Optimized Equine Podcast

Tamara Lee Barrett
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement

Welcome to the Optimized Equine Podcast with Tamara Lee Barrett. Join me and my guests, as we discuss horsemanship, equine performance optimization, and explore the evolution of self through the wisdom that horses offer us.

  1. Apr 9

    OEP 38: Bit Myths, Hard Truths, and Better Horsemanship with Daniel Dauphin

    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 science, anatomy, and mechanics of bits and bridles. He is the creator of The Bit Course, a comprehensive online program that has been adopted as a teaching resource by 25 universities across the country. In this episode, Daniel challenges some of the most deeply held beliefs in the equine world — from the nutcracker effect to the foamy mouth myth — and explains why so many of the things we've been taught to look for as signs of a happy, working horse are actually red flags in disguise. We also explore the role of the tongue in whole body function, why bit fit matters more than bit design, and why adding more gear is almost never the answer. Whether you're an English rider, a Western rider, or anywhere in between, this episode will change the way you look at what's in your horse's mouth — and what's in your hands. Connect with Daniel Dauphin: TheBitCourse.com DauphinHorsemanship.com Adult Onset Horsemanship Podcast Don't Forget To Follow, Subscribe, and Rate Optimized Equine Podcast! Stay Connected at TamaraLeeBarrett.com Chapters [00:00] Welcome and Introduction [00:37] How Daniel Became the Bit Guy [02:24] Why Bits Are a Bigger Topic Than You Think [04:57] It All Comes Back to the Tongue [06:42] A Brief History of Bits [07:50] The Origins of Bitless Riding [09:39] If You Could Rewrite the Rules [12:25] The Two Wrinkle Problem [13:30] The Mouth Seal and Why It Matters [16:09] Mouthpiece Design and Surface Area [18:44] The Single Jointed Snaffle [19:32] The Tom Thumb Bit [23:37] The Waterford Bit [25:35] Debunking the Nutcracker Effect [30:40] Protecting the Horse Through Education [33:23] What Foamy Mouth Actually Means [34:10] Tongue Ties in Racehorses [36:09] Drop Nosebands and Mouth Closing Devices [38:08] The Tongue's Connection to the Whole Body [40:53] Draw Reins and Behind the Vertical [41:44] Throat Latch Angle and the Horse's Eye [44:38] Nervous System Regulation and the Mouth [46:30] When Bit Problems Aren't Really Bit Problems [47:46] Going Bitless Doesn't Exempt You From This Work [53:01] Shank Bits [58:39] The English World and Contact [1:02:00] The Pelham and Converter [1:04:26] When the Gear Becomes the Problem [1:06:35] Mouth Guards and Gimmicks [1:10:06] The Bit Course [1:14:17] Closing and Where to Find Daniel

    1h 17m

  2. Apr 1

    OE Mini: Finding Softness vs. Punishing Nippy Behavior

    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 comfortable before proceeding. Recognizing subtle signals and learning to stay present without inadvertently adding pressure lead to finding real softness, rather than just managing symptoms. Later in the conversation, the horse begins approaching his owner during a break and she wonders whether to reward him with a pet or scratch. Tamara reframes the moment entirely, sharing her perspective on what a genuine release and reset looks like, as well as offering a more thoughtful way to incorporate physical touch if the owner chooses. A practical, perspective-shifting episode for anyone dealing with a horse who is mouthy, sensitive, or “cranky.” Don’t forget to click follow or subscribe, rate the show, and share with a friend. It takes just a moment, but helps so much! Visit tamaraleebarrett.com for more episodes and info on virtual or in-person coaching and consulting.

    6 min

  3. Mar 18

    OEP 37: Diversity Is The Answer with Lydia Heywood & McKrell Baier

    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 its place in the Olympics. Lydia shares her journey that led to competing internationally, and the leap she just took to run Cool Ridings full time. McKrell and Lydia reflect on how much they have in common despite coming from very different worlds, and why diversity isn't just a feel-good idea — it's the answer to nearly every challenge the equestrian world is facing right now. You can follow Lydia Heywood of Cool Ridings Equestrian on social media, or visit ⁠coolridings.com⁠ to learn more. You can follow McKrell Baier’s Bridge Up Giddy Up program and the US Equestrian Society on Instagram, or visit ⁠us-es.org⁠ Don't Forget To Follow, Subscribe, and Rate Optimized Equine Podcast! Stay Connected at ⁠TamaraLeeBarrett.com⁠ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lydia Haywood 02:12 Lydia's Journey in Equestrian Sports 04:47 The Impact of Cool Ridings 08:15 Insights from the US Equestrian Event 09:52 Building Community in Equestrian Sports 12:46 Challenges and Opportunities in Equestrianism 15:09 The Importance of Representation 17:29 Transitioning to Full-Time Equestrian Work 24:45 Creating Accessible Equestrian Experiences 27:23 Navigating Competitions 29:38 The Future of Equestrian Sports 36:34 The Power of Diversity in Equestrianism 39:54 Defining Correctness in Equestrian Practices 45:39 Global Perspectives on Equestrian Education 51:19 Three Wishes for the Equestrian World

