Janet Jones: Blending Science & Horsemanship

In this episode of “In Stride,” Sinead is joined by neurobiologist and horse trainer Janet Jones. Janet Jones earned a Ph.D. from UCLA in cognitive science. During her time at UCLA, her research on human brain function won UCLA’s Gengerelli Distinguished Dissertation Award in 1989. Janet has written for multiple scientific journals and horse magazines, as well as four books, “Horse Brain, Human Brain” being the most recent. In 2014, she left her position as a tenured professor after 23 years to open a training business that focuses on brain-based horsemanship in both Western and English disciplines. Janet has worked with many green or difficult horses and competed in hunter, jumper, halter, reining, and western pleasure disciplines. In this episode, Janet discusses various topics related to brain-based horsemanship, including: • Misconceptions surrounding horse behavior and how a misunderstanding is often seen as a misbehavior. • Which senses a horse relies on the most and how it applies to the training process. • The human tendency to assume horses think the way we do. • The importance of approaching our horses in a responsible, respectful, and empathetic way. • How the knowledge of the horse’s brain has influenced her approach to training and competing. Join Janet and Sinead in this exciting conversation on blending neurobiology and horse training.