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The Equestrian Atlas

What would you like to learn today?

Learning Arenas

The following overarching categories encompass the "central dogma" of equestrian knowledge.

Philosophy

Mindfulness, Intention, & Understanding by Exploring Life's Big Questions

To be “constructive” is to be helpful, encouraging, and productive. Equestrians don't set out to be unhelpful, discouraging, or counter-productive - yet many behavior practices are just that. 

These courses aim to break down the key components of constructive behavior work and share the benefits of being constructive. Students will learn to identify constructive practices and understand how to apply constructiveness to their equine interactions.

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Ethology

Understanding the Equine's Perspective and Becoming Equine-Centered

Demystifying equine body language, innate behavior, and caretaking needs.

Equine ethology reveals the hidden world of communication, cooperation, and interaction within every equine herd.

Every equestrian has an obligation of reciprocity - if we ask the equine to join our human world and understand our human ways, then we owe it to them to understand theirs.

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Behaviorology

Learning, Communication, & Motivation for Peaceful, Connected Cooperation

Behaviorology is more than just "training" or "behavior modification."

It's effective communication that accomplishes the goals and ensures behavior is safe and practical. It's ethical communication that sets expectations and boundaries while respecting autonomy. It's developing connection, relationship, and nurturing peaceful coexistence and willing partnership.

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Practice

Fluency, Mastery, & Confidence via Real-World Strategies, Techniques, & Skills

Getting started with the practical applications of ethology and behaviorology.

Guidance through recommended activities, exercises, and challenges that foster skill in the equestrian and willing cooperation from the equine. Empowerment for equine and caretaker, as they become fluid in communicating with one another.

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The "Central Dogma" of Equestrian Knowledge

A "central dogma" refers to a core principle, guiding framework, or foundational idea upon which a larger system of knowledge or belief is built. It often denotes:
 

  • An accepted, overarching concept that organizes and connects more specific ideas.
     

  • A fundamental truth or rule that directs thought, study, or practice.


Our equestrian-specific "central dogma" provides a framework of equine-related information. These core topics are commonly explored by equestrians and educators across the world, and follow along the logical progression:

Philosophy  →  Ethology  →  Behaviorology  →  Practice

Philosophy

Understanding principles of knowledge, mindfulness, and intention. Understanding how and why we know what we do, so we can identify valuable sources of information and carefully consider sources of bias or false logic. 

Information is only valuable if we pay respect to how we learned it. Philosophy allows us better understanding of all of the other learning categories. 

Ethology

Understanding the horse. Learning to view the world from an equine perspective and become equine-centered. This allows us to be better caretakers and sympathetic leaders. 

Understanding equines and caring for them is possible without becoming a skilled behaviorist - but doesn't necessarily allow for safe and successful interactions, which is where behaviorlogy comes in.

Behaviorology

Behaviorology: Understanding, predicting, and managing behavior. Understanding why behavior happens and how learning works, so we can ensure safety and success during equine interactions. 

The core principles of behaviorology remain the same for all species, but the technical aspects are species-specific. This is why understanding equine ethology is essential for understanding equine behavior.

Practice

Real-life applications of all of the above. The tips, tricks, and techniques developed through centuries of trial-and-error. This gives us the ability to use the best practice, by evaluating a variety of options and methods and selecting one that works best for us.

Practical applications can be done without a strong theory to support them, but that kind of guesswork means a lot of "trial-and-error" - often at the horse's expense. Instead, we can use theory to guide us and learn from the experience of others. 

The Bigger Picture

These categories are interconnected. Mastery of each one requires understanding the others and how they all relate. As we wander along our unique path, exploring the world of all things equestrian, it's easy to understand why many experts regard themselves as "lifelong students of the horse" - and even then, a lifetime doesn't feel long enough!

With so much information out there, it's easy to get lost and be "unable to see the forest for the trees." As a result, we end up with highly specific, specialized education in some topics and huge gaps in others. At our best, these gaps drive us to pursue more equine-related knowledge. At our worst, these gaps can leave us feeling like we've failed, been misled, or even lead to denial and defensiveness about the limits of our knowledge.

Whether you're driven to learn more or looking to challenge feelings of limitation, the answers lie ahead. Encourage curiosity and exploration, enjoy the journey, and allow this library to be your map as you navigate the infinite world of equestrianism.
 

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