Equine Assisted World with Rupert Isaacson

Petra Vlasblom is a Dutch horse behavior specialist based in the Netherlands, founder of 2Moons, and one of Europe's most sought-after trainers for problem horses — particularly in the high-stakes world of elite sport horses. She came to the profession not through a traditional equestrian route, but as a former graphic designer from the city who fell in love with an "unrideable" horse that nobody else could manage, and whose path to becoming a professional was shaped as much by personal crisis as by equine knowledge.What makes Petra's story and her work unusual is the degree to which her own life has mirrored the horses she works with. Her first horse, Two Moons — still alive today — broke her arm, dislocated her hip, and ultimately catalyzed years of deep personal work. A later riding accident broke her neck and forced a four-month recovery period that fundamentally changed how she listens: not with her head, not with her heart, but with her gut. That shift is now at the core of everything she teaches.In this conversation, Rupert and Petra cover the full arc of her journey — from a childhood with no horses and a career in graphic design, to buying an impossible horse on a whim in Belgium, to running a professional school for horse behavior in France, to the neck injury that changed everything. They go deep on her methods for trailer loading, her framework for reading horse body language at the moment of decision, her "software install" philosophy for training both horse and owner, and what she believes all therapeutic equine programs need to address around herd dynamics and horse wellbeing. The conversation closes with a shared invitation: Petra and Rupert will be running a joint workshop in the Netherlands in June 2026 — details at https://longridehome.com/events.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 How a horse that no professional trainer could ride became the catalyst for Petra's entire career — and what that says about the horses that come to therapeutic programs as "donations"Why Petra distinguishes between listening to the heart versus listening to the gut — and why the gut is the more reliable guide for both horse and human practitionersHow to read the precise moment a horse is making a mental decision during trailer loading: what to look for in the eyes, ears and head carriage, and why forcing that moment produces a dangerous animal in transitWhy Petra's trailer loading method involves letting the horse exit freely after going in voluntarily — and how this counterintuitive step produces lasting compliance versus temporary complianceHow the "software install" metaphor helps owners understand why training the horse without training the owner always fails — and how Petra uses this framing to set up her client education eveningsWhat the rehab of a problem horse offers as its own form of therapy — for people returning from military service, abuse, or chronic anxiety — and why Rupert's programs use prospective therapy horse rehabilitation as a standalone treatment modalityWhy the chronic use of stabled horses in therapeutic settings creates specific stress and behavioral problems, and what practical solutions — including "crazy time" and companion animals — can address these without large financial outlayHow Petra's approach differs from classical natural horsemanship in one key respect: the horse is not asked to make the wrong thing harder, but to make a genuine, uncoerced choiceWhat a broken neck, a dislocated hip, and a broken arm taught Petra about the difference between professional obligation and gut instinct — and how running on exhaustion impairs even experienced practitioners' ability to read horses accuratelyWhy Petra now requires all horse owners to attend a three-hour education evening before she will train their horse — and what changed in her success rate when she introduced that conditionHow self-disconnection — particularly through overwork and screen-based living — undermines a handler's ability to connect with a horse, and what both Rupert and Petra suggest as entry-level solutions for practitioners facing this🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode[00:01:00] Rupert introduces Petra — the Dutch problem-horse specialist he first saw in action with a nervous horse at one of his retreats[00:06:10] Petra describes the moment she saw Two Moons in Belgium: eight years old, "very dangerous, very untrainable" — and fell in love immediately[00:11:00] "I thought with my love, everything will be okay" — Petra on what happened next, and why she spent a lot of time in hospitals[00:15:06] The big accident: Petra describes breaking her neck after seven weeks of back-to-back teaching, arriving exhausted, and ignoring her gut[00:38:03] The shift after the neck break: from running on obligation to listening to intuition — the lesson she took from four months in a harness[00:56:34] Rupert describes watching Petra

