From Horses to Human Rights: Rupert Isaacson’s Journey of Service, Healing & Self-Actualization | Ep 34
In this rare solo episode of Live Free Ride Free, host Rupert Isaacson shares his own extraordinary story—tracing a path from his multicultural childhood in London to horseback adventures, indigenous rights campaigns, and the creation of groundbreaking autism and equine therapy programs. Rupert weaves together vivid life experiences: from retraining an unruly ex-racehorse as a boy, to helping the Bushmen of the Kalahari win historic land claims, to transforming his son’s autism journey through horses, nature, and movement. This is a deep dive into service, resilience, and the magic of following the call of adventure.
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How a childhood nervous breakdown led Rupert to horses and nature ([00:11:00])
- Lessons from growing up between multiple cultures and identities ([00:05:00])
- The entrepreneurial path to buying his first horse at age 14 ([00:13:00])
- Adventures and dangers as a young journalist in Africa and North America ([00:34:00])
- The role of indigenous wisdom in Rupert’s life and work ([00:56:00])
- Behind-the-scenes of the Bushman land claims in South Africa and Botswana ([01:00:00])
- How his son’s autism diagnosis reshaped his mission and methods ([01:36:00])
- The creation of Horse Boy Method, Movement Method, and Takhin Equine Integration ([01:39:00])
- Why service is the key to sustaining your dreams ([01:46:00])
🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:
- Meeting legendary wolf expert Rick McIntyre in Yellowstone and conceiving the Live Free Ride Free podcast ([00:02:00])
- Training an unmanageable ex-racehorse and discovering his calling ([00:14:00])
- Hitchhiking into the Kalahari and first encounters with Bushman healers ([00:57:00])
- Witnessing the unexpected twist that won Botswana’s largest land claim ([01:30:00])
- The life-changing advice from Dr. Temple Grandin on helping his autistic son ([01:34:00])
- The reindeer healer in Siberia who transformed Rowan’s progress ([01:42:00])
📚 Projects, Thinkers, and Ideas Mentioned:
- Rupert Isaacson – The Horse Boy, The Long Ride Home, The Healing Land https://longridehome.com/books
- Horse Boy Method, Movement Method, Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.co
- Long Ride Home - Horse Training: https://longridehome.com
🌍 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows: Website: https://rupertisaacson.com
📲 Follow Us: Long Ride Home: Website: https://longridehome.com 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: 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.
