The Brat and the Bullfighter: What Horses Know About Us - Erin O'Malley : 191

What if the animals in our lives understand more about us than we think? They can sense our fear, our confidence, and even the things we’re trying to hide, long before we say a word. I connected with author Erin O’Malley to talk about The Brat and the Bullfighter, her debut memoir told from two perspectives: a young girl searching for belonging and the horse who helps transform her life. Erin shares what it was like growing up as an army brat, constantly moving and often feeling like an outsider, while horses became the one steady presence she could always return to. She opens up about a frightening riding experience that shook her confidence, the guilt and embarrassment that followed, and how riding again in France years later helped her rediscover the connection she thought she had lost. Our conversation goes beyond the story itself. We explore horse behaviour, body language, memory, trust, and the subtle ways horses read the people around them. Erin also talks about how relocation, routine, bonded pairs, and a rider’s emotional state can affect a horse far more than we sometimes realize. We also get practical, covering equestrian safety, helmets, air vests, well-fitted tack, and why good horsemanship starts with paying attention to the horse's physical and emotional well-being. This is a thoughtful conversation about trust, courage, second chances, and the extraordinary lessons animals can teach us when we slow down enough to listen. Let's enjoy her story! Home - Erin O'Malley Send BEHAS a text. Support the show To Share - Connect & Relate: Share Your Thoughts and Shape the Show! Tell me what you love about the podcast and what you want to hear more about. Please email me at [email protected] and be part of the conversation! To be on the show  Podmatch Profile   Ordinary people, extraordinary experiences - Real voices, real moments - ​Human connection through stories - Live true storytelling podcast - Confessions - First person emotional narratives - Unscripted Life Stories. Thank you for listening - Hasta Pronto!