Equine Thoughts

09/11/2024

Back at it again! This time under The NAC - Applied Animal Science. Catch Alex and I talking about why we developed the diploma and our vision for the future of The NAC, and much more!

This week I am celebrating The NAC. You can hear all about this amazing resource in Episode 7 of the Change of Tack podcast, where I speak with Alex Le Grand and Aliyah Woodland from the NAC.

Ever wanted to train as a professional trainer or coach. But not sure how to get started? The NAC - Applied Animal Science is an education provider for animal professionals and owners. They provide courses in animal training and management, and their multi-accredited diploma in Equine Training and Coaching, provides a direct pathway to registration with the Animal Behaviour and Thraining Council.
The NAC puts animal welfare and science led education at the forefront of their dipolma, meaning clients can be confident that NAC Animal Training Instructors have an indepth knowledge and understanding of how animals learn, and will only use ethical, welfare focused practices when they train.
As well as online courses, the NAC will be introducing in-person education from spring 2025. Based at their new centre in Cornwall UK, courses will be provided at a range of levels for both horse owners and professionals and will cover topics such as behaviour, welfare, training, land management as well as saddle fitting and bodywork.
Don't forget to tune in to the Change of Tack podcast to find out more!

18/10/2024

I started giving my horse treats during training and this is what happened 👇

• I didn’t have to “catch” my horse anymore. No more chasing my horses around the pasture! They started meeting me at the gate.

• I no longer felt like I was having to make my horse spend time with me or do things with me. They genuinely wanted to!

• Problem behaviors became much easier and less stressful to fix.

• My horses became more curious, more confident, and generally more “active” in our training sessions.

• I got to know my individual horses on a new deeper level. Our relationship and connection reached new levels.

• I rediscovered my passion for horses. Training sessions became fun again, but also I was reminded of how I just love horses for being horses.

And that’s because it’s not just about giving treats 🍪

It’s about truly understanding horses. 🐴

It’s about truly understanding ourselves. 🧍🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️

It’s about building a relationship built on trust and shared good outcomes. 🤝

It’s about having a true and authentic relationship that values the voice of the horse. 🫶

It’s about exploring what’s possible without domination, coercion, and fear. ⭐

07/10/2024

Hi All! I am very excited to announce I due to popular demand am opening more Berkshire visit days!

Are you’re looking for support with your horse’s behaviour and training?

Wanting to make the most of winter to iron out some issues before spring?

Or maybe you feel like you’re at a deadend with your horse.

Then drop me a message- I have 3 more spaces on the new visit day!

04/10/2024

Only 4 October days still available!

Oxfordshire and Berkshire people this is your chance to book in a behavioural consultation or positive reinforcement lesson.

I am an Equine ABTC-ATI, behavioural consultant, qualified instructor, and certified Equine Training Instructor. I work with clients, and their paraprofessionals to overcome problems.

(I travel currently travel to Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Covering approximately an hour away in all directions from SN7)

30/09/2024

Catch me talking all about equine welfare, body language, and positive reinforcement to Eiddwen from Animal-Balance in the newest episode of Change of Tack, a podcast all about highlighting the positive side of the equine industry and the changes we can make to improve our horses lives.

Podcast · [object Object] · Welcome to Change of Tack. The equestrian podcast that shines a light on the positive change we are seeing in the industry by show casing the many ways horse owners and professionals can use ethical and evidence based methods to improve horse welfare and close the door ...

12/08/2024

I cover Oxfordshire, some of Berkshire and Wiltshire and once a month travel to Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury/Kings Ash).

Spaces have filled super fast this summer and I can fit in 5 more in clients a month - if you’re interested in learning more about equine science, bettering your riding or training with positive reinforcement, drop me a message today!

31/07/2024

Super excited to have Listening horse on board to start the journey through positive reinforcement training 🎉

I'm so happy to say that we have officially joined the "R+" crew.

Equine Thoughts will be quiding us through on this journey and I am more than sure that everyone will benefit from this progression in building solid, kind and understanding relationship between us humans and horses.

30/07/2024

I am so grateful for all my clients and the work we get to do together! Supporting Evie and Inca in their journey together and being their coach is such a fulfilling journey!

I have 5 more client spaces left, if you are looking transform your relationship with your horse just like Evie has!

(Spaces have filled quickly, 5 have have been filled in 2 days🥰🎉)

26/07/2024

10/07/2024

Sometimes in my practice I come across an owner who wants to normalize something that isn’t normal.

