Mary Ann Simonds

Mary Ann Simonds, MA, has worked professionally in the horse industry for over 30 years, riding, training, and teaching. Currently, she directs the Equestrian Science Institute and the Institute for Integrated Sciences offering coaching and consulting in human-animal consciousness, ethology, ecology and psychology.

Obtaining her B.S. degree from the University of Wyoming in 1976 in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Range Management she focused her research on wild horse behavior and ecology. Her research efforts earned her an appointment to the 1990-1992 US Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board making recommendations to the BLM and Congress.

Mary Ann received her Masters degree in 1990 in Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies with emphasis in Human-Animal Interaction and Healing and a specialization in Organizational Development and Leadership. Working in the fields of the horse industry, mining reclamation, organizational development, wildlife biology, animal awareness, and human-animal interaction and healing, Mary Ann has conducted research and given papers on a variety of subjects from Eco-tourism and horse behavior to animal communication and healing.

Mary Ann has been a guest lecturer and clinician for such organizations as USCTA, USDF, SPCA, EQUITANA, the University of California, Davis, Nippon Animal Science and Veterinary University (Japan), and Washington State University. She founded the Whole Horse Institute in 1985 and provides educational classes for the horse industry on topics from marketing and sales to health care and behavior.

In cooperation with Washington State University, Extension, Mary Ann has sponsored the Horse Symposium at WSU, Vancouver since 1996 teaching hundreds of local horse enthusiasts. Mary Ann donates numerous hours to horse-related youth and non-profit organizations such as the Phoenix Foundation, the Youth Equestrian Science Studies (YESS), the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros, the Livestock Advisors and 4 H.

Mary Ann has had numerous articles on horse behavior and other related subjects published in a variety of magazines. Outdoor Life and ESPN II television featured her 22 part horse behavior and natural health series on “Horsing Around.” She is a co-founder and past council chair of the International Alliance for Animal Therapy and Healing and the developer of Toklat Originals' Natural Vibrations line of magnetic therapy and stress management remedies for horses and riders.

Mary Ann continues to research equine behavior and health care, while she conducts clinics, consults and writes internationally. She has produced a number of CDs, DVDs, and three books, including her new book on Stress Management for Horses published in German, as well as her new DVD “My Space, Your Space-Understanding Horse Culture”.