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Equine Assisted World with Rupert Isaacson

Equine Assisted World with Rupert Isaacson

By: Rupert Isaacson
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 Here on Equine Assisted World. We look at the cutting edge and the best practices currently being developed and, established in the equine assisted field. This can be psychological, this can be neuropsych, this can be physical, this can be all of the conditions that human beings have that these lovely equines, these beautiful horses that we work with, help us with. Your Host is New York Times bestselling author Rupert Isaacson. Long time human rights activist, Rupert helped a group of Bushmen in the Kalahari fight for their ancestral lands. He's probably best known for his autism advocacy work following the publication of his bestselling book "The Horse Boy" and "The Long Ride Home" where he tells the story of finding healing for his autistic son. Subsequently he founded New Trails Learning Systems an approach for addressing neuro-psychiatric conditions through horses, movement and nature. The methods are now used around the world in therapeutic riding program, therapy offices and schools for special needs and neuro-typical children.  You can find details of all our programs and shows on www.RupertIsaacson.com.Horse Boy LLC Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Misery Is Optional – Redefining Softness, Structure & Anxiety with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald | Ep 32 Equine Assisted World

    Misery Is Optional – Redefining Softness, Structure & Anxiety with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald | Ep 32 Equine Assisted World
    Jul 10 2025
    In this thought-provoking follow-up episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson reunites with legendary horseman Mark Rashid and clinician-author Crissi McDonald. This time, the conversation shifts deeper into the internal landscapes of both horse and human, exploring what it really means to be soft—without losing structure.From navigating low-level panic and reframing anxiety, to understanding when pressure is productive and when it breaks us, Mark and Crissi offer powerful insights not only for horse people, but for anyone seeking a more peaceful way of being in the world. Broadcasting from Happy Dog Ranch in Colorado, they also share how kindness, community, nature, and play are essential ingredients in creating meaningful transformation.(If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome )✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Paradox of Softness & Anxiety (Starts at 01:00)Why striving for softness can trigger anxietyMark's pressure scale (0 to 10) and self-regulation in real timeHow internal tension blocks horse-human communicationSpeed Bumps and Nervous System Awareness (Starts at 08:00)Crissi explains the compounding stress of modern lifeWhy we don’t need to always be calm—and how to ride the nervous system waveThe idea of setting stress aside just long enough to connectWhen Softness Meets an Unready Horse (Starts at 13:00)What to do when your horse is not in a soft stateThe art of doing what you can do instead of forcing what you can’tPressure vs. Anxiety (Starts at 25:00)How pressure can lead to problem-solving, while anxiety leads to shutdownA lesson in reframing stress as “just an event, not an emergency”Why “Misery is Optional” became a clinic mottoHow We Live Matters (Starts at 31:00)Crissi’s 20-year journey toward balance: food, sleep, connection, movementThe surprising role of creativity (like watercolor and photography) in emotional regulationClinic Structure That Feels Like Freedom (Starts at 36:00)Daily dojo sessions: breath, safety, and playful presenceGiving students permission not to ride—and why that sets the tone for learningLetting laughter and safety replace performance pressureNature, Tribe & the Horse-Human Herd (Starts at 42:00)Designing Happy Dog Ranch to support exploration, not confinementThe unseen structure that holds clinics togetherHow horses themselves teach people, especially when given time and spaceSoftness With Structure (Starts at 52:00)Why softness without structure isn’t softness at allRain contact, feel, and feedback loops in real timeMark’s practical metaphors: the coffee cup, the skeleton, and invisible teaching momentsBuilding Confidence Without Force (Starts at 1:10:00)How support teams guide riders back from the edge of overwhelmLetting people grow without letting them get lostKindness as Framework (Starts at 1:20:00)The radical idea that a clinic structure can be kind—not punishingWhy many riders unconsciously argue with happinessThe ripple effects of affirming "You're okay. Your horse is okay."Reclaiming Tribe & Breaking the Misery Habit (Starts at 1:30:00)The loneliness epidemic in the horse world—and how clinics become familyMark and Crissi’s reminder: We get good at what we practice—even if it’s unhappinessWhy being of service to horses and humans might be the simplest cure for anxiety🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:"Misery is optional"—what it means and how it reshapes learning (25:00)Mark’s coffee cup metaphor for structured softness (1:00:00)How “crazy time” with horses taught Rupert to prioritize play and energy release (23:00)Why one rider’s fear melted just by being told she didn’t have to ride (37:00)When anxiety isn’t really anxiety—it’s just too much pressure without strategy (26:00)🤝 Connect with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald: Mark's Website: https://markrashid.com Crissi’s Website: https://crissimcdonald.com Books by Mark Rashid: Considering the Horse: Tales of Problems Solved and Lessons Learned: https://amzn.to/3GbhmrKFinding the Missed Path: The Art of Restarting Horse: https://amzn.to/44e47i2A Journey to Softness: In Search of Feel and Connection with the Horse: https://amzn.to/44c0KIjFor the Love of the Horse: Looking Back, Looking Forward: https://amzn.to/4lkx8zDBooks by Crissi McDonald: Rising From the Sea (North to Home Book 3): https://amzn.to/3ZL864hContinuing The Ride: Rebuilding Confidence from the Ground Up: https://amzn.to/40iZUsfThe Clock in the Water (North to Home): https://amzn.to/40gmv8NGetting Along with Horses: An Evolution in Understanding: https://amzn.to/4k4E8zs🌐 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows: Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com Equine-Assisted Programs: https://newtrailslearning.com📲 Follow Us: Long Ride Home Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning ...
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    2 hrs
  • Softness, Safety, and the Horse-Human Connection with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald | Ep 31

