Purely Positive Training

18/09/2024

🗣️ Talking Point..

🐴 Tree'd vs Treeless Saddles: The Pressure's On! 🔬

Our recent pressure mat research reveals surprising insights:
❓Do Tree'd saddles distribute pressure better?
❓Do Treeless saddles allow more natural movement?

Is it that simple?!
There's a lot more to consider, including:
🏇 Rider weight
🏇 Riding duration
🏇 Discipline

Curious? We've got all the details in our latest article.

🔗 Read the full breakdown here >>> https://kont.ly/9d3254bc

👇Then tell us in the comments: What do YOU think is best for your horse?

18/09/2024

While operant conditioning provides a 'toolbox' for trainers, there are other factors that influence the outcome of learning and therefore the learning modality that a trainer might choose. It is critical to remember that animal training is largely dependent on motivation.

In the natural world, there may be a number of conflicting motivations, and the most compelling one will be responded to.

This is an important concern for safety. While it is true that food can be a highly effective primary reinforcer, and may out-compete the motivation for avoidance of aversive stimuli to some extent, it is unlikely to out-compete the motivation for a flight response in strongly frightening situations.

In this light, one might see that negative reinforcement and positive punishment could out-compete positive reinforcement and negative punishment for relevance. However, this does not account for the insecurity of the particular animal, which may also have an influence on the outcome.

For example, a well-trained horse motivated through positive reinforcement may be less likely to be fearful than one poorly trained through negative reinforcement in challenging circumstances.

Given the high death and serious injury rates of humans in horse–human interactions, the importance of positive, negative and combined reinforcement protocols in challenging situations needs to be explored further.

An excerpt from Equitation Science, 2nd Edition - Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy, Janne Whinther Christensen & Uta König von Borstel.

16/09/2024

Do you know 20+ signs of pain to look for in ?

's healthcare tool of the month is the Senior Horse Challenge. Test your savvy spotting senior issues with this FREE 5 minute, 20-question quiz. https://thehorseportal.ca/healthcare-tools/senior-horse-challenge-tool/ kindly sponsored by https://www.bicanadaequine.ca/

Ready for the next step? Senior Horse short online course .ca begins Sept 16, 2024, with expert instructor, Dr. Bettina Bobsien, back by popular demand. Bring your senior questions! https://thehorseportal.ca/course/the-senior-horse-fall-24/.

14/09/2024

As the weather warms up in the southern hemisphere, many parts of Europe are currently suffering 'horsefly season'.

Horseflies are polarotactic insects that use both chemical and visual cues to locate their victims.

They literally sniff out exhaled carbon dioxide, and since larger mammals like horses tend to give off more carbon dioxide than smaller animals - they are prime targets.

Horseflies are also attracted to movement, so moving horses (out on a ride for example) exerting more carbon dioxide than normal will be an especially inviting host.

A Hungarian study demonstrated an interesting fact that many horse owners had suspected: pale coated horses are less likely to attract horseflies due to the way light bounces off their coats.

The study showed how when polarised light bounces off dark hair, it keeps its polarisation, but when it reflects off grey or pale horses, it becomes less polarised, and therefore not so attractive.

The study, which was held over 54 summer days showed that horses with a brown coat attract 15 times as many flies as light grey horses. Whereas black horses (the holy grail for horseflies) attracted 25 times more flies than their pale coated friends.

Horseflies can be very dangerous when they attack in swarms, typically in wooded areas, along waterways, or near livestock. Avoidance of these areas is recommended, but if you do encounter horseflies on a ride, the best thing to do is keep in mind that horseflies are attracted to movement, so don’t wave your hands around aggressively and get your horse away from the habitat.

Full study: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/abs/10.1098/rspb.2009.2202

30/08/2024

Desensitisation Clinic
I held a horse desensitisation clinic a few weeks ago, or as I affectionately call it 'Scare School'
All the participants and horses had a marvellous time. Watch out for more photos and training videos.
Please let me know if you would like to attend a clinic.
'Scare School' Jennifer Davy

28/08/2024

INTRODUCTION ECVM stands for Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation - formerly known as The Congenital Malformation of the 6th and 7th Cervical Vertebrae in Horses. The name change was the result of ongoing research showing that the complexity of this malformation wasn’t justified by the simplicit...

