different from this.” — Erica ([10:20])
• On the Power of Gentle Asking:
  • “We really learned how to ask these animals to do what we wanted…turning everything on its head that we had already been doing.” — Erica ([26:10])
• On Emotional Connection with Horses:
  • “I saw a tear come out of his eye.” — Erica, describing Hunter during meditation ([42:32])
• On the Impact for Kids:
  • “It helps you be less anxious…it teaches you how to be kind.” — Olivia ([47:35])
• On Reciprocity in Healing:
  • “Humans can help them get over that…and horses can also give therapy for humans in return.” — Emmy ([48:10])
• Parent’s Final Reflection:
  • “We live in a selfish world… I want to teach my children…a spirit of generosity.” — Erica ([50:15])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:18 – Students’ initial motivations for trying the program
• 07:05 – Emmy’s first impressions and moods on arrival
• 10:20 – Erica on individualized learning through equine education
• 15:42 – Teamwork activities and learning by working in pairs
• 18:30 – Communication styles: voice vs. body language; horses as communicators
• 23:03 – Favorite activities: arena groundwork, obstacle courses
• 26:10 – Erica on the art of “asking” horses, not “telling”
• 31:31 – The story and transformation of Hunter the horse
• 40:48 – Guided meditation with horses, the “horse breath” activity
• 42:32 – Emotional encounter: horse and human tears
• 44:28 – Olivia on personal growth, overcoming shyness
• 47:35 – Why children recommend unmounted horse learning
• 50:15 – Erica's philosophy of generosity and life lessons from horses

Closing Thoughts

This episode powerfully illustrates the value of unmounted equine programs in fostering empathy, self-awareness, teamwork, gentle leadership, and mutual healing between horses and humans. Both children and adults recount how the horses, too, benefited emotionally from these experiences—not just the people.

The interplay between careful facilitation, child-led discovery, and the innate sensitivity of horses offers a model for holistic, therapeutic learning environments. The stories and moments shared here serve as inspiration for parents, educators, and horse lovers seeking connection beyond the saddle.

(End of Summary.)