Description

Mad Barn is proud to present the latest installment of our series, “The People Behind the Horses,” where we spotlight industry leaders shaping the future of equestrian sport and horsemanship.

In this episode, we sit down with Tik Maynard, Canadian eventer, author, and two-time Road to the Horse Colt Starting Champion. Known for his relationship-first approach to training, Tik shares his insights on connecting with horses, evolving as a horse person, and preparing for the 2025 Road to the Horse competition.

With reflections on family, mentorship, and the mental side of riding, Tik offers a grounded and thoughtful perspective that will resonate with riders at every stage of their journey.

🎙 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• What horsemanship really means and how it extends beyond riding
• Tik’s approach to training and preparation for Road to the Horse 2025
• The importance of community and support behind the scenes
• Building confidence, staying humble, and learning from mistakes
• What’s next for Tik in the arena and beyond

Whether you're a seasoned rider, a colt-starting enthusiast, or simply passionate about horse-human connection, this episode offers insights you won't want to miss.

⏱ Podcast Timeline

• 0:00 – Introduction & Guest Overview: Tik Maynard
• 1:00 – What Is a Horseman?
• 2:31 – The 4 Core Principles of Tik’s Training Method
• 5:00 – Understanding Horse Behavior & Emotional Signals
• 7:22 – Influences and Learning Horse Psychology
• 10:11 – Preparing for Road to the Horse: Chicken Camp!
• 13:35 – Comparing Year One vs Year Two at Road to the Horse
• 15:54 – Selecting the Right Horse for Competition
• 18:10 – Behind the Book: "Starting in the Middle"
• 19:56 – Building a Strong Team & Farm Culture
• 21:43 – Advice for Aspiring Equestrians
• 24:29 – What’s Next for Tik Maynard?

📚 Related Resources:

• How Do Horses Learn? The Science Behind Equine Training & Behavior
• How Human-Horse Communication Impacts Training & Performance

Want to evaluate your horse's diet? Follow this link to get connected with an equine nutritionist or explore our horse nutrition calculator: ⁠⁠madbarn.com/analyze-diet⁠⁠

Mad Barn is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers, and practitioners through research, training, and education. Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠madbarn.com⁠⁠.

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