Rupert Isaacson: How a Father's Search for His Autistic Son's Voice Became the Horse Boy Method

This Week on In Stride 

Sinead Halpin-Maynard talks with Rupert Isaacson about how horses helped his nonverbal autistic son find his voice, and how that discovery turned into a therapeutic horsemanship method now used around the world.

Meet the Guest: Rupert Isaacson 

Rupert Isaacson is a horseman, author, and founder of New Trails Learning Systems, home to three therapy programs used with autistic kids, veterans, and trauma survivors, work that began after he discovered that riding a horse helped his nonverbal autistic son, Rowan, find his voice. He's also a classical dressage rider trained in the centuries-old "Old Masters" tradition. Rupert wrote the bestselling book and film The Horse Boy about the family's journey across Mongolia to help Rowan, and before that founded the Indigenous Land Rights Fund, which helped the Kalahari Bushmen of Botswana and South Africa win a landmark case for their ancestral land.

In This Episode, Sinead and Rupert Discuss:

• How he first noticed that a horse's gait directly changed how much his son communicated, and discovering the science behind it
• The three therapy programs he built and how each one meets autistic kids, veterans, and trauma survivors where they are
• Why classical dressage, not just a calm horse, is what makes a horse capable of this kind of therapeutic work
• His ride across Mongolia in search of a shaman, the journey that became the book The Horse Boy, and the land rights advocacy work that came before it
• Why he believes healing takes both hard science and a little bit of magic

Episode Sponsor

Connaway & Associates

The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.

Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options.

Equine Emergency Vet Care Guide

Created by equine veterinarian Dr. Erica Lacher, the Equine Emergency Vet Care Guide app helps horse owners recognize the signs of a true emergency, know when to call the vet, and understand what to do while help is on the way.

Download from the App Store or Google Play at EquineEmergencyApp.com

In Stride Is Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.

Members also get:

• Weekly live Q&As with equestrian experts
• Exclusive podcast episodes
• Dressage test prep resources
• A supportive learning community

Start your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com