Do Something…Different!

Not long ago, I interviewed Dr. Steve Peters, who spoke about the brain of the horse and best practices to help us bridge the gap between our horses and us for the benefit of both.

Dr. Peters said many things, but one thing that stuck with me was about dendrites. That’s what this video is all about.


VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Dendrites are the branches of a neuron and play a critical role in receiving electrical messages from 1000s of other cells. The dendrites allow all that information to be incorporated, so cells respond appropriately.

He said that horses and humans have increased dendrite production when we move and do new things.

If we don’t continue to move and have interest and involvement in several activities, the dendrites are not as numerous or healthy.

Both humans and horses need a variety of activities to be not only strong physically but mentally able and versatile as well.

Wow! It makes so much sense.

We all know we need to move and exercise, but Dr. Peters said our horses also need variety to stay stimulated and be vital.

So, I’m taking Nic for a ride today, and we’re exploring new territory and will keep growing our dendrites. How about you?

Leave a comment for me!

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Comments

13 Comments on Do Something…Different!

  1. Angie Schindler on Sun, 12th Mar 2023 1:15 pm

    2. Love it!

  2. Kelly McGuire on Sun, 12th Mar 2023 1:34 pm

    3. This speaks to me today, we are having an extra long Winter in MN and can feel myself and my horse getting more bored by the day with our usual rides. We are confined to the indoors due to tons of ice and snow but this inspires me to try different stuff with him. Seeing the green grass and the cool tree was a treat, TY!

  3. Katrina Thompson on Sun, 12th Mar 2023 1:56 pm

    4. Loved the explanation and diagram model. 🙂 It’s a great visualization of what happens. I believe it. I’m going to pepper in small changes to our normal routines and try to stimulate growth for me and Raven. Thank you! 💜🐴

  4. Sarah on Sun, 12th Mar 2023 3:59 pm

    5. I love the tree image. I listened to the Dr Peters talk and am reading Mark Rashids latest book-he talks about dendrites. All the new info is so interesting and helpful…and keeps my dendrites growing.

  5. Harolyn Deason on Sun, 12th Mar 2023 4:46 pm

    6. Thank you for sharing, I had a feeling my Dendrites were shrinking, I can’t remember names more frequently. I’m changing things up!! You always have new ideas to broaden us 😁

  6. Julie Catenacci on Sun, 12th Mar 2023 5:31 pm

    7. Well…. at first perhaps I thought you spiked your coffee this morning. I was having a hard time following you initially. Lol but then it all made sense at the end. And I suppose you made me realize I’m falling into that category. So I took my little mare, Suki out today, mind you I live on 2 1/2 acres in Miami Florida and used my imagination so that was on 100 acres and had to check all the fences and we went thru every gate I have. I have to admit it was one of the best rides I’ve had recently.
    Julie

  7. Caroline Mackinnon on Sun, 12th Mar 2023 8:25 pm

    8. Once again Barb, you remind us to stimulate and activate. I love your analogy! Thank you!

  8. Cyndi Patton Guinn on Sun, 12th Mar 2023 10:41 pm

    9. I am a science nerd so I loved this!! So happy my thoughts were confirmed by your presentation and this is exactly why I don’t retire. My dendrites are constantly stimulated when I am reading a clinical trial or preparing for a presentation, etc. I love pasture riding and just don’t do enough of it for me or Dally!
    Thanks as always.

  9. Judy Becker on Mon, 13th Mar 2023 3:38 am

    10. That was very informative and using the tree was a great analogy – thanks, Barb – you give such wonderful tips that are easy to understand and most of all easy to implement into our daily lives and our relationship with our horses!!! You rock girl!!!!

  10. Ellen on Mon, 13th Mar 2023 10:34 am

    11. I loved this! It makes perfect sense to keep my horse stimulated and me too!

  11. Carol MacGregor on Mon, 13th Mar 2023 4:52 pm

    12. Hi Barb. I like to write my comment before reading other peoples’ comments so I’m not influenced by theirs–Ha Ha. After I’ve written mine, then I enjoy seeing what others have written. This was a very good reminder for us to keep on “reaching” for new or different activities or games, etc. or doing something different with our horses–as simple as having them “jump” a log while taking them for a walk either under saddle of on their lead line. Thank you for the reminder with this scientific background as the underpinning. 🙂 Also, Nic looks great with his fuzzy hair coat.

  12. Twyla Collins on Mon, 13th Mar 2023 8:35 pm

    13. Great information and I loved the demonstration using the tree branches.

  13. Claire Harris on Tue, 14th Mar 2023 7:51 pm

    14. Love the pasture ride with you and Nic!
    Thanks! We learned something new.

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