Heart Horse Training, LLC

12/19/2024

It's super exciting to see that positive reinforcement and understanding about behavioral science training techniques are becoming more widespread! But with more people starting to learn about the science, the more myths and misunderstandings are becoming prevalent. So let's clear some of these up!

Some people believe that operant conditioning (the learning quadrants) are tools we use to train horses, that we can choose whether or not, or how to use to train. The truth is, the quadrants are a description of how learning happened. So if learning happened, if a behavior increased or decreased in frequency, we know a quadrant happened. The quadrants describe how a behavior was learned/unlearned. So if we've worked with our horse and a behavior increased or decreased in frequency, we've used a quadrant to teach that (though it may not have been what we intended).

Classical Conditioning is always happening in the background of all of life. This means the horse is always making associations. So what you use in your training is being associated, paired, conditioned with YOU, which forms your relationship. If your relationship is built on aversives or appetitives WILL influence how your horse feels around you, because of classical conditioning.

Some people believe that operant conditioning is the only way learning can occur, but again it's just a description of how learning (in life) happened. There is also instincts they're born with - these can change with operant learning, but is more resistant to change than learned behaviors. Imprinting at birth, things that are conditioned fast within the first few days while the horse is sponging up new information, though this is mostly associations/classical conditioning. Which brings us to classical conditioning, which is the simple pairing/associations within life, not behavior focused. Finally there's social learning/imitation. Some species are highly attuned at mimicry and learn fast with this, horses are social creatures, but aren't the best at social learning. They seem to pick up the basics, like if something is safe or not, but aren't as attuned to copying complex behaviors as species like birds or primates.

Some people also believe trainers who use behavioral science tend to be cold, clinical, and unemotional. But most of us who have learned behavioral science, also take the time to study Ethology of our species and the neuroscience of emotions. So while we tend to love science giving us a guidebook, we mix that with our own instincts, relationships, and intuition. Ethology is the study of our species in nature, how they behave and function outside of our influence - which is vital if we hope to provide them healthy and appropriate management. Neuroscience of emotions gives us a great foundational understanding of how our horses feel and how to influence and support those emotions in a beneficial way for their wellbeing and for our relationship. Science based training is far from cold, it's a passionate love of our species and the desire to provide the best for them we can, through knowledge and understanding.

12/17/2024

This past weekend I hosted Shawna Karrasch Equine and Jessie Hillegas for another amazing R+ clinic! 😎❤️🐴

I'm a little late in getting around to an update because, well, life! 😂

We had an absolutely amazing group of people this year! We also did a different format than last year's clinic, which was beyond incredible!

I loved the workshop format so much that we're going to do it again next year!

It was a perfect mix of in depth discussions, Q&A, individual sessions for each participant as well as dividing up into groups to develop and implement training plans with each horse.

And the best news????

We are planning on doing it again next year!

Be sure to mark you calendars for August 9-10, 2025! You will not want to miss this!! 🎉🎉🎉

BUT..... next year will there will be very limited spots available! 😳

There will be a maximum of 9 participants for this clinic! That's right.... only 9 spots available‼️

And it will be an all inclusive weekend! Meaning that all you need to do is bring yourself to the clinic and we will take care of the rest! All meals, snacks, drinks, use of horses, etc will be provided. You are, of course, responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements and expenses.

Payment to secure your spot will open Jan 1. Once it fills, I can put you on a waiting list in case an opening becomes available.

12/06/2024

Best post I've seen on blanketing and pretty much exactly how I manage my herd!

I have one that has never liked cold so, historically, if the temps dropped below 40°, he got his medium weight blanket on and layered from there dependent on the temps and wind chill.

I have another one that I don't blanket unless temp and wind chill get in the teens or cooler. She's just miserable at the point even though she is in excellent weight and has a good coat.

Horses will expend less energy to stay warm (=less feed to keep them warm) and spend more time walking around outside if they need a blanket to be comfortable.

