Equilogical - Positive Equine Partnerships

29/04/2024

Not long now!!

Are you excited team?!? Ranch Weymouth Play Why Do Horses Behaviour and Trauma Recovery Service and our team coming together to represent EquiScholars at the Pony and Horse Show in June! We're also pitching up beside Kate Thornton Equine Sports & Remedial Massage Norfolk and International Equine Professionals !

We're giving a demo in the ring at lunchtime which will be like nothing ever held at a show before I'm pretty sure (no horses included)!! 😱🤩

Come along and find out more about what we do, we will be demoing some of our activities plus a load more you can get involved in at our pitch! We will be the loud ones with sparkly faces (thanks to the Ranch 😆). We'd love to see you there!!

18/04/2024

𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

As someone who's spent a good chunk of time teaching young equestrians, I've done my fair share of pondering about what we're really imparting to these kids and young adults. Whether it's in a conventional riding school or a therapeutic setting, the responsibility weighs heavily, especially since what I teach isn't exactly what you'd call mainstream (then again, I've never been one to fit the mould).

My lessons are founded in the knowledge of horse behaviour, and insights taken from mountains of research by ethologists and scientists who've studied horses just like they have lions, giraffes and zebras. And yes, while domesticated horses might not mirror their wild ancestors in appearance—picture the sleek thoroughbreds on the racetrack—their innate behaviours haven't been bred out. We're talking about an evolutionary timeline where 64 million years of equid history has been barely touched by the last 4,000 years of human interaction. That's a mere blip in the grand scheme of things.

So, the starting point for my teaching is this: the horses in our care have the same behavioural blueprints as their wild ancestors, encoded deep in their DNA.
It's from this understanding that I teach young riders not just to care for horses, but to understand their needs, interpret their communication, and ultimately, to partner with them authentically. To me, this is how we should be educating the next generation of equestrians. It’s not about sticking to tradition for tradition's sake but embracing the learning opportunities that science has presented to us.
Shying away from this knowledge doesn't prepare the next generation for the future. It can create a mindset that is resistant to change and unwilling to confront challenges. Every session with a horse teaches a lesson in how to approach the world. Do we ignore the tough bits or learn to face them head-on, adapting and growing in the process?

When our beliefs are challenged, that's where the real teaching happens. We can show our youth how to navigate these challenges—seeing us work through difficulties, manage emotions, and emerge stronger provides a powerful example. It's this experience that promotes real growth.

This is the kind of education I'm committed to providing. It's not just about producing competent riders; it's about empowering individuals who are as well-rounded, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent as the horses they ride. For me, that's the true mark of a successful equestrian education.

16/04/2024

❗️ KEEP CALM AND PLANTAIN ON PEOPLE 🌱

I know it’s been tough for those of you in the UK - I know so many horses with abscesses at the moment but an interesting observation was made of some horses spending time standing on patches of plantain which is thought to be because of its drying and germ fighting abilities. How cool is that?! Has anyone else ever seen this? 🌱

🦶 Keep Calm and Plantain On! 🌱👣

Isn’t nature amazing? Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you notice your horses choosing to stand on patches of plantain. At first, it might just seem like a quirky habit, but there’s wisdom in their choice. With the UK rain not giving us a break, and hoof abscesses rife, it’s time to spotlight a seemingly ordinary yet extraordinary "w**d" – plantain.

This herb is pretty much a treasure chest for horses, loaded with stuff like aucubin, which is great at fighting off germs, and allantoin, a champion at speeding up skin healing. It’s a go-to for skin troubles like rashes, not to mention its knack for drying out unwanted moisture. And the best part? It’s gentle. Think of it as nature’s kinder, softer remedy.

Now, onto its party tricks for hooves – packed with calcium and vitamin K, plantain is a little hero for stopping bleeding from those nicks and cuts. But the real kicker? It seems like some horses know something we don’t, choosing to stand on plantain patches possibly to keep their hooves in tip-top shape, thanks to its germ-fighting powers.

