The Equestrian’s Inner Life, a podcast hosted by Pernille Hogg, explores the unseen journey of riders. Launched in October 2025, it delves into connection, resilience, and the transformative bond between horse and human.
Chris, author of Horses Don’t Lie, shares his understanding of the subtle yet powerful exchange of energy that is always present between horse and rider. An exchange that goes far beyond aids, and into our state of being — how we show up, how we hold ourselves, and how we enter the space around the horse.
Together, we explore the importance of awareness — of our posture, our positioning, our symmetry, and the energy we carry — and how these elements directly influence the connection we create.
Because the horse, in its honesty, reflects not what we intend… but what we embody.
This conversation opens the door to a deeper way of understanding horsemanship — one that begins within.
When the unseen becomes visible
In this episode of The Equestrian’s Inner Life, Pernille speaks with internationally recognised horseman, clinician and author Chris Irwin about the deeper conversation taking place between horse and human.
Chris shares the moving story behind his pioneering book Horses Don’t Lie and the little wild mustang, Peekaboo, who helped him recognise that the understanding and healing he could offer a horse might also be possible within himself.
Together, they explore how the horse responds not only to our aids, but to the energy we carry, our posture, positioning, symmetry and state of being. Chris explains that even the way we approach a horse matters: it is not simply about putting our “best foot forward,” but understanding how to place and use our body so that we invite the horse’s energy rather than unintentionally blocking or pushing against it.
Bringing these subtle ideas into the practical world of biomechanics, he reveals how the shape and balance of both the human and equine body influence the horse’s behaviour, wellbeing and performance. This thought-provoking conversation invites equestrians to look beyond technique and consider how greater awareness and balance within ourselves can create clearer communication, softer connection and a more harmonious partnership with the horse.
Available on all major platforms (YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify); search ‘The Equestrian’s Inner Life’.
