Optimized Equine Podcast

Daniel Dauphin returns to the Optimized Equine Podcast and this time we're giving him the spotlight on his specialty — bits. But don't let that fool you into thinking this is a niche episode. If you ride a horse, this conversation is for you. Daniel is a horsemanship clinician with a background in mechanical engineering and animal science, and he has spent years diving deep into the scienc...

In this Optimized Equine Mini, Tamara Lee Barrett works with a horse owner whose horse displays nippy, mouthy behavior during in-hand work. Rather than addressing the biting directly, Tamara guides the owner to zoom out and read what the horse is communicating well before the behavior ever surfaces. Tamara walks her through an exercise focused on finding the distance where the horse is truly comfo...

In this episode, Tamara is joined by Lydia Heywood, founder of Cool Ridings in England and international eventing rider for Jamaica, and McKrell Baier of Bridge Up Giddy Up and the US Equestrian Society. Together, the three dig into what it really takes to grow and sustain equestrian sport — from building inclusive communities at the grassroots level, to the very real threat of horse sport losing...

In this Optimized Equine Mini, we're dropping you into a piece from a real lesson with an off-the-track Thoroughbred who has spent significant time with his dedicated owner working through the anxiety and high-alert state that came with his past. The hard work paid off — he found relaxation. But that success brought a new and unexpected hurdle. For horses who associate physical effort with str...

In this episode, Tamara sits down with Stephanie Carter, founder of Indigo Ancestral Health and a veterinary technician with over 23 years of clinical experience. Stephanie shares how her time working in conventional veterinary medicine — across small animal, large animal, and mixed practices — ultimately led her away from the traditional model and toward equine functional nutrition, an approach c...

In this episode, Rachel Windchaser shares her journey from growing up with horses in England to creating a Spanish Mustang preserve in Spain. As a child who struggled with communication, Rachel found her voice with horses—they gave her the space to pause, to speak, and to simply be herself. Rachel's path led her to Spain, where she felt immediately at home. Here her work with Spanish Mustangs...

In this compelling conversation, Nick Fornwalt shares his transformation from traditional Western trainer and farrier apprentice to barefoot hoof care provider and partnership-based horseman. Nick opens up about his early days in the industry, when horses were viewed as machines to be programmed and the training methods that went along with it. Nick shares about a pivotal moment with his horse, an...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, I sit down with Ariana Sakaris to explore what it truly means to work in partnership with horses. Ariana shares her unique approach to blending groundwork, liberty work, and dressage—always with the horse's perspective at the center of every decision. We discuss the art of information gathering and how to read what your horse is telling you thro...

In this episode, Leslie Desmond discusses her upcoming webinar series "The Great Debate About the Horse's Mouth," running from December 17th through March 18th, 2026. This free 14-hour educational event brings together a panel of nominated specialists including veterinarians, certified dentists, lay practitioners, and other equine specialists from around the world. With over 450 audi...

In this episode, host Tamara Lee Barrett welcomes back Ivy Starnes of Ivy's Glide Gait for a comprehensive Q&A session diving deep into your gaited horse training questions. From fixing trotty horses to understanding the nuances between the gaits, Ivy shares her expertise on achieving smooth, comfortable gaits through proper communication, training techniques, and equipment choices. This c...

In part two of this conversation, Nandi Kegode shares her experiences navigating the American equestrian industry as an aspiring international athlete without major financial backing. She discusses the challenges of working through Florida and other competitive circuits, the mentors who supported her journey, and the toxic cultural dynamics she encountered in barn environments. Nandi opens up abou...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, Nandi Kegode shares her unique journey in the world of horsemanship, from her early experiences in Kenya and the UK, to her transition to the US, and the challenges she faced along the way. Nandi discusses the importance of respect and communication in training horses and riders, the cultural perspectives on horsemanship, and her struggles with ment...