    Softness, Safety, and the Horse-Human Connection with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald | Ep 31
    Jun 25 2025
    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 unique path that blends kindness, discipline, and intuition in equal measure. With over 30 years of experience and thousands of horses and people taught, they bring a powerful perspective for anyone working in the equine-assisted world—or simply seeking a more compassionate way to be with horses.✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Foundation of Softness (Starts at 02:00)Why Mark and Crissi focus on internal softness rather than just soft hands.The legacy of Mark's mentor, Walter, and how it shaped his entire approach.From Martial Arts to Horsemanship (Starts at 08:00)How Mark found the feeling of "softness" in Aikido after years of searching.Why blending energy instead of resisting it helps both horses and people.Crissi's Journey Through Horsemanship (Starts at 14:00)How Crissi moved from harsh training environments to seeking gentleness.The transformational impact of attending her first clinic with Mark.Principles Over Systems (Starts at 24:00)Why Mark and Crissi prioritize principles over rigid techniques.How flexibility and attunement create better outcomes for horse and rider.Observing Patterns & Recognizing Limits (Starts at 33:00)What years of working with thousands of horses taught them about common dilemmas.How inbreeding and neurodivergence manifest in equine behavior and learning.Premarin Foals, Mustangs & Genetic Quirks (Starts at 42:00)The challenges of working with inbred or neurologically atypical horses.What to do when a horse can’t retain information—and how to support them.Softness in the Rider: Letting Go of Tension (Starts at 55:00)How most riders carry too much tension—and how that affects the horse.Why riding with less muscle builds communication and feel.Bridging Aikido, Horsemanship, and Teaching (Starts at 1:06:00)How Mark developed Aibado—Aikido for horse people.The value of practicing feel, balance, and response before teaching technique.Photography, Nature, and Perspective (Starts at 1:17:00)How Crissi uses photography as a mindfulness and self-care practice.The role of creativity in staying grounded while helping others.Gratitude, Storytelling & Emotional Safety (Starts at 1:28:00)How telling the right story at the right time can build trust and safety.Why gratitude is a powerful nervous system regulator for educators and clients alike.🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:Why Mark insisted on the title "Considering the Horse" over "Consider the Horse" (22:00)How Crissi's clinic experience made her realize she "knew nothing" — and loved it (18:00)Mark's metaphor of building guitars like building trust with a horse (1:19:00)Why many horses and people carry too much tension—and what to do about it (56:00)The story of Banjo, the inbred horse who could trail ride but not retain lateral work (41:00)🤝 Connect with Mark Rashid & Crissi McDonald:Mark's Website: https://markrashid.comCrissi’s Website: https://crissimcdonald.com Books by Mark Rashid: Considering the Horse: Tales of Problems Solved and Lessons Learned: https://amzn.to/3GbhmrKFinding the Missed Path: The Art of Restarting Horse: https://amzn.to/44e47i2A Journey to Softness: In Search of Feel and Connection with the Horse: https://amzn.to/44c0KIjFor the Love of the Horse: Looking Back, Looking Forward: https://amzn.to/4lkx8zDBooks by Crissi McDonald: Rising From the Sea (North to Home Book 3): https://amzn.to/3ZL864hContinuing The Ride: Rebuilding Confidence from the Ground Up: https://amzn.to/40iZUsfThe Clock in the Water (North to Home): https://amzn.to/40gmv8NGetting Along with Horses: An Evolution in Understanding: https://amzn.to/4k4E8zs🌐 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.comEquine-Assisted Programs: https://newtrailslearning.com📲 Follow Us:Long Ride Home: https://longridehome.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems Website: https://ntls.co Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems🧺 Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
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    2 hrs and 6 mins
  • One Acre Wonders – Outdoor Schooling, Autism Support, and Equine Wisdom with Catherine Ward & Nicole Jones | Ep 30 Equine Assisted World

