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From Horse Trainer to Equine Entrepreneur with Hannah Padgett of EquiAssist

August 25

52 mins

Episode Description

In this episode of The Long Ride Home, Alex Husner sits down with Hannah Padgett, founder of Phoenix Accounting and EquiAssist, to talk about the business behind the horse world and how decades spent inside the industry shaped the work she is building today.

After 20 years as a horse trainer, Hannah brings a rare perspective to the challenges facing barns and equine businesses. From hiring and outdated systems to the many roles trainers are expected to juggle, she has seen firsthand where the industry could benefit from better tools and a more modern approach.

Alex and Hannah also reflect on how Hannah’s own place in the horse world has evolved, from training professionally to becoming an owner, breeder, and entrepreneur, while staying deeply connected to the horses and people that shaped her career.

🐴 In this episode, Alex and Hannah discuss:

01:43 - Hannah Padgett’s Journey from Horse Trainer to Entrepreneur

05:03 - Bringing an Insider’s Perspective to Equine Business

07:36 - Why Hiring Is a Major Challenge in the Horse Industry

08:59 - Building EquiAssist as “Indeed for Horse People”

13:12 - Why So Many Barns Still Rely on Outdated Systems

18:55 - Moving Barn Management Beyond Pen and Paper

30:58 - Finding New Joy in Breeding and Young Horses

33:13 - Experiencing Louisville from a New Perspective as an Owner

41:40 - Building Trust Between Owners and Multiple Trainers

44:03 - Why Collaboration Between Trainers Matters

46:03 - Why Experienced Riders Still Need Lessons