    59 min

  4. Mar 4

    OE Mini: When Athleticism is tied to Anxiety

    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 stress, fear, and survival, moving from a calm state back into athleticism isn't as simple as asking for more. The body and mind have to be taught, step by step, how to engage and work without triggering that deeply wired fight-or-flight response.In this clip, Tamara breaks down why this happens, what it looks like, and how to begin building that bridge between relaxation and athletic effort. Don't Forget To Follow, Subscribe, and Rate Optimized Equine Podcast! Stay Connected at TamaraLeeBarrett.com

    5 min

  5. Mar 2

    OEP 36: Is Your Horse Surviving or Thriving? with Stephanie Carter, NTP

    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 centered on species-appropriate, nutrient-dense, real foods and the bio-individuality of every horse. Stephanie breaks down what sets functional nutrition apart from conventional equine nutrition, why population-level guidelines like the NRC fall short for individual horses, and how quality and sourcing of feed ingredients plays a bigger role in long-term health than most people realize. She also explains why she uses hair tissue mineral analysis and microbiome testing alongside traditional bloodwork to get a fuller picture of what's really going on with a horse — and why bloodwork alone can miss a lot. The conversation gets into some deeper territory too, including how chronic stress and emotional trauma show up as physical health problems in horses, the connection between the gut microbiome and whole-body health, and Stephanie's perspective on conditions like Cushing's and insulin resistance as layered, systemic issues rather than single problems to be managed with medication alone. Tamara and Stephanie also touch on the importance of the owner's role in their horse's health, the value of collaboration between functional and conventional practitioners, and why prevention will always beat crisis management. Stephanie also shares details on her two books — Managing Muscle Mayhem and her newest release, Equine Functional Nutrition: Understanding Root Cause to Restore Vitality. You can follow Indigo Ancestral Health on Facebook, Instagram or visit stephaniecarterntp.com to learn more about her work. Don't Forget To Follow, Subscribe, and Rate Optimized Equine Podcast! Stay Connected at TamaraLeeBarrett.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Equine Functional Nutrition 06:43 Understanding Osteopathic Veterinary Medicine 11:20 The Importance of Individualized Nutrition 16:10 The Role of Forage in Equine Diets 26:12 Understanding Trauma and the Microbiome in Horses 36:01 The Role of Emotional Well-being in Horse Care 41:36 Exploring Stephanie’s New Book on Equine Health and Vitality 46:30 Wishes for Horses and Humanity

    49 min

  6. Feb 16

    OEP 35: Horsemanship from Nature with Rachel Windchaser

    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 transformed her understanding of horses entirely. These undiluted horses taught her that true horsemanship begins with understanding nature: both the horse's nature and our own.In this conversation, we explore how Rachel's father taught her that it all starts with asking the right questions at the right time, and why understanding the nature of the horse changes everything about how we interact with them. Rachel explains the difference between relationship and partnership with horses and why you can't have one without the other. We discuss why boundaries aren't the enemy of ethical horsemanship but are actually essential for clarity and safety, and how bringing your authentic self to your horse, emotions and all, creates better connection than leaving everything "at the gate."Rachel emphasizes the importance of slowing down enough to truly see your horse, not just look at them, and why horses thrive on clarity and become confused and frustrated without it. We also dive into how the pressure of competing voices in the horse world creates more confusion than clarity for horse owners trying to do their best. Rachel shares about her book, "The Principles of Rewilding: Horsemanship from Nature," and what inspired her to write it despite her own struggles with communication.Rachel offers a perspective that bridges the gap between different horsemanship camps, reminding us that no single method works for every horse in every moment. Instead, understanding the individual horse in front of you, and yourself, is the foundation for everything else. Whether you're a high-level competitor or someone who simply wants to connect more deeply with your horse, this episode will inspire you to step outside the noise and return to what matters most: authentic communication and mutual understanding.You can connect with Rachel Windchaser at rewild.windchaserranch.com, on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Her book "The Principles of Rewilding: Horsemanship from Nature" is available on Amazon and Lulu in both English and Spanish.Don't Forget To Follow, Subscribe, and Rate Optimized Equine Podcast! Follow Our Socials and Stay Connected at TamaraLeeBarrett.com

    1h 28m

  7. Jan 14

    OEP 34: Nick Fornwalt on Training, Hoofcare and finding Partnership in Horsemanship

