In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson welcomes renowned horseman Mark Rashid and equine clinician and author Crissi McDonald. Broadcasting from their home in Estes Park, Colorado, this inspiring duo shares how softness, internal awareness, and individual connection form the core of their horsemanship and life philosophy. From Aikido to equine-assisted work, from storytelling to trauma-informed approaches, and from photo artistry to martial principles, Mark and Crissi reveal a...
Jun 25, 2025•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of Equine Assisted World , Rupert Isaacson speaks with Catherine Ward and her daughter Nicole Jones of One Acre Farm in Texas. Together, they’ve built a thriving outdoor farm school and equine-assisted program on just a single acre—proving that miracles don’t require massive land, just massive heart. From backyard chickens to neurodiverse farm school, from ABA burnout to Montessori inspiration, and from homeschooling to creating a whole new educational paradigm, Catherine and Nic...
Jun 12, 2025•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Emma Hutchinson and Jay Hare of HorseBack UK, a groundbreaking charity based in the Scottish Highlands. Originally developed to support military veterans recovering from physical and emotional trauma, HorseBack UK now works across diverse populations including at-risk youth and refugee communities. Jay shares his powerful personal journey as a Royal Marine commando who lost his leg and facial identity in combat—and found heali...
May 29, 2025•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of Equine Assisted World , Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Chantel Prat—a neuroscientist, psychologist, linguist, and horsewoman. Dr. Prat teaches at the University of Washington and is the author of The Neuroscience of You , a groundbreaking book that examines how every brain is different and what that means for our lives, relationships, and learning processes. Rupert and Chantel dive deep into individual brain differences, the neuroscience of curiosity, attention, and empath...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of Equine Assisted World , Rupert Isaacson sits down with Leana Tank, an occupational therapist from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an accomplished horsewoman specializing in equine-assisted services and behavioral health. Leana works with individuals at the extreme end of the mental health continuum—people coming from psychiatric hospitals and the criminal justice system, many diagnosed with schizophrenia, cognitive impairments, autism, and complex trauma. Through her radical accep...
May 01, 2025•2 hr 21 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Helen Sharp , an equine journalist, academic, and co-founder of Groundwork EAS—an equine-assisted charity on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. A leading voice in both equine media and trauma-informed equine work, Dr. Sharp brings a unique blend of artistry, horsemanship, and therapeutic insight to everything she does. She writes for The Irish Field and Farmers Journal, and her career spans...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Dr. Megan McGavern, a board-certified physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Megan shares the powerful story behind the founding of C.H.A.T.S.—Creative, Holistic, Adaptive, Therapeutic Solutions—and how it was born out of both professional insight and personal necessity. When her son Cole faced significant challenges, and medical professionals told her to accept that he might never regain functionality, Megan refus...
Apr 03, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 25
In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Warwick Schiller, renowned horseman and creator of Attuned Horsemanship. Warwick is widely recognized for his transformative approach to horse training, which focuses on attunement, connection, and creating a sense of safety for the horse. Through his Journey On Podcast and extensive teaching, Warwick has helped thousands of riders and trainers understand the deeper layers of horsemanship and how true awareness changes ever...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Mary Wanless, a pioneer in the field of rider biomechanics. For decades, Mary has been at the forefront of reshaping how we understand equestrian training by focusing on the physics and physiology of riding. With a background in physics and a deep curiosity about what truly makes a great rider, Mary has worked to demystify the biomechanics of effective riding. Her methods help riders of all levels develop a clearer understa...
Mar 06, 2025•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 23
Robyn Hood, sister of Linda Tellington-Jones and a leading figure in the development of the Tellington TTouch Method, joins Rupert Isaacson in this insightful episode. Robyn has dedicated her life to refining and teaching TTouch, a revolutionary approach to working with horses, dogs, and other animals that fosters trust, connection, and healing. In this conversation, she delves into the origins of TTouch, its impact on equine well-being, and practical techniques that horse owners and equine-assi...
Feb 20, 2025•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 22
Shea Stewart, renowned craniosacral therapist and founder of Equine Balance (https://www.equinebalance.net), joins Rupert Isaacson in this enlightening episode to explore the intersections of quantum biology, mitochondrial health, and equine-assisted practices. With a wealth of knowledge in human and equine well-being, Shea unpacks the impact of natural light, electromagnetic fields, structured water, and movement on health. Whether you’re an equine-assisted practitioner, horse owner, or someone...
