EP 34: Crissi McDonald, Mark Rashid & Dr. Steve Peters | A Horse's Life - The Neuroscience of Equine Welfare

In this fascinating conversation, Paula is joined by Mark Rashid, Dr. Steven Peters, and Crissi McDonald, the authors of A Horse's Life: The Neuroscience of Equine Welfare. Together, they explore how neuroscience helps us better understand what our horses experience beneath the surface, and why that understanding leads to kinder, more effective horsemanship. ☆ Book Amazon Link: A Horse's Life: The Neuroscience of Equine Welfare ☆ Mark Rashid: https://www.markrashid.com/  ☆ Dr. Steven Peters: https://www.horsebrainscience.info/  ☆ Crissi McDonald: https://www.crissimcdonald.com/  Rather than viewing behavior as something to fix, this episode invites us to see every response as meaningful communication. Through heartfelt storytelling and practical science, you'll discover how patience, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the equine nervous system can help build trust, support healing, and strengthen the partnership between horse and human.  Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to the panel and the new book 00:59 – How the collaboration began and the book came to life 02:02 – Blending storytelling with neuroscience 04:15 – Understanding the horse's nervous system through real-life cases 06:59 – Why familiar horse stories take on new meaning through science 07:34 – The collaborative writing process and lessons learned 10:34 – Recognizing the difference between calm confidence and learned helplessness Guest Links: ☆ Book Amazon Link: A Horse's Life: The Neuroscience of Equine Welfare ☆ Mark Rashid: https://www.markrashid.com/  ☆ Dr. Steven Peters: https://www.horsebrainscience.info/  ☆ Crissi McDonald: https://www.crissimcdonald.com/  Resources: ☆ Get a Free Ticket To The Online Horse Fair --> https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/free-ticket ☆ Access All Horse Fair Presentations In Our Membership --> https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/membership ☆ Visit Our Merch Store --> https://shop.artofthehorseman.com/ ☆ Follow Us On Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/ArtofTheHorseman ☆ Follow Us On Youtube --> https://www.youtube.com/@Artofthehorseman ☆ Follow Us On Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/artofthehorseman