Episode 8
Preserving the Legacy of the Spanish Barb Horse with Tiombe Vaughan
In this episode, I am joined by Tiombe Vaughan, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in person at the Black Equestrian Summer Bash. Tiombe is an incredible equestrian, artist, and breed preservationist who is doing vital work to protect the Spanish Barb horse. We dive deep into her journey from being a kid in Queens, New York, to establishing Falcons Heritage Farm in Waldorf, Maryland, where she balances life as a veterinary technician with the demands of running a sustainable homestead.
We explore how Tiombe uses her background in veterinary medicine and her incredible talent as a self-taught artist to promote the versatility of this historic breed. Tiombe shares the realities of "foaling" and breeding these hardy horses, explaining why it is so important to preserve their form-to-function heritage. She also opens up about the resilience required to navigate the horse industry as a Black woman and the importance of keeping your "blinders on" to stay focused on your vision.
I truly loved learning about her "plan A, B, and C" approach to sustainability, from spinning wool from her own sheep to her dreams of a family compound. Tiombe is a powerful example of what it means to steward both the land and the legacy of the horses that built our history. I know you will find her story as inspiring as I did
In this episode:
- Why preserving the Spanish Barb breed matters now more than ever.
- Tiombe’s pivot from aspiring vet to full-time preservationist and artist.
- The unique story of Falcon Wind, her heart horse who started it all.
- Lessons on land, lineage, and community as a Black horsewoman.
- Advice for aspiring equestrians and homesteaders of color.
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