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Horse Brain, Human Brain was one of the first books I read when I was trying to understand horses better. So when I had the chance to sit down with its author, Janet Jones, for the podcast, I was pretty excited.

Janet is a neuroscientist, horsewoman, and the author of her new book, A Horse's World.

We talked about trust, fear, learning, the horse's sensory system, and some of the things horses notice that humans often miss. One thing that really stood out to me was this:

Dogs tend to give their trust freely. Horses make us earn it.

Whether you live with horses, train them, compete with them, or simply enjoy being around them, I think you'll find plenty to think about in this conversation.

I hope you enjoy it.

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Today I’m talking with Toni Mattson of Trinity Equestrian Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Toni and her team work with horses alongside veterans, first responders, youth, and individuals facing trauma, PTSD, dementia, and other life challenges.

We talk about what horses notice about people, why they respond so honestly to emotion, and how animals can help people reconnect with hope, trust, and themselves.

We also discuss Toni’s book Unlikely Recruits, her work with veterans, and Trinity’s dementia program, “Reminiscing on the Ranch.”

A really thoughtful and meaningful conversation.

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What happens after the horse reacts?

In this conversation, I talk with carriage driving trainer Christine Beattie about how driving changes the way we communicate with a horse — and why it can have such a big impact on the relationship.

We talk about ground driving, working horses in real-world environments, and what horses need from us when things feel uncertain.

A big part of this conversation comes down to something simple:

It’s not whether the horse reacts…
 it’s what happens next.

If you want to better understand your horse — this is a good one.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer, I talk with Heather Mishefske of Embark Dog Training School.

I’ve spent my whole life with herding dogs. Then I got an Australian Terrier… and realized pretty quickly that my usual way of doing things wasn’t going to work.

This little guy has opinions.

So I went looking for help, and that’s how I found Heather.

We talk about what it’s like to live with dogs in a very human world, and why so many of the struggles we see make more sense when you look at things from the dog’s side.

Heather works with dogs and their people every day. What I appreciate most is how she helps people understand the dog in front of them, instead of trying to make every dog fit the same approach.

If you’ve ever had a dog that didn’t respond the way you expected… you’ll probably recognize this conversation.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, I talk with horsewoman and educator Gabi Neurohr about building trust with horses, understanding horse behavior, and creating a true partnership between horse and human.

From the moment we started talking, I felt an immediate connection to the way Gabi sees horses. So much of what she said rang true for me and my own experience working with them.

We talk about what horses are really trying to tell us, how trust between horse and human is built, and why true leadership with horses is not about control, it's about understanding.

At one point in the conversation Gabi said something that stopped me in my tracks:

“Every horse is a soul in a non-human body.”

That simple sentence really captures the heart of this conversation.

If you love horses and care about building a a better relationship with them, I think you'll enjoy this episode.

How to reach Gabi - https://www.facebook.com/GNunderstandinghorses

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“Find a dog that’s going to make you happy.”

I sit down with Denise Fenzi to talk about choosing the right dog for your real life — not the one you think you should want. We talk about fit, expectations, training, and working with the dog in front of you.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer, I talk with Amelia Thomas about what it really means to listen to animals.

We’re not talking about techniques or quick fixes. We’re talking about slowing down, paying attention, and noticing what animals are already showing us—often in very quiet, subtle ways. Amelia shares how listening starts with presence, not interpretation, and how that shift can change the way we relate to animals.

If you live or work with animals and have ever felt like there’s more going on than you can put into words, this conversation is for you.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, Barbara O’Brien talks with Rachel Windchaser, author and equine rewilding coach. Rachel runs Winchaser Ranch in Spain, where she cares for a rare herd of Spanish Mustangs.
They talk about what it really means to “rewild” — how slowing down, breathing, and paying attention can change the way we connect with horses and with ourselves. Rachel explains the value of touch, rhythm, and trust, and why real horsemanship starts with self-awareness and kindness.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer podcast, host Barbara O’Brien chats with Jessica Gonzalez, a dedicated horse rescuer and author of Equine Empowerment. They discuss how horses help people heal, the power of positive reinforcement training, and the deep bond between horses and young people. Jessica shares her journey, the challenges of running a nonprofit, and the importance of trust, patience, and second chances—both for horses and humans.

Key Takeaways:

• Horses provide healing and companionship, especially for those struggling socially.
• Positive reinforcement builds trust between horses and people.
• Understanding horse behavior and emotions improves training.
• Working with rescue horses teaches patience, resilience, and empathy.
• Jessica’s nonprofit empowers youth through equine therapy.
• Every horse—and every person—deserves a second chance.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on love, trust, and the transformative power of horses!

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Barbara O’Brien talks with horse trainer, coach and author Dr. Shelley Appleton about building trust and confidence between riders and their horses. Shelley shares how things like fear, aging, and hormones can affect riding, especially for women. They talk about the importance of patience, understanding, and learning to see things from the horse’s point of view. 
In addition to being the host of the Canter Therapy podcast, Shelley is the author of two books - Confidence & Trust, Solving the Human & Horse Equation; and Buying & Supporting a New Horse, The Essential Guide.
This episode is full of tips for riders and the value of working with others to grow and learn.

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