Our Hosts
Taylor CL Schouten, MS, APF-I
Hoof Care Professional
Growing up, I knew my future would be "at the barn", though exactly how wasn't clear. Despite earning a bachelor's in psychology, a Master's in Clinical Psychology, and some doctoral training, I ended up becoming a trimmer/alternative farrier. Sorry, Dad. Life has a funny way of putting you where you're meant to be.
My mare Leah, a homebred from my childhood horse, has been my greatest teacher. She stuck with me through high school, college, grad school, and two cross-country moves. She had naturally great feet and excellent care for years, which kept the demons at bay. But as luck would have it, small issues started appearing in 2016 that snowballed into major problems - she became foot sore, explosive, overweight, and clearly unhappy. By 2019, she had advanced high-low syndrome. That's when Casey Sexton entered the picture, igniting my passion for hoofcare and taking me on as her apprentice. Now I run my alternative farriery practice, Wild Hoof Equine, offering composite shoeing, trimming, and rehabilitation - truly the best job in the world.
The plot thickened when Leah was diagnosed with kissing spine in 2020 during Covid. With limited support during quarantine, we opted for surgery (bone resection). We threw ourselves into rehabilitation, doing absolutely everything possible. Looking back, a conservative approach of proper shoeing, postural rehab, ulcer treatment, and bodywork was truly was what she needed – but alas, hindsight is 20/20.
After surgery and rehab, we transitioned from eventing to dressage with occasional jumping. But those old issues kept creeping back - stiffness, reluctance to move forward, and lethargy. After countless tests and treatments, we finally got our answer: Myofibrillar Myopathy and grade 4 ulcers. Years of searching finally made sense.
Managing an ulcer prone, MFM athlete who underwent kissing spine surgery is an incredible challenge. I have to be so tuned in to her needs, her behaviors, her nuanced expressions. Everything. But the mare is extremely happy and SOUND. She has taught me how to listen – truly the most important skill. She kept telling me, over and over, that something was wrong. Her body was broken.
Leah teaching me to listen and to advocate for her has given me the opportunity to do that for so many others. Every horse has a story to tell, some just talk louder than others. Kahlan and I have both met hundreds of horses who share their story at all volumes. The goal of our joining forces to create The Red Mare Project is to bring another layer of support to their voice to be better heard and understood.
Kahlan Ettere
Holistic Equine Nutritionist
Wise Choice Equine Wellness, LLC
Since I was a kid, I’ve been drawn to horses. I didn’t grow up with the opportunity to own one or even take regular lessons, but fate had other plans. At 12, I began volunteering with a horse rescue, and that early experience shaped everything. I witnessed the devastating effects of neglect and illness—but more importantly, I saw recovery. Watching broken, skeletal horses transform into thriving beings sparked a lifelong passion for helping them heal.
Over time, I realized my true strength wasn’t just in basic rehab—it was in understanding the whole horse. I developed an eye for comfort, movement, and balance. With my own horse, I dove deep into functional nutrition, refining my skills beyond survival-based feeding into optimizing every aspect of equine health. Nutrition became my language. I began consulting for other owners, creating individualized meal plans that honored each horse’s unique needs—empowering clients to take control of their horse’s wellness in a clean, holistic way.
My journey expanded further when I began working with a functional medicine doctor. Immersed in holistic healing, I saw how simple and powerful whole-body support can be—for horses and humans alike. That belief was put to the test when my own horse faced a mystery lameness. Despite years of experience, I had to lean on others and stay open to learning. With time, collaboration, and a lot of persistence, we made progress—and I came out even more committed to listening deeply and honoring each horse’s story.
When I met Taylor, it felt like alignment. Our knowledge and passion complement each other perfectly. Together, we’re committed to creating a world where horses thrive—through education, shared experience, and individualized care.