Feb 06, 2025•2 hr 22 min•Ep. 21
Norunn Kogstad, a Norwegian psychotherapist and psychiatrist, is the visionary behind Lundehagen, a therapeutic center that blends psychotherapy, equine-assisted therapy, and exceptional horse welfare practices. With decades of experience and a deep passion for human and equine well-being, Norunn has created a sanctuary where healing, connection, and joy thrive. Her unique approach integrates relational therapy and cutting-edge practices that transform lives for both people and horses. In this i...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 20
Healing Through Connection with Kim Barthel: Neuroscience, Safety, and the Power of Relationships Kim Barthel is an award-winning occupational therapist, international speaker, and bestselling author whose work integrates neuroscience, trauma therapy, and relational healing. With over 40 years of experience, she specializes in supporting individuals with trauma, neurodivergence, and developmental challenges. Through her company, Relationship Matters, Kim emphasizes the critical role of safety an...
Jan 10, 2025•2 hr 13 min•Ep. 19
Linda Tellington-Jones, a pioneer in equine welfare and therapeutic riding, is best known for the Tellington TTouch Method. A globally celebrated horsewoman, author, and teacher, Linda has spent decades redefining equine care, integrating holistic techniques that enhance horse and rider communication. Her unique methods, which blend science, compassion, and creativity, have transformed practices in equestrian care and therapeutic settings worldwide. In this inspiring conversation, Linda shares h...
Dec 21, 2024•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 18
Empowering Education and Healing Through Horses with Alex Northover Alex Northover is the director of Making Momentum CIC, a community interest company in Cheshire, UK, that provides alternative education and therapeutic services for children and young people. With a background as a science teacher and extensive experience in equine-assisted methods, Alex merges academic learning, nervous system regulation, and interactions with horses to create transformational opportunities. Her innovative app...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 17
Transforming Lives with Christine Dickson: Trauma, Trust, and the Wisdom of Horses Christine Dickson is an international speaker, mentor, clinical hypnotherapist, IEMT Advanced Practitioner, and Equine Coach who helps people let go of negative past memories and build a creative and connected life of purpose and abundance. Her clients describe the work as transformational and have gone on to create the life of their dreams. She lives in the Los Angeles area with her horses, dog, and cats. In this...
Nov 24, 2024•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 16
From PR to Horses: The Story of Smiling Goat Ranch with Sheryl Barto In this transformative episode of Equine Assisted World , Rupert Isaacson sits down with the remarkable Sheryl Barto, founder of Smiling Goat Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado. Sheryl shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey, shaped by her son James, who is on the autism spectrum, and her lifelong love for horses. Discover how Sheryl built Smiling Goat Ranch into a haven for children, families, and individuals navigating au...
Nov 17, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 15
Many of us are familiar with the term "trauma informed' but Ellie Williams - a British therapist and horsewoman whose Equiteam practice is based in York, Pennsylvania, has accrued more than two decades experience of work in the field. With her tight knit team, she has been pioneering the field of equine assisted psychotherapy since before most of us even knew about the term - and with startlingly positive results. If this is an area of the equine assisted world that you are interested in explori...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 14
Jane Faulkner is a household name, at least in Equine Assisted circles, down in Australia. And with good reason. Like many people who have come to the Equine Assisted world from an originally non horsy background, she has brought a therapist's perspective to our often overly horse-focussed field. Equine Assisted Therapy, Australia - Jane's organization - draws on her experience in nursing, and Gestalt therapy - an approach to psychotherapy that helps clients concentrate on the present to underst...
Jul 13, 2024•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 13
The Journey On Podcast and Summits have become something of a legend in conscious equestrian circles - and rightly so. Anyone who has tuned in to the vast array of talent that Warwick features in his in depth interviews ends up walking away with insights into themselves as well as into horses and how they interact with and assist humans, both in the practical and mental/spiritual realms. To those still new to Warwick, an Australian-born champion in the Western discipline of Reining, he made it t...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 12
Most of us in the equine assisted field are familiar with encountering skepticism - the inevitable "aren't you just giving kids pony rides?" attitude that can sometimes stand in the way of the field and its practitioners getting the recognition and therefore funding they deserve. Fortunately, in recent years there has been a massive uptick in the peer reviewed research into equine assisted modalities. Leading this field are Dr Ann Hemingway of Bournemouth University and her assistant researcher ...
