Sovereign Horse

A New Paradigm in the Racing Industry

Would you believe that there are thoroughbreds in the racing industry who are so well-loved, well-cared for and well-prepared that by the time they arrive at the track to race they look like balanced and developed adult Warmbloods?I certainly didn’t. But my dear friend and colleague Caren Dougall of North of 9 Equine and Canine Bodywork has been working intimately inside the racing industry helping to develop leading-edge training programs filled with sound, happy and healthy racehorses who not only have successful careers but retire sound off the track in body and mind.If your mind is as completely blown as mine was listening to her firsthand experience, you’re not gonna wanna miss this conversation!Caren is someone I deeply respect as both a professional and horsewoman. She is a certified equine and canine bodywork practitioner and instructor as well as a registered veterinary technician. On top of that, she is incredibly well-versed in all things natural and holistic. Her combination of knowledge and embodied wisdom in the space of equine wellness is next level.But the thing I respect the most about her is that she is a fierce advocate for her horse clients, always working with them in a consent-based and deeply compassionate way. So when she told me she was working intimately with racehorses on the track, I was equal parts surprised and intrigued.I am so grateful to Caren for taking the time to give us an honest and eye-opening look into a corner of the horse world that is often demonized as the worst in the industry, as well as hope for what’s possible when you take a horse-first approach to the sport of racing.This one is dedicated to all the incredible thoroughbreds out there. Your hearts are immense and your loyalty is unmatched. We love you!Connect with Caren:https://www.northof9bodywork.ca/Instagram: @northof9equinecaninebodyworkConnect with Angela:Instagram: @equineelevation.comwww.equineelevation.com
 

Evolution in Unexpected Places

In this episode I share the story of a time when I didn’t advocate for my Kisses mare when I absolutely should have.I didn’t stand up for her or myself and I had no idea at that time how far and wide the implications of that painful experience would ripple out.A seed was planted in that experience that ended up changing the course of our lives—not just for myself and Kisses, but my entire herd.And while even then I believed that everything happens for a reason, I could have never predicted the strange yet seemingly fated turn of events that helped me forgive myself and heal the harm I’d caused Kisses that day.File this story under: “You can’t make this sh*t up.” (Welcome to my life, especially when it comes to Kisses.)Join us inside our Healing Through Writing workshop Join the Equine Elementals membershipConnect with Angela:Instagram: @equineelevationwww.equineelevation.com

Healing Horse Wounds Through Writing

I recently took a writing class that changed my life.I joined the class to brush up on my creative writing skills and learn some new techniques for a project I am working on in 2025.But what I didn’t expect was the deep emotional healing I experienced through the process. The practice of writing and working on the class assignments brought up wounds that I had no idea were ready to heal—not to mention the wounds I didn’t even realize I had.When the class was over, I felt like a completely different person. And I awoke one morning with a new assignment—to share the gift of healing through writing with you.I don’t know anyone who has spent significant time with horses who doesn’t carry wounds around things they have done—or haven’t done.And I cannot tell you how many people I have worked with who struggle to heal their past experiences of causing harm to horses. They cannot forgive themselves for not knowing or doing better, and they carry the weight of that guilt and shame around with them every day.In this episode, I share my personal experience of healing through writing, as well as the teachings of the horses who not only gave me permission to forgive myself, but showed me how to alchemize my wounds into embodied wisdom.I also share about our upcoming workshop, Healing Through Writing, which I am so looking forward to holding on Saturday, December 21st at 10am PST.
You can sign up to join the workshop here.I genuinely hope this episode helps you realize that if you’ve caused harm to a beloved horse in your life, it’s not only okay for you to heal and move on from your pain, it’s exactly what the horses want for you.

The Investment of Horses

There is no denying horses are big investments. The physical, financial, emotional, energetic and time investments of having with horses are vast.If you are listening to Sovereign Horse podcast, there is no doubt in my mind that you are invested in horses. Not just invested, but likely deeply invested.The people who hang in our world feel a connection with horses that goes far beyond caregiving, or riding, or working with them as clients or colleagues.Horses are a significant part of their lives.They’re on their minds and in their thoughts every day.They’re woven into their DNA.But something I have come to know is that, while you may be deeply invested in horses, the horses in your life are also deeply invested with you.In this episode, I explore the ways in which horses have shown me time and again just how invested they are in their humans and why.Connect with Angela:www.equineelevation.comInstagram: @equineelevation