This sounds like:

❌ My horse works out of the stiffness/lameness after 15 minutes under saddle.
❌ He always crow hops after a bigger jump.
❌She throws her head around in the arena but not on the trail (or vise versa).
❌He always makes a face when I do the girth up.
❌It usually takes me 15 minutes to catch her and I need food to do it.
❌The left lead is always harder to get.
❌She’s always weaved in her stall.

These kinds of statements are usually followed by “that’s just the way he/she is.”

This is your horse speaking to you, over and over and over again. Please listen, before they have to get louder. Stop and think about what behaviors your horse demonstrates that maybe don’t seem totally right to you but you’ve just accepted them as “normal”.

This is a question very much worth asking of yourself, then your horse, then work with your trainer/horse care professionals to get to the bottom of it.

Answer the question as best you can, and you build a deeper, more solid partnership with your horse. Why? Because you listened. And then you did something about it. And your horse knows it.

06/07/2024

To all my clients looking to take their understanding a level further look no further 👀 some of you will know I also work for The NAC and as of today we have brand new evidence behaviour and training courses

🎉 NEW COURSES - NEW WEBSITE! 🎉

Exciting news! 🌟 We’ve just launched our brand-new website, featuring an amazing collection of online, instant-access courses on animal science, welfare, behaviour, and management. 🐾📚

Our courses offer incredible value, packed with expert insights and practical knowledge to enhance your skills and career in the animal care field. 🌟

To celebrate, we’re offering an exclusive sale! 🎊 Get £100s off on our new courses until 12th July. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills! 🚀

Check out the new courses now: https://the-nac.co.uk

23/04/2024

“The horse needs to be reinforced for behavior to happen. It’s not that there is no reinforcement happening when riding a horse traditionally, we’ve just been conditioned to view this as normal. When we teach a horse to ride with R+, the rate of reinforcement is the same as if we were riding with R-, it just looks different.” 🗣️- Episode 76 // Riding with Positive Reinforcement

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to ride with positive reinforcement? Maybe you’re confused about how to train tactile cues without using pressure, or wonder whether it’s possible to compete with an R+ trained horse. 🐎

In this episode, I answer common questions, doubts, and myths about riding with positive reinforcement. 

To listen to this episode, search ‘The Willing Equine’ on your favorite streaming platform🎧

07/04/2024

A study titled "Neigh-bours: Why every young horse needs good friends. A pilot study during the breaking-in period" by Anna Flamand and co-authors explored the significant impact of social contacts on the behavior and welfare of young horses during their initial training or breaking-in period.

This research discusses the natural social tendencies of horses and the potential negative effects of isolating them during such a crucial developmental stage.

Horses being inherently social animals, thrive in established groups in the wild. However, the conventional practice of housing young horses in individual stalls during their breaking-in period can lead to social isolation, which combined with the stress of training, can result in behavioral disorders and defensive behaviors towards humans.

The study examined 12 young horses housed individually for a month, with half being allowed to interact socially for two hours daily in a "social box," and the other half not. The behaviors of these horses were then observed during training sessions and while in their individual stalls.

Key findings include:

Reduced Stress in Socially Connected Horses: Horses with social contacts exhibited fewer stress-related behaviors during training sessions and expressed fewer abnormal behaviors in their stalls compared to isolated horses.

Improved Welfare: The presence of social interactions had a positive impact on the welfare of young stabled horses, suggesting that maintaining social contacts can enhance the training experience and overall well-being of horses.

Behavioral Differences: Despite the overall benefits of social contacts, horses in socially adjusted conditions still reacted to the discomfort of training, indicating that social interactions do not eliminate the stress of training but instead do mitigate some of the negative effects.

The findings advocate for a reevaluation of traditional stabling practices, suggesting that incorporating social interactions can align more closely with the natural behaviors and needs of horses, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both the animals and their handlers.

The research also challenges conventional practices of isolating young horses during training and highlights the potential benefits of incorporating social contacts into their daily routine.

This approach not only aligns with the natural social tendencies of horses but also promotes a more humane and effective training process.

Study details: Flamand, A., Zellenka, C., Mos, J., Starczan, A., P***k, A., & Petit, O. (2024). Neigh-bours: Why every young horse needs good friends. A pilot study during the breaking-in period. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 106190.