Simon Fielder Horsemanship

22/11/2024

Spots still open for the SE Qld clinic. Mark is a fantastic trainer and has a way of working with horses that brings them an awareness to what is being asked, that allows them to become soft and willing in their body mind .

When I first started teaching clinics, I thought I was out there to help people by giving them better tools to help them train in a kinder way. There wasn't any aggressive or dominance based training in what I was offering. There still isn't.

But as I started doing more clinics and helping more horses, I started to see common threads of troubles in horses. I also noticed that these were linked to common styles of training.

This made me really define and refine what I was teaching. I wanted to avoid causing the trouble in the first place. As time progressed; I could see that training people was still important, but I started to identify and help horses more from changing their mindsets.

To have a horse that is in a healthy mindset: one that has good awareness of things around it, the ability to process, a healthy nervous system, high level of proprioception. I also want to see horses that have a mindset that can cope with a life living around humans - whether that be in training or just general situations.

People mostly bring horses to me because they are stuck, and they are unable to progress with their horse. Or perhaps the training that they have been doing doesn't seem to work with a horse that they have. For some, it is a bit of working out what to do - what decision to make as to what to do next.

The main thing that I work on at clinics now is shifting the way horses process information so that they can be in a healthy mindset to process information and their environment better. This can be the same thing on different horses - for example, helping a high adrenaline horse to centre is the same principle as opening up a shut down/ shut out horse and helping it to be in a searching mindset. The techniques the different; but the principle is the same - helping each horse to be in a better mindset.

The horses that come to my clinics for the first time haven't changed over the years.
But the horses that come back, I am noticing significant changes: their all round wellbeing is much improved. It's exciting because the horses aren't necessarily coming back more obedient or knowing more tricks - they are coming back more softer, more connected, and mentally and physically balanced.

" After attending Mark's two day clinic last week, we gave us and the horses some time to digest. Yesterday morning I rode Buck in the arena.... It was the BEST ride, smooth canter transitions, clarifying and calming my aids, a willing forward Bucky.
The impact of last week, the Masterclass and the clinic has been immense to both us and our horses. Mark thank you so much the future is looking bright." (Melissa)

>>Glasshouse Mountains QLD: Elimbah - places available on 1/ 4/2 days Fri 22 - Mon 25 Nov. Option to do any number of days from 1-4! Ground work or ridden. Suitable for any person and any horse. More info: https://form.jotform.com/232648741723864

21/11/2024

20/11/2024

I had this opportunity (and took full advantage of it) just the other day with a really nice horse that I have been spending time with. We were not that far into a session, but he was riding really nice and was in a great headspace. I am now looking forward to seeing how he is feeling when I see him in a couple of days. I am anticipating he will be ready and willing for more.

"Careful, don't get greedy." Manolo Mendez Dressage used to say this to me when things went well. You know, those moments when the riding feels glorious. Your energy flows in harmony with the horse, bodies both aligned, time seeming to stand still. They're the moments we want to last forever. And we often TRY to make them, which of course is the problem.

When you've worked through an issue with a horse, whether it was physical or behavioral, it is tempting to ride the breakthrough on and on and on. It takes a lot of humility and tact to say: "Finally, this is good. I'll stop right here."

But when we get greedy and don't stop, we often ride past our horses' physical capacity and generous spirit. We spoil any progress we might have made. I'm still learning this balancing act, but thank you, Manolo, for planting the seed.❤❤❤

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19/11/2024

04/11/2024

A kind eye is your friend when building a decent foundation. Don't fall into the trap of just doing stuff. Look deeper, for how the 'doing' impacts the 'feeling'.

A horse that is feeling well about what is being asked will be far more willing and consistent in their behaviour.

04/11/2024

Workboots. They have a hard time on the job here at SFH.

26/10/2024

Sunshine Coast clinic today is underway. :)

Tanja Mitton Equestrian Success And Mindset presenting rider mindset, rider position, balance and control.

26/10/2024

Interesting and informative read. Old ways are constantly getting re-evaluated. When we know better, we should strive to do better.

Dominance theory was a terrible mistake, that even the scientist who cataloged it, regrets doing. The deep level of misunderstanding that happened based on inappropriate studies just spiraled out of control into a culturally accepted excuse to train and work with animals with force and punishment.

Dominance theory was the idea that animals, horses included, have a linear dominance and set roles within the herd. The idea that there is a set leader, a decision maker, who controls the other horses' behaviors through threats and the other horses love this horse as their leader. The idea that horses have a linear set hierarchy that determines who's in charge and only changes if overthrown by someone stronger. These deeply flawed ideas have lead people to believe that they can be the leader horse by mimicking equine behavior, they misunderstood, justifying their use of forceful physical control and punishment to train behavior. All under the idea of being a "good leader".

