Barn Banter – Episode 30

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 30, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with writer Fran Severn, author of Riders of a Certain Age and a frequent Horse Illustrated contributor. Plus, tune in as they talk with sponsored guest Sara Goldsmith, a therapist with extensive equestrian knowledge who specializes in helping children and adolescents.

To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with Nicky Walters, founder and president of West Virginia Horse Network, about Wilma, this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse.

Click here to listen on mobile.

Fran Severn, Writer

Fran Severn grew up in the city but was determined to get horses in her life. Working as a reporter in Louisville, Ky., she covered the Kentucky Derby, events at the Kentucky Horse Park, and bought her first horse. She’s written about the exclusive ‘tailgate’ party at the Royal Enclosure at the Ascot races, shipping horses to the Olympics, riding on Civil War battlefields, and the chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede. Her first book, Riders of a Certain Age, came about as she looked for information about the challenges for older women riders. Her new book, The Riders of a Certain Age Book of Barn Hacks, is the result of her near-obsession for collecting tips and ideas for making life easier around the barn.

• Fran’s Website
• Join Fran’s Facebook Group, “Riders of a Certain Age”
• Follow Fran on Instagram

Sponsored Guest: Sara Goldsmith

Sara is a dedicated therapist specializing in helping children and adolescents navigate mental health challenges. With nearly two decades of experience working with children, she combines her expertise in therapy with a deep personal understanding of competitive equestrian sports. As a licensed clinical social worker in both New York and Florida, Sara provides individual therapy, family therapy, and on-site support at horse shows to help young athletes manage anxiety, build confidence, and reach their full potential.

• Visit Sarah Goldsmith’s Website

Adoptable Horse of the Month, Wilma

Wilma is a plucky 31-year-old pony mare with a zest for life. She was dumped at an auction, emaciated and close to completely blind. Thankfully, a follower of West Virginia Horse Network was at the auction and was able to intercept her and get her to them..

Wilma is in her later years and has been slow to regain weight. But with a good diet she is getting better every day. Wilma is not on any medications but does need a consistent diet that is appropriate for a senior horse poor dental health. She did have an eye removed last month that was causing her discomfort, but is healing well.

She is nervous at first because of her limited vision but can be handled once she gets to know you. She is otherwise quite happy and likes to run and play.

Wilma is not for someone with smaller children. An adopter absolutely must be willing to stick to the feeding protocol that WVHN’s vet recommends for Wilma.

WHVN realizes that Wilma’s life may be in the sunset versus the sunrise, but we know there are plenty of kind and loving people out there who would love to be the ones to give her the glorious life she deserves. You will get the chance to continue righting the wrongs she suffered before coming to WHVN and when it is time to give her a great send off surrounded by love. Once you meet her, though, you’ll see there’s plenty of good life waiting to be lived.

Learn more about Wilma here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 30, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.