Lucky for us, plantain is as common as muck here in the UK, so you might not even need to make a special effort to include it in your horse’s diet. Next time you’re out in the field, keep an eye out. Your horse might just be self-prescribing a dose of plantain. And with the relentless wet weather and the hoof issues it brings, this humble w**d could be just the hero we need.

Fancy giving plantain a go? Why not take your horse for a little forage walk or scatter some in their grazing spot. Chances are, you’ve got this green gold growing right under your nose!

27/02/2024

We're off to Sandringham!! 😍

⭐ 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗺!

We are so excited to be taking the EquiScholars team including Why Do Horses, The Ranch Weymouth and Horse Play to the Pony and Horse Show. Kate Thornton Equine Sports & Remedial Massage Norfolk will be right there next to us and we're doing a lunchtime demo in the ring that she has sponsored! We cannot wait to demo some of the activities from our curriculum and tell you all about the work we do. Expect smiles, laughter, sparkly face paints and a "no horse" demo! 😱

If you're in the area come along and join in the fun, we will have some great activities for kids on our trade stand to learn all about equine behaviour. See you there!

11/01/2024

🎁 Following our flash sale announcement, we understand that choosing the right educational resources is a significant decision. That's why we're here to help guide you through the process.

🤝 We know that investing in our Foundation Pack is a considered decision. You want to ensure it's the perfect fit for your needs, and we're here to assist with that. To provide you with all the information you need and answer any questions you might have, we're offering a special opportunity.

🕒 Book a free 30-minute consultation slot with me, right here on Facebook! This is your chance to dive deeper into what our Foundation Pack entails, how it can support and enrich your equine practice, and why we are so confident in its value.

🔍 Whether you're curious about specific aspects of the pack, wondering how it can fit into your current setup, or just want to chat about its potential benefits, book yourself in!

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more and make an informed decision. To book your free slot 👉 go to the Services tab on our page and click on "FREE 30 Min Chat".

💚 We're so passionate about what we do and eager to share the wonders of our Foundation Pack with you!

🐴✨

24/12/2023

Remember to save your boxes! 📦 🎁

20/12/2023

Woop woop! Get your late Xmas gifts over Equischolars 🎁

⭐🐴 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙂𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧! 🎁

Due to popular demand from those who've already enjoyed our "Hoofbeats and Holidays" booklet, we're excited to introduce a new feature - personalised gift cards!

🎁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:

⭐Visit the link below and complete your purchase.
⭐At the shopping basket, in the 'Additional Information/Order Notes' section, type in your custom message for the gift card.
⭐Choose whether you want us to email the gift card back to you or directly to a preferred email address you provide.

🔗 𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲👇👇👇

https://equischolars.co.uk/product/hoofbeats-and-holidays-a-winter-journey-with-your-horse-digital-download/

🥳 Responding to your requests, we've made it simpler to share this special booklet with your horse-loving friends and family this Christmas!

15/12/2023

Hokaaaay - if you're like me and feeling the strain of the upcoming festive shenanigans then I have the PERFECT remedy! Get a cup of something, sit back, breathe and enjoy (and if you're anything like me, spend the next few hours indulging your new dream of living with ponies in the Highlands! )🤣

If you don't know Nicky and her herd Horse Play then check them out - I get all the warm feels every time I see one of her posts. PLUS you'll want to be following in 2024 - trust me. 😉🐴

The ponies and I head out for a night of wild camping and adventure on the West Coast of Scotland.

12/12/2023

The perfect Christmas gift! 🎁 💝

11/12/2023

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁!

https://open.spotify.com/show/4tbsjYrGWLq10UT5HbIWzf
Or google Equilogical Podcast, we are on most platforms!

In today’s podcast Kate goes solo (don’t worry Becky will be back next time!) with Annika O’Kane author of The Pretty Pony Once Said: A Heart-warming Rhyming tale about the Nature of Horses for Children - ideal Book for Kids who Love Animals!

