Horsepeople of the Year: Dave Schaefer

For more than 25 years, my husband, Dave, Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF) and International Diploma in Equine Osteopathy (Int’l DipEO), has dedicated his life to improving the health, comfort and well-being of horses. As a respected farrier, educator and lifelong student of equine anatomy and physiology, he has always believed that understanding the horse—not simply treating symptoms—is the key to helping them perform and live more comfortably.

That passion led him to develop Equine Indirect Release, a gentle, anatomy-based approach that focuses on supporting the horse through its own nervous system and natural ability to regulate and recover. What began as years of study, observation and countless hours working with horses has grown into a technique that is helping horses from all disciplines and backgrounds.

What makes Dave truly deserving of this recognition, however, is not simply his innovation—it is his unwavering commitment to the horse and to the people who love them. He freely shares his knowledge through lectures and demonstrations, helping horse owners, veterinarians, farriers, saddle fitters, trainers and other equine professionals better understand how the horse’s body functions. His goal has never been recognition; it has always been to improve the lives of horses through education and compassionate care.

Those who meet Dave quickly recognize his humility, integrity and genuine desire to serve others. He approaches every horse as an individual and every owner with respect, listening carefully and working tirelessly to help where other options may have fallen short. Time and again, owners describe seeing changes they had hoped for but never expected to witness.

Dave’s influence extends far beyond the horses he treats. He is inspiring a new way of thinking about equine health—one built on anatomy, physiology, observation and a deep respect for the horse. His willingness to challenge conventional thinking while remaining humble and dedicated to continued learning has earned him the admiration of clients and fellow professionals alike.

Horsepeople of the Year should recognize someone whose life’s work has made a meaningful difference in the equine world. Dave Schaefer embodies that ideal. His dedication, innovation, generosity and unwavering love for horses have positively impacted countless horses and the people who care for them.

I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor.

-Tonya Schaefer

Dave Schaefer has performed outstanding farrier work for us for a number of years and we have always been impressed with his professionalism and commitment to high-quality shoeing and trimming.

When he began his Equine Indirect Release work, we were excited to be one of his first clients. We watched in amazement as he worked on a mare for us that had recently had colic surgery and was experiencing extreme discomfort in her abdomen. As he worked with her, you could see her physically relax and that discomfort dissolved into complete relief. She never returned to pain.

Dave’s commitment to researching and understanding the entire horse anatomy, and his willingness to take on new challenges, have helped him become extremely competent working on all areas of the horse. He recently worked closely with us on a mare that had been unable to conceive for two years. He was able to help regulate her hormones, allowing us to successfully impregnate her. She is now safely in foal.

Dave is a talented practitioner who understands horses and is dedicated to helping improve their lives. We are grateful to have him in our lives!

–Deborah Burke, Amethyst Acres Equine Center, Inc.

Dave is a wonderful person who genuinely cares about horses and is passionate about helping them through his Equine Indirect Release bodywork. He is incredibly knowledgeable and equally compassionate, and it’s clear how much he cares about each horse he works with. Dave has been working on a young stallion of mine throughout his growth spurts, and his work has been extremely beneficial to the stallion’s development. I truly appreciate Dave’s dedication, his understanding of the horse’s body, and his commitment to helping horses feel and function at their best. He is a real asset to the horse world and I’m grateful to have him as a resource for my horses.

– Josie Howard, RE Sporthorses, LLC