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A Horse's World: A Neuroscientist's Journey into the Equine Mind
In the spirit of An Immense World and Soul of an Octopus, an award-winning neuroscientist and veteran horse trainer illuminates the mysteries of equine cognition and behavior, told through the moving story of her own extraordinary bond with a horsenamed True North.
The bond between horses and humans is the stuff of legend. Two different beings, two different bodies and brains, yet energy sparks between them. When that energy is captured, it can produce a special union that no other prey and predator animals share.
A Horse’s World is the first book of its kind to explore the fascinating science of how horses think, feel, learn, and connect with their human companions. Tracing the story of one 1500-pound Dutch Warmblood as he learns how to negotiate the human world, neuroscientist and horse trainer Janet Jones reveals surprising lessons about cross-species communication; studies of equine learning and perception; evidence of the horse’s astounding memory and expressive ability; and scientific insight into the miracle of the horse-human connection.
Horses have so much to teach us about confidence, courage, and compassion. Whether you're an experienced rider or simply admire equine beauty and grace from afar, A Horse's World is both a revealing window into horses' hearts and minds, and an object lesson in how to build mutual trust with those whose internal worlds differ from our own.
The bond between horses and humans is the stuff of legend. Two different beings, two different bodies and brains, yet energy sparks between them. When that energy is captured, it can produce a special union that no other prey and predator animals share.
A Horse’s World is the first book of its kind to explore the fascinating science of how horses think, feel, learn, and connect with their human companions. Tracing the story of one 1500-pound Dutch Warmblood as he learns how to negotiate the human world, neuroscientist and horse trainer Janet Jones reveals surprising lessons about cross-species communication; studies of equine learning and perception; evidence of the horse’s astounding memory and expressive ability; and scientific insight into the miracle of the horse-human connection.
Horses have so much to teach us about confidence, courage, and compassion. Whether you're an experienced rider or simply admire equine beauty and grace from afar, A Horse's World is both a revealing window into horses' hearts and minds, and an object lesson in how to build mutual trust with those whose internal worlds differ from our own.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2026
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July 2, 2026
Neuroscientist, and horse trainer, Janet L. Jones non-fiction book “A Horse's World: A Neuroscientist's Journey into the Equine Mind” examines the horse from head to toe- how they see the world, how they engage with humans and other horses and, most of all, how and why they build trust with their human counterparts.
In fifteen chapters, Jones talks about the horse’s biology and how their senses and brain are structured, (especially in comparison to a human’s), whether or not they have “emotions” (as we know them) and how they’re expressed, as well as the intricacies of their relationships with horses and other humans, among many other topics, including the horses as a therapeutic tool for physical and mental health. As a neuroscientist, Jones has the knowledge and skills to examine functions of human behaviour and how they are exhibited and, as a horse trainer for over three decades, she knows how horses behave and why, and how humans expect them to behave (and why) . “World” is a unique examination of all things horse, and it serves to connect humans even more to their equine counterparts.
There was a lot of interesting and educational information in “World” and it was written in such a general way, with diagrams to help elaborate important parts, that any reader, scientist or not, would be able to understand the material. I appreciated Jones carefully curated chapters, and the topics she chose for them, as well as her clear, concise writing.
“World” was an easy choice for me, as a brain nerd and a horse lover, but the book itself provides a wealth of knowledge for just about anyone. Why and how are humans (predators) and horses (prey) able to build such strong and trusting bonds? Are horses able to feel, think and act the way we do? While answering these questions, Jones ensures that humans know the importance that is placed on them when they decide to build a relationship with a horse. It is clear that Jones values and appreciates the beautiful, brilliant and strong animal for what they actually are, not for what humans expect them to be.
Animal lovers, but horse lovers in particular, will learn more in “World” about the horse than anticipated. Jones uses the human brain only as a comparison to the horses’ brain and its functions, so there isn’t a lot of neuroscience to speak of but, instead, more of an examination of the horse as a whole- from their appearance (and what different features represent) to their behaviours (and what causes them).
“World” is engaging, informative and well-written and it is obvious that Jones has a passion for horses, and a thorough knowledge, and respect, for them. A must-read for horse lovers who want to know more about the four-legged beauties.