Kate talks to Annika about her 40+ years in the industry and where her inspiration came from for her book. We also chat about the importance of this book in the movement toward educating children and young adults to understand horse behaviour.

As always, an enthusiastic conversation follows with a few tangents.

We finish up looking to the future and discuss some ideas Annika has for her next book! It was an absolute pleasure to have Annika on the podcast and we look forward to having her with us again!

You can find Annika’s book on Amazon, for those of you in the UK you can access it here 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pretty-Pony-once-said-Heart-warming/dp/1739183606/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+pretty+pony+once+said&qid=1702643101&sr=8-1

They are also stocked in Waterstones.
If you are based outside of the UK simply google search the book for your best delivery options.

Equine Behaviour Affiliation 👉 https://equinebehaviouraffiliation.org/

More about Annika’s work 👉 https://equinebehaviouraffiliation.org/find-a-behaviourist/annika-okane/

Bodhi Horse Newsletter 👉 https://www.bodhihorse.com/

21/11/2023

🐎🌿 𝙐𝙍𝙂𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙊 𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉: 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙤𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠! 🌿🐎
🌄 Current Situation:
Did you know that the feral band of horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park are at a crossroads? The National Park Service (NPS) is currently considering the removal of these beautiful animals from their natural habitat. This decision is part of an Environmental Assessment (EA), which is now open for public comments.
🐴 Why Keep the Horses?
𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚: These horses have been a part of the park's landscape for generations, symbolising the rich history and heritage of the area.
𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚: Horses in their natural environment can serve as an excellent educational resource for visitors, particularly for educational programs aimed at children and students. They provide a tangible connection to topics like wildlife management, ecology, and history.
𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡: The presence of a horse population in a natural setting offers unique research opportunities for biologists, ecologists, and conservationists. Studies could focus on behaviour, ecology, and the impact of feral horses on various ecosystems, contributing to broader scientific knowledge.
𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙁𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨: If the horse populations in Theodore Roosevelt National Park are genetically unique or distinctive, their conservation might be of interest from a biodiversity perspective. Protecting diverse genetic stocks can be important in conservation biology.
𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: Horses have long been a source of inspiration in art, literature, and culture. Their presence in the park could inspire artists, writers, photographers, and filmmakers, thereby contributing to cultural and artistic endeavours.
can help to boost local tourism, benefiting the economy of surrounding communities.
𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙩𝙨: Observing and being in the presence of horses can have therapeutic and calming effects on individuals.
𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙨: Horses can be used in living history programs within the park, providing a dynamic and engaging way to educate visitors about the history of the region and the park.
🗣️ 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙑𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨!
This is our chance to make a difference! The EA is open for public comments, and it's crucial that we voice our support for keeping the horses. Every comment counts in shaping the future of these iconic animals and the park they call home.
📣 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩:
Visit the NPS website https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=167... to submit your thoughts. Remember, the deadline is Nov 24, 2023 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time.

EA COMMENT DEADLINE IS FRIDAY!!!!
November 24, 2023

Thanks to all of you who have commented on the EA thus far! If you are new to this page and love this iconic herd and its history, please write a comment to the Park now and let hem know these horses need to stay in the only home they’ve ever known. You can post your comment electronically or mail it in. Check the comments 👇 👇👇for the link to the EA and the address.

You can check out the LEARN tab on our website for scientific articles to substantiate your comment. Please! Help! Your comment must be sent to the Park.

Photo: The late stallion Thundercloud and his band in the beautiful badlands. Taken 5/2019 before Thunder passed away.

Thank you again and have a good evening.

20/11/2023

🌬️⛵ "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." - Dolly Parton ⛵🌬️

In the horse world, we're trying new things and making big changes. Just like changing sails to go with the wind, we're using what we know about horse behaviour to improve the way we work with horses.

We're moving past the old ways and learning new ways to understand and care for horses. Every step we take with science helps us do better for our horses.

