Purely Positive Training

25/11/2024

Traditional stable designs often feature solid walls between stalls, isolating horses from one another. While this provides privacy, it may inadvertently compromise a horses' sense of security and natural herd behaviour, potentially leading to reduced sleep quality.

Horses being herd animals rely on social connections for safety and comfort. In the wild, they sleep in groups, with some individuals standing guard while others rest. However in stable environments they are often isolated from one another.

By enabling horses to see their companions in the stable environment too, they may feel more secure and relaxed, increasing the chances they will lie down longer. This extended resting time is crucial because horses can only achieve REM sleep when lying down completely flat.

REM sleep plays a vital role in cognitive function, learning, and memory consolidation for horses. Therefore, by promoting longer periods of lying down through improved stable design, we're indirectly increasing the likelihood of horses achieving sufficient REM sleep.

Implementing these design changes could involve incorporating features like see-through partitions or lower walls between stalls. These modifications would allow horses to maintain visual contact with their neighbours while still providing necessary separation.

Beyond improving sleep, allowing visual contact between horses at all times may help reduce stress, decrease the likelihood of stereotypic behaviours, and improve overall mental well-being.

Greening L and McBride S (2022) A Review of Equine Sleep: Implications for Equine Welfare. Front. Vet. Sci. 9:916737. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.916737

25/11/2024

Signs Your Horse is Happy with Their Bit

I often talk about the signs and behaviours from horses when they aren’t happy with their bit, so now I’m going to explain how you can tell if your bit is working well for your horse. This is a huge topic, and every horse is different, but let’s look at the basic signs.

Firstly a good sign is that your horse is happy to be bridled and is willing to take the bit, and will happily lick their lips and have a few soft regular chews to place the bit comfortably in their mouths. This light chewing helps the horse to relax their jaw, and set the tongue in a comfortable position to receive the bit.

When ridden work begins there are many signs for the rider to observe that show the horse is comfortable.
In the beginning of the session the horse should be happy to seek the contact and ‘look’ for the riders hands. At this point they should have a relaxed jaw, be moving forward in each gait, have freedom through the body (suppleness) and a relaxed facial expression.
Upon taking up contact the feel down the rein should be soft and yielding, you should be able to ask your horse for contact/flexion, and they should be happy to oblige, sometimes with gentle chewing and lip licking, while still feeling soft in your hand.
As you begin asking for more work and perhaps shortening the rein, they should still feel soft and happy to respond.

As work begins most horses will still show some light chewing movements and lip licking, this shows they are relaxed in the jaw and not showing signs of tension. You should also have an easy and happy response to your rein aids, without any evasive behaviour, such as open mouth, head tilting, bracing or pulling. Even in more advanced work where more energy is required and the horses’ frame changes and they move into more self carriage, they should still have a soft and pliable contact without tension through the jaw. Sometimes more advanced work may require a stronger contact, but this should still have a supple ‘give and take’ feel to it.

When horses are happy with their bit the riders rein aids can become very subtle and quiet, just a closing of the fingers on the rein should be enough to communicate to the horse, there should be no need for pulling or drastic hand movements. This is where true contact, throughness and connection begins. If you feel that you are having to over exaggerate rein aids, this could be a sign your horse is not happy with their bit.

Facial expressions are also a key element to gauge if the horse is happy with the bit. Obviously it can be rather difficult for a rider to see this, so it can be beneficial to have arena mirrors or someone on the ground to watch the process.
Sometimes the rider may not feel any changes down the rein but the horse can perhaps draw back the lips or open their mouth. This is a sign that the bit is perhaps not quite right and needs addressing.
However, a good visual for the rider is looking at where the horse’s ears are placed and their movement. A relaxed horse will often let their ears drop to a more sideways position where they become quite floppy and go with the movement of the gait. They may also have a soft backwards position towards the rider and this can show they are listening to the riders vocal commands. A stiff, flat and lowered ear that coincides with rein aids may indicate an aversion to the bit and its function, whether through pain or misunderstanding. These responses may indicate that the horse is uncomfortable with the bit or the work being asked of them.

Another sign that is often misunderstood is foam around the mouth. The ideal amount of foam should present like the horse is wearing lipstick. It would usually be a soft white colour….but it can be green due to recently eating grass or even orange if the horse has eaten carrots!
This lipstick would usually be from the corner of the lips, where the bit sits, down and round the front of the muzzle to the opposite side. This shows the horse is able to swallow saliva and have a relaxed jaw. The foam shouldn’t have excessive bubbles, or be dribbling down the front of the horses chest, this can indicate the horse may be struggling with swallowing or mobilising the tongue and jaw.

