Welcome to Horses Explained—where classical training, equine science, and emotional insight come together to support real partnership between horse and human. I’m Joanna Lepiarczyk: equine behaviour expert, classical riding coach, and author of Understanding Horse Depression. My work is grounded in decades of hands-on experience and research, helping horse owners, riders, and trainers understand their horses more deeply—so they can care, train, and connect with clarity and compassion.
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I offer in-person and online education focused on equine mental health, horse personality, and the development of balanced, thinking riders. Whether you're navigating behavioural challenges, rebuilding trust, or looking to progress in your training without sacrificing your horse’s well-being, my approach centres the horse’s mind and body every step of the way.
Explore lessons, workshops, and resources designed for thoughtful riders who want more than quick fixes—they want meaningful, lasting change.
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This site was created for all horses.
Welcome to Horses Explained.
Understanding Horse Depression
Knowing Symptoms, Identifying Causes, and Finding Cures
Coming March 2026
"A groundbreaking look at today’s “healthy body, broken spirit” phenomenon in domestic horses, and how we can change it."
TSB
A horse’s eyes, once bright and curious, now look sad and dull. His head, once held high, now hangs low. His body, once full of energy, seems tired and lifeless. What is the cause of distress this horse is experiencing? His body is healthy, but his spirit seems broken.
Traditionally, humans care for horses’ physical needs—feeding them, grooming them, and ensuring they are sheltered from the harsh elements. But their emotional well-being, equally if not more important, has long been neglected, as their subtle signs of distress can easily go unnoticed.
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As a lifelong horsewoman and educator, I’ve spent decades learning from horses—not just about training and performance, but about their emotional lives. In Understanding Horse Depression, I bring together research and hands-on experience to explore how horses experience stress, emotional disconnection, and even depression.
Horses are deeply social, emotionally complex animals. Just like us, they can struggle when their needs aren’t met or when life becomes overwhelming. In this book, I explain how to recognize the often-overlooked signs of equine depression, why they matter, and what we can do to help.
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Inside, I share:
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The three core influences connecting stress and depression in horses
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How learned helplessness shows up in training and daily life
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Subtle changes in posture, attention, and responsiveness that can signal a problem
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What anhedonia (the inability to feel joy) looks like in horses
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Risk factors for depression and the dangers of leaving it unaddressed
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Practical steps you can take to support your horse’s mental well-being
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My goal is to help riders, owners, and trainers understand what their horses might be feeling—and to provide tools for making meaningful change. When we pay attention to our horses’ mental health, we create space for real partnership, deeper trust, and a more fulfilling life for both horses and humans.