From a childhood marked by abandonment in Australia to building a groundbreaking equine-assisted program in New Mexico, Dr. Rebecca Evanko’s story is one of resilience, survival, and transformation. Joined by her husband, physician Dr. Marc Evanko, the two share how their own neurodivergence—autism and ADHD—shaped Wilder Wood Equine Therapy, a program centering female autism and authentic connection with horses.

Together they discuss the creation of WRADIANCE©, a new diagnostic tool designed by autistic women for autistic women, and their unique counseling model that blends equine interaction with trauma-informed, neurodivergent-led support.

✨ “For the first time, I said to myself: I’m not a problem. I’m autistic. I think differently.” – Dr. Rebecca Evanko

✨ “There’s nothing wrong with either operating system—Android or Apple. They both work. It’s just different.” – Dr. Marc Evanko

If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Growing up autistic, obsessed with horses, and left alone at 15 in rural Australia ([00:04:00])
• Surviving homelessness, finding mentors, and building resilience through horses ([00:06:00])
• Misdiagnosis, masking, and why female autism is so often overlooked ([00:10:00])
• Meeting Marc, ADHD as both challenge and superpower, and their shared love of horses ([00:21:00])
• Why true classical dressage informed their horse work at Wilder Wood ([00:27:00])
• Creating equine therapy and counseling programs rooted in lived autistic experience ([00:48:00])
• How WRADIANCE© was developed: 900+ narratives from autistic women worldwide ([00:57:00])
• The limitations of “gold standard” diagnostic tools and why WRADIANCE© is different ([01:00:00])
• Grief, tribe, and the importance of community for autistic women ([01:17:00])
• Joy as the opposite of suffering—and the role of horses in bringing it back ([01:53:00])

🎙️ Memorable Moments from the Episode:

• Riding her horse through mist at 2 a.m. as a teen left alone in Queensland ([00:05:00])
• A kitchen accident leading Rebecca back to horses at age 52 ([00:27:00])
• Marc’s ADHD metaphor: starting to rake leaves, ending up at Home Depot, forgetting the rake ([00:32:00])
• Discovering that most autism programs weren’t designed by autistic people ([00:48:00])
• The “aha” moment: interviews don’t work—written narratives reveal female autism ([00:57:00])
• Women saying after WRADIANCE©: “I feel so heard. I feel so seen.” ([01:04:00])
• Why masking makes girls “fly under the radar” until adolescence melts them down ([01:12:00])
• The concept of learned helplessness vs. finding survival strategies ([01:45:00])
• Horses as partners in teaching self-reliance, not helplessness ([01:52:00])
• Rebecca’s memoir Joy—naming what she found on the other side of suffering ([01:53:00])

📚 Projects, Thinkers, and Ideas Mentioned:

• Joy – Memoir by Dr. Rebecca Evanko https://amzn.to/4meH0uP
• Wilder Wood Equine Therapy – https://wilderwoodequinetherapy.org
• The WRADIANCE© Protocol – female autism diagnostic tool in clinical trials https://wilderwoodequinetherapy.org/the-wradiance-instrument-and-protocol/
• Temple Grandin – Autism advocate, professor, and author
• Movement Method & Horse Boy Method – https://ntls.co

🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:
Website: https://rupertisaacson.com

📲 Follow Us:

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Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh
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New Trails Learning Systems:
Website: https://ntls.co
Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld
Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld
YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems

📊 Affiliate Disclosure:
Links to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

Episode Title:

Guest Introduction:

(If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome)

In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson is joined by Dr. Mark Uranga, a pediatrician from Boise, Idaho, with deep Basque roots and a lifelong connection to horses and mules. Blending his medical expertise with his equestrian experience, Dr. Uranga explores how resilience, community, and attunement shape both childhood development and equine-assisted practices.

