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
  • Healing in the Herd – Military Recovery, Youth Empowerment, and Equine Wisdom with HorseBack UK | Ep 29 Equine Assisted World

    Healing in the Herd – Military Recovery, Youth Empowerment, and Equine Wisdom with HorseBack UK | Ep 29 Equine Assisted World
    May 29 2025

    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 healing through horses. Emma walks us through the origins and growth of HorseBack UK, how they built their eclectic, nature-based programs, and how their holistic approach integrates horsemanship, bushcraft, mentorship, and leadership.

    From PTSD recovery to ADHD support, herd dynamics to leadership development, this episode reveals how horses, nature, and community can reforge identity, restore dignity, and create lasting change.

    📚 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    Jay’s Story: Trauma, Recovery, and the Call to Serve (Starts at 02:00)

    • How combat injuries reshaped Jay’s life and led him to horses.
    • Finding identity and peace through horsemanship and service.

    Why HorseBack UK Was Born (Starts at 12:00)

    • From breeding quarter horses to becoming a sanctuary for wounded soldiers.
    • How a bonfire with friends turned into a national charity.

    Healing Through Community, Nature, and Horses (Starts at 18:00)

    • Creating programs that combine horse work, bushcraft, archery, and more.
    • Why trust and shared struggle forge powerful therapeutic outcomes.

    Empathy Over Expertise: Mentorship at the Core (Starts at 29:00)

    • How lived experience fuels transformation and mentorship.
    • Training veterans to mentor others on their healing path.

    Youth Empowerment Through Herd Dynamics (Starts at 34:00)

    • Teaching empathy, emotional regulation, and leadership through horses.
    • Why alpha energy, structure, and bushcraft work wonders for troubled teens.

    Equine Wisdom: Personality Pairing and Groundwork (Starts at 44:00)

    • Matching horses and humans for emotional resonance and learning.
    • Using liberty, groundwork, and bareback riding for connection over control.

    Nature as Classroom: Bushcraft, Breathwork, and Belonging (Starts at 51:00)

    • Why outdoor environments restore brain function and build confidence.
    • From breath syncing with horses to building shelters and herbal string.

    Sustainable Systems: How to Fund, Staff, and Grow (Starts at 1:04:00)

    • Strategies for working with councils and local authorities.
    • The genius of part-time mentorship and community collaboration.

    Creating a Professional Field: Regulation and Standards (Starts at 1:11:00)

    • The Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR) and the move toward best practices.
    • How to join or learn from their evolving network.

    🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:

    Jay recalls sneezing his prosthetic eye into a salad and how humor helped him heal (13:00)

    Why ADHD is not a deficit—it’s a superpower for problem-solving and leadership (22:00)

    A Shetland pony as the confidence-building bridge for military giants (1:28:00)

    How Emma’s 3-year-old daughter assumed everyone had prosthetic legs (1:33:00)

    "Horses don’t care about your medals, degrees, or scars. They meet you in the moment."

    🤝 Connect with Us:

    Contact HorseBack UK:
    🌐 Website: https://www.horseback.org.uk
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horsebackuk
    📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horseback_uk

    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/@longridehome

    New 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 7 mins
  • Your Brain, Your Way: Curiosity, Neurodiversity, and Healing with Dr. Chantel Prat | EP 28 Equine Assisted World