May 14, 2024•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 11
If you are in the Equine Assisted World and you have not yet hear of the Institute for Human and Animal Connection at Denver University, then you should. The institute - one of the first to really get academics behind the work we all do with horses and people (and not just horses) paved the way for real careers in the field, and through its research and collaborations had brought a much needed scientific legitimacy to what was once disregarded as mere 'playing with ponies'. At the helm of the In...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 10
Linda Kohanov is a legend. A household name in the horse world and also for many of those interested in shamanism and myth, her bestselling books The Tao of Equus Riding Between The Worlds, Way of the Horse, The Power of the Herd and The Five Roles of a Master Herder have established her as a go to as a reference for the spiritual side of the horse and human connection. Her courses and lectures and method Eponaquest, keep her busy nationally and internationally. But there is a lot more to Linda ...
Jan 20, 2024•2 hr 34 min•Ep. 9
Anyone in the Equine Assisted World had heard of the legendary EAGALA program - perhaps the first organization to really bring the field out of the realm of purely therapeutic or adaptive raiding and into the realm of the neuro-psychiatric, at least on a level outside certain isolated mental health institutions. What many in the Equine Assisted fields may not know is that EAGALA was the brainchild of Lynn Thomas, a mental health professional who didn't know much about horses but who from a very ...
Dec 25, 2023•2 hr 58 min•Ep. 8
That the Netherlands is a forward thinking country we can all agree – especially when it comes to matters of social welfare. Given that the country also helped give the world things that give great pleasure - like coffee, tulips, the Stock Exchange, New Amsterdam (New York City), not to mention liquorice, gouda cheese and gin (alright, there might have been a bit of a colonial process at work for some of these, but nonetheless…), its perhaps no surprise that all things equestrian-assisted, from ...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 7
In our world of Equine Assisted best practices, the subject of horse wellness and horse welfare is paramount. It stands to reason that for a horse to be able to transmit wellbeing to a human, then that horse must have wellbeing itself both in its body and in its mind. Too often we have seen old, often injured horses donated to therapeutic programs because they are quiet, and then these horses - because they receive no real care other than feeding, blanketing and , if they are lucky, turn out - b...
Oct 04, 2023•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 6
It’s not often that you get to chat with a neuroscientist. Still less often to chat with a neuroscientist that is also a doctor. Still less often to chat with a neuroscientist that is a doctor and also autistic. And less often still to chat with a neuroscientist who is also a doctor and also autistic and also a horseman. Finally, it’s about a chance in a million, maybe more, to chat with a neuroscientist that is a doctor, is autistic, is a horseman and who is also a renowned horse trainer and pu...
Aug 15, 2023•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 5
Many of you have probably heard of Polyvagal Theory; it’s a bit of a buzzword these days in the mental health community. But what is it exactly? And how does it relate to equine work? Well, who better to explain it to us than Dr Rebecca Bailey, co-founder of the Equine Polyvagal Institute in California. Dr Bailey, a longtime family therapist and also an equestrian, has a wealth of experience working with trauma and psychological conditions of all shapes and sizes. A leader in the field, she dire...
Jul 09, 2023•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 4
Equine Assisted World was partly inspired by the work of an (until now) unsung heroine Terri Brosnan, of ChildVision in Dublin, Ireland. Coming into the field of therapeutic horsemanship later in life, after a three-pronged parallel career in sport horses, construction, and IT, Terri quickly noted the factionalism and rivalry within the world of Equine Assistance in general and realized that it was holding the field back, especially in terms of governmental and insurance recognition. But instead...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 3
Sometimes the cutting edge is not where you expect to find it. Way down in Birmingham, Alabama Joy O’Neal’s Red Barn has quietly been creating technology to address the potent mix of neuro-psychiatric, emotional and physical challenges faced by children and families caught up in the foster care system. We use the word technology deliberately here – the word does not always mean simply mechanical or digital engineering; it also means the know how on a cellular level to provide human solutions for...
May 10, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 2