All of my horses have, at minimum, two medium weight blankets. Some have medium and heavy weight blankets, if needed. And I prefer blankets with the higher neck and x cross chest fastening. They tend to put less pressure on the points of the shoulders.

Two things I see that are NOT helpful in cold weather, like we can get in Kansas, are turnout sheets and stable blankets on turned out horses. They will actually make horses COLDER! Stable blankets do not offer waterproof or windproof protection and turnout sheets, while they are waterproof and windproof, make horses colder by laying down the coat (taking away their natural insulation) without offering any fill to provide warmth.

So I know that I'm a "feed guy" but I am also a horse keeper and every winter I see a whole bunch of blanket wars some up in various groups so I thought I would add my opinion and observations to the mix.

This photo was taken yesterday as my three Quarter Horse mares stuffed themselves with free choice hay which, as you can see, they are not shy about wasting.

They are standing outside in a steady 30 mile per hour wind with snow blowing horizontally. This is their choice because 100 feet away they have access to their stalls which are bedded with a foot of straw, heated buckets and a pile of exactly the same hay.

These mares would much prefer to be outside than in. However, if they were not wearing blankets they would most likely be huddles in their stalls against the wind.

I point this out because while it is mostly true that horses will survive the cold weather as long as they have shelter and forage it is equally true that blanketing them can be very beneficial.

Every year I see newbies posting advice on blanketing and so many of the comments are from the "I've been around horses my whole life" crowd advising that "horses don't need no damn blankets!".

There are also many comments spewing myths that blanketing is dangerous and will "make a horse sick".

These ideas are, in my own humble opinion, nonsense.

To be sure over blanketing can be a real problem as it can cause some issues with heat stress. The only problem I ever had with blankets was a boarder of mine who had a OTTB and insisted that if she were cold the horse was too. I was constantly removing heavy second blankets because the animal was dripping in sweat while the temperature was 34 F.

Tossing a horse out in 25 F weather with only a thin sheet can be equally problematic.

In general if you use a sensible strategy of midweight fill blankets you really can't go too far wrong.

But why blanket at all? Wild horses don't wear blankets!

Unfortunately the people with this attitude never have the opportunity to see the frozen carcasses of the wild horses that NEEDED BLANKETS.

The ginormous fat ass on the left side of the two in front is my 22 year old AQH mare, Flair. When Flair was young she would be standing outside grazing while covered with ice from freezing rain and not wearing a blanket. She much prefers being a little on the chillier side.

I noticed that when she turned around 15 she would start hanging out in the shelter for much longer periods.

The fat ass on the right is my 32 year old AQH mare, Skippy the Wonder Horse. She is an older lady who prefers being comfortable.

Would these lovely matrons survive the winter without blankets? Almost surely!

So why do I blanket them?

The first reason is obviously to help them be more comfortable.

The next reason is that they will stay out of their stalls moving around which is great for both their physical and mental well being. As an added benefit for mois, less mucking to do.

The third reason is that they will consume less hay which is a great budget consideration. Why spend money on hay if I can prevent them from burning calories just to stay warm?

The final reason is that blanketed horses will drink more water which avoids things like winter impaction colic.

One horse that is not in this picture is my beautiful Raven. Ray was an OTTB mare, granddaughter of Secretariat that unfortunately, at the ripe old age (for an OTTB) of 28, succumbed to an old tendon injury this past August.

Blanketing for Raven was not optional. She was a typical thin skinned Thoroughbred.

She was 14 years old the first winter she came to me and she grew a luxurious, thick coat as beautiful as any sable cape ever worn. We had one night where the temperature was 40 F with a light drizzle of passing showers. When I went out for morning feed she wouldn't come up to the barn.

Fearing the worst I grabbed her halter and walked out to lead her in. She was shivering so violently that she could barely walk. From that moment on Raven was blanketed any time the temperature dropped below 50 F and she was always a plus one so if the Quarter Horses needed a blanket Raven had two.