In this episode, host Tamara Lee Barrett sits down with Ivy Starnes of Ivy's Glide Gait, a gaited horse trainer from Fort Worth, Texas. Ivy shares her journey from a horse-naive teenager in suburban Chicago to becoming a sought-after clinician who travels the country teaching riders that the secret to perfect gait isn't found in big bits, gadgets or force—it's built on relaxation and g...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast , host Tamara Lee Barrett sits down with Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductee Linda Allen and USES co-founder McKrell Baier to explore the design, values, and structure of the U.S. Equestrian Society’s LevelUP Events . Together, they unpack how this bold new format reimagines equestrian competition through the lens of: Ethical equine treatment Holistic...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, rider biomechanics expert Erica Poseley reflects on her journey with horses and the 'corner turners' who have shaped her approach to riding, training and teaching. Erica emphasizes the importance of understanding horse behavior and how they learn, as well as the significance of the rider’s position–no matter the discipline or goal!  About Er...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine podcast, Piper Klemm, PhD shares her unique journey from a young horse enthusiast to the owner of The Plaid Horse magazine. She discusses the importance of community, education, and the evolution of the equestrian industry. Piper emphasizes the significance of in-person events, the challenges of riding, and her vision for a more collaborative and supportive...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, host Tamara Lee Barrett speaks with David Reichert from the United Dressage and Jumping Club (UDJC). They discuss David's extensive background in equestrian sports, the differences between European and American systems, and the challenges faced by riders in the USEF system. David shares insights on the importance of comprehensive rider education, th...

This episode features Spencer LaFlure, founder of the Center for Neuromuscular-Based Horse Dentistry, discussing a revolutionary approach to equine dental care that goes far beyond traditional tooth floating. The conversation explores how proper jaw alignment through neuromuscular dentistry connects to a horse's entire body system, affecting everything from performance to behavior. LaFlure explain...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, Tamara Lee Barrett delves into the complexities of equine welfare and the future of the equestrian lifestyle with Daniel Dauphin of Dauphin Horsemanship and McKrell Baier of the United States Equestrian Society.  The discussion highlights the concept of social license to operate, the importance of public perception, and the internal and external cha...

In this conversation, Tessa Nicolet shares her journey from a young horse enthusiast in Switzerland to a respected trainer and clinician based in Arizona. She discusses her philosophy of Cohesive Horsemanship, which blends classical techniques with practical applications, emphasizing mutual respect and communication between horse and rider. Tessa delves into the world of working equitation, highli...

In this conversation, Tamara Lee Barrett and her friend Rachel dive deep into the challenges many horse owners face when caught between old horsemanship methods and new approaches. Inspired by Piper Klemm's Facebook post , they explore that paralyzing feeling of knowing you should change something but not knowing how to execute it properly. The discussion covers the journey from casual horse e...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, Tamara Lee Barrett shares her transformative journey away from traditional hunter-jumper training methods. She reveals how purchasing her young horse Barnaby unexpectedly sparked a profound philosophical shift, challenging her to question long-accepted practices in the equestrian world. Tamara thoughtfully contrasts her former approach—which priorit...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, Tamara Lee Barrett interviews Founder and President of the Arizona Endurance Riders Club, Lancette Koerner. Lancette shares her journey into the world of endurance riding, including her experiences with the challenging Tevis Cup in 2015 & 2024. They discuss the unique challenges of endurance rides, and the lessons learned from various horses. La...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, Tamara Lee Barrett speaks with McKrell Baier about the US Equestrian Society, its origins, and its significance in the equestrian community. They discuss the challenges faced by equestrians, the importance of unity and community, and the need for evolving ethical practices in horse sports.  Takeaways The US Equestrian Society was founded to address...

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, host Tamara Lee Barrett sits down with international show jumper Vani Khosla. Vani shares her journey from a non-horse family to competing internationally at the highest levels of show jumping. She discusses her transition from the US to Europe, the differences in equestrian cultures, her approach to horse training, and the importance of developing...