Education

I have always had a passion for horses, reading and studying all I could to learn more about them. As an adult, I have competed in a few local shows, and in 2015, I competed in the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Reno. I learned quickly that competition is not where I saw my horsemanship journey leading, instead focusing on confidence-building and behavioral studies. After spending over a decade working in pharmaceutical research, I co-founded Team Yriarte Horsemanship in 2016 with my husband, Dan, a gifted horseman and colt starter. As an equine professional, I make a living by facilitating clear communication between horse and human. I have spent countless hours observing horses and people, reading books, watching videos, and taking instructions from those whom I consider to be masters at their skills with horses, as well as researching behaviorists and veterinarians in order to cultivate my knowledge and teaching style. Most recently, I completed a Senior Equine dentition course facilitated by Cornell University. My goal is to do everything in my power to enhance my communication with the horse and to share that ability and knowledge with others. I have utilized my background in scientific research to create teachable models in both tack fit and other horseless simulations, with a focus on the horse’s comfort and welfare. My personal interests include behavioral modification, refinement, biomechanics, dissection research, and tack fit. I am also an experienced large animal veterinary assistant, having spent nearly 5 years working both ambulatory and in-hospital at Comstock Equine Hospital in Reno, Nevada. Presently, I work part-time at Comstock, providing overnight emergency and critical care in addition to training full-time.