In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Lucy Dillon, who runs the equine unit at ChildVision in Drumcondra — right in the center of Dublin, Ireland.ChildVision (formerly St. Joseph’s School for the Blind) provides services for children and young people with visual impairments and complex needs. Unlike most equine‑assisted programs located in rural areas, Lucy’s program operates in the middle of a major city — serving populations who would otherwise have little or no access to horses.Lucy shares the realities of running an urban equine therapy program: balancing horse welfare with limited space, designing programs for children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities, and maintaining high standards of horsemanship within a therapeutic setting.The conversation explores Lucy’s path through traditional British horse training, riding schools, equine education, and professional qualifications before transitioning into therapeutic work. She discusses how the structure and discipline of classical horsemanship become essential foundations for safe and effective equine‑assisted programs.Together, Rupert and Lucy examine how horses support children with sensory and neurological challenges, how urban equine programs can remain sustainable, and why good horsemanship remains the backbone of any meaningful therapeutic practice.If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Lucy Dillon built and now leads the equine unit at ChildVision in DublinWhat makes an urban equine therapy program fundamentally different from rural centersHow children with visual impairments experience horses and equine environmentsWhy horses can support sensory integration and body awareness in visually impaired ridersHow to design equine programs for children with multiple disabilities and complex needsWhy strong horsemanship foundations are essential in therapeutic ridingHow Lucy’s background in traditional British riding schools shaped her approach to therapy workThe importance of horse welfare when programs run in limited urban spaceHow urban programs provide access for communities who would otherwise never encounter horsesWhy therapeutic programs must balance clinical needs with genuine horse knowledgeHow equine units operate within larger educational and medical institutionsThe daily logistical realities of maintaining horses in a city environmentWhy joy, fun, and relationship with the horse remain central to therapeutic outcomes🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode[00:00:44] Introducing Lucy Dillon and the ChildVision equine unit in central Dublin[00:05:31] Lucy’s early path through British horse training and equine education[00:13:04] Working in traditional riding yards before moving toward therapy work[00:22:40] How horses help children with visual impairments experience movement and space[00:34:10] Designing equine programs for children with multiple disabilities[00:46:18] Why strong horsemanship matters inside therapeutic riding programs[01:02:14] Managing horse welfare and logistics inside a city‑based equine facility[01:15:22] The realities of maintaining horses for therapy in a dense urban environment[01:32:40] Why access to horses matters for children growing up in cities[01:47:12] What makes equine‑assisted work sustainable over the long term📚 Contact, Projects, and Resources MentionedLucy Dillon – ChildVision Equine Unit (Dublin) Search: Lucy Dillon ChildVision Dublin https://childvision.ie/what-we-do/equine-assisted-activities/New Trails Learning Systems – Horse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.coRupert Isaacson / Long Ride Home https://rupertisaacson.comPatreon Support https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🌍 Follow UsLong Ride Home https://longridehome.com https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems https://ntls.co https://facebook.com/horseboyworld https://instagram.com/horseboyworld https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate DisclosureLinks to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

In this deeply personal and wide‑ranging episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with longtime colleague and friend Karla Brahms of Wellenreiter in the Odenwald, Germany — a region steeped in myth, forest, and living horse culture.What begins as a conversation about equine‑assisted practice unfolds into an intimate exploration of grief, love, resilience, and the sacred role horses play in helping humans navigate life’s darkest passages.Karla shares her evolution from decades of forest‑based therapeutic riding with children into her current work integrating NIG (Neuro‑Imaginative Gestalt) constellation methods with horses. Through spontaneous drawing, embodied awareness, and equine presence, she helps clients access inner wisdom beyond intellectual processing.The conversation then turns to the death of her husband, musician Jan, and the profound grief that followed. Karla speaks openly about ritual, laying out the body at home, identity loss, and how horses — through presence, warmth, and simple being — helped her remain anchored in the present.This episode explores what modern culture has lost around death and ceremony — and how horses may help us reclaim a more honest, embodied relationship with grief.If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Karla integrates forest‑based horsemanship with therapeutic workWhat NIG (Neuro‑Imaginative Gestalt) is and how drawing with the non‑dominant hand accesses embodied insightHow horses interact during constellation processes and reflect emotional statesWhy standing on symbolic drawings creates somatic awareness and shifts