In fifteen chapters, Jones talks about the horse’s biology and how their senses and brain are structured, (especially in comparison to a human’s), whether or not they have “emotions” (as we know them) and how they’re expressed, as well as the intricacies of their relationships with horses and other humans, among many other topics, including the horses as a therapeutic tool for physical and mental health. As a neuroscientist, Jones has the knowledge and skills to examine functions of human behaviour and how they are exhibited and, as a horse trainer for over three decades, she knows how horses behave and why, and how humans expect them to behave (and why) . “World” is a unique examination of all things horse, and it serves to connect humans even more to their equine counterparts.
There was a lot of interesting and educational information in “World” and it was written in such a general way, with diagrams to help elaborate important parts, that any reader, scientist or not, would be able to understand the material. I appreciated Jones carefully curated chapters, and the topics she chose for them, as well as her clear, concise writing.
“World” was an easy choice for me, as a brain nerd and a horse lover, but the book itself provides a wealth of knowledge for just about anyone. Why and how are humans (predators) and horses (prey) able to build such strong and trusting bonds? Are horses able to feel, think and act the way we do? While answering these questions, Jones ensures that humans know the importance that is placed on them when they decide to build a relationship with a horse. It is clear that Jones values and appreciates the beautiful, brilliant and strong animal for what they actually are, not for what humans expect them to be.
Animal lovers, but horse lovers in particular, will learn more in “World” about the horse than anticipated. Jones uses the human brain only as a comparison to the horses’ brain and its functions, so there isn’t a lot of neuroscience to speak of but, instead, more of an examination of the horse as a whole- from their appearance (and what different features represent) to their behaviours (and what causes them).
“World” is engaging, informative and well-written and it is obvious that Jones has a passion for horses, and a thorough knowledge, and respect, for them. A must-read for horse lovers who want to know more about the four-legged beauties.
July 21, 2026
I did not grow up around horses. My daughter started riding a few years ago, and what began as dressage lessons grew into a spot on an eventing team. We leased a horse for six months before buying one of our own, and the learning curve since then has been steep. Reading Janet Jones's earlier book, Horse Brain, Human Brain: The Neuroscience of Horsemanship, changed how we communicate with our nine year old gelding. As soon as I finished it, I looked for more from the author and found A Horse's World.
Where Horse Brain, Human Brain taught the science, A Horse's World shows it in practice. Jones follows the development of her own Dutch Warmblood, True North, from age three to nine, and uses his daily training to illustrate the concepts laid out in the first book. It reads less like a standalone introduction and more like a companion volume, and I found it most rewarding read in that order. Readers new to Jones should start with Horse Brain, Human Brain first.
Jones's dual background as a neuroscientist and horse trainer lends her credibility. She backs her claims with research and pushes back against misinformation that has been repeated for years. She challenges the belief that young performance horses are physically ready for the demands placed on them and argues plainly for equine welfare over profit. She also corrects the common idea that horses favor their left side because of brain hemisphere dominance, when in reality it traces back to centuries of handling horses exclusively from the left.
I did not know the first MRI scan of an equine brain was not completed until 2019, or that a horse's sense of smell can rival a bloodhound's. The chapter on scent gave me a new appreciation for why sniffing matters so much to how a horse gets to know a person. It also explained why the integration process was so rough when we moved barns this summer.
A Horse's World gave me a clearer picture of how our own gelding experiences his world, and it changed how I think about teaching him. It also made me reconsider the number of treats I offer him and when (but don't tell Max). I liked it enough to suggest it to our local library for other horse enthusiasts to enjoy.
4/5 stars
I received a free review copy of this book from [Publisher/NetGalley]. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own and I am disclosing this per FTC 16 CFR Part 255.
Where Horse Brain, Human Brain taught the science, A Horse's World shows it in practice. Jones follows the development of her own Dutch Warmblood, True North, from age three to nine, and uses his daily training to illustrate the concepts laid out in the first book. It reads less like a standalone introduction and more like a companion volume, and I found it most rewarding read in that order. Readers new to Jones should start with Horse Brain, Human Brain first.
Jones's dual background as a neuroscientist and horse trainer lends her credibility. She backs her claims with research and pushes back against misinformation that has been repeated for years. She challenges the belief that young performance horses are physically ready for the demands placed on them and argues plainly for equine welfare over profit. She also corrects the common idea that horses favor their left side because of brain hemisphere dominance, when in reality it traces back to centuries of handling horses exclusively from the left.
I did not know the first MRI scan of an equine brain was not completed until 2019, or that a horse's sense of smell can rival a bloodhound's. The chapter on scent gave me a new appreciation for why sniffing matters so much to how a horse gets to know a person. It also explained why the integration process was so rough when we moved barns this summer.
