Freelance coach, based in Kent & Tipperary. I specialise in developing connection & resolving confidence & performance issues. Plus heart & humour.
(17)
Focusing on positive outcomes for horse & rider through correct biomechanics & accurate communication. Individual or group lessons
Fully Insured
BHS Training available
Schooling
Which I may have typed incorrectly!
It’s nice to see lots of signs of progress.
04/11/2024
In case you’re in need of a little motivation - can’t ride due to ground/weather/tack/moon phase - whatever! It’s nice to get inspired sometimes. I just hear the guy on Radio 4, playing Ravel’s concerto (I think) for left hand.
Amazing!!!
Born without his right hand, International award winning left handed pianist ,Nicholas McCarthy is interviewed on BBC News.For more info visit:http://www.nic...
04/11/2024
Kent Police seized this c**t foal aged about 18 weeks old from Dunton Green near Sevenoaks on Sunday 3rd November.
The foal is not microchipped.
If you have any information please contact Kent Police on 101 and quote CAD 03-0176
29/10/2024
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.
Here we go again with spooky tunes for this week - at Deepdene Stables on Thursday at 3 and Parsonage at 10 & 11.
Please PM if you would like to book a clinic at your yard. No electricity required.
24/10/2024
Fun Clear Round & Chase Me Charlie
Rosettes & Gillett Cook Vouchers
16/10/2024
Imagine what your life would be like if you’re constantly worried about getting hurt or that something bad will happen.
09/10/2024
Please save us all from ourselves! There should be a law against all these beautiful rugs!
09/10/2024
Half of owners cannot identify equine lameness, research finds – and there can be a mismatch between people's confidence and ability in spotting lameness
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Liz Burgess Equine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Business
Send a message to Liz Burgess Equine:
Videos
Aaah the joys of spring!
He has completed the single pole challenge today.... and done so rather well! But now we are just taking a break!!! 🌩 ⛈
For those of you following the dungbrick experiment ..... we are making the fire up for the night... will it stay in?
For those of you interested in operation ‘come on pony light my fire!’ (We are working on this) here is last night’s attempt with just three nuggets. The fire was already hot though. Tonight we are going to see what happens when you load it up over night to see if the fire stays in. These are not compressed and just dried out. I think the briquettes will work better but we haven’t made them yet!
At least we have time to sit around staring at our horses these days! Isla has a sight defect, so wasn’t quite sure what to do about me laying on the ground. Savannah played along. While I was hanging out with them I saw several song thrushes, a couple of robins and then found this little critter too. A violet ground beetle I think. Has anyone else found they have more time for some serious earthing? Beetle in comments.
As a freelance coach, based in Faversham Kent, I offer individual or group lessons. I work with riders of all ages and abilities, and thrive on identifying how to improve horse and rider partnerships. I also offer clinics in Tipperary as I have recently bought a house there that needs a lot of love and attention!
I currently train with Jo Jepheart who is patiently working through the Mary Wanless ‘Ride With Your Mind’ protocols with me. This has been a turning point in my riding career and the tips and techniques have been incredibly beneficial to my clients. I also follow Jason Webb, Richard Maxwell and the TRT method and pass on their wisdom when relevant. I own two horses, both mares, one of whom is a rescued ex racehorse. They happily live out together all year round and I have just moved them over onto a track system, as they were looking very portly!
I qualified in 1988 and have been working in the equestrian industry part, or full time, ever since. I have enjoyed travelling as part of my career. Setting up a riding school in West Wales, working on a dude ranch in Colorado and more recently visiting the Prince Fluffy Kareem charity in Cairo - in my capacity as Trustee for the charity. During my visits there, I also teach and help to school the horses that are healthy enough. It's a humbling experience to be a part of the PFK team and quite exhilarating to ride one of their rehabilitated horses around the pyramids at Giza and Abusir.
I am happy to discuss your needs as a client and work with a great team of experts to back up my coaching - including vets, equine body workers, pilates teachers, sports psychologists, saddlers and loriners. I am fully insured.
If you would like to know more please read my reviews and feel free to message the page or email me at [email protected]