From the cultural heritage of the Basque people to the sure-footed wisdom of mules, this conversation dives into what resilience really means, why attunement is vital in pediatrics and horsemanship, and how nature and equines offer healing pathways beyond clinical walls.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Basque traditions of tribal upbringing and resilience (Starts at 00:05:00)
• The difference between authoritarian vs. authoritative parenting (Starts at 00:23:00)
• How attunement with children and horses builds trust (Starts at 00:38:00)
• Why mules embody persistence, safety, and discernment (Starts at 00:42:00)
• The role of stubbornness vs. flexibility in human growth and horsemanship (Starts at 00:51:00)
• The mammalian caregiving system and why nurture drives resilience (Starts at 01:35:00)
• Why doctors should “prescribe nature” alongside medicine (Starts at 01:46:00)

🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:

• “A comfortable child is a more reliable patient.” (00:04:00)
• On Basque childhood: “An 8-year-old carrying an 8-month-old — that’s resilience in practice.” (00:08:00)
• “Authoritative parenting provides the framework — without the conflict of authoritarianism.” (00:26:00)
• The mule’s pause as a model for resilience: “Their sense of self-preservation keeps us safe.” (00:47:00)
• “Being attuned to hesitation is what allows for finding the next step.” (00:59:00)
• On magic and awe: “We’re still monkeys on horses, moved by the mystery of it all.” (01:20:00)
• Why every pediatrician should spend time in nature-based learning environments (01:51:00)

🤝 Connect with Dr. Mark Uranga:

🎙️ Podcast: The Kid Wrangler (Spotify)
📧 Email: theidahokidwrangler@gmail.com
🌐 Warm Springs Care Farm (Boise, ID): https://www.warmspringscarefarm.org/

🌐 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:

Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com
Equine-Assisted Programs: https://newtrailslearning.com

📲 Follow Us:

Long Ride Home
Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh
Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehome

New Trails Learning Systems
Website: https://ntls.co
Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld
Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld
YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems

🧺 Affiliate Disclosure:

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!

In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Janet Varhus, DVM—a veterinarian whose decades of practice bridge old-school horsemanship, holistic care, and cutting-edge therapies like acupuncture, fascia release, and low-level laser treatment. From endurance riding roots to working alongside Linda Tellington-Jones, Dr. Varhus offers a rare, practical roadmap through the complex world of equine health.

Together, they explore ulcers, fascia, posture, contaminated feeds, and how barns can combine tradition with holistic practices to keep therapy horses sound, safe, and thriving.

If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why posture reveals hidden health issues (Starts at 00:29:00)
• The role of ulcers in behavior, stress, and performance (Starts at 00:33:00)
• Glyphosate in grain feeds and what to do about it (Starts at 00:34:00)
• Herbs and natural remedies for ulcers and liver health (Starts at 00:54:00)
• Low-level lasers: how they heal nerves, trauma, and chronic injuries (Starts at 00:57:00)
• Why companionship and enrichment matter as much as feed and shelter (Starts at 01:19:00)
• The difference between movement, enrichment, and true exercise for horses (Starts at 01:20:00)
• How to give horses choice, voice, and options for play (Starts at 01:32:00)

🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:

• Janet on diagnosing ulcers with acupressure and laser points (00:17:00)
• Why “I see you” is her starting point with every horse (00:29:57)
• Why at least half of horses she sees suffer from ulcers (00:33:12)
• The dangers of glyphosate in grain feeds—and humic acid as a solution (00:37:39)
• How low-level lasers cut healing time in half for horses, dogs, and even people (01:13:00)
• Living in a barn with her horses: “They come in for coffee with my husband.” (01:38:06)

🤝 Connect with Dr. Janet Varhus, DVM:
Email: jvarhusdvm@yahoo.com

🌐 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:
Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com
Equine-Assisted Programs: https://newtrailslearning.com

📲 Follow Us:
Long Ride Home
Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh
Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehome

New Trails Learning Systems
Website: https://ntls.co
Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld
Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld
YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems

🧺 Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!