{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Equine Assisted World with Rupert Isaacson","title":"Building a Culture of Equine Well-Being – With Melissa Connor of Renew TRC | Ep 33 Equine Assisted World","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":6512,"description":"In this inspiring episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Melissa Connor, Executive Director of Renew Therapeutic Riding Center in Holland, Michigan. Recorded just weeks after Rupert visited the center, this conversation highlights what it takes to create a truly horse-centered therapeutic program—where equine well-being is as prioritized as human healing.\nMelissa shares her decades-long journey through the equine-assisted services field, how she shaped a program with excellence in horse care, and the practical systems Renew uses to maintain a thriving herd of 22 horses. From rider conditioning and pasture management to financial sustainability and healthy organizational culture, Melissa offers a rare, transparent view into what truly ethical equine-assisted work looks like behind the scenes.\n If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome \n✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:\nCreating a Culture of Equine Well-Being (Starts at 01:00)\nWhy therapeutic horses deserve the same quality of care as competition horses\nHow listening to horses and honoring their vocation sets the foundation\nThe importance of movement, friendship, and forage (the three F’s)\nEvolving Out of the \"Donated Horse\" Mentality (Starts at 09:00)\nMelissa’s early experiences with horses in Virginia\nWhy therapeutic programs shouldn’t accept broken-down or unsuitable horses\nHow to reframe our value system when it comes to horses in service\nSetting Standards for Horse Acceptance & Retirement (Starts at 20:00)\nHow Renew handles free leases and vet care caps\nWhy written agreements and ongoing owner relationships are critical\nWhat happens when retirement is needed—but the owner steps back\nToplines, Thriving, and Conditioning (Starts at 29:00)\nRupert’s reaction to seeing three glowing, fit therapy horses\nThe conditioning system at Renew: riding, groundwork, and professional lessons\nWhy not all conditioning needs to involve riding—and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/PuJAXgaKmhfeBRqqEPEATMHDH_c-iN9O1OlaUtqD0-g/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQwMDI3LzE2ODI0/MjQ0MTQtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}