Above all, if your horse is comfortable with their bit they should be happy to respond to your rein aids without showing any evasions, and riding should be a pleasant experience for both you and your horse. Schooling/education should progress at a steady rate with mutual understanding.
Always remember, the horse is a non vocal animal that can only express discomfort with visual or physical signs. They cannot communicate with vocal sounds like dogs can, so it is up to us to understand their signs of discomfort.

If you are experiencing ridden problems with bit evasions, whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out on your learning journey and would like to help your horse to be happy and comfortable, Equine Bitting Solutions is here to help.
Creating Harmony and Connection With Your Horse ❤️

24/11/2024

23/11/2024

Elephants are prone to foot and nail infections‼

We teach vets and mahouts to gently teach an elephant to raise their foot for a health check.

22/11/2024

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀

Have you ever wondered how gear like nosebands impacts your horse’s comfort? A recent study* reveals some important facts about the effects of very tight nosebands on horses. The findings show that nosebands tightened to the extreme can cause stress and stop horses from showing natural behaviours. Here’s what the study discovered and why it matters.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁?

Twelve horses wearing double bridles and crank nosebands were part of the study. Researchers tested four levels of tightness:

1. Unfastened (UN): The noseband was loose.
2. Two-Finger Space (CAUN): Room for two fingers under the noseband.
3. One-Finger Space (HCAUN): Room for just one finger.
4. No Space (NAUN): Noseband tightened all the way, with no room underneath.

During each treatment, they measured heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), eye temperature, and how often horses licked, chewed, or yawned.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱?

Stress Levels Went Up
- Heart Rate: Increased significantly when the noseband was tightest.
- HRV: Decreased, showing the horses were under stress.
- Eye Temperature: Got hotter, a common sign of stress in horses.

Natural Behaviours Disappeared
- Licking and Chewing: These behaviours stopped completely when the noseband was tightest.
- Swallowing: Horses swallowed half as often with the tightest noseband.
- Yawning: Rare during all treatments but increased after the nosebands were removed.

𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀
When the nosebands were taken off, the horses made up for lost behaviours. They yawned, licked, and chewed more than they did before the nosebands were put on. This rebound suggests the tight nosebands left them feeling deprived.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻?
The study shows that very tight nosebands cause stress and stop horses from acting naturally. Researchers recommend:

- Keeping It Comfortable: Ensure at least two fingers of space under the noseband.
- Checking Tightness at Competitions: Gear stewards should enforce rules against overly tight nosebands.
- More Research: Experts need to explore how nosebands combined with rein tension and a rider affect horses.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
Your horse’s well-being is key to a good partnership. This research reminds us that gear like nosebands should always prioritise their comfort and health.

📸 Pic: An example of an infrared image of the eye region. The cross indicates the position of the maximum temperature within the area of the eye used for analysis.

* "The Effect of Noseband Tightening on Horses’ Behaviour, Eye Temperature, and Cardiac Responses," by Kate Fenner, Samuel Yoon, Peter White, Melissa Starling & Paul McGreevy (2016)

22/11/2024

Horses are inherently social animals, evolved to live in herds and thrive on companionship and when isolated, they can develop a range of behavioral and psychological issues.

A 2023 study titled "The effect of being housed with a goat on abnormal behavior in horses" provided valuable insights into the benefits of cross-species companionship for horses, particularly when equine companions are not available.

While horses naturally prefer the company of their own species, the research demonstrates that even non-equine companions, such as goats, can have a positive impact on their well-being. This finding is especially important for horse owners and managers who face challenges in providing horse-to-horse social interactions.

While it's important to remember that a goat or other animal cannot fully replace the complex social interactions horses experience within their own species, this study suggests that some companionship is indeed better than none. For horses that must be kept individually due to various constraints (e.g., medical reasons, limited space, or lack of suitable equine companions), providing an alternative social partner can be a valuable strategy to improve their welfare.

This research demonstrates the importance of addressing the social needs of horses in captivity and encourages horse owners and caretakers to consider creative solutions when ideal equine companionship is not feasible. It also opens up new avenues for further research into cross-species interactions and their potential benefits for animal welfare.

Full study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9850242/

22/11/2024

Do you know the dangers of high iron levels in your horse's hay or water? Iron overload is a growing concern among horse owners as more is learned about the harmful effects of having too much of this mineral in the diet. Iron is an essential mineral that horses require to transport oxygen throughout...

20/11/2024

Many people are afraid to paddock their horses with one another for fear of injury or separation anxiety.

If this sounds like you, read on!

“If I had to describe my 5-year-old Warmblood a year ago I would have said he was highly sensitive, reactive, distracted and unsettled.

His behaviour escalated when we moved properties to the point where just leading him from the paddock to the stables was super stressful. Forget trying to ride! He was unsettled in his paddock too, rarely lying down to rest and regularly flicking his head and neck aggressively. At the tie-ups, he would paw at the ground, try to nip me constantly and would not stand still even if a hay bag was in front of him.