    Your Brain, Your Way: Curiosity, Neurodiversity, and Healing with Dr. Chantel Prat | EP 28 Equine Assisted World
    May 15 2025
    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 empathy, and how equine-assisted practices can benefit from this knowledge. From mirror neurons to movement, nature, and neurodivergence, this episode explores how understanding our brains can transform education, therapy, leadership, and horsemanship.📚 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Neuroscience of Individuality (Starts at 02:00)Why one-size-fits-all brain models fall short.How your brain builds reality from bite-sized inputs and past experience.Rewiring How We Think About Intelligence (Starts at 06:00)Moving beyond deficit-based views of learning and attention.Understanding the trade-offs and strengths of different brain types.The Trouble with Normal: Education, Economics, and Brain Diversity (Starts at 14:00)Why school systems misunderstand how brains actually learn.The mismatch between economic systems and human neurodiversity.Curiosity, Creativity, and Collaboration (Starts at 17:00)How diversity of thought increases innovation and team success.Cultivating workplace cultures that support different kinds of brains.Mirror Neurons and Theory of Mind (Starts at 24:00)What mirror neurons really are—and what they aren’t.Understanding empathy, imitation, and their relevance in equine work.Making Implicit Social Cues Explicit in Therapy (Starts at 34:00)Strategies for working with people who experience the world differently.The power of observation and simplification in building empathy.Movement, Nature, and Attention (Starts at 41:00)Why nature and motion restore brain function and emotional regulation.The importance of soft focus, rhythm, and the outdoors for learning.The Brain and Attention: Not a Deficit, Just Different (Starts at 45:00)The real neuroscience behind ADHD and attention struggles.Why labeling differences as disorders is often inaccurate and harmful.Curiosity as the Ultimate Learning State (Starts at 58:00)The PACE model: Predict, Assess, Curiosity, Explore.Why psychological safety is key to curiosity and learning.Medication, Diagnosis, and the Developing Brain (Starts at 1:17:00)The complexity of medicating kids for attention or behavior.Centering the child's experience in therapeutic decisions.Plasticity, Psychedelics, and States of Consciousness (Starts at 1:29:00)What dreams, serotonin, and neuroplasticity tell us about brain healing.The difference between natural and artificial brain interventions.🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:"The brain is not broken. It’s just doing its job in a noisy world."Why nature isn’t a distraction—it’s the optimal learning environment (42:00)Curiosity increases dopamine and accelerates learning (1:02:00)Movement and rhythm unlock creativity and cognitive restoration (44:00)Reframing ADHD as adaptive in hunter-gatherer societies (50:00)A playdate with mom: the best definition of successful training (1:25:00)🤝 Connect with Us:Contact Dr. Chantel Prat: 🌐 Website: http://www.chantelprat.com/Books by Chantel Prat: 📘 The Neuroscience of You: How Every Brain Is Different and How to Understand Yours – https://amzn.to/3YJ4TBQSee 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/newtrailslearningsystemsAffiliate Disclosure: Links to books and products may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. This does not affect the price you pay and helps support the podcast.
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • Beyond Crime: Healing Trauma, Restoring Humanity with Leana Tank | Ep 27 Equine Assisted World

    Beyond Crime: Healing Trauma, Restoring Humanity with Leana Tank | Ep 27 Equine Assisted World
    May 1 2025
    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 acceptance, sensory-based therapy, movement integration, and nature-centered approaches, Leana redefines how we think about healing, trauma, and society's marginalized populations. Her work invites us to reconsider the humanity, sensitivity, and resilience of individuals often deemed "other."📘 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Meeting the Margins: Understanding Leana's Population (Starts at 02:00)Why those labeled as "monsters" are often society's most sensitive souls.The profound failures of social support systems and how they shape lives.Radical Acceptance as a Therapeutic Tool (Starts at 06:00)How releasing judgment creates real avenues for healing.Why dismantling assumptions is crucial to genuine human connection.The Impact of Psychosis, Brain Injury, and Trauma (Starts at 15:00)Psychosis versus premeditation: how cognitive states influence behavior.Brain injury, trauma, and the thin line that separates "us" from "them."The Transformative Power of Movement and Nature (Starts at 29:00)Why nature is the most accessible and effective healing environment.How movement and rhythm regulate the nervous system.Occupational Therapy for the "Invisible" Population (Starts at 43:00)Supporting adults with serious mental illness through practical, embodied therapies.The role of sensory integration, cooking, and daily activities in recovery.Safety, Risk, and Working Without Fear (Starts at 54:00)How Leana assesses safety when taking clients into community spaces.Why authoritarian approaches escalate crises—and how she avoids them.Building Healing Environments: Indoors and Out (Starts at 1:03:00)The overlooked importance of aesthetics, art, and comfort in institutional settings.Creating sensory-friendly spaces that foster connection and resilience.Resilience Through Horses: Personal and Professional Lessons (Starts at 1:19:00)How Leana’s young horse taught her about boundaries, patience, and attunement.Transferring lessons from horsemanship to healing human trauma.Attunement and the Power of Radical Listening (Starts at 1:24:00)How true attunement—"listening with your whole body"—becomes medicine.Mirroring nervous system states to bring clients back to themselves.The Future: Supporting Staff, Scaling Healing (Starts at 1:56:00)Why staff education in attunement and trauma-informed care is essential.How small shifts in environment, training, and nature access could transform mental health systems.🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:"They are not what they've done."The surprising safety of working with people society labels as dangerous (29:00)Why taking clients to Lake Michigan and cooking meals together brings more progress than clinical interventions (44:00)The critical difference between healing and cure (41:30)The "poison plant" metaphor for understanding trauma and sensitivity (2:07:00)Radical acceptance as the doorway to true change (2:03:00)🤝 Connect with Us:See 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
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    2 hrs and 21 mins
  • Healing Hidden Wounds and Trauma in Northern Ireland through Equine Assisted Services with Dr. Helen Sharp | EP 26 Equine Assisted World