    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, and a profound realization about communication, fairness, and humility that sparked a journey that would change his life.Nick doesn't shy away from the controversial topics. He makes a strong case that barefoot is objectively better for horses, but he also brings nuance to the conversation, acknowledging that shoes can be valuable tools when approached honestly, rather than as permanent solutions we avoid questioning.The conversation explores the false dichotomy between "push-button horses" and partnership-based training, the uncomfortable truth about what it actually takes to commit to barefoot transitions, and why Nick believes the industry often prioritizes human convenience over horse welfare. He shares how horses have taught him lessons about ego, patience, and presence that have made him a better husband and father.Throughout the episode, Nick emphasizes that real horsemanship isn't about technical perfection—it's about being present enough to have genuine conversations with horses, even when those conversations reveal uncomfortable truths about ourselves.ABOUT NICK FORNWALTNick Fornwalt is a hoof care provider and horse trainer based in Payson, Arizona. His journey with horses began in earnest during college, though horses weren't a major part of his childhood. After working in the film and television industry, Nick found himself drawn back to a more rural, agricultural lifestyle through horses.When COVID shut down the entertainment industry, Nick transitioned full-time into hoof care and training. What started as a practical need to trim his own horses evolved into a professional practice after apprenticing with traditional farriers and later studying barefoot approaches with specialists like David Landreville.Nick's training philosophy has been deeply influenced by his work with mentor and training partner Tessa Nicolet of Cohesive Horsemanship, whose French classical-based approach and emphasis on lightness, communication, and partnership marked a significant departure from his earlier methods. Today, Nick focuses on developing horses as curious, willing partners rather than push-button machines, and advocates for barefoot hoof care whenever possible while maintaining honest, nuanced conversations about when and why shoes might be needed.He approaches both hoof care and training with an emphasis on making it harder for the human and easier for the horse, prioritizing sustainability, welfare, and genuine partnership over convenience and quick results.Contact:Website: www.fornwaltlivestock.comFollow, Subscribe, and Rate the Optimized Equine Podcast! Follow Our Socials and Stay Connected at TamaraLeeBarrett.comChapters00:00 Nick's Journey with Horses07:15 Transitioning to a Professional Role18:05 Corner Turning Moments in Training18:18 Realizations and Shifts in Perspective21:45 Turning Points in Horse Care26:02 The Culture of Hoof Care30:17 Understanding Barefoot vs. Shoeing36:30 The Band-Aid Effect of Shoes44:31 Interpreting Horse Behavior44:35 Understanding Horse Communication49:40 The Complexity of Training Horses55:36 Personal Development Through Horsemanship01:00:33 Wishes and Reflections on Horsemanship

    1h 3m

  8. Jan 7

    OEP 33: Student of the Horse with Ariana Sakaris

    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 through body language, energy, and subtle cues that often go unnoticed in routine care. Ariana challenges the idea that "liberty" has one definition, explaining why sometimes the kindest thing you can do is put the halter back on to help a horse find clarity rather than letting them stay lost and confused. Ariana opens up about her journey with her Mustang, Wildheart—from wild in Nevada to competing in dressage shows and International Liberty competitions. She shares the internal battle of showing up in competitive environments when your horse doesn't fit the mold, and how she found the courage to do it anyway, on her own terms. We also dive into the concept of horsemanship as an evolving practice of self-awareness, adaptability, and learning to speak the horse's language. Ariana emphasizes that true partnership isn't about perfection—it's about meeting each horse where they are, respecting their "no" while helping them work through challenges, and always prioritizing their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Whether you're interested in liberty work, dressage, or simply want to deepen your connection with your horse, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration that transcends discipline. Key Topics Discussed: Blending groundwork, liberty work, and dressage in daily training Reading your horse's mental and physical state through observation The importance of establishing baseline information about your horse When to use tools like halters and lead ropes versus working at liberty Navigating fear and building confidence—for both horse and human Showing with non-traditional horses and doing it your way Managing horses with health challenges like EPM, PSSM1, and allergies Defining horsemanship as self-awareness and adaptability About Our Guest: Ariana Sakaris is known for her calm, patient, and deeply empathetic approach with both horses and humans. Her teaching blends clarity with compassion, helping others discover a kinder way of understanding, communicating, and working with their horses. Ariana's journey began at age five in Greece, where she first became fascinated by the language between horses and people. After returning to the U.S., she spent over eight years studying under a former Russian Olympic Dressage Coach and Master of Sport, completing more than 400 hours of certified training. However, as her technical skills grew, she realized something was missing—genuine, two-way connection. This revelation sparked a transformative journey across the U.S. and France, studying with leading professionals in Grand Prix Dressage, Classical Dressage, Liberty, and Horsemanship. Today, Ariana is a United States Dressage Federation Silver Medalist, four-time International Liberty Horse Association Champion, National Dressage Pony Cup Mustang Champion, USDF Mustang Breed Award Champion, Mustang Makeover Reserve Champion, Midwest Horse Fair Star Search Reserve Champion, and award-winning filmmaker for her documentary Wild Heart.  Based in Paris, Kentucky, Ariana offers clinics, demonstrations, instruction, and training focused on Liberty Work, Dressage, Groundwork, and Relationship-Based Problem Solving.  Connect with Ariana: Website: https://www.arianasakaris.com/ Facebook: Ariana Sakaris Equestrian Development Please take a moment to Share, Follow, Subscribe, and Rate the Optimized Equine Podcast! Follow Our Socials and Stay Connected at TamaraLeeBarrett.com

    1h 20m
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5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to the Optimized Equine Podcast with Tamara Lee Barrett. Join me and my guests, as we discuss horsemanship, equine performance optimization, and explore the evolution of self through the wisdom that horses offer us.

Information

  • Creator
    Tamara Lee Barrett
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tamara Lee Barrett
  • Show Website
    Optimized Equine Podcast

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