Equine Elevated

12/17/2025

Titan is thoroughly enjoying this mid-winter thaw!

12/14/2025

It’s national day of the horse! You all know how amazing our horse herd is and how much we love and appreciate all they do for us. Here are some moments that make us smile.

12/06/2025

Good information here

"Joy. Fear. Affection. The science of animal emotions has confirmed what many animal owners have long known: animals do have intense emotions. However, what they actually feel is not always what owners are used to thinking.

“Advances in the science of animal emotions have had a transformative effect on our worldview,” says Dr Helena Telkanranta, the main author of the acclaimed nonfiction graphic novel The Mind of a Horse. Science Meets Comics.

“Scientists now know that all mammals, birds, and even fish do experience basic emotions, such as pleasure and fear. Such feelings are strong, regardless of whether the species also is intelligent,” she says.

So, what do horses need to feel good? According to up-to-date science, the most important things for a horse’s well-being are the company of familiar, friendly horses, and the absence of fear and pain in daily life. Right at the heels of these are the other keys to a good life: Freedom to move around in a varied environment such as a large pasture. Natural foraging, which means searching for and finding food here and there across a wide area. Constant or nearly constant access to something fibre-rich to eat. And physical comfort, such as a straw-covered floor with enough space to sleep lying down, which gives a better quality of sleep than sleeping while standing. Finally, to make it possible for a horse to enjoy companions at a later age, the best thing that can be given to a foal is growing up in a group of other foals and adult horses to learn social skills from.

Happiness stemming from having to search for food instead of just having it served in front of the horse may sound counterintuitive, but it is because of how the brain works. Horses’ ancestors evolved on open grasslands, where a typical day involved strolling for kilometres while looking for the tastiest plants. Searching and finding elicit repeated releases of dopamine, serotonin and other natural feel-good molecules in the brain. To feel happy or even normal, any animal needs an opportunity for activities that cause the production of these vital molecules at sufficient levels."

📎 Continue reading at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2024/12/13/horses-feel-strongly-and-scientists-know-what-they-need-to-be-happy/
📸 © The Mind of a Horse

11/27/2025

Titan really knows how to enjoy a good nap. We are looking forward to the sun coming back out so he can relaxing and lounge in it again.

11/26/2025

Juniper was resting on the job Tuesday evening. We don’t know if we should follow her lead or tell her to wake up!

11/20/2025

Please help keep our therapy herd safe! If you have contact with other horse herds, please be sure to wash hands and change clothing before coming to visit.

With cases of equine herpesvirus appearing in other states, it’s natural to wonder which signs to watch for and what steps help prevent disease. Good biosecurity and early recognition are key to protecting your horse’s health. 🛡🐴

To learn more about equine herpesvirus visit: z.umn.edu/ehv

09/24/2025

Collaboration is very important around here. From therapists and equine specialists to horse trainers and neighbors. The horses fully understand the idea and joined Danielle with a client yesterday while mapping out a family genogram. We are so grateful for the support our herd gives this human team each day!
Pictured: Henry, Bansky, and Rosie

08/26/2025

There is a difficult truth here.
Through the work we do with horses in therapy, we help parents develop new skills for approaching their children. At the same time, we help children rewire their brains and responses so they can be ready for a new relationship dynamic with their parents.

08/26/2025

We took staff pictures today courtesy of Ryan Carlson. We think they turned out pretty great!
We are still working on getting new pictures of the horse herd, we’ll post here when we get them finished!

08/15/2025

Which shape is your favorite horse here on the farm?

08/01/2025

Hugo is practicing for next weeks planned activity…can you guess what we are planning?!?!

07/29/2025

Today my colleague reminded me to step and back and allow ourselves to enjoy the animals we partner with. We really do have the best job in the world!

Sometimes, animals have ideas of their own—and it’s in those quiet moments we’re reminded to pause, listen, and let their presence soften our own.