The People Behind the Horses: With Shelby Dennis

Mad Barn is proud to present the next segment of our series, “The People Behind the Horses,” where we spotlight the individuals shaping the future of equine welfare, education, and performance. In this episode, we sit down with Shelby Dennis, IAABC Certified Equine Behavior Consultant, founder of Milestone Equestrian, and author of Secrets of the Horse: A New Approach to Training and Understanding Horses.

Drawing from her personal journey, professional experience, and the lessons learned from her horse Milo, Shelby challenges traditional assumptions about horse behavior and explores how empathy, science, and welfare-focused management can transform our relationships with horses.

🎙 What you’ll hear in this episode:
🔹 Shelby’s journey into horses and the experiences that shaped her approach to horsemanship
🔹 The inspiration behind Secrets of the Horse and its message for today’s equestrian community
🔹 Why understanding the root cause of behavior is essential for effective training and horse welfare
🔹 Common misconceptions about horse communication and the importance of viewing behavior through a scientific lens
🔹 How management practices influence equine health, stress, and performance, often more than training alone
🔹 A thoughtful discussion on social license, competition ethics, and the future of horse sport
🔹 The role of transparency, data, and evidence-based decision-making in advancing equine welfare
🔹 Reasons for optimism as a new generation of horse owners and professionals embrace higher welfare standards

Whether you’re a rider, trainer, coach, or horse owner, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving conversation around horse behavior, welfare, and the future of horsemanship.

⏱ Podcast Timeline
0:00 – Introduction & Guest Overview: Shelby Dennis
1:00 – Shelby’s Early Journey Into Horses
2:25 – Inside the Book: Secrets of the Horse
6:02 – The Horse That Changed Everything: Milo’s Story
9:00 – Lessons Learned From Living With Milo
11:52 – Understanding the “Why” Behind Horse Behavior
12:24 – Common Misconceptions About Horse Communication
16:35 – How Horses Experience the World Differently
18:27 – The Biggest Welfare Challenges Facing Horses Today
19:50 – Why Management Often Matters More Than Training
23:05 – Social License, Competition Ethics & Industry Reform
24:19 – Improving Welfare Through Data & Transparency
28:08 – Reasons for Hope in the Future of Horsemanship
29:46 – Social Media, Education & Changing Perspectives
31:06 – The Core Message of Secrets of the Horse

📚 Related Resources:
👉 https://madbarn.com/four-quadrants-of-horse-training/
👉 https://madbarn.com/how-riders-impact-horses/
👉 https://madbarn.com/equine-welfare-in-show-jumping/
👉 https://madbarn.com/rider-aids-and-horse-training/
👉 https://madbarn.com/social-license-to-operate-in-the-equine-industry/
👉 https://madbarn.com/equine-welfare/
👉 https://madbarn.com/pain-assessment-for-horses/

Want to evaluate your horse’s diet? Follow this link to connect with an equine nutritionist or explore our horse nutrition calculator: https://madbarn.cpm/analyze-diet/

Mad Barn is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers, and practitioners through research, training, and education. Visit us to learn more at madbarn.com.

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