Drop the Reins

Acclaimed author, neurosurgeon, and horse trainer Allan Hamilton offers valuable insights into human behavior drawn from a lifetime with horses.

Allan Hamilton sees humans as predators whose behavior is driven by the power of the pack—fight for what you want, strive to be on top—and asks what we would be like if we leaned instead on the harmony of the herd, a model in which members look out for each other and cooperate for the benefit of all. In particular, he applies what he has learned from decades of working with and training horses to ways in which humans can shape their own behavior and look at the world in a whole new way. Horses can teach us the importance of empathy, patience, communication, and adaptability, helping us to foster personal development, improve interpersonal relationships, and navigate the complexities of a world that often seems increasingly chaotic and overwhelming.