A Horse's World gave me a clearer picture of how our own gelding experiences his world, and it changed how I think about teaching him. It also made me reconsider the number of treats I offer him and when (but don't tell Max). I liked it enough to suggest it to our local library for other horse enthusiasts to enjoy.
4/5 stars
I received a free review copy of this book from [Publisher/NetGalley]. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own and I am disclosing this per FTC 16 CFR Part 255.
July 23, 2026
It’s possible I went into Janet Jones’ book, A Horse’s World, with the wrong expectations. Perhaps I might have been better off diving into her earlier work, Horse Brain, Human Brain, though having not read it, I can’t say for sure. Suffice to say that while A Horse’s World is smoothly and clearly written, and offers up some choice pieces of information, in general I found it a bit disappointing.
I should note that I am not a rider. All that I know of horses mostly comes second-hand via my wife, who has been riding for over 50 years now. The rest, small as it is, comes from reading popular science. Which leads me to my perhaps-mistake in terms of expectations. I had thought this would be a deep dive into the science of horse thinking and behavior, one aimed at people already pretty well versed in the world of horses. Instead, it quickly became apparent (at least to me) it was mostly for people brand new to that world. I say that because I was already well aware of the majority of what I came across here just via osmosis: listening to my wife’s stories about her experiences over the past 30+ years of marriage as she returned from her daily excursions to the barn. What I didn’t know through her, I had already read elsewhere for the most part. One of my tests of a popular science books is how much I highlight and, well, I just didn’t do much here.
To be clear, that’s more an observation about who the book is for than a criticism or complaint. I just had to recalibrate my expectations and realize I wasn’t going to learn a lot new here. That’s not to say I didn’t learn anything new: a second “nose “within the nasal cavity, some specifics in sensory abilities, a larger chunk on horse’s memory capabilities are just some of the new information I gained. But over the number of pages it just didn’t quite feel like enough, though that will certainly be different for those new to the horse world. Beyond that, there were times I had some misgivings about some of the factual claims: sometimes they seemed a little reductive, other times a bit muddy (horses as prey animals have completely different brains but then they are also sometimes like us in their reactions/behaviors, for instance), and sometimes they seemed to make a leap from studies of other animals to horse a bit too blithely, often bridged by her own personal experiences with horses, which is reasonable but not necessarily solid science.
The writing however, is smooth, fluid, conversational. And Jones makes for an engaging guide through the world. I laughed more than a few times, especially in places where she echoes my wife’s experiences, such as an encounter with what was obviously a fire-breathing, horse-eating bicycle. But even as I laughed, I appreciated her empathy for the horse, conveyed by her pointing out that what they see is not what we see. That empathy and warmth is perhaps my favorite part of the book. I also salute her choice to ground the information in her day-to-day experiences training her new horse True North, so that the revelations don’t feel overly abstract or impersonal. Their journey is a well-told story, and horse people might like it as much for that as the bit of information picked up along the way. I’m guessing my wife will skim the book, but those who are thinking or riding or have just started will certainly get more out of it. Particularly at the end where Jones offers up some practical guidance in how to enter the horse world (another clue I’d been wrong in my thinking of who the book is for).
I should note that I am not a rider. All that I know of horses mostly comes second-hand via my wife, who has been riding for over 50 years now. The rest, small as it is, comes from reading popular science. Which leads me to my perhaps-mistake in terms of expectations. I had thought this would be a deep dive into the science of horse thinking and behavior, one aimed at people already pretty well versed in the world of horses. Instead, it quickly became apparent (at least to me) it was mostly for people brand new to that world. I say that because I was already well aware of the majority of what I came across here just via osmosis: listening to my wife’s stories about her experiences over the past 30+ years of marriage as she returned from her daily excursions to the barn. What I didn’t know through her, I had already read elsewhere for the most part. One of my tests of a popular science books is how much I highlight and, well, I just didn’t do much here.
To be clear, that’s more an observation about who the book is for than a criticism or complaint. I just had to recalibrate my expectations and realize I wasn’t going to learn a lot new here. That’s not to say I didn’t learn anything new: a second “nose “within the nasal cavity, some specifics in sensory abilities, a larger chunk on horse’s memory capabilities are just some of the new information I gained. But over the number of pages it just didn’t quite feel like enough, though that will certainly be different for those new to the horse world. Beyond that, there were times I had some misgivings about some of the factual claims: sometimes they seemed a little reductive, other times a bit muddy (horses as prey animals have completely different brains but then they are also sometimes like us in their reactions/behaviors, for instance), and sometimes they seemed to make a leap from studies of other animals to horse a bit too blithely, often bridged by her own personal experiences with horses, which is reasonable but not necessarily solid science.
