The latest episode of Dear Horse World is here, featuring the fascinating Martin Black, who grew up learning from legends like Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance and has spent a lifetime blending traditional Vaquero techniques with modern, evidence-based methods.

Join Martin and Noelle as they dig into the balance between tradition and innovation, the lessons English and Western riders can learn from each other, and why intuition should always come before labels.

🎧 Listen now on NF+, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!

The final episodes of Tik Maynard's Four Building Blocks to Better Horsemanship are now live on NF+!

In Episode 3: Motivation, Tik meets Sienna, a skeptical pony with a history of avoiding contact. With the help of animal behavior scientist Amelia McCray, he unpacks what truly motivates horses—and how understanding fear, curiosity, and reward can build trust instead of resistance. Through a thoughtful mix of pressure and release, clicker training, and food rewards, Tik shifts Sienna’s experience from one of fear to curiosity.

In Episode 4: Play, Tik explores the essential yet often-overlooked role of play in training. With liberty expert Michelle Young, he breaks down how play fosters connection, transforms the way horses feel about learning, and turns training into an invitation rather than an obligation.

Have you been tuning in? Let us know your thoughts!

Ready to ride stronger? Join us for the 14-Day Rider Fitness Challenge!

On February 24, we’re kicking off a challenge designed to help you build strength, balance, and mobility in just 15 minutes a day. No gym or fancy equipment involved — just simple, effective exercises that fit seamlessly into your life.

Each day, you’ll follow a targeted workout from Ifa Simmonds’ Cross Training for Equestrians, focusing on the key muscles that support a stable, effective ride. Whether you’re looking to refine your seat, improve core engagement, or simply feel stronger in and out of the saddle, this challenge is for you.

How it works:

📅 The challenge goes live Monday AM right here in the community

🏋️ Follow the daily 15-minute workouts

🤝 Check in, connect, and stay accountable with the community

✨ See how just two weeks of small, daily effort can transform the way you ride

Plus, we’re setting up an Office Hours session with Ifa so you can ask him your personal questions about fitness and strength!

🔥 Who’s in? Let us know in the comments if you’re joining us!

We want to know your questions about bits & bitting! Have you ever wondered if your horse’s bit is truly the right fit? Confused about mouthpieces or materials?

Now’s your chance to ask an expert — Noëlle will be sitting down soon with Mette Larsen for a No Stupid Questions episode of Dear Horse World focused on bitting!

Mette is the NF+ instructor of Beyond the Bit, a full masterclass on bitting, and Dressage for All Disciplines; as well as a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, FEI dressage competitor, and president of Neue Schule USA. With decades of experience riding and training across disciplines, she’s built a career on understanding the nuances of bit fit, horse comfort, and effective communication.

Drop your questions in the comments below, and Mette will answer them in the upcoming episode. (And no question is too basic or simple — when we say no stupid questions, we mean it!)

Show jumping has a problem—one no one wants to talk about. Dangerous course design is putting horses and riders at risk, but speaking up can cost riders opportunities, sponsors, and even their horses.

Harry Charles isn’t staying quiet. After a bad fall at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in January, the 25-year-old Olympian took to social media to call for change, sparking an urgent conversation about safety and accountability in the sport. Now, he’s pulling back the curtain on the risks riders face, the consequences of speaking out, and why the system needs to change.

🎧 Listen now on NF+, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!

The wait is over — brand-new episodes of A Day in the Life with Peder Fredricson are now streaming on NF+! Whether you're an aspiring rider or simply a fan of top-level horsemanship, these episodes are an intimate look at one of the sport’s greatest minds:

A Day in the Life – Spend a day with Peder as he trains, competes, and fine-tunes the little things that set him apart. From adjusting training routines to hacking out in nature, he shares what it really takes to be one of the best.

Inside My Stable – Step into Grevlundagården, the farm Peder has spent 23 years shaping. He shares how he built it from the ground up, the thoughtful details that keep his horses happy and healthy, and why this place is the heart of his success.

What’s in My Tack Room – Peder’s approach to tack is all about precision, comfort, and putting the horse first. He even designs his own bridles under his new brand, Bhoof, to ensure the perfect fit—because, in his world, the smallest details make the biggest difference.

Tune in to all three episodes on NF+ and let us know your thoughts on Peder's routines & philosophy! 

The first two episodes of Tik Maynard’s Building Blocks to Better Horsemanship are here! 🎉

This new docuseries isn’t about step-by-step training techniques — it’s about changing the way you see and think about working with horses. Tik takes you beyond mechanics and into the four building blocks at the heart of true horsemanship: Observation, Communication, Motivation, and Play.

In Episode 1: Observation, Tik sets out to observe wild horses in British Columbia, only to find the herd has already been rounded up — a reminder of how human intervention shapes a horse’s world. Shifting focus to a skeptical colt at Caleb Smith’s ranch, he demonstrates how horsemanship begins with seeing, listening, and understanding.

In Episode 2: Communication, Tik explores the art of clear, intentional communication with Andrea Taylor, a top dressage rider and Paralympic coach. Working with her young horse, Freddie, he unpacks the small, everyday moments that either build connection or break it — proving that real communication is more than cues, it’s a conversation.

We can't wait for you to watch —  tune in now on NF+!

The less we trust, the more we try to control. But what if your horse could teach you more about yourself than any self-help book ever could?

In the latest episode of Dear Horse World, Duey Freeman —therapist, educator, and equine expert — explains how horses mirror our emotions, reveal our blind spots, and help us grow in ways we never imagined. From relational horsemanship to Gestalt therapy, this conversation will change the way you see your horse—and yourself.

🎧 Listen now on NF+, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!

What’s happening on NF+ this week?

🎙️ Duey Freeman joins Dear Horse World to discuss equine-assisted therapy and the art of building trust with your horse on Tuesday, February 11th.

🖥️ Office Hours is back! Tik Maynard is answering your horsemanship and riding questions live on Tuesday, February 11th.

🥇 Peder Fredricson makes his NF+ debut with three episodes of A Day in the Life, giving you a rare behind-the-scenes look at his world-class approach to training and competition on Friday, February 14th.

What are you most excited to tune in for?