Dear Horse World

NOËLLE FLOYD
  • 4.8 (53)
  • HOBBIES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Dear Horse World is a podcast for every horse lover, brought to you by NOËLLE FLOYD. Join Noëlle each week, as she embarks on a journey to explore the vast and diverse world of horses, delving into the many sub-communities and cultures that shape our shared passion. This podcast is about more than just riding styles or training techniques; it's about celebrating the deep connection between humans and horses, and understanding the common threads that tie us together. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, you'll find inspiration, knowledge, and a sense of belonging in every episode of Dear Horse World. Subscribe or follow, wherever you get your podcasts with episodes dropping weekly.

  1. 5D AGO

    Solving Horse Separation Anxiety: Why Herd-Bound Behavior Isn't Disobedience — It's Instinct with Kathy Baar

    Horse Separation anxiety is something most horse owners will face at some point. Sometimes it shows up as calling when a buddy leaves.  Sometimes it's a refusal to leave the barn.  Sometimes it escalates into behavior that feels dangerous, overwhelming, or emotionally exhausting. And despite how common it is, it can feel isolating — especially when even experienced professionals don't always have a clear roadmap. In this episode, we sit down with clinician and author Kathy Baar to unpack herd-bound behavior through the lens of psychology and biology. Kathy has spent decades studying how horses bond, how they regulate, and how easily their instincts can be misunderstood. This conversation explores: What separation anxiety is (and what it isn't) Why horses bond so deeply — especially when traveling or stabled together The difference between connection and codependency How to expand your horse's comfort zone safely What to do in show situations when you don't have weeks to rebuild patterns How your own personality type impacts how your horse learns Why safety and comfort must come before food or reward This episode is for you if: Your horse struggles leaving the barn or their buddy Show warm-ups feel unpredictable You feel embarrassed or alone in this challenge You want to understand herd-bound behavior at its root You're ready to build confidence in your horse without escalating intensity Kathy's book that she would read to the horse world - Natural Horse-Man-Ship: Six Keys to a Natural Horse-Human Relationship (A Western Horseman Book) by Pat Perelli Kathy offers understanding — when you understand what your horse is truly seeking, your approach begins to change. Kathy Baar is a clinician, trainer, and author known for her thoughtful, psychology-based approach to horsemanship. Drawing influence from the lineage of Tom and Bill Dorrance and Ray Hunt, Kathy focuses on developing both connection with the human and internal confidence within the horse. Recently, Kathy was a judge at Road to the Horse and enjoyed the opportunity to experience the event from a judges perspective. Her book, Solving Separation Anxiety: Over 77 Savvy Solutions for Herd Bound Behavior, is a practical guide for riders navigating barn sour and buddy sour behavior. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 3:00 How Motherhood Sparked a Book About Horse Separation Anxiety 7:00 What Is Herd Bound Behavior and Why Does It Happen 11:00 Building the Kind of Relationship That Replaces the Herd 17:00 How Common Is Separation Anxiety — and Is It Ever Solved? 22:00 Why Horses Bond So Deeply When They Travel Together 23:00 Horses in Pastures and Herds: Strategies That Work 28:00 Noelle's Feral Mare and Learning to Slow Down 36:00 Horses in Stalls: Training From the Comfort Zone 40:00 Nature vs Nurture — Is Your Horse Born Anxious? 45:00 Horses Kept in Pairs: The Hardest Scenario 51:00 Groundwork That Actually Transfers to the Saddle 58:00 Pressure, Yielding, and the Man's Horse Myth 1:00:00 Riding With a Buddy Horse — and Staying Present 1:06:00 Emergency Strategies at Horse Shows 1:08:00 Extroverted vs Introverted Horse Learners 1:14:00 Key Takeaways Before You Go 1:15:00 Barn Sour vs Buddy Sour: What the Terms Really Mean 1:17:00 Rapid Fire Questions with Kathy Barr Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Dear Horse World wherever you listen, leave us a review — it genuinely helps more people find these conversations — and share this episode with someone who needs to hear how to support their horses. Amazon Disclosure: Third-party books and products denoted on this page and website may be hyperlinked to the Amazon affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    1h 17m

  2. MAR 24

    From Alaska to Argentina on Horseback: The Untold Aftermath with Filipe Masetti Leite Sponsored by Total Feeds