The writing however, is smooth, fluid, conversational. And Jones makes for an engaging guide through the world. I laughed more than a few times, especially in places where she echoes my wife’s experiences, such as an encounter with what was obviously a fire-breathing, horse-eating bicycle. But even as I laughed, I appreciated her empathy for the horse, conveyed by her pointing out that what they see is not what we see. That empathy and warmth is perhaps my favorite part of the book. I also salute her choice to ground the information in her day-to-day experiences training her new horse True North, so that the revelations don’t feel overly abstract or impersonal. Their journey is a well-told story, and horse people might like it as much for that as the bit of information picked up along the way. I’m guessing my wife will skim the book, but those who are thinking or riding or have just started will certainly get more out of it. Particularly at the end where Jones offers up some practical guidance in how to enter the horse world (another clue I’d been wrong in my thinking of who the book is for).
May 23, 2026
Every once in a while, a book comes along that is so impactful it shifts the way you think and approach the world. A Horse’s World is one of those rare books, and it couldn’t have arrived at a better moment for me.
If you love horses—if they touch your life in any way, if you’re in awe of them—this is a book you absolutely should not miss.
I’ve owned horses for more than 25 years and have been a breeder for over 22, and this book captures so much of what I’ve experienced. Anyone who owns, rides, trains, or loves someone who does should read it. After spending close to half my life with horses, this book illuminated behaviors I’ve seen for years—some I recognized instantly, and many I realized I had overlooked. It’s written in a way that’s wonderfully accessible, even for someone who isn’t “horsey,” and it’s genuinely entertaining. The author’s one‑liners are laugh‑out‑loud funny and painfully true.
The book explores the horse’s senses, how they differ from ours, and how those differences shape their behavior. It blends history, science, and practical insight into a perspective that can profoundly change how we approach and understand our horses. The examples throughout help connect the dots between what we see and what our horses are actually experiencing. Even after decades with my own herd, this book shifted the way I relate to them—especially when it comes to their sense of smell.
And I have to say, the “Sensible Shoes vs. Stiletto Heels” comparison had me laughing out loud. Choosing a horse because it’s pretty? Guilty—at least once. Ms. Jones’s humor adds so much charm to the book. It’s a phenomenal read. If I had even ten spare minutes, I found myself picking it up again because putting it down was nearly impossible. Her writing style is brilliant—engaging, insightful, and fun—and I think even non‑readers would enjoy it.
Having raised and developed young horses for years, I can say this book is something the horse world truly needs. It encourages us to pause, step back, and really see our horses. Understanding their behavior on a deeper level has already changed parts of my own approach. A Horse’s World gathers so many essential truths into one beautifully written, relatable, and often humorous package that keeps you turning page after page.
This is a six‑star read. A must‑read for anyone who loves horses. It will change how you see them—and both you and your beloved equine partner will benefit from it. The writing is perfectly suited to the subject, and I can’t imagine many people finishing it without feeling more informed, more connected, and more inspired. For those who enjoy the deeper science, there are wonderfully detailed sections on the brain as well.
I received a pre-released copy through NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher for approving me to read and review this book!
If you love horses—if they touch your life in any way, if you’re in awe of them—this is a book you absolutely should not miss.
I’ve owned horses for more than 25 years and have been a breeder for over 22, and this book captures so much of what I’ve experienced. Anyone who owns, rides, trains, or loves someone who does should read it. After spending close to half my life with horses, this book illuminated behaviors I’ve seen for years—some I recognized instantly, and many I realized I had overlooked. It’s written in a way that’s wonderfully accessible, even for someone who isn’t “horsey,” and it’s genuinely entertaining. The author’s one‑liners are laugh‑out‑loud funny and painfully true.
The book explores the horse’s senses, how they differ from ours, and how those differences shape their behavior. It blends history, science, and practical insight into a perspective that can profoundly change how we approach and understand our horses. The examples throughout help connect the dots between what we see and what our horses are actually experiencing. Even after decades with my own herd, this book shifted the way I relate to them—especially when it comes to their sense of smell.
