Optimizing Information Sharing with the SECI Model

Optimizing Information Sharing with the SECI Model

In the realm of horse-human cooperation, a fascinating neurobiological miracle takes place. Each step the horse takes is determined through a feedback loop between the predator brain of the human rider and the prey brain of the horse. This collaborative neural action allows for real-time communication from brain to brain, extending each species' mind beyond its own skin. Despite being evolutionary enemies, horses behave towards humans as if inclined to become friends.

Until recently, the understanding of equine mental function was limited. However, the first precise magnetic resonance image of a horse's brain in 2019 provided veterinary neurologists with greater insight. This newfound information is leading to a revolution in brain-based horsemanship as trainers and riders can now apply this knowledge in practical ways.

Three natural features of the equine brain are particularly important in facilitating communication with humans. First, horses have astounding touch detection, with receptor cells in their skin and muscles converting external pressure, temperature, and body position into neural impulses. Second, horses rely on body language as a primary mode of communication with each other. Lastly, the equine brain is a learning machine, free from the social and cognitive baggage that human brains carry. These features form the tripod of support for brain-to-brain communication, especially in extreme performance situations.

One reason for the scientific fascination with horse-human communication is the horse's status as a prey animal. Their brains and bodies have evolved to survive different pressures than human physiologies. For example, horses have eyes set on the sides of their heads, allowing for a panoramic view of the world. Their horizontal pupils provide clear sight along the horizon but fuzzy vision above and below. These adaptations allow horses to maintain clarity along the horizon even when their heads are turned sideways to reach grass in odd locations. Equine brains are also hardwired to quickly evade environmental danger, streaming commands directly from perception to the motor cortex.

The ability of horses and humans to communicate neurally, without the need for language or equipment, is crucial in initiating the cellular dance between brains. Through invisible cues and signals, riders can convey their intentions to horses. For example, applying pressure with the left inner calf muscle can prompt the horse to move laterally to the right. This pressure is felt by the horse's proprioceptive receptor cells, which detect body position and movement. However, such communication requires years of training to establish the associations between specific body signals and equine behaviors.

The analysis of brain-to-brain communication between horses and humans has led to several intriguing ideas. The neural networks of horses and humans allow for the borrowing of neural signals from the brain that offers the highest function. This borrowing process involves equine receptor cells in the retina, equine detector cells in the visual cortex, and equine motor reactions that are sensed by the rider's human body. By borrowing the horse's superior range of vision, the rider's brain can respond to something it cannot see. This mutual borrowing of neural signals enhances the perceptual and attentional understanding of the world for both horse and rider.

Sharing attention and focus is another skill set that can be achieved through the cellular dance of brain-to-brain communication. Horses' vigilance, honed through millions of years of evolution, allows them to notice slight movements in their environment. Humans, on the other hand, excel at concentration rather than vigilance. With practice and numerous neural contacts, the human brain learns to heed signals from the equine brain that draw attention to specific stimuli. This sharing of attention becomes automatic over time.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that horse and rider can learn to share features of executive function, the ability to set goals, plan steps, assess alternatives, make decisions, and evaluate outcomes. While horses excel at learning, remembering, and communicating, they do not possess the same capacity for assessment and judgment as humans. Brain-to-brain communication suggests that horses might be able to borrow small glimmers of executive function through neural interaction with the human's prefrontal cortex. However, further scientific study is needed to explore this possibility.

The intricate neural dance of brain-to-brain communication between horses and riders creates a unique partnership. Despite their evolutionary differences as prey and predator, these two species temporarily inhabit each other's brains. This extended interspecies mind allows for a richer perceptual and attentional understanding of the world. The success of this communication lies not in the similarity between the two brains but in their differences.

In conclusion, the SECI model offers insights into optimizing information sharing. The process begins with the creation of tacit knowledge, which is then internalized and shared through various means such as on-the-job training and observation. This shared knowledge is then externalized, transformed into explicit knowledge through documentation and visualization. The combination of different explicit knowledge leads to the creation of new knowledge, further enhancing the flow of information.

To optimize information sharing, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace embodied perception: Recognize the importance of touch sensitivity in communication with horses. Understand how external pressure, temperature, and body position can be transduced into neural impulses that horses can understand.

2. Master body language: Learn to communicate with horses using body language as a primary medium. Invest time in understanding and training horses to associate specific body signals with desired behaviors.

3. Foster mutual learning: Cultivate a partnership with your horse that allows for the borrowing of neural signals. Explore how the rider's brain can respond to stimuli it cannot see by utilizing the horse's superior range of vision.

By implementing these practices, horse and rider can enhance their communication and deepen their connection. The neural dance between brains opens up new possibilities for collaboration and understanding.