Let's all be a part of this exciting change. Together, we can make things better for horses everywhere! 🐴💪

11/11/2023

….AND ITS BACK PEOPLE!!! 😍😍 I couldn’t make this one but next week I cannot wait to get back to it with my partner in crime Becky from Little Green Stables!

It’s been a while I know - Equischolars is growing fast and has taken up a lot of my time but behind the scenes I’m still working with people and their horses and now more commonly whole Centres and their horses! It’s amazing and I love it but I’ve really missed you all too! Woop - see you all next week! 🤩🤩

Do you have something you’d like Becky and I to cover in a podcast? Just drop us a message we’d love to hear from you!

‎Show Equilogical Podcast, Ep Talking Agility with Horses: Part 1 - 10 Nov 2023

02/11/2023

🐎 Debunking Horse Myths for the Young Enthusiast 🐎

Remember being told as a child, "Don't walk behind horses" or "Watch out, they might bite"? Often, these warnings were well-intended, but without proper context, they would sow seeds of fear.

It's not about avoiding these actions, but understanding them. 🤔

You CAN walk behind a horse, but they need to know you're there. Horses have a blind spot at the back. It's not that they're mean; they might just be startled and react instinctively.

Horses don't want to 'eat your hand'. But they do explore the world with their mouths. Educating young ones about horse behaviour can build confidence and respect, rather than fear.

At , we believe in enlightening the next generation with knowledge, not myths. Let's change the narrative and empower our young horse enthusiasts with understanding and compassion.

🔍 What horse myths were you told as a kid? Share your stories below and let's discuss! 💬

01/11/2023

30/10/2023

01/08/2023

🐴❤️ 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝙇𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚! ❤️🐴

🌟 Today, we're tackling a serious topic that often hides behind a veil of cuteness and humour – Wind Sucking in horses! 🌬️🐎

See this adorable photo of a horse indulging in that seemingly innocent behaviour, there's much more to it than meets the eye! At EquiScholars, we're all about educating children and young adults on the gravity of wind sucking and its impact on our beloved equine friends. 🏫💡

Let's dig deeper into this issue! 🕵️‍♂️ Wind sucking, or cribbing, is a stereotypy that horses can develop due to various reasons. It may start innocently, but it can become a distressing habit for our four-legged companions. 🙁

Studies have shown that wind sucking can be a sign of stress, boredom, or discomfort, with some experts suggesting it may even be linked to digestive issues. 📚💭 Our mission is to raise awareness and promote understanding that when a horse engages in this behaviour, they might be silently telling us that they need help and care. 💔😢

At EquiScholars, we're passionate about nurturing empathy and compassion towards all equines. 🌈💞 We believe in creating a harmonious and enriching environment for horses to thrive in, where their physical and emotional well-being is a top priority. 🏞️🐴

So, the next time you see a horse wind sucking, let's shift our perspective and remember that it's a call for us to be mindful of their needs and work together to find solutions. Let's spread awareness about the seriousness of this behaviour and the love we can show to make a difference! 🌟🙏

Join us in this journey of equine care and kindness! 🤝💚 Share this post to help us reach more horse lovers and inspire positive change for our equine companions! 🗣️🌿

10/02/2023

If you haven't heard us talk about Gabriel before then where have you been? :-) He's a vet, IAABC certified (CHBC) and all round awesome person!

Gabriel was part of an undergraduate research study in to create an AI system that can be used by vets to recognise if pain in present in the horse; Pain assessment in horses using automatic facial expression recognition through deep learning-based modeling. You can find the study at https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0258672

Gabriel tells us how they gathered information from stallions pre and post castration to build up the comparison profile for the system with brilliant results. There are many signs that horses show when in pain and this study looked at only facial expressions in order to be able to work on an AI system.

We also talk about Gabriel's interest in equine behaviour as a vet and how the disconnect between neurology and physiology seems pretty crazy to some of us, his plans for his PhD, his new baby (horse that is :-)), horses in Brazil and much more!

