Interspecies Listening is a collaboration with equine trainer and jazz musician, Dan McCarthy. Our creation process spans 9 months during which time we are collectively venturing into groundbreaking horsemanship territory.

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The Equus Projects’ 2005 experiment with Tufts University cognitive psychologist Ani Patel explored this query: How does the equine brain respond to varied sonic textures and tempos? The experiment lacked necessary scientific controls and thus offered no conclusions.

 

We re-enter that research with McCarthy who is using the vibration, tonal texture and tempo of his steel guitar to stimulate an energetic co-regulation of both human and equine nervous systems - establishing trust and empowering the horses to actively interact with him. The sonic and kinetic propositions might include athletic play, graceful spatial carving, quiet tactile connection or an interlude of stillness.