In this episode, host Tamara Lee Barrett sits down with Ivy Starnes of Ivy's Glide Gait, a gaited horse trainer from Fort Worth, Texas. Ivy shares her journey from a horse-naive teenager in suburban Chicago to becoming a sought-after clinician who travels the country teaching riders that the secret to perfect gait isn't found in big bits, gadgets or force—it's built on relaxation and genuine connection. Ivy emphasizes the importance of rider education and truly understanding the gaits. She also dispels common misconceptions about the training of gaited horses, and touches on the evolution of training methods that she has seen over her career.

What You'll Learn:

• Why gaited horses are actually MORE challenging than regular horses (and why that's a good thing!)

• The biggest myths plaguing the gaited horse world and why they're harmful

• How to achieve that coveted smooth gait on a loose rein without heavy bits or shoes

• The importance of vertical flexion and softness in gaited horse training

• Why arena work is essential, even for trail horses…and even if it doesn’t happen in the arena!

• Ivy's approach to horse health, including the often-overlooked issues of ulcers and hoof care

Takeaways:

• Gaited horses can do at least 5 different gaits, making them more complex to train than walk/trot/canter horses

• The pacey, high-headed gaited horse you see isn't the only way—or the best way

• Building relaxation and softness should come before pursuing speed or collection

• The 60-second rule: giving horses time to process what they've learned

Whether you're a gaited horse owner struggling to find that perfect gait, or simply curious about these unique horses, you will love this episode. Ivy's compassionate, science-based approach proves that you can achieve beautiful results without harsh methods.

Guest Bio: Ivy Starnes specializes in gaited horse training through her business Ivy's Glide Gait. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, she travels nationwide conducting three-day clinics focused on achieving smooth, relaxed gaits. Her extensive online content and training videos demonstrate that gaited horses can naturally gait on a loose rein in a relaxed frame, challenging traditional training methods in the gaited horse community. You can find her on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and ww.ivyshorses.com

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Chapters

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Ivy Starnes and Ivy's Glide Gait

01:33 – From Suburban Chicago to Horse Training

07:41 – The ”You Can't Do That” Challenge

09:47 – Clinic Life: Teaching All Levels

12:17 – Gaited Horse Propaganda Debunked

15:10 – The Challenge Factor: Why Gaited Horses Are Actually Harder

24:47 – Does Correct Gait Really Matter?

29:43 – Training Approach: Clinics vs. Long-term

36:19 – Breaking Up Bad Movement Patterns

40:00 – Vision for Industry Change

44:45 – Meet Firefly: Ivy's Personal Horse

51:51 – Life Lessons from Horses

53:41 – Corner Turners: The Dressage Group That Changed Everything

56:33 – Three Horse-Related Wishes

59:01 – Where to Find Ivy