Is the Horse World Acting like a Cult? with Sharon Madere | Sponsored by YETI

You might know this feeling all too well. You want to trust your feel, keep growing, and do right by your horse, yet something in the culture makes you hesitate. Questioning a method or following your instincts can feel dangerous, like one honest moment could cost you belonging, spark backlash, or even put a target on your back.

In this episode, Sharon Madere, an equine behavior consultant and cult survivor, brings a special combination of lived experience and scientific expertise to help riders reclaim their clarity, confidence, and curiosity. As a lifelong horsewoman, she understands the mechanics of influence, pressure, and obedience in ways most people never articulate. And she applies that perspective directly to the horse world in a way that is both affirming and liberating.

In this conversation, you will learn:

The clear signs of cult-like leadership in horse communities
Why emotionally charged language like disrespect or naughty derails presence and erodes confidence
How to stay grounded, think critically, and avoid manipulation as a student or owner
Practical tips on training, positive reinforcement, and making better choices for you AND your horse
Why empowerment and curiosity matter more than any "guru"

Sharon also shares practical strategies for safer, clearer horsemanship, from building boundaries in a herd to teaching effective trailer loading. It is a conversation that blends science, psychology, and lived wisdom into something every rider can immediately apply.

Resources and Mentions:

Sharon's podcast: Feet of Clay: Confessions of the Cult Sisters
Sharon's Website : EquiLightenment.com
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

Chapters:

00:00 Is the Horse World Acting Like a Cult?
02:10 Sharon's Story: Growing Up in a Religious Cult
08:45 How Cult Psychology Works
15:20 Authority Culture in Horse Training
21:30 The Danger of "Disrespect" in Horsemanship
28:40 When Riders Stop Trusting Their Intuition
35:15 Science vs Dogma in Equine Behavior
43:00 Reclaiming Critical Thinking in the Horse World
50:00 What Needs to Change

This episode is sponsored by YETI

Made for early mornings in the barn and long days in the saddle. Whether you're hauling feed, chasing daylight on the trail, or loading up for a weekend on the road, YETI coolers and drinkware are built to handle it.

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Explore more at YETI.com | @YETI | facebook.com/YETI

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