Question Everything: Equestrian Podcast

While recent studies have shown us that horses do not form attachment bonds to humans, most horse owners would argue that there is something there, something abstract that exists within their relationship with their horses. In this episode I cover the range of human and horse emotions. There is a key emotion that humans can unlock from their equine partner to ensure a successful and rewarding mutually beneficial partnership between man and beast. The skills required to unlocking this emotions have been the base line goal of horsemanship dating back to 350 BC. Understanding and appreciating a horse's emotional response to humans may just be what drives the tradition and beauty of the art of horsemanship. 

Lastly, at the end of the episode I reveal some exciting news about our up and coming project underway, Horsemanship at Home! 

Horses' attachment to humans is a hot topic in the media due to a study conducted by Sweden’s Linköping University. The results of this study conclude that horses do not form attachment bonds to specific humans. Here is a quick review of the psychological analysis of common human reactions to this study as well as an explanation and examples to validate the results of this study. Mindful consciousness is the ability to recognize when the ego does not allow for new information to change our opinions or emotions that we are attached to. The ability to think critically will allow horsemen to better understand their horses, their reactions to their horses, and their relationship with their horses. 

To review the article, check out the link provided below.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8909547/Horses-DONT-form-attachment-bonds-owners-study-finds.html

Kelsey Welter of Helicon Horsemanship joins us in this episode and shares some of her horsemanship journeys and experiences. From starting in southern Wisconsin's 4-H organizations, traveling to Portugal and Golega for the National Lusitano Horse Fair, to her cross country internships with horsemanship master Dominique Barbier, Kelsey gives listeners insight into the philosophy of French Classical Dressage. Kelsey's school of enlightened horsemanship is open for students and horses in the Midwest region of the United States.

For more information about Kelsey and Helicon Horsemanship, check out https://www.heliconhorsemanship.com/

In work, sports, and yes, circus arts, we often use props or equipment. Trucks, tractors, bows and arrows, high wires, juggling clubs, and trampolines. With these tools, humans are able to do some amazing things, defying the odds, exceeding expectations, and testing the limits. This is what circus arts are all about. Now what does this look like for someone who's "prop" has a mind of its own. Horses have their own natural design, way of thinking, and reasons for existing. Horsemanship is defined as the horse and human relationship. When working with animals, it is not just about installing something or object manipulation. It is about defining and maintaining a relationship with another being, one of a different species. In this podcast, I outline what you as a student of horsemanship would like your relationship with your horse to look like. This exercise will also be eye-opening when outlining the human responsibilities in the partnership. 

Beatrice Scescke joins us this week to swap circus stories of her experiences with Big Apple Circus's six horse liberty act and a mixed animal act and menagerie on Circus Royal in Switzerland. Beatrice currently resides in Chicago with her horses on her urban farm. Giving back to her community through animal assisted public outreach is her passion.  Goat yoga, pony rides, and horse tarot are some examples of how Beatrice and her team give back to their community. Chicago Rewilding Society offers both therapeutic and rare opportunities for people living in the city of Chicago. 

Check out www.chicagorewildingsociety.org for more information on this 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promote peace, neighborhood camaraderie, and community building by bringing plants and animals to the west side of Chicago. 

Tune in this week to hear how scientific research greatly contributes to a successful training regimen for horses. The ability to question methodology is an important critical thinking skill. Curiosity and the search for credible information lead me down the path towards a research based understanding of how the horse thinks, functions, and how we as humans can create and maintain a working and loving partnership. This episode introduces listeners to the work of well renounced researcher, Temple Grandin.  A woman with Autism who, like a prey animal, thinks in pictures. Temple dedicated her work and her life to enhancing the design of humane slaughterhouses, primarily for cattle. Horses, like cattle, also think in pictures, are nonverbal, and contain no inner monologue. Understanding the cognitive functions of the horse can assist horse owners, riders, and trainers with trauma and fearful behaviors. In this episode we go through examples of that these concepts may look like in horsemanship. 

For more information and research, check out www.templegrandin.com 

Mounted archer Emily Kamp joins us this week to explain the history, competition, and training techniques required for the sport of equestrian mounted archery. Emily started as a local 4-H enthusiast and then worked towards becoming a top notch archer. Her journey lead her into the  equestrian circus world specifically in Cossack riding. Today Emily tells her story of running away with the circus, some of her experiences traveling and working on the road with horses, and the daily routine care for our equine partners. Join us as we describe what it takes to live the circus lifestyle. 

Horse owner Matt McCulloch has given his time and dedication to his Paso Fino horse, Quattro. Quattro was feral upon arrival. Matt turned to the studies of equine cognition, operant, and classical conditioning in order to ethically and effectively communicate with his horse. These skills have greatly contributed to Quattro's comfort and confidence in the world around him. Join us as we hear Matt's story and discuss various topics regarding applied learning theory and horse training. 

For more research on applied learning theory, visit https://horsemanshipunlocked.wordpress.com/author/horsemanshipunlocked/