It’s Not All Brain Science

The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder. Gilbert Keith Chesterton, 1874-1936 Maddy Butcher writes: Like you, I’m curious. New information around horses fascinates me. Sure, I have the natural skepticism of a journalist. But when insights clarify […]

Introducing Polyvagal Theory

Editor’s Note: At HorseHead, we’re intrigued by Polyvagal Theory, a relatively new explanation of the autonomic nervous system, present in all mammals. This is an introduction to Polyvagal Theory and its application with horses and horsemanship. Please note: what follows is theory and not yet […]

Empathy Gaps Hinder our Horse Work

This is an article about calm versus chaos, basic emotional states for both horses and humans. It was inspired by a Hidden Brain discussion about the Hot-Cold Empathy Gap. and has much to do with the autonomic nervous system discussed here. In the podcast, Shankur […]

Knowledge in Pain, Part I

Red heads perceive pain differently than others. This fact, mentioned in The Neuroscience of Pain, an article by Nicola Willey, stopped me in my tracks. We know pain as a universal, yet universally confounding phenomenon. Sure, some people seem “tougher” than others. But that gingers might […]

Feel, Our Brainy Explanation

Years ago, I defined Feel on BestHorsePractices as an intense awareness of action and reaction. Feel is knowing how your thoughts, behaviors, and movements impact your horse. It’s an ability to anticipate and influence your horses’ actions and behaviors. But what does that look like […]