Our Behavior and How We Influence Horses - An NF+ Masterclass Exclusive with Tik Maynard
Release Date: 04/08/2025
No Stupid Questions with Max Corcoran: Horse Care Tips and Truths from Olympic Groom and Eventing Insider (Sponsored by - YETI and Connaway & Associates)
Dear Horse World
Horse care is a demanding and often unpredictable endeavor. One day your horse is calm and shiny, and the next, they're pacing, puffy, or blowing through your aids. As a responsible owner, you might find yourself questioning: Am I doing this right? The truth is, most owners overlook the intricate balance between fitness and care, either under-preparing their horse or overextending them, risking injury and burnout. Max Corcoran is an Olympic-level groom, eventing insider, and the go-to person when top riders need their horses performing at their best. She’s managed the care of horses at...
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Dear Horse World, It’s Karl Cook: From Olympic Athlete to Mad Scientist in the Saddle (Sponsored by Connaway & Associates)
Dear Horse World
Every rider knows the feeling: you're in the middle of a training session and something just doesn't click. There's a disconnect, not just with your horse, but with your approach and mindset. It's more than just a riding issue—it goes deeper, reflecting the challenges and complexities of the equestrian sport. Today, we've got a guest who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo. Karl Cook is an Olympic medalist and top-level showjumper who brings innovation and blunt honesty to the equestrian world. In this episode, we'll delve into Karl's unique viewpoints on horse care, training, and the...
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Dear Horse World, It’s Cassandra Ogier: The Era of Horsewomanship & the Power of the Lead Mare
Dear Horse World
Every horse owner knows the feeling: walking through the field, chasing after a horse that won’t come, sensing that disconnect not just with the horse, but with life. It’s more than just a training issue—it’s a reflection of something deeper, a desire for connection and harmony that feels out of reach. Being around horses is about more than riding—it’s about finding peace, balance, and a deeper bond. Many people long for that connection, not only with their horses but also with themselves, especially in a world full of stress and constant "doing." But how do you get there when the...
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Dear Horse World, It’s Dr. John Langlois: Your TCVM Questions, Answered (Part Two)
Dear Horse World
More real horses, more real problems—and more fresh perspectives on what might be going on beneath the surface. In Part 2 of this special Dear Horse World special double episode series, we’re continuing our conversation with Dr. John Langlois, an equine veterinarian with over 40 years of experience who now works exclusively in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). After exploring three listener-submitted case studies in Part 1, we’re back with three more. This time, Dr. Langlois brings a TCVM approach to: A gelding with insulin irregularities and possible thyroid...
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Dear Horse World, It’s Dr. John Langlois: Your TCVM Questions, Answered (Part One)
Dear Horse World
Real horses, real problems—and a fresh perspective on what might be going on beneath the surface. In this special two-part Dear Horse World episode, we’re back with Dr. John Langlois, an equine veterinarian with over 40 years of experience who now works exclusively in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). After introducing us to the world of acupuncture, herbs, and energy balancing in our first conversation, Dr. Langlois returns to answer your questions. We invited listeners to submit their horse’s health challenges—and in this first instalment, we cover three fascinating...
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Dear Horse World, It’s Anne Kursinski: How to Build Feel and Ride with Olympic-Level Clarity (Sponsored by YETI)
Dear Horse World
Every rider knows the feeling. That moment when you and your horse are so in sync, it’s like you’re breathing together. No pulling, no gripping, no second-guessing—just presence, softness, and trust. But then there are the other days. You overthink. Your horse resists. Your leg tenses, your hands take instead of give. The connection frays. The confidence dips. And you wonder… Why does it feel so hard? According to five-time Olympian Anne Kursinski, it’s not about strength. It’s not even about talent. It’s about feel—and feel is something you can learn. In this intimate,...
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What Dressage Is, and What Dressage Isn't - An NF+ Masterclass with Mette Larsen
Dear Horse World
Think dressage is just for imported warmbloods and rhinestone-studded riders? Think again. In this must-listen episode, NF+ Masterclass instructor Mette Larsen strips dressage down to what it really is: thoughtful, horse-first training that any rider can use to build better balance, deeper connection, and more confidence—arena or not. You’ll learn how dressage can help trail horses stop tripping, sharpen your jump-off turns, and make your rides feel more emotionally in sync. It’s the kind of episode that leaves you itching to throw your leg over and try something new—no white...
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Dear Horse World, It’s Mirjam Dunkel: Why Less Pressure Leads to More Progress in Horse Training
Dear Horse World
What if going slow wasn’t falling behind—but finally getting it right? Horse trainer and quietly powerful human Mirjam Dunkel is here to remind us that taking your time isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. With a background in liberty work, classical dressage, and cowboy realness, Mirjam’s trained over 100 young horses and built a reputation on softness, clarity, and doing right by the horse (even when it’s hard, messy, or humbling). In this episode, we chat about: Rebuilding trust with horses who’ve shut down Why skipping the “boring basics” backfires How slowing down builds...
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No Stupid Questions - Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Vet, Dr Langlois (Sponsored by YETI)
Dear Horse World
This episode is brought to you by YETI. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) might sound ancient—but it’s helping modern horses in ways you might not expect. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. John Langlois, a Florida-based equine veterinarian with over four decades of experience, who now works exclusively with TCVM. After a long career in conventional veterinary medicine, a powerful experience treating broodmares with acupuncture changed everything—and led him to pursue further training in herbal medicine, Tui-na (Chinese medical massage), and spinal...
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Dear Horse World, It’s Dr. Jill Hechtman: Riding while Pregnant - Myths, Risks & Science-Based Advice
Dear Horse World
Content note: This episode discusses pregnancy, postpartum mental health, and the emotional challenges of stepping back from riding. Please take care while listening. If you're an equestrian navigating pregnancy, trying to conceive, postpartum, or simply curious about how reproductive health intersects with riding, you're likely facing a storm of mixed messages. Some riders are told to keep going as long as they feel fine, others are urged to stop immediately—and often, those giving advice don’t understand the unique demands of the saddle. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jill...
info_outlineWhat do horses really see when they look at us? According to Tik Maynard, it’s not just our cues or commands—it’s who we are in that moment. In this powerful episode, taken from Tik’s NF+ Masterclass Understanding Horse Behavior, he shares how our emotional state, body language, and inner awareness deeply influence how our horses respond.
And the timing couldn’t be more fitting: Tik has just made history as a two-time Road to the Horse Champion.
Often called the World Championship of Colt Starting, Road to the Horse is one of the most prestigious and influential events in the equestrian world. It’s not just a test of training—it’s a test of character. Competitors are given untouched colts and just a few hours to build trust, partnership, and a solid foundation, all under the watchful eye of a live audience. Past icons of the event include Stacy Westfall, Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson, and Jonathan Field—horsemen and women who helped shape modern horsemanship as we know it.
Winning once puts your name in the history books. Winning twice, back-to-back, places Tik in rare company—and proves that empathy, clarity, and feel aren’t just ideals. They’re tools for greatness.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
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Build a deeper, calmer connection by understanding how your energy shapes your horse’s responses
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Create trust and willingness through slow, thoughtful interactions that honor your horse’s emotional state
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Train with patience and clarity by recognizing the stages your horse goes through when facing something new
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Communicate with meaning by redefining “trust” and “respect” in ways that actually make sense to your horse
This episode is a powerful reflection on horsemanship and what it truly means to show up with intention, humility, and presence. Tik shares the same principles that led him to the top of Road to the Horse—not through force, but through feel. The mindset that builds trust in the round pen doesn’t stop there. It shapes how we lead, connect, and grow in every part of life. When we choose clarity over control and presence over pressure, our horses feel it—and so does everything else around us.
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