    Healing Hidden Wounds and Trauma in Northern Ireland through Equine Assisted Services with Dr. Helen Sharp | EP 26 Equine Assisted World
    Apr 17 2025
    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 journalism, community arts, equine bodywork, and academic research. She holds a PhD and has a background in sculpture and performance art, with her creative and research work shown around the world. As co-director of Groundwork, she serves veterans, trauma survivors, and neurodivergent individuals through programs that fuse nature, horses, and compassionate partnership.This powerful conversation traces her extraordinary journey from the Hebrides to heroin recovery, from performance art to equine-assisted leadership, and why horses continue to be the greatest teachers of all.📘 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Origins of Groundwork EAS (Starts at 03:00)How Helen and co-founder Fiona Butchart launched the charity on a Northern Irish estate.The unique collaboration with Brooke House, a veterans' mental health charity.Why equine-assisted services are critical in a region with some of the UK’s highest mental health rates.Inside the Program: Grounding, Grooming, and Gentle Touch (Starts at 06:44)How Groundwork uses nonclinical space, tea rituals, and horsemanship to support healing.What a 10-week program looks like—from grooming to obstacle courses.The power of soft, tactile interaction and its effect on hypervigilance and aggression.Memorable Story: A Veteran’s Breakthrough with Breathing (Starts at 13:00)A former RUC officer transforms his relationship with anger through breathwork and horse partnership.How working with horses improved his family life.Breaking the Silence: Domestic Violence and Equine Healing (Starts at 19:35)A stroke survivor finds calm and confidence through grooming a yearling.How horse-human connection opens doors that talk therapy alone can’t.Childhood on the Edge: From the Hebrides to Horses (Starts at 23:03)Helen’s wild childhood on a remote Scottish island with no horses.How early life near the sea shaped her sensitivity and resilience.Art, Heroin, and Healing (Starts at 35:00)Helen shares openly about her past heroin addiction, recovery, and a near-death experience.How a vivid overdose changed her life trajectory—and deepened her compassion.Why this history helps her serve people in trauma without judgment.The Role of Routine, Ritual, and Horses in Recovery (Starts at 57:31)Why even intravenous drug use can mimic the grounding people seek in horses.The link between tactile connection and nervous system regulation.From Performance Art to Journalism (Starts at 01:00:00)Helen’s unexpected path from swinging off anchors in Belarus to writing for Horse & Hound and The Irish Field.Why writing was always at the center of her self-expression.Creating Change: Groundwork’s Model and the Power of the Broodmare (Starts at 01:16:00)How Helen uses young stock and broodmares to reflect complex family dynamics.Why one teenage girl found her voice by learning to speak clearly to a horse.The Future of Equine-Assisted Services in Ireland (Starts at 01:29:00)Helen’s vision for integrating equine-assisted work into the national healthcare system.Why collaboration—not competition—is key to the future of the sector.Lessons learned from the global Seen Through Horses campaign: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/seen-through-horses/✨ Memorable Moments from the Episode:“The hands can heal what the mind can’t.” (10:17)A veteran realizing that slowing down with his horse prevents family arguments (18:00)How grooming a yearling helped a stroke survivor regain stability (21:00)Helen’s overdose experience and the voice that saved her life: “You have a great brain” (38:00)“Frivolity is not the opposite of seriousness—it’s a form of joy.” (1:03:14)How observing a colt helped a mother process her teenage son’s behavior (1:26:00)🤝 Connect with Dr. Helen Sharp & Groundwork:Groundwork Equine-Assisted Services: https://groundworkeas.orgThe Irish Field (Helen’s journalism): https://www.theirishfield.ieSee All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:🌐 Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com🎧 Podcast Archive: https://lfrf.transistor.fm💻 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/...
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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • Dr. Megan McGavern on Reclaiming Hope, Creating Saving Her Son, and Changing Medicine from Within | Ep 25