23/08/2024

The death of Black Caviar sparked some uncomfortable questions about what retirement actually means for thorughbreds.

23/08/2024

Separation anxiety is common in horses and it is particularly difficult for young horses to be left behind in a stable or paddock.

Horses have evolved to live in groups and their insecurity when left alone can induce strong stress reactions.

If it is necessary to habituate horses to social isolation, it is best done via systematic desensitisation, progressing only when the horse reliably fails to react to the previous level and ensuring that only desired behaviour is reinforced.

The horse should initially be trained to leave the other horses because it is usually less stressful to leave the group than to be left behind.

A study found that training a horse to leave the group initially with a companion is not effective because these horses showed no evidence of having habituated to social isolation faster than horses trained individually from the start (Hartmann et al., 2011).

It is useful to combine the systematic desensitisation procedure with counter-conditioning to make the horse associate isolation with a pleasant stimulus, such as food.

Excerpt from Equitation Science, 2nd Edition by Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy, Janne Whinther Christensen & Uta König von Borstel.

23/08/2024

Yasmin and Carrot
Yasmin has worked so very hard to get to this point with this Beautiful man. Together they have overcome pain and fear and are now on track for the next chapter, so watch this space!
Well done Yas ☺️
Jennifer Davy

19/08/2024

19/08/2024

Many foals are weaned prematurely and abruptly at six months of age.

This has been associated with a range of physiological and psychological responses, including development of abnormal behaviours, which may be reduced if foals are weaned gradually and/or housed with other foals and adults after weaning.

Further studies are needed to specifically investigate how weaning stress influences aspects such as neophobia to develop better management and training practices that mitigate negative effects.

- Equitation Science, 2nd edition written by Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy, Janne Whinther Christensen & Uta König von Borstel.

18/08/2024

What does the clicker mean to a horse when using it in training?
A click takes a camera shot of an exact moment in time, corresponding to an exact behaviour.
Sarah with Buddy who doesn't like his back legs and sheath touched. Poor buddy has had some paralysis ticks, which of course need removing. So a necessary lesson for all horses.
Jennifer Davy

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15/08/2024

🌿 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 🌿

As spring approaches and the days start getting longer and warmer, it’s time to think about how we care for our horses in this transitional season. One of the key areas to consider is rugging—particularly, the risk of over-rugging as the temperature rises.

🌡️ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Horses are incredibly efficient at regulating their body temperature. While we might reach for a jumper as soon as the temperature drops, our horses are quite comfortable in conditions that would make us shiver. The key to this is understanding a horse’s thermoneutral zone (TNZ), which is the temperature range within which they can maintain their body temperature without expending extra energy.

For humans, the TNZ is around 25-30°C, but for horses, it’s significantly lower—between 5-25°C. This means that what feels chilly to us might be perfectly comfortable for them. It’s essential to remember this difference as the weather warms up in spring, particularly when deciding whether to rug your horse.

🌡️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲

During the cooler months, we often rug our horses to protect them from cold, wet, and windy weather. However, as the temperatures rise in spring, it’s easy to fall into the trap of continuing to rug our horses too heavily, which can lead to overheating.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

▪️ 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: The best place to check if your horse is too warm is just behind their withers. If this area feels hot or damp, your horse is likely overheating under their rug. Avoid using their ears or legs to gauge temperature, as these areas don’t give an accurate indication of their core warmth.

▪️ 𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝘀: It’s tempting to think a light rug is harmless, but even these can block the natural cooling process. Horses cool down by sweating, but this only works if air can reach their skin. A light summer rug can trap heat and actually increase your horse’s core body temperature.

▪️ 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁: Just as overweight humans find it harder to cope with hot weather, overweight horses can also struggle. As the days warm up, consider reducing or eliminating rugs for these horses to help them stay cool.

▪️ 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: Horses generate heat from the inside out as they digest their food, particularly roughage. On cooler days, providing some extra hay can help keep them warm naturally, without the need for additional rugs.

