His Practice
Dr. Peters did his practicum at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Internship at Danbury Hospital in Danbury Connecticut and Residency and two year Post Doctoral Fellowship at Hartford Hospital in the Departments of Neurorehabilitation, Neurology and Neurosurgery.
Dr. Peters founded and served as Clinical Director at both the American Fork Hospital Memory Clinic and the Utah Valley Hospital Clinic for Brain Health.
His Precision
An evidence-based approach to horsemanship focuses on evaluating and applying scientific research to guide decisions and establish “best practices.” Insights into the neuro functioning of the horse’s brain, along with their practical application, enhance the ability to interpret and understand equine behavior more effectively.
His Passion
Dr. Steve Peters is deeply passionate about improving the lives of horses through the lens of neuroscience. At their ranch in the mountains of Colorado, where he and his wife, Michelle live with their seven horses, he finds inspiration in riding and observing equine behavior in a natural setting. These personal experiences fuel his commitment to understanding how horses think, feel, and learn.
Whether on horseback in the mountains or presenting around the world, Dr. Peters is driven by a passion for equine education, neuroscience, and welfare. His global travels allow him to connect with diverse communities, sharing practical, science-based insights that help people better understand and care for their horses. Through his teaching, he aims to bridge the gap between science and horsemanship—empowering equine professionals and enthusiasts alike to create safer, more humane, and more effective partnerships with horses.
His Experience
Dr. Stephen Peters is a neuroscientist with a specialization in brain functioning, uniquely positioned at the intersection of neuroscience and equine behavior. As a pioneer in the field of horse brain study, he has delivered Equine Brain Science seminars and conducted horse brain dissections for audiences around the globe.
He is the co-author, alongside renowned horseman Martin Black, of Evidence-Based Horsemanship and their forthcoming book The Science and Practice of Evidence-Based Horsemanship. Together, they host quarterly Evidence-Based Horsemanship virtual clinics and lead the annual EBH colt-starting clinic in Maine.
He has been a featured presenter at major industry events including the Best Horse Practices Summit and Warwick Schiller’s Journey On Podcast Summit. He also contributed significantly to the acclaimed book Horsehead: Brain Science & Other Insights.
In collaboration with Canadian psychotherapist Sarah Schlote, Dr. Peters co-developed the Equuscience Master Course—a trauma-informed, evidence-based exploration of horse-human relationships.
He is also a collaborator with Mark Rashid and Jim Masterson in their annual Equine Brain Seminar, Your Horse’s Brain: A User’s Manual, where science and somatic practice converge to enhance equine understanding and care.
In 2025, Dr. Peters presented at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, alongside Rupert Isaacson and Temple Grandin, in a special symposium on neurodiversity and equine-assisted approaches.
Continuing his commitment to interdisciplinary education, Dr. Peters and equine functional anatomist Jillian Kreinbring co-led a five-day intensive clinic, Horse Brain Science and Functional Anatomy, at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2025, with a follow-up event scheduled for 2026.
As an international educator, Dr. Peters conducted clinics in the Netherlands in 2024 and is scheduled to present throughout Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Poland in 2025.
Most recently, he served as the keynote speaker for the Horses and Humans Research Foundation’s 2025 “Connect, Learn and Inspire” Conference in San Antonio—sharing insights that bridge the gap between science, empathy, and horsemanship.
His Approach
In science and medicine, evidence-based approaches are used to establish best practices—methods proven effective through empirical evidence rather than theory. These practices are supported by the latest scientific knowledge and provide a standard approach that bridges the gap between researchers and clinicians. Likewise, in the equine world, anyone can educate themselves by asking: “What does current scientific knowledge, when applied and observed in practice, reveal about achieving the best outcomes for both horse and human?” Over time, people should be able to obtain current best practices in all areas of horse training and care. A deeper understanding from quality information will ultimately be what is best for the welfare of our horses.
See Dr. Peters IMDB Profile