    What does it really mean to commit to something that scares you? In this episode, we sit down with Filipe Masetti Leite, a journalist, filmmaker, and long rider who traveled more than 27,000 kilometers on horseback from the Canadian Rockies to the southern tip of Argentina. Over eight years, he crossed 12 countries, navigated remote terrain, built partnerships with 11 horses, and lived at the speed of a walk. But this conversation goes far beyond the mileage. We talk about what happens when you slow life down to three kilometers an hour. What leadership looks like when your team has four legs. The bond of a heart horse. The tension between loving horses and using them. The identity crisis that can follow achievement. And why having an "X" on your map might matter more than the destination itself. This is a conversation about fear, resilience, ego, spirituality, and the responsibility that comes with living a dream out loud. You can find The Long Rider - Filipe's award-winning film documenting his ride across the Americas here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7hudXw67yw Resources mentioned in this episode: Filipe's memoir detailing the journey, the borders, the horses, and what it changed in him - Long Ride Home: Guts, Guns and Grizzlies Tschiffely's Ride by Aimé Tschiffely - The 1925 account of a Swiss schoolteacher who rode from Buenos Aires to New York on two Criollo horses — the book that inspired Filipe's dream as a child.  The Long Riders' Guild - An organization preserving the history and stories of modern long-distance equestrian explorers. Children's Cancer Hospital in Brazil - The ride to Ushuaia helped raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer support. Follow Filipe on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/filipemasetti/ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Dear Horse World wherever you listen, leave us a review — it genuinely helps more people find these conversations — and share this episode with someone who needs to hear more adventure horse stories.   This episode is brought to you by:  Total Feeds Our mission to provide quality nutrition to people and animals puts us in contact with all manner of interesting folks. Whether you're interested in our animal feed, or the people involved in the animal industry: you'll find it at Total Feeds! Check out our line of Quality Animal Feeds here: https://totalfeeds.com 00:00 Inro 02:06 NFR Host Origins 02:57 Writing the Dream 05:19 War Room Planning 05:37 Finding the First Horses 08:13 Bruiser Heart Horse 09:57 Living Like a Herd 14:19 Presence at Three KPH 17:59 Lessons on Fear 20:47 Defining Resilience 22:06 Finding Your Purpose 25:21 Grounded by Walking 29:18 Loving vs Objectifying 34:46 Intent Over Outcome 35:39 Natural vs Forced Riding 39:01 Trail Riders Matter 40:14 Judgment and Humility 44:55 Bruiser the Heart Horse 48:32 Cowboy Life and Meaning 50:54 Leadership Lessons from Horses 53:20 Wild Horses and Border Chaos 55:13 PTSD Depression and Recovery 01:00:01 Staying Whole with Horses 01:03:14 No Excuses Mindset 01:04:45 Rapid Fire

    1h 8m

  3. MAR 17

    Road to the Horse Prep: Elisa Wallace Reveals her Secret to Staying relaxed under Pressure - Sponsored by StableFeed

    Not every rider has access to the perfectly bred, professionally produced sport horse. Many are figuring things out with the horse they could afford, learning as they go, and trying to build a partnership along the way. In this episode, 5★ event rider and trainer Elisa Wallace shares what she has learned from producing horses many others overlook, including Mustangs and off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Alongside competing at the highest levels of eventing, Elisa has built a career developing unconventional horses into dream ones. In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," we discuss: How to evaluate a horse when shopping on a budget The red flags riders should pay attention to early on The first steps to building trust with a new horse How to rebuild confidence after setbacks Signs your horse is progressing, even when improvement feels slow What unconventional horses can teach riders that highly produced horses cannot The book Elisa would read to the horse world - Four Square by Lucinda Green For riders navigating the journey with one horse, modest resources, and a lot of determination, this episode is a reminder that your dreams are possible with the horse you have. Resources: https://wallaceeventing.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/WallaceEventing https://roadtothehorse.com/elisa-wallace-usa/ This epidsode is generously sponsored by: StableFeed - What You Feed Your Horse Matters StableFeed is redefining equine nutrition with all natural horse feed and supplements made from real, whole foods. Using a unique forage, Sainfoin, as the base of their forage prodcuts and clean plant ingredients, never chemicals, fillers , or by products. StableFeed helps horses thrive with nutrition designed the way nature intended. Real food with real results. Explore more at stablefeed.com | @StableFeed   Chapters: 00:00 Ocala Week Announcement  00:39 Meet Elisa Wallace  01:57 Road to the Horse Nerves  04:46 Mustangs to Eventing Path  06:30 Fledge and Mustang Magic  14:03 Mustang Sensitivity Explained  19:59 Pressure and Communication  23:53 No Stupid Questions Begins  26:29 Underdog Success Story  28:49 Permission to Be Unorthodox  35:41 Producing Horses and Fear  40:57 Mentors and Asking for Help  44:40 Choosing Horses by Intuition  45:32 Overthinking Choices  46:32 Colts Versus Fillies  48:32 Mare Mindset Lessons  52:16 Format Change Gameplan  56:55 Learning From Past Rides  59:23 Green Horse Basics  01:05:43 Pressure Off Progress  01:10:50 Play Builds Partnership  01:13:29 Fun Groundwork Ideas  01:15:42 Gratitude And Perspective  01:16:47 Rapid Fire Wrap   Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Dear Horse World wherever you listen, leave us a review — it genuinely helps more people find these conversations — and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this. And you can follow us on instagram too! Click here 👉 www.instagram.com/dearhorseworld