perspectiveThe role of the “meta position” and third‑person dialogue in therapeutic workHow horses respond to grief, exhaustion, and emotional truth in clientsWhy allowing horses to say “no” builds deeper reliability and trustHow herd stability, lifestyle, and environment influence therapeutic safetyWhat grief does to identity — and why losing a partner means losing the “we” as wellWhy ritual, washing and laying out the body, and conscious farewell matterHow animals help regulate grief through presence and daily responsibilityWhy grief is not only about death, but also about identity shifts, diagnosis, relocation, and life transitionsHow creative acts (like knitting, drawing, or movement) can become grief ritualsWhy asking “why” is less helpful than learning to trust the unfolding🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode[00:00:44] Introducing Karla Brahms and the magical forest setting of the Odenwald[00:05:20] “Follow the child” — why forest‑based work restores nervous systems[00:09:58] Discovering constellation work and integrating horses into NIG practice[00:18:50] A yawning horse reveals hidden exhaustion in a client[00:27:39] “They’re not only carrying our bodies — they’re carrying our souls.”[00:43:00] The importance of solid horsemanship behind therapeutic freedom[00:53:38] When horses leave the herd — and how grief changes equine behavior[01:11:00] Jan’s passing and the sacred act of laying out the body at home[01:16:40] Losing the “we” — identity shifts in widowhood[01:27:00] The taboo of grief in modern culture[01:55:25] Knitting as ritual — creating a seven‑meter “snail shell” through grief[02:04:25] Letting go of “why” and choosing trust instead[02:10:23] Celebrating love and life through the annual forest reggae gathering📚 Contact, Projects, and Resources MentionedKarla Brahms – Wellenreiter (Odenwald, Germany) Search: Karla Brahms Wellenreiter https://wellenreiter.deNew Trails Learning Systems – Horse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.coRupert Isaacson / Long Ride Home https://rupertisaacson.comPatreon Support https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🌍 Follow UsLong Ride Home https://longridehome.com https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems https://ntls.co https://facebook.com/horseboyworld https://instagram.com/horseboyworld https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate DisclosureLinks to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

In this grounded and deeply moving episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Christine Doran, founder of Triple H Ranch in the Chicago area — a rare ecosystem that combines a full‑scale horse rescue with equine‑assisted work for humans.Christine shares how her path into this work began as a teenager through a moment of spiritual clarity, and how that calling evolved into more than two decades of frontline work with abused, neglected, and discarded horses. Rather than separating rescue from therapy, Christine describes an integrated model where horses are not “fixed and then used,” but supported as whole beings whose own healing journey becomes part of the therapeutic relationship.Together, Rupert and Christine explore what it means to witness suffering without becoming hardened, how faith, humility, and structure play a role in sustainable rescue work, and why some of the deepest lessons in equine‑assisted practice come from horses with the hardest pasts.This episode is an honest look at abuse that still exists in modern America, the quiet heroism of long‑term rescue work, and the possibility of creating true second chances — for horses and for people.If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Christine’s calling into equine‑assisted work began at age sixteenWhy Triple H Ranch combines horse rescue with therapeutic programmingWhat real horse neglect and abuse still look like in the U.S. todayHow rehabilitating horses and humans can be part of the same ecosystemWhy patience, time, and humility are essential in rescue‑based programsHow faith and purpose sustain long‑term frontline animal welfare workWhat horses with traumatic pasts can teach practitioners about trustThe ethical responsibilities involved in turning rescued horses into partners 🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode[00:00:44] Rupert introduces Christine and the rescue‑plus‑therapy model of Triple H Ranch[00:02:14] Christine recounts asking for a “large flashing sign” about her life’s purpose[00:03:16] Discovering how horses were used to help heal troubled youth[00:55:00] Faith, calling, and what sustains people in long‑term rescue work[01:03:01] Why true rescue means changing systems — not just saving individual horses[01:11:54] Facing real abuse and neglect without becoming numb or hardened[01:28:14] The cumulative toll of neglect — and why it’s still hidden in plain sight[01:41:44] Burnout, moral injury, and the cost of witnessing suffering over decades[01:59:00] What “second chances” actually require — for horses and for humans📚 Contact, Projects, and Resources MentionedTriple H Ranch (Chicago area): https://www.hhhranchil.org/New Trails Learning Systems – Horse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.coRupert Isaacson / Long Ride Home https://rupertisaacson.com🌍 Follow UsLong Ride Home https://longridehome.com https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems https://ntls.co https://facebook.com/horseboyworld https://instagram.com/horseboyworld https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate DisclosureLinks to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

