An international favorite! So far, we have received orders from 25 countries.
Cutting-edge science comes alive in gorgeous art!
“The Mind of a Horse”, a unique graphic novel, brings you the latest scientific knowledge:
-
How do horses see the world - what is different and what is similar to our perception?
-
Practical tips on how to improve horse training and well-being
-
Understanding horse behavior and solving behavior problems
-
How to deepen your relationship with your horses
-
And much, much more
Created by top scientists and artists. Designed for adult and teenage readers: horse enthusiasts and anyone interested in animals.
80 pages. Beautiful art, a captivating story, and exclusive online content via QR codes.
If you prefer to first go to the Amazon site and then search there, please note that as a new addition, the book will only show up if you include the publisher in the keywords. Try searching for "mind horse arador"
Click one of the below direct links to the book's page on Amazon to see the gorgeous sample pages:
Also available at Arador's online store. Shipping from Finland.
Price in our store: €26 or the equivalent in your currency, plus handling and shipping according to where in the world you live.
If your country is not part of the European Union, it is possible you will additionally be charged customs duty by the authorities in your country.
Explore the below to find out more:
Praise for the book
"The Mind of a Horse is an exciting new book that anyone involved with horses needs to read! Scientific information presented in a cartoon format is such a creative and effective idea. This book is easy and enjoyable to read for all ages, which is why it is so fantastic." – Dr. Susi Cienciala, equine veterinarian, Deep Creek Veterinary Services, Canada, and Education Chair of Canadian Pony Club.
"This insightful book is cleverly constructed with a set of characters designed to illustrate and illuminate the inner world of the horse. This comic book represents a unique and friendly scientific approach." - Dr. Andrew McLean, horse trainer and equitation scientist, Co-Director of Equitation Science International, Australia.
Social Behavior
Which types of social contact are the most important for horses? How does the type of stable, pasture, or paddock influence a horse’s ability to get along with other horses? How does dominance hierarchy work, and how to prevent it from causing aggression?
Activity
What are the species-specific behavioral needs of horses, and how does meeting them contribute to brain health? How do different environments affect the horse's well-being? Why and how does increasing choice in the horse's daily life contribute to brain health?
Senses
How does a horse's sensory world differ from ours? How do those sensory experiences affect its behavior? How can we use this knowledge to improve the horse’s quality of life?
Motivations
How do motivations work in the horse's mind? Can horses think? Which are the most efficient ways to motivate horses?
Emotions and Consciousness
Which emotions do horses feel – and which ones are beyond them? What do the nuances of their body language reveal about their emotional state? What kind of conscious experiences do horses have?
Learning and Training
How do different training methods affect training outcomes and horse health? Which skills does a trainer need to ensure faster learning and more reliable performance?
Problem Behaviors
Why are some horses difficult to saddle and bridle, and what can you do to solve the root cause of the problem? What causes bucking, phobias, aggression, cribbing, weaving…? How to prevent them, and what to do if they are already going on?
Sickness and Pain
What are the most common painful conditions and other health issues in horses? How to recognize the tell-tale signs? How to reduce the risk of getting them in the first place?
Development of the Foal
How does the early environment shape the foal's brain? What are the long-term consequences, still there in adulthood? What is an optimal physical and social environment for a foal?
Relationships with Humans
How do horses perceive us? How can you deepen your relationship with a horse? Which aspects of a horse’s life, besides the obvious ones, affect the ease of handling?
The book continues on your phone
There is three types of content in the book, to make sure the book has plenty to offer to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
-
The graphic-novel story about the "problem horse" Phoenix, the little colt Spark and their friends. The story of their challenges and successes delivers plenty of useful information along the way. Easy to read for anyone -we'd say about 10 to 99 years of age.
-
Each of the ten chapters ends with a text page with further information.
-
The QR codes and web links in the book are a gateway to the book's exclusive online content. This in-depth content, including links to original scientific articles, has been praised as useful even for experienced horse veterinarians.
The book's story is told from the viewpoint of three horses and their owners.
Shadow, Spark, Phoenix, and their friends run into the joys and challenges of everyday life.
Intertwining with their story, there is a narration with in-depth, easily accessible science. It will take you ever deeper into the workings of a horse's mind - and how you can make a difference in horses' lives.
Sample pages from various parts of the book
Did you know horses have a phenomenal sense of smell?
The joys and mishaps of living with horses are familiar to Emily and Jessica...
Succeed in horse training with the step-by-step expert advice in the book!
Here is one example:
What can the behavior of feral horses tell us about the workings of our own horses' minds?
Each chapter in the book opens up fascinating views on how horses see the world - and what we can do with them.
At the end of each chapter, there is a text page and QR code for those who want to know more
Thanks to the online content, the book is actually much thicker than the 80 physical pages. Scan a QR code with your smartphone camera, and you'll get instant access to more in-depth knowledge and links to scientific studies.
In the photo above, Maija and Ville are drawing pages for the book while chatting with Helena at the Arador office.
The team that created The Mind of a Horse for you is a group of top professionals in science and art.
Dr Helena Telkanranta is a scientist with a PhD in animal behavior science. She has worked at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and the University of Bristol, UK. In her native Finland, she is known as a nonfiction writer with multiple awards.
Maija Karala has a Master's degree in evolutionary biology and a versatile career in public communication of science. She works as a science journalist, nonfiction author, illustrator, lecturer, and advisor for museums and science centers.
Ville Sinkkonen‘s skills include high art, concept art, 3D computer modeling, and asset creation for games and virtual reality. His customers include, among others, the BBC and the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
Fact-checking for the book was carried out by a number of internationally recognized experts on horse behavior and health: Prof Christine Nicol, Dr Carole Fureix, Dr Marc Pierard and Dr Kati Tuomola.
On a meadow near the Arador office, Maija is adding finishing touches on page 19.