    1h 22m

  4. MAR 10

    The Truth About Black Cowboy Culture that Nobody Taught You with Drake LeBlanc sponsored by YETI

    What if the story of the American cowboy is bigger than the version most of us were handed? In this episode, Noëlle sits down with Drake LeBlanc, a Creole cowboy from Louisiana, filmmaker, and cultural preservationist. The conversation that unfolds is about history, identity, and what it really means to live a culture rather than wear it. Drake was raised in a community where horses are not a hobby or an aesthetic. They are Sunday trail rides, music in the air, food cooking by trailers, land passed down through generations, and families riding together. They are belonging. Together, they explore the untold history of Black cowboys, how the image of the American cowboy was reshaped through media, and what was lost when culture became costume. This conversation is not just about the past. It is about how the stories we are handed down, the way they shape how we see ourselves, and who we believe belongs in the horse world. In this episode you will learn: Creole identity and language in Louisiana Haitian Creole cultural parallels Native American symbolism in Western fashion and saddle design The history of cattle herding practices rooted in African tribes The book Drake would read to the Horse World - Black Ranching Frontiers: African Cattle Herders of the Atlantic World, 1500-1900 About Drake LeBlanc: Drake LeBlanc is a Lafayette, Louisiana-based filmmaker, documentarian, and photographer. He is one of the most compelling cultural voices working today in the preservation of Creole heritage and black cowboy history. His documentary Footwork has brought international attention to the Louisiana Creole cowboy tradition and the Louisiana trail rides that keep black cowboy culture alive every weekend across the American South. You can find Drake on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lovebenoir/  Drake's film work can be found here https://filmfreeway.com/FootworkLA Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Dear Horse World wherever you listen, leave us a review — it genuinely helps more people find these conversations — and share this episode with someone who needs to hear the real story of cowboys in America. This episode is generoulsy sponsored by: YETI Made for early mornings in the barn and long days in the saddle. Whether you're hauling feed, chasing daylight on the trail, or loading up for a weekend on the road, YETI coolers and drinkware are built to handle it. No shortcuts. No compromise. Just gear that works as hard as you do. Explore more at YETI.com | @YETI | facebook.com/YETI Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & the moment on the Atchafalaya Basin that set the tone 03:00 "I know my community" — why deep roots change everything 04:00 What is a Creole cowboy? Defining Creole culture and Louisiana's gumbo pot 07:00 What is a parish? Louisiana's Napoleonic Code explained 08:00 The vulnerability of introducing yourself as a Creole cowboy 10:00 Why Drake feels called to educate even when it's exhausting 12:00 The real history of black cowboy culture Hollywood erased 14:00 Why "1 in 4 cowboys were Black" is actually an undercount 15:00 "Cowboy" was a derogatory term — the truth about who built the West 17:00 What Hollywood took from Black cowboy culture and what it missed 19:00 Why money can't buy the spiritual bond between horse and rider 22:00 Tribal designs, turquoise, and the hidden origins of Western style 26:00 The spiritual meaning of turquoise in Native American horse culture 29:00 "You not pap" — live your culture or kill it, there's no in between 32:00 Shoutout to Chris Lewis & reining horses in the Creole community 37:00 Cultural gentrification in the horse world — what it is and why it matters 42:00 Advice for horse communities feeling threatened by change 45:00 Feeling alone in the horse world — Drake's answer 47:00 "Move to Louisiana" — and what community actually looks like 51:00 Time and intention: the only two things a horse truly needs 53:00 How to be brave when you're afraid to speak up 56:00 Find something you fear MORE — Drake's philosophy on courage 58:00 When Drake realized the outside world didn't know Black cowboys existed 1:07:00 Trail rides, thousands of riders, and how Creole horse culture thrives 1:11:00 Zydeco music, food, and why making it fun kept the culture alive 1:13:00 Rapid fire: book rec, most iconic horse, most undervalued skill 1:17:00 Greatest horseman of all time and mares vs stallions vs geldings

