Dear Horse World, It’s Jerri Scherff: Instagram Fame and Inequality in the Horse World
Release Date: 12/17/2024
Dear Horse World
Frustration is a human emotion, and it almost inevitably shows up in every rider’s journey. The question is what you do when it does. In this episode, Olympic dressage medalist Laura Graves steps in as your coach and mentor, sharing the mindset that guides her when riding feels more hard than harmonious. This clip comes from her NF+ masterclass Laura Graves Troubleshoots Common Flatwork Woes and offers a rare look into how an elite rider thinks during the private moments of training, when there are no quick answers and no one else in the arena. Laura reflects on learning to pause instead of...
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Welcome back to No Stupid Questions, the nutrition edition with Dr. Harry Anderson. In part Part 2 we take deeper look at the physiology that drives your horse’s behavior, metabolism, and overall health. We explore the way sugar, minerals, and fiber interact inside the horse. We talk about why some horses puff up, why certain forage creates sharpness, and how small choices in the feed room can shift the entire internal environment. This is the kind of steady, clear education most of us never received but always needed. In this episode we cover: • The horse’s unique digestive design and...
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Most horse owners are trying their best in the feed room while quietly wondering if they are getting it right. You want your horse to feel calm, healthy, and steady in their body, but the information out there is overwhelming and often contradictory. One person says alfalfa is dangerous. Another says your horse needs hay 24/7. Someone else blames ulcers, sugar, or stress. And in the middle of all of it, you are just trying to understand what your horse is telling you. Dr. Harry Anderson has spent more than fifty years studying animal physiology and nutrition, and he has an uncanny ability to...
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Eventing is equal parts strategy, skill, and mental game, but for many riders it can feel like a constant battle to balance all three phases, keep their horse sound, and make real progress. How do you build a horse’s confidence and physical strength without rushing them or burning them out? In this episode, Olympian and 5 star eventer Will Coleman joins us to break down what truly drives elite performance. A lifelong student of the sport, Will shares the mentors who shaped him including David and Karen O’Connor and Anne Kursinski. He talks about his early exposure to natural horsemanship,...
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We're back with Season 2 of Dear Horse World, premiering on December 2nd! This season, we bring you some of the most iconic voices in the industry, featuring legends like Will Coleman, Lindy Birch, Rodrigo Pessoa, Laura Kraut, and the unforgettable Boots O'Neill. Their wisdom and experiences reveal life-changing insights into the sport, horses, and horsemanship. Additionally, don't miss our Black Friday sale starting November 28th for an exclusive 50% off annual NF plus membership. Join us for another incredible season and elevate your riding to the next level! 00:00 Season Two...
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Some horses come with a few challenges. This one came with a list. In this episode of Ground Work Guys, Nick and Tik meet a mare who pulls back when tied, rushes off the trailer, fidgets for the farrier, and gets jumpy around the saddle. Instead of diving straight into solutions, they do what they do best: take a step back and look at the bigger picture. What unfolds is an honest, funny, and surprisingly tender conversation about trust, patience, and why most training problems are really just relationship problems in disguise. From clicker training to pressure and release, from soft...
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Meg writes in about her daughter’s experienced 1.25m jumper who’s suddenly backing off liverpools (water jumps), and the Groundwork Guys, Tik Maynard and Nick Rivera, dig in to help rebuild his confidence from the ground up. They start where all good training starts: ruling out pain. From there, they look at what the horse is telling them through his reactions, his body, and the way he thinks about the task. They unpack how fear can look like enthusiasm, why overjumping isn’t confidence, and how the words we use, such as always, never, or tried everything can quietly shape the way...
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Some horses just do not do spray bottles. One sound, one mist, and it is all over. In this episode of Ground Work Guys, Nick and Tik meet an 18-hand draft mare who panics at the very idea of being sprayed. Even hearing a bottle on the other side of the trailer is enough to send her sky-high. Instead of fighting through fear, they talk about how to rebuild trust one sense at a time. You will hear them unpack why spray bottles can feel like predators to horses, how to take the mystery out of the sound, and why relaxation beats tolerance every time. They explore ways to use rhythm,...
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If your horse likes to stand a little too close for comfort, you know how fast “friendly” can turn into “please step back.” In this episode of Groundwork Guys, Tik Maynard and Nick Rivera unpack what’s really going on when a horse ignores your space and why calling it bad manners might be missing the point. They dig into the difference between respect and fear, and how to build a boundary that feels fair, not forceful. The conversation moves from the science of horse behavior to the art of staying calm when things get crowded. Here’s what they explore: Why “manners” are...
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If you’ve ever been late to a lesson because your horse suddenly decided the trailer is lava, welcome. Tik Maynard and Nick Rivera are here to help. In this first episode of Groundwork Guys, the duo tackles listener Megan’s question about her semi-feral mare who has made her feelings about trailer loading very clear. What follows is part training plan, part therapy session, and part two horsemen trying to out-joke each other. Tik and Nick talk through why trailer loading usually isn’t about the trailer at all, how to spot the moment your horse starts thinking instead of panicking, and...
info_outlineWhen it comes to training horses—or dogs—it’s easy to focus on surface behaviors: bucking or barking, or bolting or biting. But what if the real story lies deeper—in unmet needs, misunderstood communication, or even the emotions we bring into the equation? In this episode, we’re joined by Jerri Scherff, a trainer who doesn’t just work with animals—she transforms relationships.
Though recently making waves with her hilarious Instagram reels, she’s been known for the last decade for her thoughtful, open-minded approach to dog training. In this episode, Jerri shares the tools and insights that have helped her clients break through frustration and create lasting trust.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
- Barrel Racing Behind the Scenes: Jerri sets the record straight on the realities of barrel racing and shares the lessons it’s taught her and her daughter.
- Dog vs. Horse Training: Surprising connections between these two worlds—and how understanding one can transform your approach to the other.
- The Power of Empathy: Hear Jerri’s viral story about stepping in during a case of horse abuse, and how she used compassion and crisis understanding to help both the human and the horse.
- Turning Struggles into Growth: Why being “incompatible” can often offer the greatest opportunities for learning and connection.
- Jerri’s Open-Minded Approach: Practical strategies for meeting your animal’s unique needs while also managing your own emotions and expectations.
Whether you’re grappling with training challenges, curious about animal behavior, or just looking for inspiration, this conversation is packed with relatable stories, practical advice, and fresh perspectives. Because the best partnerships aren’t built through force or frustration—they’re forged with empathy, patience, and understanding.
Tune in to explore how these principles can transform your relationship with your horse, your dog, and even yourself.
Watch Jerri’s viral video on handing abuse: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_oPAEkyHqG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D
Follow Jerri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailorjerrithedogtrainer/