All Episodes

June 4, 2025 77 mins

In this episode of the Optimized Equine Podcast, Tamara Lee Barrett delves into the complexities of equine welfare and the future of the equestrian lifestyle with Daniel Dauphin of Dauphin Horsemanship and McKrell Baier of the United States Equestrian Society. 

The discussion highlights the concept of social license to operate, the importance of public perception, and the internal and external challenges faced by the equestrian community including the economic pressures affecting equestrianism. They discuss the necessity for a united front to address these challenges, and the importance of education in improving horsemanship and equine welfare. They emphasize the value of collaboration and proactive measures to foster positive change in equestrian practices. Tamara and her guests also discuss the challenges posed by radical animal rights groups, the implications of current laws on equine welfare, and the need for a balance between education and regulation.

Takeaways 

Social license to operate is essential for equestrianism.

Public perception can significantly impact the equestrian industry.

There is a two-front battle for equestrianism: internal and external.

Misuse of equipment can be a gray area in terms of abuse.

Education is crucial for improving equestrian practices.

Economic pressures are changing the landscape of equestrianism.

The equestrian community must unite to face challenges.

Public scrutiny can lead to unfair judgments of equestrian practices.

Understanding the motivations behind animal rights activism is important.  Measured responses are crucial to equestrian sports.

The majority of horses are not in competitive environments.

Hyperflexion and rollkur are significant issues in dressage.

Education is key to improving horse welfare.

Keeping horses in stalls is detrimental to their health.

Judges play a critical role in enforcing ethical practices.

Governing bodies must acknowledge their shortcomings.

Collaboration is essential for driving change in the industry.

Economic pressures can lead to unethical decision-making.

The equestrian industry faces significant challenges that require urgent attention. 

Legislation can have unintended consequences for animal welfare.

Education is more effective than regulation in animal care.

Certification should be based on real education, not just passing tests.

The horse industry must engage in meaningful conversations about welfare.

Economic value of horses is essential for their protection.

Animal rights legislation can lead to harmful outcomes.

Education can create better humans and improve animal welfare.

Learn more about our guests! 

You can find Daniel Dauphin and Dauphin Horsemanship at dauphinhorsemanship.com and thebitcourse.com 

You can find the United States Equestrian Society on Instagram and at us-es.org


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Equine Welfare and Equestrian Lifestyle

02:58 Understanding Social License to Operate

04:25 The Impact of Animal Rights Groups

06:54 The Importance of Open Dialogue in Equestrianism

07:33 Addressing Misconceptions and Internal Conflicts

10:25 The Role of Education in Equestrian Practices

12:23 Navigating the Challenges of Equestrian Competitions

12:50 The Influence of External Perceptions on Equestrianism

14:53 The Need for Change in Equestrian Practices

17:02 The Future of Equestrianism and Horse Welfare

27:35 Challenges in Equestrian Governance

29:36 The Role of Social License in Change

31:01 Navigating Equestrian Welfare Discussions

32:46 Economic Pressures on Equestrian Professionals

34:53 Judging Standards and Their Impact

36:08 The Need for Education Over Regulation

38:32 Engaging with Animal W

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.