The thing is, science is constantly growing and self-correcting. As we spend more time actually studying horses in various scenarios and environments, and each species individually, their family units, their herds, packs, groups, etc... We have learned this concept of dominance is wildly inaccurate and deeply unhealthy, only seen in extreme, inappropriate environments (like old overpacked zoos with many unrelated animals, as the original studies were based on).

What's really going on then? What is Dominance really? Do we need to be dominant?

Horse herds really work in a much more fluid and dynamic manner, it's not a linear hierarchy. Horses make decisions based on need, if someone has a need, they satisfy that need, the other horses stay with them out of social bonds and safety in numbers. A secure, confident horse will be more likely to make decisions that lead away from the group, while insecure, nervous horses might be less likely to make decisions, sticking more closely to the center of the herd. This isn't leadership or dominance, just confidence, in themselves and their world. This changes constantly. A confident horse may be more clingy and insecure if they have a pain problem, if they're pregnant, or if they're sick. This dynamic is constantly flowing. Who makes the decision, is up to how much the individual wants something. Who stays or goes in the herd is based on social bonds, friendships, familial relationships, and resource needs.

What was frequently mistaken as "dominance" was actually determined roles of priority access to resources. If a resource is limited, the herd knows who has first access, usually the bully. This varies by resource, my sweet itch mare has priority access to the shelter, while she doesn't care about defending food resources. She may shove everyone out of her way for shelter from bugs, but someone else may shove her out of the way for food. A group of 2 might pair up to move off a single horse who would typically move either of them individually. This access to resources is determined with little squabbles, but usually is limited to just some body language threatening gestures. It would be unhealthy if the herd were to compromise each other in fights over resources, when they have the bigger threat of predators they need to remain safe for. We only see extreme linear resource guarding in domestic settings where resources are limited. If hay is fed in limited supply one horse may always get priority access. If there isn't enough shelter, one horse may not let the others in it. This isn't dominance, but resource guarding. This isn't leadership, but the opposite, a horse who is deeply insecure in their resources, in their safety, violently defending themselves. If one horse resource guards excessively, most of the other horses avoid them, ignore them, don't want to groom with them, and don't want to risk dealing with them. They're like a human child bully, so insecure in themselves they act out against everyone else to try to soothe their need.

Ethology has also shown that horses do not think humans are horses. Even if we mimic their body language, they do not equate us as horses. We don't have a place in their access to resources, because we aren't sharing their resources. We are their PROVIDERS. We are the ones giving them their resources, it's our job to understand herd dynamics and ensure our horses have adequate resources in appropriate ways so there is no need to fighting, insecurity, or herd stress. It's not our job to challenge our horses for access to the very resources we are giving them! We are their caretakers.

Dominance and access to resources has nothing to do with training, only knowing how to provide care and management without creating unhealthy or dangerous equine interactions.

Training should be done with a compassionate understanding of behavioral science and how to apply positive reinforcement. It has nothing to do with herd dynamics or dominance, or even strong leadership, but rather clear communication, compassionate care and gentle behavior training.

Additional resources
https://www.awla.org/uncategorized/alpha-dogs-dominance-theory-fact-or-fiction/

https://www.clickertraining.com/node/2297

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/dominance-when-an-outdated-theory-wont-go-away

https://news.asu.edu/20210805-discoveries-myth-alpha-dog

https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/horse-dominance-1-28/

https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/dominance-leadership

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/debunking-the-alpha-dog-theory/

https://positively.com/dog-training/article/ethology-why-pack-theory-is-wrong

https://www.rover.com/blog/alpha-dog-meaning/?msockid=323ef8c5489068da23bbeaa549916988

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/dominance-when-an-outdated-theory-wont-go-away

26/10/2024

Gavin was listening closely today while I was telling him my plans for the upcoming session. :)

24/10/2024

A rider spot has become available for the upcoming Palmwoods clinic on Sunday 27th. Spectator spots also still open. If you are keen to get out and do something with your horse this weekend then let either Tanja Mitton or myself know asap. Send either of us a message if you would like some more info. Cheers, Simon

22/10/2024

Thanks Grace in Motion Horse Clinics. The Jamberoo weekend was a terrific success and could not have happened without the efforts made by yourself, as well as the others mentioned here. Much appreciated.

21/10/2024

I got to catch up with this superstar while I was away at Jamberoo. He has been coming along in leaps and bounds since I was doing demo's on him only a few weeks ago. Can't wait to see how he progresses over the next few years.

Thanks to KS Equestrian for allowing me to have time with him again.

14/10/2024

Shibumi Clinic was such a great few days. Looking forward to the follow up clinic in Jamberoo this weekend.

14/10/2024

This horse. Superstar!

13/10/2024

Only a few days to go before the next clinic. Off to Jamberoo, NSW for this one. Shaping up to be a fantastic few days.

10/10/2024

Getting to meet all the new people, their horses and to be working alongside this crew... I was buzzing with excitement and happiness for days after.