And I have to say, the “Sensible Shoes vs. Stiletto Heels” comparison had me laughing out loud. Choosing a horse because it’s pretty? Guilty—at least once. Ms. Jones’s humor adds so much charm to the book. It’s a phenomenal read. If I had even ten spare minutes, I found myself picking it up again because putting it down was nearly impossible. Her writing style is brilliant—engaging, insightful, and fun—and I think even non‑readers would enjoy it.
Having raised and developed young horses for years, I can say this book is something the horse world truly needs. It encourages us to pause, step back, and really see our horses. Understanding their behavior on a deeper level has already changed parts of my own approach. A Horse’s World gathers so many essential truths into one beautifully written, relatable, and often humorous package that keeps you turning page after page.
This is a six‑star read. A must‑read for anyone who loves horses. It will change how you see them—and both you and your beloved equine partner will benefit from it. The writing is perfectly suited to the subject, and I can’t imagine many people finishing it without feeling more informed, more connected, and more inspired. For those who enjoy the deeper science, there are wonderfully detailed sections on the brain as well.
I received a pre-released copy through NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher for approving me to read and review this book!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley - thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
My favorite parts of this book, written by a horse trainer and neuroscientist, involve discussions of horse thinking. She makes the very salient point- that drives a lot of the book- that horses are largely the only animal that humans train that are prey. (Humans train elephants, too, and elephants are vegetarian, but maybe their size make them not experience the world as threat - they don't seem to view everything in the world as a potential killer.) That makes a huge difference that I had never appreciated. For instance, horses have hardwiring from their visual cortex straight to the motor cortex - they can literally react to a stimulus without analyzing it, which is useful if you've been hunted for millions of years.
Horses also don't seem to categorize as much as other trainable animals, another useful adaptation if you are the hunted instead of the hunter. Just because that other chair made of wood has never attacked me, doesn't mean this one that's a different color and made of plastic won't. And they have 340° vision without much depth perception, as opposed to ~170 but with a good sense of just how close to pouncing range you are.
If that's the kind of reading you groove to - if you enjoyed Ed Yong's An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us, or Jennifer Ackerman's The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think, or other similar books - there's plenty in this book to make you happy.
Unfortunately, while she has done great research, there just doesn't seem to be enough hard scientific research yet about how horses experience the world. So a lot of the book is about Jones' own horse and the subtleties and sophistication of their relationship.
The final chapter almost seems like it's for a different book, with basic advice (TLDR: bring more money than you have) for people considering owning horses.
I hope that interest in animal cognition in general, and this book in particular, spur more research into what really happens in a horse's brain. Being intelligent, social, prey animals, they bring a lot to the table in understanding the myriad things brains can do.
My favorite parts of this book, written by a horse trainer and neuroscientist, involve discussions of horse thinking. She makes the very salient point- that drives a lot of the book- that horses are largely the only animal that humans train that are prey. (Humans train elephants, too, and elephants are vegetarian, but maybe their size make them not experience the world as threat - they don't seem to view everything in the world as a potential killer.) That makes a huge difference that I had never appreciated. For instance, horses have hardwiring from their visual cortex straight to the motor cortex - they can literally react to a stimulus without analyzing it, which is useful if you've been hunted for millions of years.
Horses also don't seem to categorize as much as other trainable animals, another useful adaptation if you are the hunted instead of the hunter. Just because that other chair made of wood has never attacked me, doesn't mean this one that's a different color and made of plastic won't. And they have 340° vision without much depth perception, as opposed to ~170 but with a good sense of just how close to pouncing range you are.
If that's the kind of reading you groove to - if you enjoyed Ed Yong's An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us, or Jennifer Ackerman's The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think, or other similar books - there's plenty in this book to make you happy.
Unfortunately, while she has done great research, there just doesn't seem to be enough hard scientific research yet about how horses experience the world. So a lot of the book is about Jones' own horse and the subtleties and sophistication of their relationship.
The final chapter almost seems like it's for a different book, with basic advice (TLDR: bring more money than you have) for people considering owning horses.
I hope that interest in animal cognition in general, and this book in particular, spur more research into what really happens in a horse's brain. Being intelligent, social, prey animals, they bring a lot to the table in understanding the myriad things brains can do.
