The Lost Art of Being Present

The Horse God Gave Amnesia

A banned racehorse. Three injured jockeys. A panicked black stallion who attacked anyone who came near him. And a woman with three days to fix what an entire racing industry could not. In this extraordinary episode, Ingela tells the full story of Wolf’s Son — a thoroughbred stallion in Istanbul, Turkey, whose fear and trauma had made him too dangerous to race. She was flown in as a last resort, given just 72 hours before his official starting test, and spent 16 to 18 hours a day working with a horse the whole yard had given up on. She shares the breakthrough connection she built with Wolf’s Son in the round pen, the painstaking hours at the starting gate, the devastating setback on day two that nearly destroyed everything — and the moment she lay on her hotel bed, out of skill and out of time, and asked God for the one thing no training manual could provide. What happened the next morning is one of the most powerful holy moments in the history of this podcast. Whether you work with horses or not, this episode will remind you that when you have reached the end of what you can do, God is just getting started.

The Lost Art of Being Present

We live in the most distracted era in human history. Our phones buzz constantly, our minds race from one thing to the next, and the idea of sitting still — truly still — feels almost impossible. But your horse notices. And so does God. In this warm, conversational episode, Ingela and Corrie explore what modern distraction is doing to our horsemanship, our faith, and our inner peace. Ingela shares how the constant pull of technology has eroded our ability to be present — not just with our horses, but with the people we love and with the Lord. She explains why the rest between exercises is just as important as the exercise itself, why your horse can feel the moment your mind drifts to your phone, and how learning stillness with God in the morning transforms the entire day. Corrie opens up about her own struggle to quiet her mind and the difference she has experienced when she truly connects in prayer versus just going through the motions. Together they offer a beautiful reminder: presence is a practice. Stillness is a skill. And both your horse and your Creator are waiting for you to simply be with them. If you have ever felt scattered, overstimulated, or unable to switch off, this episode will meet you right where you are.

When Your Horse Triggers You — It Is Not About the Horse

You went out to the arena with a plan. The horse was not cooperating. And suddenly you were not just frustrated — you were triggered. The peace was gone, the pressure was rising, and you either shut down or pushed harder. Sound familiar? In this episode, Ingela and Corrie get deeply honest about what really happens when we lose our peace during a training session. Ingela explains why the real issue is almost never the horse — it is the lies we believe about our own value, rooted in unhealed places in our hearts. She walks through a powerful, practical framework: how to approach your horse with a sense of eternity instead of time pressure, why having an agenda sets you up to hit your stuff, what it actually looks like when your childhood wounds get triggered by a horse that will not canter, and the exact steps she takes to return to peace in the middle of a session — including a prayer she prays to ask the Holy Spirit to move her from the triggered part of her heart back into her true self. Whether you have ever walked away from your horse feeling guilty, frustrated, or defeated, this episode will change how you understand those moments. It is not about the horse. It is about your heart. And healing is possible.

The Goal Is Not the Problem — Your Discipline Is

You love horses. You have goals. You know what you want to achieve. So why does life keep getting in the way? In this episode, Ingela and Corrie have an honest, practical conversation about the thing nobody really wants to talk about: discipline. Corrie opens up about the reality of working 12-hour nursing shifts and coming home too tired to do anything with her horses. Ingela shares how a former boss taught her to reclaim an entire hour every day simply by restructuring her routine — and why even 15 minutes of intentional horse time moves you closer to your goal than three skipped days ever will. But this episode goes far beyond horsemanship. Ingela breaks down exactly how she builds a fitness plan for an event horse over 12 weeks, draws a powerful parallel to human fitness, and then ties it all together with the often-neglected discipline of the spirit — scheduling time with God the way you would schedule a dentist appointment. Whether you are a busy professional trying to find time for your horse, a rider wondering how to get your horse fit, or someone who knows their spiritual life needs more structure, this episode is the honest push you have been looking for. Spirit, soul, and body — discipline in all three is what gets you to the goal. Want to learn more about Ingela Larsson Smith's work? Visit https://ingelalarssonsmith.com [https://ingelalarssonsmith.com]

From Brokenness to Breakthrough: Ingela's Healing Journey

What happens when the woman who teaches others to connect with horses through heart healing has to face her own deepest battle? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Ingela opens up about her journey through aggressive breast cancer - from diagnosis and surgery to the agonizing decision between natural and conventional treatments. She shares how years of unresolved fear and neglecting her body took their toll, how she and her husband Richard overhauled their entire lifestyle, and the practical health principles she now lives by every day. But this is more than a health episode. It is a testimony of God's faithfulness in the darkest valleys, the connection between our emotional wounds and physical illness, and why taking care of the body God gave us is an act of stewardship, not vanity. Whether you are struggling with your own health, caring for someone who is, or simply want to be a stronger, healthier horse person, this episode will challenge and encourage you. Ingela's story proves: healing is possible - spirit, soul, and body. Learn more about Ingela Larsson Smith and her work at https://ingelalarssonsmith.com [https://ingelalarssonsmith.com]