    One Acre Wonders – Outdoor Schooling, Autism Support, and Equine Wisdom with Catherine Ward & Nicole Jones | Ep 30 Equine Assisted World
    Jun 12 2025
    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 Nicole share how they blend horsemanship, autonomy, and science to create a truly inclusive, joy-filled learning environment.Discover how they overcame lawsuits, personal tragedy, and cultural bias to build something profoundly impactful—and how you can, too.📚 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Starting Small: How One Acre Became a Movement (Starts at 01:00)The origin of One Acre Farm and why location doesn’t limit transformation.Why their first class was on raising backyard chickens.From ABA to Montessori to Movement Method (Starts at 06:00)Nicole’s early experience with ABA and why it didn’t sit right.Discovering Montessori and how it changed her educational path.Faith, Loss, and Resilience: Catherine’s Personal Journey (Starts at 14:00)How growing up wealthy and then losing everything shaped her.Finding strength through grief and rediscovering purpose in education.Transition from Public School to Homeschooling (Starts at 24:00)Catherine’s decision to homeschool and build a lifestyle of faith and connection.What autonomy looked like in their homeschool setting.Neurodiversity, Animals, and Movement Method (Starts at 33:00)Why ABA didn’t work—and how Horse Boy and Movement Method did.The power of swinging, manure, and goat poop for emotional regulation.The Science of Belonging: From Chickens to Compass Skills (Starts at 44:00)Building trust, confidence, and cognitive growth through nature.Why letting kids lead creates powerful learning moments.The Curriculum in Action: Real Academics in a Farm School (Starts at 56:00)How they teach long division, reading, and geography through farm chores.Montessori flexibility and real-world applications.Emotional Intelligence and Social Development (Starts at 1:08:00)How children learn to navigate social dynamics and resolve conflict.Why mixed-age groups foster natural mentorship.Infrastructure and Burnout Prevention (Starts at 1:22:00)Turning living rooms into classrooms and avoiding mission drift.The challenge of staffing and seasonal demand.Mentorship, Consulting, and Creating New Campuses (Starts at 1:35:00)Helping others start their own programs with land/educator pairings.The vision for a “thousand One Acre Farms” worldwide.From Mobile Education to Legacy Building (Starts at 1:47:00)The story of the mobile petting barn and education trailer.What Catherine and Nicole want to leave behind for future educators.🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:Why kids who “failed” at preschool thrived at One Acre Farm (46:00)Catherine's powerful visual for neuroplasticity: getting to Dallas without I-45 (1:27:00)When Nicole knew Rupert was speaking "right to her soul" (1:33:00)"Let kids do dangerous things carefully"—why risk builds resilience (1:47:00)Pumpkin smashing as science, therapy, and fun—all in one (1:50:00)🤝 Connect with One Acre Farm:Website: https://oneacrefarmtx.com Email: Catherine Ward – catherine@oneacrefarmtx.com | Nicole Jones – nicole@oneacrefarmtx.com Phone & WhatsApp: +1 832-860-4756 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oneacrefarmtxSee All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows: 🌐 Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com💻 Equine-Assisted Programs: https://newtrailslearning.comFollow Us:Long Ride Home📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems🌐 Website: https://ntls.co📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems🧺 Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!
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    2 hrs and 5 mins

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