Podcasts about our noble companion

“Not so long ago, all horses were wild. But then we transformed our world with horse power.” These are the opening lines of the exciting new three-part film series, “Equus: Story of the Horse,” and internationally renowned Canadian filmmaker, Dr. Niobe Thompson —  Elise’s guest on today’s episode of Because of Horses. Niobe is a Cambridge-trained anthropologist; an Emmy-nominated filmmaker who’s won multiple Canadian Screen Awards, Alberta Film Awards, and the Edmonton Film Prize; and self-proclaimed horse lover.   In addition to his fascination with mankind’s evolution, Niobe has discovered that his love for horses is a passion he shares with people all over the world. The resulting film series is a rich, insightful look into the human/horse relationship, how it likely began, and how it’s evolved over time.   In this episode, Niobe takes us through the scientific discoveries made over the course of filming, stories from behind the scenes, and the series' beautiful depiction of our relationship with horses through time.    Topics of Discussion: [:45] About Elise’s guest today, Dr. Niobe Thompson. [2:08] How Niobe decided to make his new film series and why horses are special to him. [5:28] Niobe explains recreating amazing moments from horse history, including “meeting” the first horse, the species’ evolution, and why our ancestors probably began taming horses. [12:57] Elise reads listener feedback! [15:04] Surprises and discoveries Niobe made during Equus’ filming. [17:45] More interesting discoveries from ancient DNA. [26:12] How the science, cinematography, and cross-cultural complexities came together so seamlessly. [31:13] An audio preview of the trailer for Equus: The Story of the Horse. [32:17] Why Niobe believes that the love for horses knows no language, cultural, or even historical boundaries. [41:57] What Niobe believes to be worrisome in the evolution of horses. [46:49] A preview of next week’s episode of Because of Horses. [47:20] Why does Niobe think humans keep tinkering with the genetics of horses? [48:33] What Niobe hopes viewers experience and learn from his film, Equus. [52:14] Why viewers – even if they aren’t passionate about horses --  will love and appreciate the film, Equus. [54:43] Where to learn more about Equus and Niobe’s other films.   Know Someone Inspirational, Whose Life Has Been Forever Changed Because of Horses? Because of Horses would love to get to share their story! To recommend someone please send an email to elise@becauseofhorses.com.   Mentioned in this Episode: Trailer for Equus: The Story of the Horse Because of Horses Episode 14 with Wendy Williams The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion, by Wendy Williams EquustheSeries.com CBC The Nature of Things   Like what you hear? Because of Horses would love to hear your feedback! Please email elise@becauseofhorses.com to send Because of Horses your thoughts.   To Support the Podcast: ● Donate on Paypal to help keep Because of Horses running — all amounts are welcome! ● Subscribe: RSS Feed, iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Player FM

Elise’s guest this week is science journalist and author, Wendy Williams. Her writing has appeared in a wide variety of publications, including; Scientific American, Science, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, and Audubon Magazine. She is a lifelong equestrian and is legendary for her love of horses. In her New York Times best-selling book, The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion, Wendy chronicles 56 million years through extensive research and her conversations with horse experts from around the world, revealing how our biological affinities and differences help to define the horse/human bond. She shares her belief that horses and humans are bound to one another in a way that is somehow encoded in our genes.   Join Elise and Wendy today, as they dive into the rich history of horses, discussing their evolution, the connection between horses and humans, and how civilization has been affected through culture and language. They also discuss and take a look at Wendy’s views on the evolution of training horses, her insights into the nuances of the horse/human relationship, and the horse's future as the world becomes more mechanized.   Topics of Discussion: [1:51] What stood out to Wendy during her research and conversations with experts for her book, The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion. [2:50] 56 million years ago, horses were the size of the average household cat. [4:13] How writing her book changed Wendy’s views of horses [6:26] The similarities between horses and humans through a common evolutionary ancestor. [7:53] Wendy’s suspicions on what humans have yet to learn about horses. [10:38] Why Wendy believes it’s now time to view horses’ free-roaming behavior, systematically and over the long term. [15:35] Where horses come from and where they evolved. [21:00] How Wendy sees our relationship with horses evolving in the future. [22:40] The challenge of being unbiased in the science world. [26:14] The evidence that shows how people have always been fascinated by horses. [29:31] How horses have been instrumental in our own culture and language. [32:45] The adaptability and resilience of the horse. [35:25] The nuances of the horse/human relationship. [39:17] How Wendy views the evolution of training horses where people are trying to be more in tune with their horses. [41:58] Wendy’s thoughts on how horses have evolved due to human intervention. [46:54] Wendy’s insights into the current Mustang battle between conservationists, politicians, ranchers, and horse lovers. [54:36] Why Wendy thinks people love horses so much and how some people are born with the "horse-loving gene." [59:53] How Wendy came to write about horses. [1:08:14] Wendy’s last notes on the future of horses and where to find Wendy and her books online.   Know Someone Inspirational, Whose Life Has Been Forever Changed Because of Horses? Because of Horses would love to get to share their story! To recommend someone please send an email to elise@becauseofhorses.com.   Discover More About this Week’s Guest — Wendy Williams Her books on Amazon.com Twitter: @TheNobleHorse   Mentioned in this Episode: The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion, by Wendy Williams Scientific American Science The Wall Street Journal The New York Times Christian Science Monitor Audubon Magazine BecauseofHorses.com   Like what you hear? Because of Horses would love to hear your feedback! Please email elise@becauseofhorses.com to send Because of Horses your thoughts.   To Support the Podcast: ● Donate on Paypal to help keep Because of Horses running — all amounts are welcome! ● Subscribe: RSS Feed, iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Player FM

Science journalist and equestrian Wendy Williams talks about her new book The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion  

In today's show we offer the following feature: The Horse (starts at 6:25)  Next to our connection with dogs and cats, perhaps the deepest bond humans have developed over time is with horses.  In fact, hands down, the horse has done more for us than either of those furry pets. That is, horses lie at the very foundation of our human civilization. Modern humans evolved with the horse.  A new book explores the deep history of this deep bond, and the far deeper history of the horse itself and its evolutionary biology over millennia. Ever wonder why  horses have such big teeth—unlike other hoofed mammals?  The book, which spans the globe as well as the horse’s anatomy, is called The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion.   Its author, journalist Wendy Williams joins host Susan Moran to talk about these beautiful creatures. Williams will speak on Nov. 16 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Hosts: Susan Moran, Kendra Krueger Producer: Joel Parker Engineer: Kendra Krueger Executive Producer: Beth Bennett Additional Contributions: Shelley Schlender Click below to listen to the show:

For our latest Please Explain, we are talking to the journalist Wendy Williams about the history of horses. Horses and humans have worked together for thousands of years, and they have made a big impact on the course of human civilization. Williams' book is The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion. Event: Wendy Williams will be speaking and signing books at Rutgers' G.H. Cook Campus, at the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health Building, 65 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, on Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m.