I literally tried everything to help him be a happier horse. This included feeding supplements, taking him off grass, and having him scoped for ulcers and assessed by a number of therapists.

At that same time, my daughter purchased a new horse, a beautiful young stock horse, which went into the paddock next door.

It was Manu whose suggestion made me think outside the square and consider group housing. I, like so many, was always hesitant to do this due to concerns about injury and separation anxiety. At that point, I really didn't understand the importance and benefits of group housing and just the innate need horses have for touch and connection.

Putting our young horses in a paddock together could honestly not have gone any smoother. There were only a couple of initial squeals, a few minutes of running around, and some tense moments for me as I watched on from the sidelines. Within about 10 minutes they had begun to groom each other, and you could see the bond forming instantly.

In the following days, it was quite amazing to witness the transformation of both horses. By day 3, they were even napping together, flat out, side by side in a deep, restful sleep. Both horses appeared to be more content and spent their day picking grass side by side or just resting happily in each other's company. Any head tossing or behaviours that would indicate stress had diminished. I have spent so much time since enjoying watching the beautiful interaction of these 2 horses from my kitchen window.

Much to my surprise there was minimal fuss when taking one horse away from the other. There was a little bit of running and calling out initially. However, before too long I think the horses were confident that their buddy would be returned and as a result became quite relaxed about it all.

The rideability, trainability and general attitude of my young horse improved out of sight in the weeks and months following. I truly believe that he gained so much confidence from having companionship which translated to a more relaxed, attentive and safer horse for our training sessions, outings and even trail rides.

It's safe to say, all my horses will have a paddock mate from now on as I can truly see how important it is for every horse no matter what the circumstances are."

19/11/2024

17/11/2024

Horses, as social animals, are naturally wired to engage in allogrooming (grooming between horses).

This behaviour establishes and maintains social bonds, with horses selecting specific partners. Allogrooming also strengthens pair bonds and enhances herd cohesion.

Research indicates that allogrooming in the region of the neck and withers, compared to any other region, causes a significant lowering of heart rate, suggesting a calming effect and potential anxiety alleviation.

This lowering of heart rate is also seen when humans groom horses in those regions.

This natural stress-reduction mechanism is accompanied by increased oxytocin, the pleasure molecule, reinforcing the behaviour and its positive social and emotional effects.

Allogrooming frequency among horses tends to increase after herd conflicts, implying a role in conflict resolution and social harmony maintenance.

After a disagreement, it helps to reduce tension and reaffirm social bonds.

Horses that are kept singly often show insecure behaviour that many riders and trainers do not recognise as a consequence of separation.

Fulfilling horses' need for touch and social interaction is not just about preventing problem behaviours; it is also about addressing their fundamental psychological and emotional needs.

By providing environments that allow for these natural behaviours, we can significantly improve horse welfare and reduce stress-related issues.

Thoughts?

13/11/2024

The term anthropomorphism means labelling and describing animals as if they were humans.

Horses are not humans and there is no evidence for suggesting that some may be 'stupid' or hold ulterior motives.

What we do know is that some things (like food, comfort, socialisation or tactile rewards) motivate horses in different ways and in different contexts and further, that there is considerable variation between horses and their motivational tendencies and preferences.

Whilst it is tempting to describe problem behaviour in horses in terms of mental states, it is also misleading and inaccurate. If you want to efficiently analyse behaviour, you should begin with only what you can directly observe.

This is an excerpt from Modern Horse Training Volume 2, by Dr. Andrew McLean which will be released this weekend at Equitana Melbourne.

13/11/2024

𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒅
Everyone likes to talk about the harm caused when a horse is ridden behind the vertical... but have you ever wondered why?

One (of the many) problems with a BTV position is that encourages incorrect flexion in the neck. In a healthy horse, the head will flex up and down at the first cervical vertebrae. This bone is known as the atlas or C1.

In an effort to avoid excessive pressure caused by a harsh bit, rider or gadgets (especially draw reins) many horses will begin flexing at the 3rd vertebrae (C3). "Broken at the 3rd" creates incorrect movement throughout the body and will quickly lead to pain and damage. Once a horse begins moving in this manner, it is extremely hard for them to unlearn and they may continue this harmful posture even when at or above the vertical.

11/11/2024

11/11/2024

Challenge Tradition with Science

We all know horses can show behaviours for various reasons.... be that reacting out of fear, pain, or confusion which often results in an undesirable behaviour, just as much as they can show compliance with a kindly cued behaviour if they are relaxed and in a positive state of mind.

Current science shows us that punishment (like whipping after a refusal) doesn’t build understanding—if anything, it reinforces fear. Why, then, do we continue with old habits?

Let’s rethink our approach to training with compassion and evidence-based methods. 🧠💙

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