In this episode, Dr. Brenda Murrow welcomes Dr. Rachaël Draaisma for a truly fascinating conversation about the subtle, yet powerful, language of calming signals—what many in the clinical and animal behavior world might also recognize as appeasement behaviors.

Rachaël shares how her work with horses opened a path to understanding the nervous system in a whole new way. What began as an interest in horse behavior quickly evolved into a deep study of nonverbal communication, and even scent tracking, which she has found enhances the mental stimulation of horses.

Part 1 of their conversation centers around how mammals—including us—use calming signals to navigate social climates. These signals often operate beneath our awareness, yet play a major role in shaping connection and communication. They don’t require conscious thought or effort. That’s what makes them so vital—because they help us respond to one another in ways that are deeply wired into our nervous systems.

Rachaël talks about what she’s learned from years of observing horses, highlighting how grace, curiosity, and emotional safety play into how these animals communicate and co-exist with humans. Her observations and research show that calming signals aren’t just something horses use—they’re shared across species.

We also get an introduction to Scentwork, which Rachaël ties directly into mental well-being and nervous system regulation. There’s so much richness here, and this is just the beginning.

This conversation opens up a new lens on social behavior, connection, and communication.

To learn more about Rachaël’s work, visit calmingsignalsofhorses.com or check out her book Language Signs & Calming Signals of Horses (2017).

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References:

Lone Guardian, LLC, https://www.theloneguardian.org/