    1h 19m

  5. MAR 3

    Laura Kraut's Road to the Top and the Future of American Show Jumping

    There is a whole generation of insanely talented young riders who feel like the system is not built for them. You want the top sport, you want the big moments in show jumping, you want to know what it actually takes to get there, yet the pathway feels gated and the access feels invisible. That is exactly why this conversation with Laura Kraut hits so hard. Laura is a legit icon in show jumping and she shows up here with zero ego, full transparency, and a real blueprint for what it takes to rise in a sport that can feel impossible to break into. Laura brings us inside Road to the Top, the program she created with Katie Prudent to give hungry riders the mentorship, horsepower, and behind the scenes education they never get access to. She talks openly about the emotional and financial pressure of show jumping, how real horsemanship gets built, and what separates riders who make it from riders who burn out. This episode is equal parts wisdom, reality check, and hype. If you're dreaming big, this one will light a fire under you. In this episode, you will learn: How Road to the Top actually works and why it gives overlooked riders a real shot in show jumping The mindset mistakes that hold promising riders back and how to avoid them How to think about horse management, horse picking, and building real feel What mentorship looks like at the absolute top and how it shaped Laura's Olympic career How to stay grounded when social media makes everyone else look perfect How owners and supporters can get involved and genuinely move the sport forward The book that Laura would read to the Horse World - The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts This episode is brought to you by: Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc. The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance. Visit www.connaway.net | @connawayassociates | facebook.com/connawayassociatesequine and YETI Made for early mornings in the barn and long days in the saddle. Whether you're hauling feed, chasing daylight on the trail, or loading up for a weekend on the road, YETI coolers and drinkware are built to handle it. No shortcuts. No compromise. Just gear that works as hard as you do. Explore more at YETI.com | @YETI | facebook.com/YETI Chapters: 00:00 Why Riders Feel Stuck 00:24 Meet Laura Kraut 01:47 Road to the Top Explained 04:12 Horsemanship and Horse Sense 05:53 Funding Model and First Riders 11:38 Owners and Horse Rotation 16:47 Beyond the Highlight Reel 19:07 Building Community Support 25:41 Keeping US Talent Competitive 35:26 Mentorship Versus Teaching 42:30 Passing the Torch 44:04 Scarcity vs Sharing 45:55 Road to the Top Vision 47:53 Mentorship and Independence 49:00 Applying Like Harvard 52:52 Grit and Handling Failure 57:41 Mentors Who Shaped Laura 01:05:13 Love of the Horse 01:06:29 Pay It Forward Chain 01:10:33 Rapid Fire and Wrap And for even more expert-led workshops, in-depth courses, and exclusive lectures designed to elevate your riding and horsemanship, visit NoelleFloydPlus.com NF+ brings you direct access to top equestrian professionals, training insights, and a passionate community of riders dedicated to learning and improving. And you can follow us on instagram too! Click here 👉 www.instagram.com/dearhorseworld

    1h 16m

  6. FEB 24

    The Five Types of Confidence Every Horse Needs with Tik Maynard

    Some horses appear confident while others seem reactive or unsure, but what if confidence is more nuanced than that? In this special episode from our NF+ Masterclass, The Confidence Advantage, Tik breaks down the five distinct areas where a horse can gain or lose confidence and how each one functions like a cup that can be filled from one to ten. In this episode, you will learn: Around Other Horses - Can your horse leave the herd calmly and enter new spaces without anxiety? As an Explorer - Do the approach new environments with curiosity instead of fear? In the Relationship - Do they see you as botha trusted friend and a steady leader? In Specific Skills - Have they practiced their job enough to feel capable and secure in it? In Their Skills and Sports - Practicing discipline-specific tasks with ease and gaining confidence through repetition and variety. Tik also explains how these five areas interact and why a horse's confidence in you can help support everything else. Watch the Full Course: This episode is just one part of Tik Maynard's full Confidence Course, available exclusively on NF+. Use code TIK25 for 25% off an annual NF+ membership and start building lasting confidence for you and your horse. Streaming now at noellefloydplus.com. and follow along on instagram