▪️ 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀: Horses that are older or have health issues may struggle to maintain their body temperature at both ends of the TNZ. For these horses, consider adjusting their rugging based on their specific needs—lighter rugs or no rugs during warmer days, and ensuring they have adequate warmth during cooler periods.

🌡️ 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀

As we welcome spring and the warmth it brings, it’s crucial to adjust our rugging practices to avoid overheating our horses. Always keep in mind that your horse might be feeling much warmer than you think, and when in doubt, opt for less rugging rather than more.

Let’s help our horses stay comfortable and healthy by being mindful of their needs as the seasons change.

15/08/2024

Training using equitation science vs. traditional methods

Equitation science is not tied to a single training method but rather evaluates various techniques through a cost-benefit analysis that considers their effectiveness and humaneness.

As a scientific approach, equitation science ensures that training methods are continually assessed and improved based on relevant data, leading to safer interactions between humans and horses

Using principles from learning theory, ethology (the study of animal behavior), and biomechanics to inform training methods, the focus of equitation science is on how horses naturally learn and behave, ensuring that training is both effective and compassionate.

This differs to traditional horse training techniques in the sense that many of these approaches are based on long-standing practices and anecdotal experiences passed down through generations.

While effective in many cases, traditional methods do not always align with the latest scientific understanding of horse behavior and learning processes. Traditional approaches vary widely but can include techniques that rely on establishing human dominance and equine submission. These methods may use forceful tactics or gadgets to achieve compliance, which can lead to stress or confusion in horses.

Equitation science focuses on interacting with and managing horses in ways that avoid provoking dangerous behaviour in the first place.

This circumvents many problems that can arise when addressing dangerous horse behaviours. Avoiding flight responses and minimising confusion and frustration in horses are the cornerstones of promoting safe behaviours and avoiding dangerous behaviours in equitation. Horse welfare and rider safety are at the heart of this approach.

For further reading, have a look at the 'The Contribution of Equitation Science to Minimising Horse-Related Risks to Humans' by
Melissa Starling, Andrew McLean, and Paul McGreevy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4810043/

15/08/2024

Clicker Training with Horses

First of all Sarah is teaching Mr Buddy not to mug for treats. So as he turns his head away he is rewarded. She will next work up to touching his back legs and sheath to remove some ticks.
Jennifer Davy

13/08/2024

We are very excited to announce the launch of our own podcast series which will run for six weeks, featuring weekly episode chats with Lisa Ashton and our own Dr Andrew McLean.

Andrew is renowned for his groundbreaking work in equine behaviour, which aims to improve equine training and welfare through scientific research and practical applications. His contributions at Equitation Science International are instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for horses by promoting training methods that enhance their well-being.

Each episode will examine a different element of equitation science, providing listeners with insights into the cognitive abilities of horses, and the future and sustainability of equestrianism.

Interviewing Dr. McLean, is Lisa Ashton. Lisa is globally recognised for her innovative approach to leading positive change within equestrian organisations and for creating the first psychologically safe online equestrian community, Coffee With Horse Lovers.

Together, they will offer a comprehensive exploration of equitation, making this podcast a must-listen for anyone interested in horse training and the future of horse sports.

Podcast link: https://theotherendofthereins.buzzsprout.com/

Don't forget to click 'Follow' in your podcasting app so you don't miss an episode!

12/08/2024

What is the optimal number of improved or correct repetitions for efficient learning?

New neural pathways cannot sustain repeated stimulation due to the massive oxygen and glucose demands of brain tissue and their lack of maturation. Thus, training presents a dilemma: while more repetitions can consolidate learning, excessive repetitions may lead to a decline in learning and welfare.

However, it is known that in naïve animals, learning can begin to manifest after a few repetitions (Skinner, 1938). This suggests that trainers should terminate practice after eliciting three to five consecutive correct, improved, or corrected responses.

Although it is an age-old maxim in horse training to always "end on a good note," it is likely more efficient to conclude with a short series of correct or improved responses.

- A passage from Equitation Science, 2nd Edition. Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy, Janne Whinther Christensen & Uta König von Borstel.