July 2, 2026
A Horse's World: A Neuroscientist's Journey into the Equine Mind is a remarkable blend of neuroscience, animal behavior, and heartfelt storytelling that offers readers an entirely new appreciation for one of humanity's oldest companions. Janet L. Jones combines scientific expertise with decades of horsemanship to illuminate the rich emotional and cognitive lives of horses while celebrating the extraordinary partnership that can exist between horse and human.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into language that is both accessible and deeply engaging. Jones explains how horses perceive, learn, remember, and communicate in ways that challenge many common assumptions about equine behavior. Readers quickly discover that understanding a horse requires stepping into its world rather than expecting it to think like a human.
The narrative surrounding True North provides the emotional heart of the book. Rather than serving merely as an example, the Dutch Warmblood becomes a memorable companion whose experiences beautifully illustrate the scientific concepts being explored. The relationship that develops between horse and trainer demonstrates how trust, patience, observation, and empathy create genuine cross-species communication.
Equally impressive is Jones's balanced perspective as both neuroscientist and accomplished horse trainer. She seamlessly bridges scientific research with practical horsemanship, showing that the most effective training methods are grounded not in dominance but in understanding how the equine brain naturally processes information and responds to its environment.
Beyond its insights into horses, the book also offers valuable reflections on communication, compassion, humility, and learning. It gently reminds readers that meaningful relationships whether with animals or people begin by respecting another being's unique way of experiencing the world.
Beautifully written and filled with fascinating discoveries, A Horse's World will captivate equestrians, animal lovers, neuroscientists, educators, and anyone curious about the remarkable intelligence of non-human minds. It is both an outstanding work of popular science and a moving tribute to the enduring partnership between horses and humans.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into language that is both accessible and deeply engaging. Jones explains how horses perceive, learn, remember, and communicate in ways that challenge many common assumptions about equine behavior. Readers quickly discover that understanding a horse requires stepping into its world rather than expecting it to think like a human.
The narrative surrounding True North provides the emotional heart of the book. Rather than serving merely as an example, the Dutch Warmblood becomes a memorable companion whose experiences beautifully illustrate the scientific concepts being explored. The relationship that develops between horse and trainer demonstrates how trust, patience, observation, and empathy create genuine cross-species communication.
Equally impressive is Jones's balanced perspective as both neuroscientist and accomplished horse trainer. She seamlessly bridges scientific research with practical horsemanship, showing that the most effective training methods are grounded not in dominance but in understanding how the equine brain naturally processes information and responds to its environment.
Beyond its insights into horses, the book also offers valuable reflections on communication, compassion, humility, and learning. It gently reminds readers that meaningful relationships whether with animals or people begin by respecting another being's unique way of experiencing the world.
Beautifully written and filled with fascinating discoveries, A Horse's World will captivate equestrians, animal lovers, neuroscientists, educators, and anyone curious about the remarkable intelligence of non-human minds. It is both an outstanding work of popular science and a moving tribute to the enduring partnership between horses and humans.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
** I received an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is scheduled to be published on June 23, 2026 in the US. **
Positives:
+ Loved the glossary of equestrian terms. I managed to further supplement my knowledge with a few new terms. I feel this will be VERY helpful with anyone with a newer or intermediate level of understanding.
+ The source notes are a FONT of information. It's super awesome that so much extended reading (should you want it) is referenced in the back of the book. Even more amazing is the way it's separated out by location in the book. So easy to find what piqued your interest and go on a deep dive.
+ Having the information laid out side by side with stories/examples about True made it easier to match up with real world experiences the reader might have had.
+ The chapter at the end that talked about what all goes into owning a horse, was so eye opening. I feel like it should be mandatory reading for anyone that is thinking about owning a horse.
Final Thoughts:
I want to preface my review with letting everyone know that I am an avid horsegirl. I have gone from lessons in childhood/teen years to volunteering at a therapeutic riding ranch for the last few years. I spend multiple days a week caring for horses and assisting in equine therapy.
I loved this book. This book was incredibly informative for me. Some of these things you just inherently feel when you work with horses, but having the scientific reasoning and also explanations of the prey brain, really filled in so many gaps in my knowledge. It has really opened my eyes to the amount of work that the trainers (and horses!) have put in that has made each of my rides/lessons/schooling sessions safer. I love all the information from the sources that were included because this is a subject I am very interested in, and it’s nice to have further reading to at least broaden my knowledge. I will absolutely be throwing this to my friends to read about what amazing creatures horses are and how specialized the bonding (and care) for them is. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Positives:
+ Loved the glossary of equestrian terms. I managed to further supplement my knowledge with a few new terms. I feel this will be VERY helpful with anyone with a newer or intermediate level of understanding.