What if the core of equine‑assisted work isn’t a method, a certification, or a discipline — but the shared act of creating a new story together?In this wide‑ranging and deeply human conversation, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Betsy Kahl — senior PATH instructor, social worker, horsewoman, and long‑time collaborator in the Horse Boy and Takhin Equine Integration work. Drawing on decades of experience across therapeutic riding, classical dressage, social work, and the performing arts, Betsy reflects on where equine‑assisted practice has come from, where it is now, and where it may need to go next.Together, Rupert and Betsy explore the often‑unspoken layers beneath equine‑assisted work: grief and loss, belonging and exclusion, the tension between mainstream systems and lived wisdom, and the role horses play in helping humans keep moving when life threatens to stall. From theater arts and role‑playing to adaptive riding, veterans’ work, and the quiet intelligence of in‑hand training, this episode weaves together disciplines that are too often kept apart.Rather than arguing for a single approach, this conversation invites practitioners, riders, and listeners to reflect on what unites all good equine work — care for the horse’s wellbeing, respect for individual capacity, and the courage to remain present in uncertainty. It is a dialogue about humility, creativity, and the radical idea that healing — for horses and humans alike — is relational.If you work with horses and people, or if horses have helped you navigate grief, transition, or identity, this episode offers both grounding and challenge.If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow therapeutic riding, classical dressage, social work, and theater intersect in equine‑assisted practiceWhy horses help humans move through grief without getting stuck in the pastHow theater arts and role‑play create safe containers for emotional processingWhat it means to “create a new story together” in equine‑assisted workWhy horse welfare is foundational to human safety and healingHow loss — of people, horses, or dreams — shapes equine relationshipsThe difference between siloed systems and integrated horse culturesWhy belonging matters for practitioners as much as for participantsHow in‑hand work can remain a lifelong anchor when riding changesWhat equine‑assisted fields can learn from humility, improvisation, and presence🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode[00:02:51] Betsy introduces her background bridging PATH, dressage, and social work[00:07:02] Growing up with horses who taught lessons, jumped, and worked in adaptive programs[00:12:37] From theater arts to social work: learning to listen, respond, and stay present[00:22:37] Shakespeare, non‑speaking students, and performance as a safe container[00:31:00] The arena as a stage — and why presence matters more than perfection[00:39:02] Creating new stories together across disciplines and populations[00:48:50] Veterans, classical systems, and horses as co‑creators[01:09:00] Equine welfare as the shared ground beneath all methods[01:25:00] Grief, aging horses, and continuing the story when things change[01:34:00] Why horses help humans keep moving through loss[01:36:00] Belonging, inclusion, and the future of equine‑assisted work📚 Contact, Projects, and Resources MentionedBetsy Kahl – Wonder Horse Ranch Email: [email protected] Trails Learning Systems – Horse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.coRupert Isaacson / Long Ride Home https://rupertisaacson.com🌍 Follow UsLong Ride Home https://longridehome.com https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems https://ntls.co https://facebook.com/horseboyworld https://instagram.com/horseboyworld https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate DisclosureLinks to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

In this powerful and far‑reaching episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Brandy Tomhave, Executive Director of the Native American Humane Society and an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation.This conversation goes far beyond animal welfare. Together, Rupert and Brandy explore how animals—especially dogs and horses—serve as bridges between cultures, as carriers of medicine, and as essential companions in communities shaped by historical trauma, systemic neglect, and extraordinary resilience.Brandy shares her journey from decades of Native American legal advocacy into animal welfare, describing how colonial systems, poverty, and misunderstood cultural differences have deeply affected both people and animals on reservations. She explains why animal wellness cannot be separated from human wellbeing, and how concepts like relationality, balance, generosity, and One Health have long existed in Indigenous cultures.From the lived realities of reservation life to the ethical challenges of modern animal rescue, from horses as cultural relatives to dogs as potential lifelines in communities