    8 min

  7. FEB 17

    Is the Horse World Acting like a Cult? with Sharon Madere | Sponsored by YETI

    You might know this feeling all too well. You want to trust your feel, keep growing, and do right by your horse, yet something in the culture makes you hesitate. Questioning a method or following your instincts can feel dangerous, like one honest moment could cost you belonging, spark backlash, or even put a target on your back. In this episode, Sharon Madere, an equine behavior consultant and cult survivor, brings a special combination of lived experience and scientific expertise to help riders reclaim their clarity, confidence, and curiosity. As a lifelong horsewoman, she understands the mechanics of influence, pressure, and obedience in ways most people never articulate. And she applies that perspective directly to the horse world in a way that is both affirming and liberating. In this conversation, you will learn: The clear signs of cult-like leadership in horse communities Why emotionally charged language like disrespect or naughty derails presence and erodes confidence How to stay grounded, think critically, and avoid manipulation as a student or owner Practical tips on training, positive reinforcement, and making better choices for you AND your horse   Why empowerment and curiosity matter more than any "guru" Sharon also shares practical strategies for safer, clearer horsemanship, from building boundaries in a herd to teaching effective trailer loading. It is a conversation that blends science, psychology, and lived wisdom into something every rider can immediately apply. Resources and Mentions: Sharon's podcast: Feet of Clay: Confessions of the Cult Sisters Sharon's Website : EquiLightenment.com International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) Chapters: 00:00 Is the Horse World Acting Like a Cult? 02:10 Sharon's Story: Growing Up in a Religious Cult 08:45 How Cult Psychology Works 15:20 Authority Culture in Horse Training 21:30 The Danger of "Disrespect" in Horsemanship 28:40 When Riders Stop Trusting Their Intuition 35:15 Science vs Dogma in Equine Behavior 43:00 Reclaiming Critical Thinking in the Horse World 50:00 What Needs to Change This episode is sponsored by YETI Made for early mornings in the barn and long days in the saddle. Whether you're hauling feed, chasing daylight on the trail, or loading up for a weekend on the road, YETI coolers and drinkware are built to handle it. No shortcuts. No compromise. Just gear that works as hard as you do. Explore more at YETI.com | @YETI | facebook.com/YETI

    1h 22m

  8. FEB 10

    How Horses Really See: Motion, Color, Depth and the Diseases Owners Miss Part 2 — Dear Horse World, it's Dr. Dennis Brooks

    In Part 2 with Dr. Dennis Brooks, we step fully into the world as horses see it. This episode unpacks the five emerging immune mediated eye diseases he is treating around the world, why one of them is more alarming than moon blindness, and how tiny changes in the cornea can trigger sudden behavior shifts. We explore how horses process color, motion, and depth, why their optic nerves move information faster than ours, and how they can perform at an elite level with one eye or even with no vision. We also bridge ophthalmology with neuroscience to understand how the equine brain reads emotion, remembers experiences, and navigates the world with extraordinary sensitivity. In this episode, you will learn: • The five types of immune mediated keratitis and the one specialists worry most about • How to spot early signs of cloudiness, floaters, or subtle vision changes • What colors horses truly see and how this affects training and jump design • Why horses detect motion in low light far better than humans • How elite horses perform with limited or no vision • How the equine brain processes emotion, memory, and spatial cues • When sudden behavior changes may originate in the eye and what to do next Connect with Dr. Dennis Brooks :  • Facebook: Dr. Dennis Brooks, Equine Ophthalmologist Book they would read to the Horse World - Veterinary and Comparative Ophthalmology, published in 1914 by Eugene Nicolas  Episode sponsored by: Total Feeds Our mission to provide quality nutrition to people and animals puts us in contact with all manner of interesting folks. Whether you're interested in our animal feed, or the people involved in the animal industry: you'll find it at Total Feeds! Check out our line of Quality Animal Feeds here: https://totalfeeds.com YETI Made for early mornings in the barn and long days in the saddle. Whether you're hauling feed, chasing daylight on the trail, or loading up for a weekend on the road, YETI coolers and drinkware are built to handle it. No shortcuts. No compromise. Just gear that works as hard as you do. Explore more at yeti.com | @yeti | facebook.com/YETI And for even more expert-led workshops, in-depth courses, and exclusive lectures designed to elevate your riding and horsemanship, visit NoelleFloydPlus.com and use code 'DHW' for 15% off annual memberships! NF+ brings you direct access to top equestrian professionals, training insights, and a passionate community of riders dedicated to learning and improving. And you can follow us on instagram too! Click here 👉 www.instagram.com/dearhorseworld

    54 min
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About

Dear Horse World is a podcast for every horse lover, brought to you by NOËLLE FLOYD. Join Noëlle each week, as she embarks on a journey to explore the vast and diverse world of horses, delving into the many sub-communities and cultures that shape our shared passion. This podcast is about more than just riding styles or training techniques; it's about celebrating the deep connection between humans and horses, and understanding the common threads that tie us together. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, you'll find inspiration, knowledge, and a sense of belonging in every episode of Dear Horse World. Subscribe or follow, wherever you get your podcasts with episodes dropping weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    NOËLLE FLOYD
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Dear Horse World

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