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The New, Revised and Expanded Edition of The Tao of Equus Has Arrived!
Linda Kohanov's influential book The Tao of Equus was one of the first to delve into the mental, emotional, spiritual, and transformational aspects of the horse-human bond. Considered a classic, it challenged widely accepted notions about animal intelligence, offering in-depth examples of horses as gifted healers and profound companions, backed by a multi-disciplinary approach to research capable of grounding the miraculous into a mind- and heart-expanding journey. The revised edition brings in new theories, scientific studies, historical perspectives, and more potent anecdotes that weren’t available when author Linda Kohanov wrote the original over 20 years ago.
"In many ways, this is a whole new book," says the author, who spent over a year rewriting, expanding and editing the revised edition. “When the original version was published, I actually had people walk out of lectures and book signings when I discussed emotional states in horses. Over 10 years later, the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness in Nonhuman Animals confirmed that animals do have emotions, intention, and consciousness. Back in the early 2000s, the fields of equine facilitated therapy and experiential learning were brand new, and many people were skeptical. It was difficult at that time to offer more than anecdotal evidence to support the increasing incidents of profound transformations people experienced when they allowed horses to influence human thought and. behavior. These days, I'm happy to say, more equestrians are also embracing the breakthroughs that occur when we acknowledge horses as partners, teachers and guides.”
In the updated edition, Linda weaves in surprising new research and scientific theories that help to explain why animals in general and horses in particular are capable of supporting people who feel alienated by or mistrustful of family, friends, coworkers, and social institutions. "New information into the structure of the nervous system we share with mammals shines a massive spotlight on how and why horses not only help heal trauma but also help 'well-adjusted' people to really excel in life and work," she explains.
Still, the original book's popularity rests to a great degree on Linda's willingness to explore the spiritual aspects of the horse-human bond. "I have to say that, oddly enough, some of these scientific theories shed light on mystical experiences I shared in the original book," Linda says. "For instance, I gathered peer-reviewed studies in several disciplines that help to explain nonverbal, even telepathic interactions between the two species. This gave me the courage to share some examples I left out of the first edition because they seemed a bit too far out at the time," Linda says. "Going through every line of the book, adding some impressive new examples backed by studies that lend deeper insight into what horses are truly capable of, was a next-level transformational experience for me as well."
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