facing suicide and mental health crises, this episode invites listeners to rethink what it truly means to be humane.This is a conversation about humility, listening, ambiguity, and the radical idea that being a “good relative”—to animals and to each other—might be the most important work we can do.If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Native American identity is political and sovereign—not racialHow colonial trauma affects animals as well as peopleWhy many “rescued” reservation dogs were never abandonedHow dogs and horses function as spiritual, emotional, and cultural relativesWhat “One Health” really means from an Indigenous perspectiveWhy poverty‑based narratives often do more harm than goodHow animals can act as bridges between divided human communitiesThe ethical tensions around wild horses, land use, and survivalWhy animal welfare systems must be culturally groundedWhat it means to be a “good relative” in animal‑assisted work🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode[00:03:12] Brandy explains Native American sovereignty and why it shapes everything else[00:08:45] The Flagstaff shelter visit that changed Brandy’s life[00:16:16] The historical parallel between removing children and removing dogs[00:19:00] Why animal wellness is one of the few areas free from federal control[00:25:33] Dogs and horses as ambassadors between cultures[00:35:00] Relationality: animals as relatives, not property[00:39:02] The link between animal abuse and future human violence[00:44:31] Animals as companions in communities facing suicide and trauma[00:51:28] “Be a good relative” as a guiding principle[01:02:08] What animal‑assisted practitioners worldwide can learn from Native wisdom📚 Contact, Projects, and Resources MentionedNative American Humane Society https://nativeamericanhumanesociety.orgNew Trails Learning Systems – Horse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.coRupert Isaacson / Long Ride Home https://rupertisaacson.com🌍 Follow UsLong Ride Home https://longridehome.com https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems https://ntls.co https://facebook.com/horseboyworld https://instagram.com/horseboyworld https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate DisclosureLinks to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Katja Mehlhorn — psychologist, academic, and founder of Horse Kids Groningen in the Netherlands. Katja bridges two worlds that rarely meet: university‑level research and deeply embodied, nature‑based equine‑assisted practice.From her early work in PATH programs in the United States to building a highly individualized, child‑led practice on a Dutch farm, Katja shares how curiosity, movement, imagination, and horse welfare shape everything she does. Together, Rupert and Katja explore how neuroplasticity, safety, and play support learning in children who struggle with anxiety, school refusal, autism, and social‑emotional challenges.This conversation ranges widely — from teaching maths through Formula One role‑play on horseback, to helping traumatized clients rebuild self‑worth by caring for horses, to using landscapes, wildlife, foraging, and even horse poo as gateways to regulation and learning. Along the way, Katja reflects on leaving a secure university career to grow her farm‑based work, and on what the equine‑assisted field must do to stay ethical, relevant, and humane.If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow curiosity and play create safety and open the brain for learning Why following the child matters more than following a protocol How movement and balance activate neuroplasticity through the vestibular system Ways to introduce maths, numbers, and academics without fear or pressure How horses provide emotional feedback when children cannot verbalize Why horse welfare, fitness, and variety of work are essential in equine‑assisted programs How in‑hand and classical groundwork benefit both horses and humans Why nature, foraging, animals, and landscape are powerful therapeutic tools How rescue horses paired with at‑risk youth can transform both What equine‑assisted practice can offer to struggling schools and post‑COVID students🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode[00:03:35] Katja describes her first experiences volunteering at a PATH center and witnessing profound changes in children[00:09:18] Using Formula One racing games on horseback to gently reintroduce maths and numbers[00:16:00] Teaching balance through playful exercises inspired by weighted “Russian doll” toys[00:18:38] The role of vestibular activation in long‑term learning and neuroplasticity[00:27:01] Reading horses’ calming and stress signals to understand what children cannot express[00:32:57] Integrating fitness, trick training, and in‑hand work into therapy sessions[00:40:17] How helping horses heal can rebuild self‑worth in traumatized clients[00:43:00] Research findings from Brook Hill Farm showing improved school outcomes for at‑risk youth[00:50:55] Using landscape, imagination, wildlife, and foraging to reconnect children with nature[01:21:12] Why longer sessions allow children time to truly arrive and regulate📚 Contact, Projects, and Resources MentionedKatja Mehlhorn / Horse Kids Groningen https://katjamehlhorn.nlHorse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.coLong