+ The source notes are a FONT of information. It's super awesome that so much extended reading (should you want it) is referenced in the back of the book. Even more amazing is the way it's separated out by location in the book. So easy to find what piqued your interest and go on a deep dive.
+ Having the information laid out side by side with stories/examples about True made it easier to match up with real world experiences the reader might have had.
+ The chapter at the end that talked about what all goes into owning a horse, was so eye opening. I feel like it should be mandatory reading for anyone that is thinking about owning a horse.
Final Thoughts:
I want to preface my review with letting everyone know that I am an avid horsegirl. I have gone from lessons in childhood/teen years to volunteering at a therapeutic riding ranch for the last few years. I spend multiple days a week caring for horses and assisting in equine therapy.
I loved this book. This book was incredibly informative for me. Some of these things you just inherently feel when you work with horses, but having the scientific reasoning and also explanations of the prey brain, really filled in so many gaps in my knowledge. It has really opened my eyes to the amount of work that the trainers (and horses!) have put in that has made each of my rides/lessons/schooling sessions safer. I love all the information from the sources that were included because this is a subject I am very interested in, and it’s nice to have further reading to at least broaden my knowledge. I will absolutely be throwing this to my friends to read about what amazing creatures horses are and how specialized the bonding (and care) for them is. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
July 3, 2026
“The privilege of sharing a prey animal’s brain allows us humans to understand life more deeply, to open ourselves to new ways of communicating, to respect those who differ from us, to learn humility and achieve depth, to stretch the edges of our minds.”
Even though I have been riding for several years, I learned so much from this book and am excited to put this knowledge to the test. The author’s background of being both a neurobiologist and horse trainer brought a unique perspective to the understanding of how a horse perceives the world.
Respect and appreciation of the species is fundamental to being a good equestrian, as well as recognizing how its perspective differs from ours, being a prey animal. This book will certainly help anyone to understand how being in proximity with a horse is an honour, how to appreciate them, cooperate with them, and be patient.
The author mentions a few times how an understanding of horses will also translate to human interactions, giving us the tools required to understand different perspectives and becoming more empathic. It certainly helped me.
Interspecies communication has always be a fascinating subject to me, but I had never really given much thought about what Jones calls brain-to-brain communication, unique to the horse and rider pair. I’ve always felt that the bonding, trust, patience and courage required to ride was such a special feeling, but being able to have a word to explain it and understanding the mechanisms behind it has enhanced my appreciation of this connection.
Finally, the writing was excellent. I loved how the chapters were following the logical progression of training a young horse, with anecdotes and examples from Jones’ life with Cory and True.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Even though I have been riding for several years, I learned so much from this book and am excited to put this knowledge to the test. The author’s background of being both a neurobiologist and horse trainer brought a unique perspective to the understanding of how a horse perceives the world.
Respect and appreciation of the species is fundamental to being a good equestrian, as well as recognizing how its perspective differs from ours, being a prey animal. This book will certainly help anyone to understand how being in proximity with a horse is an honour, how to appreciate them, cooperate with them, and be patient.
The author mentions a few times how an understanding of horses will also translate to human interactions, giving us the tools required to understand different perspectives and becoming more empathic. It certainly helped me.
Interspecies communication has always be a fascinating subject to me, but I had never really given much thought about what Jones calls brain-to-brain communication, unique to the horse and rider pair. I’ve always felt that the bonding, trust, patience and courage required to ride was such a special feeling, but being able to have a word to explain it and understanding the mechanisms behind it has enhanced my appreciation of this connection.
Finally, the writing was excellent. I loved how the chapters were following the logical progression of training a young horse, with anecdotes and examples from Jones’ life with Cory and True.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 18, 2026
2.5⭐️
The author is extremely judgemental and critical and claims facts for her own opinion.
The book is designed for people that have absolutely no idea what a horse is (sometime painful to read as an initiate) yet start exploring very advanced concepts in the second half of the book.
I enjoyed that she explored the concepts outlined in “horse brain, human brain” with some storytelling.
The author is extremely judgemental and critical and claims facts for her own opinion.
The book is designed for people that have absolutely no idea what a horse is (sometime painful to read as an initiate) yet start exploring very advanced concepts in the second half of the book.
I enjoyed that she explored the concepts outlined in “horse brain, human brain” with some storytelling.
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