The Sacred Rebellion

My friends, I am beyond thrilled to share this news with you! I am left terrible at keeping secrets so the fact that I have managed to keep my mouth shut on this is a freaking miracle!
I have been working diligently and with deep intention behind the scenes to birth a new business into the world. I am so proud to introduce you to The Sacred Rebellion!
She has been a long time coming. We have been on quite a journey together and so to see her finally made manifest is kind of incredible to me.
In this episode where I share the story of her creation, how I intend to be of service through this new business, and the ways in which Equine Elevation is evolving now that’s she has arrived.
I genuinely hope you enjoy hearing how The Sacred Rebellion came to be and what she means to me and my work going forward.
Thank you all so much for being here and witnessing this exciting new chapter!The Sacred Rebellionwww.thesacredrebellion.caInstagram: @thesacredrebellion.ca
Connect with Angela:www.equineelevation.comInstagram: @equineelevation

The Foundational Elements of Horse Ownership

A few months ago I had someone ask me to do an episode for new horse owners. She asked me to cover what I would consider to be the basics when it comes to horse ownership. As I have sat in contemplation of this, what I realized is that instead of calling these things basics, I’d consider them more the fundamentals or foundational elements of horse ownership. And so this extends well beyond being a ‘new’ horse owner, because these foundational elements took me many years of horse ownership to come to realize.So while this episode is meant to be supportive for new owners, I hope it will also be supportive for everyone who is in partnership with horses.Join Equine Elementals MembershipJoin Business Elementals MembershipConnect with Angela:Instagram: @equineelevationwww.equineelevation.com

Supporting the Sovereignty of Mustangs

It was amazing to host Brittany Ference, Executive Director of Great Escape Mustang Collaborative, for a very honest conversation about their work with these incredible wild horses.
 
Brittany shares some of the realities of the journey many mustangs experience from living in the wild to being round up, domesticated, and all too often, what happens if these horses don’t settle well into domestic life.
I am genuinely so honoured to be connected with Brittany and an organization that is committed to supporting the sovereignty of mustangs and their well-being as they adjust and integrate into domestication. 
I hope that you will give this episode a listen and consider supporting Great Escape in any way you can. 
Connect with Great Escape:https://www.greatescapemustangs.org/Instagram: @great_escape_mustangsBrittany: @britt.ofthewild
Connect with Angela:www.equineelevation.comInstagram: @equineelevation

Allowing Our Horses the Freedom to Be

I had such a wonderful experience chatting with Chloe Elgar for our most recent episode. Chloe is a vibe and her perspective on horse guardianship is one I’m honoured to share with you all through our podcast. 
I loved our conversation around allowing horses the freedom and space for self-expression. Chloe shares about offering her horses avenues to explore and fulfill their needs, and the importance of following the evolution of their self-development so they can continue to express their true selves as they change and grow.
I especially enjoyed hearing about how Chloe approaches setting people up to work with her horses, how that translates into trust and safety, and minimizes potentially negative impacts on her herd.
Chloe speaks to the connection between advocating for self and advocating for our horses (which is a topic y’all know I love!) and we jam on our experiences of learning to trust in the connection and purpose we have with our horses.
There is so much wisdom in this episode that I know will be of value to those of you who are walking the path of new paradigm partnership with horses. Have a listen and let us know what resonates with you!Connect with Chloe:Instagram: @channeledbychloewww.channeledbychloe.com
Connect with Angela:Instagram: @equineelevationwww.equineelevation.com

An Exploration of Equine Elementals

I am so excited to share with you about our new membership space, Equine Elementals!
This education membership is the culmination of everything I’ve ever learned working with, caring for, riding and owning horses. 
In this episode, I share what Equine Elementals is, how it came to be and the ways I hope it will be of immense value to those of you who join us inside.
Sign up for your free 14-day trial here.Learn more about Equine Elementals here.
Connect with Angela:www.equineelevation.comInstagram: @equineelevation

Exploring the Herd Hierarchy Model

This episode was a meeting of the ‘horse moms’! 
I was excited to be joined by Breanne Kerr of Wildwynd Equine and Brittany Ashworth of Sacred Echos to chat about the concept of herd hierarchy as it applies to our blended herd of seven.
I was curious to sit down with the ladies and ask where they would each place the seven horses based on the herd hierarchy model. You’ll have to tune in to find out if we all came up with the same answer!
We also explore what is the herd hierarchy model, why was it created and what purpose does it serve?
As well as what does leadership look like within the herd? What significance do the individual roles of each horse play into the herd hierarchy conversation? And what role does each individual relationship play within the hierarchy of the whole herd?
We also look at the role meeting the baseline foundational needs of the herd plays when having this conversation. As well as what do horses hold for one another when it comes to meeting those foundational needs within the herd, and the development of each horse as an individual.
This episode was recorded in the Sovereign Horse Outdoor Studio (aka: the paddock) so you are definitely going to hear some horses and nature sounds! You will also hear some cars in the background, but they absolutely do not take away from the potency of this conversation. 
I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed recording it! Connect with Breanne:https://www.wildwyndequine.com/Instagram: @wildwyndequineConnect with Brittany:https://www.sacredechos.com/Instagram: @sacredechosConnect with Angela:https://www.equineelevation.com/Instagram: @equineelevation