Cornilo Riding

19/12/2024

There are still some spaces left on the 9.30am Santa's Ride for lead-rein riders £30 per rider...........

16/11/2024

Day 22 of no land line.....

05/11/2024

31/10/2024

We currently have a problem with incoming calls on the landline...Please use the mobile 07548166277

27/10/2024

https://equinescienceupdate.blogspot.com/2024/10/equine-feed-manufacturer-announces-free.html

Reports from the world of equine science

10/08/2024

Such a lovely post we felt we should share this with you!

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

Positive reinforcement is essential in effective horse training, and understanding what truly motivates your horse can make all the difference. While many trainers use praise and pats as rewards, scratching offers a more meaningful and beneficial alternative for your horse.

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴
Horses have unique preferences when it comes to rewards. A simple pat on the neck or enthusiastic praise might not resonate with them in the way we expect. Instead, scratching mimics the natural behaviours horses use to interact with each other. In the wild, horses use their teeth to scratch each other’s necks, which is both a social interaction and a practical behaviour that helps alleviate discomfort.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨
Scratching has a calming effect on horses. Studies have shown that when horses scratch each other at the base of the withers, their heart rate lowers by about 10 beats per minute. This is a clear indicator that scratching is more than just a pleasant gesture; it’s a stress-relieving action that horses find highly rewarding.

𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨
At Pony Club, we emphasise the use of scratching as part of our reward-based training techniques. Here’s why it’s effective:

▪️ Immediate Gratification: For positive reinforcement to work, the reward needs to be given immediately after the desired behaviour. Scratching provides instant, tangible gratification for your horse.

▪️ Meaningful Reward: Unlike loud praise or pats, scratching is something horses naturally enjoy. It directly addresses their physical comfort and mimics the social grooming they experience with other horses.

▪️ Stress Relief: The calming effect of scratching can help reduce stress and anxiety, making it an ideal reward during training sessions.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺
When incorporating scratching into your training routine, keep the following tips in mind:

1️⃣ Be Consistent: Use scratching as a reward consistently to help your horse associate it with positive behaviours.

2️⃣ Observe Preferences: Pay attention to where your horse likes to be scratched the most—some might prefer the neck, while others might enjoy it on their withers or back.

3️⃣ Combine with Other Rewards: While scratching is highly effective, you can also combine it with other forms of positive reinforcement, like treats, to enhance the reward.

In conclusion, scratching is a powerful and beneficial form of positive reinforcement that aligns with your horse’s natural behaviours and needs. By incorporating scratching into your training, you’re not only rewarding your horse effectively but also fostering a deeper bond built on understanding and respect.

Happy training, and remember to keep those scratches coming! 🐴✨

29/07/2024

They are never just RIDING SCHOOL PONIES
One day you may move onto bigger, fancier horses, but never forget the school horse who made you, as without them, you wouldn’t be able to ride anything at all.
The patient soul that tolerated your bouncing while you figured out how to sit the trot.
The kind mare that didn’t walk off when you stumbled up the mounting block, trying to get your foot in the stirrup.
The sweet gelding that picked up the trot even though your body was telling him to do the exact opposite.
The saintly angel that never spooked, which was a dam good thing because your balance was precarious at best.
Too often we forget where we came from. We move on to the next chapter in our lives and say, “Oh my gosh, I’m learning so much! I’m going so far! I could never do this kind of thing on that old school horse!”
But in fact you could, you were just not ready to do all these things back then.
But that school horse gave you the confidence to move forward. That school horse took care of you in all respects and allowed you to take the time you needed to find your way. You couldn’t have become the rider you are today without that riding school horse, always remember to love them unconditionally for our riding school horses are what help start your dream, make dreams come true and get you ready for those bigger dreams