496. Shelby Dennis, Equine Welfare Advocate

Send us Fan MailShelby Dennis is an acclaimed professional horse trainer, equine advocate, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) certified equine behavior consultant, and cofounding member of the Alliance for Horse Welfare in Sport. A driving force in the equestrian world, she is known for her compassionate approach to horse training and her unwavering commitment to the well-being of horses. With a lifetime of experience in the saddle and a deep understanding of equine behavior, Shelby has dedicated her career to promoting a more empathetic and respectful relationship between horses and humans. Growing up in the picturesque landscapes of British Columbia, Canada, Shelby developed a profound love for horses from an early age. Her journey into the world of horsemanship began when she was four, as a young rider showing Arabian horses. Armed with an Equine Science Certificate from the University of Guelph and years of hands-on experience as a professional horse trainer and educator, Shelby has inspired countless riders to adopt methods rooted in empathy, patience, and respect for the horse's natural instincts and behaviors. As the founder of Milestone Equestrian, she hopes to provide a sanctuary for both horses and riders seeking a deeper connection and a more harmonious partnership. Her innovative training techniques, based largely on the research findings of modern equine scientific study, focus on developing mutual trust and understanding to foster a relationship built on cooperation rather than dominance. Shelby's latest book Secrets of the Horse: A New Approach to Training and Understanding Horses is available for purchase on Amazon and anywhere fine books are sold.theplaidhorse.comThank you so much for joining us today on the Plaidcast. This podcast is a labor of love, and every single episode exists because of this incredible community of riders, trainers, barn managers, parents, and horse lovers who show up in the barn, in the ring, and right here with us.At The Plaid Horse, our commitment goes far beyond the show ring. We believe deeply in the power of literacy and education and that every rider, at every level, deserves access to knowledge, stories, and ideas that make them a better horseperson and a better human being. Reading matters. Learning matters. And the stories we tell each other in this sport matter more than we sometimes realize.Whether you are a junior rider picking up your first copy of The Plaid Horse  Magazine, a professional trainer looking for inspiration, or someone who simply loves horses and everything this world stands for then this community is for you. You belong here.We build this together. Every article, every episode, every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new, to feel less alone in the challenges of this sport, and to be reminded of why we fell in love with horses in the first place.Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep riding, and remember that the horse world is better when we build it together. I will see you at the ring!