    Dr. Megan McGavern on Reclaiming Hope, Creating Saving Her Son, and Changing Medicine from Within | Ep 25
    Apr 3 2025

    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 refused to give up. Drawing on her medical training, clinical experience, and deep intuition as a mother, she created C.H.A.T.S. as a space where children like Cole could thrive. C.H.A.T.S. is not about traditional therapy or horseback riding—it is about building relationship, regulation, and readiness to learn through purposeful, adaptive, equine-based engagement.

    What sets Megan apart is her ability to take science-based, evidence-backed practices—like Movement Method—and integrate them meaningfully into both therapeutic and clinical settings. After traveling to New Trails to learn Movement Method and Horse Boy Method firsthand from Rupert Isaacson, Megan returned home and applied what she had learned with her son Cole. The profound changes she witnessed led her to establish C.H.A.T.S. as a nonprofit organization. From there, she worked to bring Movement Method into the medical establishment, eventually helping to launch a neuroscience conference focused on the approach and its clinical applications.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    From Despair to Innovation: A Mother’s Mission (Starts at 01:45)

    • The moment Megan was told to “accept the loss” regarding her son Cole’s future.
    • Why she decided to go beyond traditional care models.
    • The founding of C.H.A.T.S. and how it gave Cole a new chance at life.

    Movement Method and Medical Practice (Starts at 20:10)

    • How Megan found the Movement Method and incorporated it into her work.
    • Practical ways she’s brought it into institutional and clinical settings.
    • The role of science—not mysticism—in shaping her therapeutic philosophy.

    C.H.A.T.S. in Action (Starts at 32:40)

    • What makes C.H.A.T.S. distinct from other equine-assisted programs.
    • Why it's focused on adaptability, safety, and authentic connection.
    • How Megan uses observation, relationship, and responsiveness to meet each child’s needs.

    The Dual Role: Mother and Medical Professional (Starts at 48:15)

    • How personal experience reshaped her understanding of care.
    • Advice for professionals who want to do more—but don’t know how.
    • Why being present often matters more than having all the answers.

    Memorable Moments from the Episode:

    • Megan recounts hearing that her son might never regain function (04:02).
    • The turning point where C.H.A.T.S. took form in response to Cole’s needs (11:50).
    • Integrating Movement Method into medical care (24:35).
    • A reflection on letting go of "being the expert" to simply be present (53:20).

    Connect with Dr. Megan McGavern:
    🌐 C.H.A.T.S. Website: https://chats757.com
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coleshorsetherapy

    See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows: 🌐 Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com

    Follow Us:
    Long Ride Home
    📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh
    📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh
    🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehome

    New Trails Learning Systems
    🌐 Website: https://ntls.co
    📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld
    📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld
    🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems

    Tune in to this grounded and powerful conversation with Dr. Megan McGavern to learn how clinical science, determined parenting, and adaptive equine approaches are reshaping what's possible for children and families facing big challenges.
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    2 hrs and 2 mins