Matt Brown has ridden at the top of the sport. But when he watched a replay of one of his proudest rounds, he didn’t see a confident partnership—he saw a horse responding to pressure, not trust. That moment changed everything.

In this episode, Matt joins us to talk about why he stopped carrying a whip in eventing competitions—and how that decision opened the door to something deeper: leadership, vulnerability, and the quiet reckoning that happens when tradition no longer aligns with who you want to be.

Matt names what so many riders feel but rarely say out loud, from internalized pressure to the shame of past mistakes to the fear of evolving in public.

You’ll walk away with:

• Language for the subtle forms of pressure that can go unnoticed in training

• A deeper understanding of how systemic norms shape personal choices

• Insight into what real partnership with a horse can look like, without force

• Encouragement to rethink tradition with nuance, empathy, and clarity

This is a conversation about the beliefs we absorb without knowing, the pressure we pass down without meaning to, and the kind of rider we become when we stop trying to prove we belong—and start listening instead.

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• 📸 Instagram: @eastwesttrainingstables
  
  

• 🌐 Website: www.eastwesttrainingstables.com
  
  

• 🐴 Training & Clinics: Learn more about Matt and Cecily’s coaching, clinics, and horses for sale at East West Training Stables
  
  

✍️ Read More: Explore Matt’s columns on The Chronicle of the Horse → Matt Brown on COTH

Trailer loading isn’t just about getting your horse from A to B—it’s a skill. And like any skill, it depends on trust, preparation, and practice.

In this episode of Dear Horse World, you’ll hear the first video from Tik Maynard’s Trailering 101 & Common Trailering Problems Masterclass on NF+. Tik explains why most “loading problems” are really relationship problems, how to set your horse up for success, and why rushing almost always backfires.

This is just one lesson from a 19-part, 3.5-hour masterclass, now updated with four rider case studies that show exactly how Tik works through common trailering struggles.

👉 Watch the full course on NF+ at and use code DHW for 15% off your annual membership.

Because a horse that loads quietly isn’t just convenient—it’s peace of mind.

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If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and leave a review - it really helps us grow!

NF+ brings you direct access to top equestrian professionals, training insights, and a passionate community of riders dedicated to learning and improving.

And you can follow us on instagram too!
Click here 👉 www.instagram.com/dearhorseworld

Equine Neuroscience in Action: Turning Science into a Stronger Bond

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Stephen Peters, we move from theory to application — how to take the neuroscience of learning and connection and put it to work with your horse.

We explore:

• Why drilling a task can reduce dopamine and motivation
  
  

• How reward-based training works at the chemical level — and its limits
  
  

• The difference between externally resourced and internally resourced horses
  
  

• What habits like cribbing reveal about stress and coping
  
  

• How oxytocin withdrawal drives “herd bound” behavior — and how to replace it
  
  

• Why shorter, well-timed training sessions can outperform hours in the saddle
  
  

• How to expand a horse’s “window of tolerance” without overwhelming them
  
  

This is where brain science becomes a practical, humane training advantage — building a smarter, more resilient, and more connected horse.

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If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and leave a review - it really helps us grow!

And for even more expert-led workshops, in-depth courses, and exclusive lectures designed to elevate your riding and horsemanship, visit NoelleFloydPlus.com and use code 'DHW' for 15% off annual memberships!

NF+ brings you direct access to top equestrian professionals, training insights, and a passionate community of riders dedicated to learning and improving.

And you can follow us on instagram too!
Click here 👉 www.instagram.com/dearhorseworld