Ride Home / Rupert Isaacson https://rupertisaacson.com🌍 Follow UsLong Ride Home https://longridehome.com https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems https://ntls.co https://facebook.com/horseboyworld https://instagram.com/horseboyworld https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate DisclosureLinks to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Suzie Latchford, founder of Heal With Horses in Ontario, Canada — a long‑running equine‑assisted program working with autistic children, families, and communities in a demanding four‑season climate.Suzie shares how Heal With Horses grew organically over more than fifteen years, often without a clear roadmap, and what that growth revealed about sustainability, invisible structure, horse welfare, staff leadership, and practitioner wellbeing. What begins as a conversation about weather and logistics becomes a deeply honest exploration of burnout, menopause, identity, delegation, and the hidden costs of purpose‑driven work.Rather than presenting easy answers, this episode offers lived experience from someone who has stayed in the work long enough to feel its strain — and to find ways through it. From following the child and respecting nature‑led limits, to building mobile animal programs and planning for succession, Suzie reflects on what it really takes to keep equine‑assisted work ethical, human, and sustainable over decades.If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome🔍 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow following the child builds communication and trust before any therapeutic goals are imposedWhy nature‑based limits — weather, seasons, and animals — can support regulation better than rigid schedulesWhat invisible structure looks like in real equine‑assisted programs, and why it mattersHow long‑term practitioners experience burnout, including emotional, physical, and hormonal factorsWhy delegation, staff leadership, and succession planning are essential for program survivalHow mobile animal programs extend equine‑assisted work into seniors’ homes, schools, and community spacesWhat sustainable horse welfare looks like in cold climates through herd living and 24/7 turnout🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode[00:01:40] Suzie reflects on the unplanned beginnings of Heal With Horses and how Horse Boy Method shaped her early direction[00:06:53] Navigating winter cancellations, financial strain, and client expectations in extreme Canadian weather[00:16:26] A clear, lived example of “following the child” through imagination, animals, and choice[00:32:37] Suzie speaks candidly about burnout, depression, and losing joy in work she once loved[00:40:00] An open discussion about menopause, identity loss, and rebuilding self‑trust[00:50:00] How stepping back allowed younger staff to step up — and why delegation matters[01:25:24] The mobile animal program: bringing pigs, goats, and bunnies into nursing homes and universities[01:41:00] Redefining success beyond money, productivity, and traditional metrics📚 Contact, Projects, and Resources MentionedHeal With Horses (Canada) https://healwithhorses.caHorse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.coLong Ride Home / Rupert Isaacson https://rupertisaacson.com🌍 Follow UsLong Ride Home https://longridehome.com https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning Systems https://ntls.co https://facebook.com/horseboyworld https://instagram.com/horseboyworld https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate DisclosureLinks to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

In this episode, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Celisse Barrett — a practitioner whose work blends equine‑assisted therapy, movement‑based regulation, and full‑scale equestrian spectacle. From trick riding, vaulting, and Roman riding to using these same performance skills day‑to‑day with clients, Celisse shows how horses become partners in confidence‑building, trauma recovery, coordination, and empowerment.Rather than separating therapy from performance, Celisse explains how showmanship, rhythm, choreography, and playful challenge help clients — including neurodivergent and special‑needs riders — access balance, focus, and self‑belief. The conversation moves through her personal journey, her training roots, her safety framework, and the way she shapes a space where horses and humans learn together.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• How Celisse integrates trick riding, vaulting, Roman riding, and performance skills into therapeutic work• Why movement, choreography, and physical challenge help clients regulate and build confidence• How she creates a safety culture that allows playful risk without compromising wellbeing• The role of rhythm, balance, and co‑movement in trauma recovery• How horses teach authenticity and emotional truth in both performance and therapy• Ways Celisse adapts her show‑based techniques to different personalities and needs• What long‑term practice has taught her about sustainability, joy, and preventing practitioner burnout• How equestrian spectacle can become a tool for empowerment, identity, and belonging🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode• [00:03:00] Celisse describes the first time she realized trick‑riding skills could help a client regulate and connect.