We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did making it! You can follow Gabriel on Instagram at vet.gabriel.lencioni

To listen to the podcast -
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/4kCr9VEthxb

03/02/2023

This week we caught up with the awesome Shawna Corrin Karrasch and her partner in crime Jessie Hillegas! These guys are doing so much work to raise awareness over in America and have hit the road. You've probably seen a lot of posts on facebook from them as their mission is to raise awareness in the competitive world which is no easy feat!

Shawna and Jessie tell us about a really exciting project they have coming up with a big hotel (don't worry we'll be chatting to them again soon to find out how this went) and the many many other things they are doing to get out there and start really important conversations in a world where +R is either not commonly known or is misunderstood.

Of course we catch up with Henley and Santino and their super important work as flagship horses! We talk about training tools (including scooters and bells) and what lessons have been learnt along the way.

You can find out more at www.shawnakarrasch.com or join their Patreon warts and all! :-) at www.patreon.com/shawnakarraschequine

You can find Kate & Becky on social media: Little Green Stables & Equilogical Positive Equine Partnerships. For our training & so much more: https://patreon/littlegreenstables

https://anchor.fm/rebeccah-baylis/episodes/Queen-Shawna-e1ubn7m

This week we caught up with the awesome Shawna Karrasch and her partner in crime Jessie Hillegas! These guys are doing so much work to raise awareness over in America and have hit the road. You've probably seen a lot of posts on facebook from them as their mission is to raise awareness in the compet...

08/01/2023

Happy rainy Sunday everyone! If you’re stuck inside then why not fill out this questionnnaire to help Ella with her PhD on training - I know the findings are going to be super interesting and as a participant you will get to see the results!

You can enter from ANY country and just need to be a horse care giver I.e own or loan a horse. 😀

Online survey BOS

30/12/2022

Hey guys! If anyone would like to help Anna and get some free help from an AWESOME up and coming equine behavioural consultant then pop over to her page!

I mean WHY wouldn’t you?! For those of you that know me, I’m passionate about behaviour becoming at the forefront of equine education for kids and young adults and that means supporting the next generation of world changers! And guess what’s more? Anna is of course an Equischolars Ambassador, lighting the path for others to join. She has a fantastic energy, her knowledge is AWESOME, she has worked for years with her own horses, she has a podcast and she is a natural and engaged communicator.

👇MESSAGE HER NOW!

Send a message to learn more

24/12/2022

🎄Merry Christmas Listeners 🎄

A HUGE THANK YOU 🙏 to our podcast listeners & our Patreons for all your support this year! A short one from us & a quick round up 😁 We are looking forward to hearing from you in 2023 🥳 Soooo have a Wonderful Christmas 🎄 with your animal family & friends 🐴🐎🐕🐈🦜

If you are enjoying our podcast please 🙏 share, like 👍🏻 & subscribe 🙏You can find Kate & Becky on Social Media: Equilogical Positive Equine Partnerships & Little Green Stables 🙂For our training content & so much more join us on Patreon/littlegreenstables 🙏

14/12/2022

FAB and important reel by Milestone Equestrian ❤️

10/12/2022

Just wanted to share for those of you that don’t follow ES 😍

Isaac explaining what he learnt from his Dogs Trust workshop at school!

07/12/2022

For any of you that may have missed it! Lots of discussion happening around this. What are your thoughts? 💭

06/12/2022

⭐️ THE DEMPSEY SESSIONS ⭐️

Join us tomorrow evening for our exclusive Dempsey sessions over on Patreon. Our awesome Patrons get the opportunity to send in their training vids to us for feedback! Join Trudi, Becky and I for a fab evening starting at 7pm Tomorrow.

Here’s a link to our Patreon site, only £10 a month and soooooo much content! We don’t like to edit on our Patreon so you get to see warts and all but it’s not just about training, anatomy, forage, behaviour, alternative therapies and more.

Www.patreon.com/littlegreenstables

👋 See you there! 😀

Trudi Dempsey: Equine Trainer and Behaviour Consultant Little Green Stables