Epona Equine

10/16/2023

Comparative neurobiology

The size of the brain isn't what determines the intelligence of the animal, the amount of wrinkles do!
If it was the size of the brain that determined the intelligence, then a German Shepherd would technically be more intelligent than a Chihuahua, which we know is not the case.

The more socially complex the animal is, the more wrinkles they have. We know dogs are socially complex, they have social skills that often challenges human emotional fitness.

Now compare the dog brain to the horse brain!

We all know how intelligent dogs are, maybe we're not giving horses enough credit for their intelligence?

Why is it then that horses don't often offer us cognitive behaviours like dogs, such as problem solving, reasoning, impulse control, etc?

Because, for the brain to access these areas, the individual needs to FEEL safe. If the brain doesn't feel safe, all brain functions will be carried out automatically using the deeper structures of the brain. These deeper structures are subcortical, meaning they're under the wrinkly stuff (neocortex) you see in this picture, and their role is designed to help the individual stay safe and alive.

This area of the brain is called the limbic system (AKA primal brain, survival brain, flight/fight brain, emotional brain).

I refer to it as the primal brain. This brain is automatic and unconscious. It doesn't require thought process and is not concerned with responsiveness. It's job is to react and it is best friends with the sympathetic nervous system (stress response nervous system).

When you, your horse, or your dog receives sensory input or a memory and perceives it as unsafe, ALL behaviour, movement and body language will be coming from the primal brain, NOT the wrinkly stuff you see.

We expect our fellow humans, horses and dogs to be operating out of the wrinkly thinky stuff, but that can ONLY happen when the brain feels safe.

Most humans, horses and dogs in today's world are suffering with chronic stress, which means their brains are not only perceiving their world as unsafe, but they are in this state for the entirety of their waking hours.

This has major physiological, mental and emotional repercussions.

How can we help downgrade this chronic stress and start accessing the wrinkly stuff in ourselves, our horses and our dogs?

🧠 Consciously communicate in a way that creates a calm brain 🧠

A calm brain will downgrade the sympathetic nervous system and stress response hormones and allow access to all the juicy cognitive performance areas of the brain that we ALL want access to!

Happy brain training 🧠
Charlotte 😊

05/18/2023

I really feel this is so true with horses

05/12/2023

True story 😅
credits: Pinterest

04/19/2023

God is SO good y’all. Zatanna (ZZ) was diagnosed with EPM a year ago. It was treated and she seemed to be doing better for a while, but then came back worse. She lost a lot of weight, was spinning in circles, wobbly and had cranial nerve issues that made it where she couldn’t eat grain. I did lots of research, threw the kitchen sink at it and then my vet suggested EPM Super Dewormer from Old West Holistic Company. She just finished the 90 day treatment. It was touch and go for a while. She had Acupressure, energy work, so much prayer and lots of faith. She still has some weight to gain and muscle to gain back, but this is huge. I will continue to pray for her recovery. I told God I know she’s “just a horse” but she’s a good horse and life has value. She is a kill pen survivor who was (surprise) pregnant when we got her. I don’t think she was handled kindly in her past, but she has always been sweet. Sometimes exercises in faith come in surprising forms.

04/04/2023

Have you ever just come to the abrupt realization that you don't see anything the same anymore?

The two year old that you once would have approved of starting under saddle now looks like an incredibly immature baby that you can't imagine asking to carry a load.

Physical issues that lead to training and performance issues you no longer view as the problem but perhaps the solution to the actual problem.

All of the things you would have considered behavioral issues you can now see as the balance issues that they are. You no longer want to address the behavior but instead the reason for the behavior.

You are no longer fooled by words. Anyone can say anything about their training and approach...but the horse will tell you a lot about whether the words match the action, if you're educated enough to see it. Some things are debatable...other things definitely aren't.

You now recognize that you are a nervous system and your horse is a nervous system...and that the priority is to keep you upright and alive. That matters, A LOT.

You recognize that developing a horse is an endeavor that takes years. YEARS. Years of a lot of time and a lot of commitment. There's truly no substitute.

You also realize that getting here has meant admitting that there were times when you were wrong. That there were times when you did harm with the best of your intentions. That you had to walk away from circles of people whose beliefs and approach no longer lined up with what you now know...or maybe they walked away from you? Either way, it's hard to stand alone sometimes.

You realize you've had to become a beginner a thousand times over...and you'll continue to find yourself in that spot a thousand more times in the future, plus some. Maybe even at some point today.

You realize that even when it feels like you haven't grown at all...you actually have. That growth is something to be proud of, no matter where you're at on your journey.

- Terra

03/31/2023

« Pourquoi aimer les animaux?
Parce qu'ils vous donnent tout, sans rien demander.
Parce que contre le pouvoir de l'homme armé, ils sont sans défense.
Parce qu'ils sont des enfants éternels, Parce qu'ils ne savent pas ce qu'est la haine ou la guerre.
Parce qu'ils ne connaissent pas l'argent et qu'ils se consolent seulement avec un endroit pour échapper au froid.
Parce qu'ils se font comprendre sans dire un mot,
Parce que leur regard est aussi pur que leur âme.
Parce qu'ils ne connaissent ni envie ni rancune,
Parce que le pardon est encore naturel en eux.
Parce qu'ils savent aimer avec loyauté et fidélité.
Parce qu'ils vivent sans avoir une maison luxueuse.
C'est pourquoi ils n'achètent pas l'amour,
ils attendent juste ça.
Et parce qu'ils sont nos compagnons, amis éternels, que rien ne pourra séparer.
Parce qu'ils sont vivants.
Pour ceci et mille autres choses, ils méritent notre amour. »

Mère Teresa

03/24/2023

https://carsonjames.com

03/23/2023

03/12/2023

Get it right. BUT you can still FEED responsibility 😘

03/11/2023

Something to ponder!!

03/10/2023

Have you ever trusted someone with your life? Have you ever been in hot water, and known without a shadow of a doubt the person you’re with will not only keep you safe, but help you thrive? Have you ever felt your abilities completely seen, and pushed in a way that makes you feel confident?

Think about being in that position - and imagine how much a horse needs from us. That is what they deserve to feel from us, with every interaction.