• [00:10:00] A young rider discovers unexpected confidence through a simple performance‑style exercise.• [00:25:00] Rupert and Celisse talk about balancing "spectacle" with safety — and why fun, when done right, is protective.• [00:36:00] Breaking down how movement and balance training with a young horse transfers directly into client work.• [00:50:00] Celisse explains how co‑movement and rhythm help clients rebuild trust in their own bodies.• [01:20:00] A discussion about choreography, creativity, and how Roman riding principles translate into real therapeutic outcomes.• [01:36:00] How performance‑style exercises unlock emotional breakthroughs in riders who struggle with traditional approaches.📚 Contact, Projects, Thinkers, and Ideas Mentioned• Equestrian Chaos: https://www.equestrianchaos.com https://www.instagram.com/equestrianchaos/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/EquestrianChaos/• Horse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration – https://ntls.co• Long Ride Home – https://longridehome.com • Rupert’s Programs and Shows: https://rupertisaacson.com📲 Follow UsLong Ride HomeWebsite: https://longridehome.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrhInstagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrhYouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning SystemsWebsite: https://ntls.coFacebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworldInstagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworldYouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate DisclosureLinks to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

✨ “Fun is the foundation of transformation. Once people laugh, anything becomes possible.” – Troy Shaw✨ “Clichés are cliches because they’re true – when you make horses healthier and happier, you make humans healthier and happier, too.” – Rupert IsaacsonWhat happens when a corporate manager swaps the boardroom for the barn? In this heartwarming episode, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Troy Shaw, co-director of New Leaf Triangle in Leicestershire, UK — a thriving equine-assisted education and therapy center that grew from one family’s leap of faith into a nationally respected program. Alongside his wife Lorraine, Troy left behind the security of a corporate job to create a place where play, laughter, and horses transform lives.Troy shares the story of how New Leaf Triangle began in 2014 with just a few students and a handful of horses, and how it evolved into a multi-site program supporting young people with autism, emotional challenges, and special educational needs. From fun and dress-up sessions that unlock neuroplasticity to serious discussions about risk, horse welfare, and staff training, this episode explores how joy and rigor can coexist in equine-assisted work.If you’ve ever wondered how to make a sustainable living doing meaningful work with horses, or how to bring more fun and authenticity into your sessions, this conversation is for you.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:• How Troy and Lorraine Shaw left corporate life to build New Leaf Triangle from scratch ([00:03:00])• The power of fun, silliness, and play in equine-assisted learning ([00:32:00])• How to gain credibility and funding through professionalism and paperwork ([00:17:00])• Why risk, laughter, and resilience are essential parts of therapy ([01:03:00])• How to build horses that are confident, bombproof, and emotionally balanced ([00:50:00])• The importance of matching horse and human personalities ([00:54:00])• What makes a great equine-assisted staff culture – and how to train it ([00:43:00])• The value of authenticity and humor in building resilience ([01:27:00])• How to grow an equine-assisted business without losing joy ([01:52:00])🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:• Rupert and Troy reminisce about the night New Leaf Triangle was born over dinner in Soho ([00:24:00])• The family who rediscovered communication through laughter on horseback ([00:11:00])• Why leading with laughter creates safety and connection ([00:33:00])• How dressing up as pirates, cowboys, or highwaymen becomes real therapy ([01:14:00])• Troy’s candid reflections on leaving behind a pension for purpose ([00:09:00])• The horses that teach emotional intelligence – and the humans who learn from them ([00:55:00])📚 Contact, Projects, Thinkers, and Ideas Mentioned:• New Leaf Triangle – https://newleaftriangle.co.uk• Lorraine and Troy Shaw – Co-directors, New Leaf Triangle• Horse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration – https://ntls.co🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:Website: https://rupertisaacson.com📲 Follow Us:Long Ride HomeWebsite: https://longridehome.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrhInstagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrhYouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehomeNew Trails Learning SystemsWebsite: https://ntls.coFacebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworldInstagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworldYouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems📊 Affiliate Disclosure:Links to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.