In my travels as a "feed guy" I encountered so many owners who refused to blanket their horses while complaining that they were hard keepers. I was forced to stand there with their miserable, shivering horses in cross ties and restrain myself from beating them with a dressage whip.

This message is for the owners who have been shamed or misinformed out of blanketing your horses. Just do it if you believe that your horse will be better off.

If you go to the barn and your horse is huddled in the run in shed or shivering slightly or is a dripping muddy mess blanketing them will be a benefit.

I feel the same way about shoes. If a horse will benefit from them then put them on.

This is only my opinion, other opinions are welcome but I've cared for lots and lots of different horses over the years and I've never had one that didn't benefit from a blanket.

Cheers!

12/05/2024

Does your horse have a dip in front of its withers? It shouldn't be considered normal. It's not. It's a sign of other issues going on in your horse and your horse needing help.

How much a therapist evolves in their career is a reflection of what inspires them. Looking at this picture of my mare today, I would have immediately seen that dip in the neck and known we were going to have stifle issues and that the hind hoof angles were NPA. She's already overbuilt and overloading the front end and doesn't even have a job yet.
This is why I've dedicated my life's work to helping others. Bodywork alone isn't enough to correct posture and set a horse up for success. If it was... We wouldn't be having this conversation now.
It's a blend of bodywork & stretching, corrective exercise, and balanced hoof angles that set a horse up for a long healthy career.
It's my goal to get to the root cause of issues, not just maintain them.

I work with people through online assessments, in-person sessions, and educational courses. This mare is a big reason I get to help others. I'm thankful for the journey we're on.

If your horse has a dip in the neck that looks like this.... We need to talk.

Edited to add: A good therapist looks at the whole horse with each assessment. The dip in the neck is a big indicator that the horse is elevating in the front end which usually means there is weakness (or pain) in the hind end. When the head is elevated, the back will hollow out meaning you've lost core and glute engagement. A hollow back will cause excess concussion on the feet and legs which results in excess concussion on joints like the stifle. Incorrect tilt of the pelvis & NPA will worsen the tension.
The purpose of this post is to state that a dip in the neck is never normal and should be investigated before problems spiral into a lameness or a horse that is unwilling to work. There is no "one size fits all" answer, but a good therapist will team up with your vet to find the root cause.

11/30/2024

Facebook messenger is being difficult and not letting me access messages at all. I've tried uninstall it and reinstalling it and still not working. 🙄

If you need to contact me, please email me at [email protected].

11/22/2024

We are so excited to have Shawna Karrasch Equine back! There are only a few spots left. Contact me to get signed up!!

We have an R+Clinic coming up in Baldwin City, Kansas!!! We LOVE doing this location. I think there is room for one or two more so please PM Heart Horse Training, LLC for details.

11/20/2024

We're so excited to have Shawna and Jessie back!! There are still spots available so contact me soon to get signed up. You won't want to miss this opportunity! 🤗❤️🐴

11/20/2024

So true! The emotional component is just as important as the physical. 🤗❤️🐴

You get what you train.

And that is with respect to the muscle groups you target, the emotions you practice and the nervous system state you operate from.

If you practice sitting hunched at your desk like a shrimp, you will lay down muscle to support you there.

If you are always operating from an upregulated nervous system, your body will try to adjust its physiology so that this becomes the new homeostasis.

If you spend your life practicing negative thoughts, this will become your default setting.

This means that you will develop into wherever you spend the longest time - irrespective of what you *think* you are working on.

-

"Tell me 3 things you love about your horse"

I was working with a lovely lady, who cares very deeply about her horse and was diligently helping him to feel better in his body. And yet every session started with all of the ways in which he still wasn't quite right, or was doing things she didn't want him to do.

Frustration was radiating from her body.

She looked at me, a little derailed by my question.

"Do you want me to tell you 3 things I love about your horse?"

She nodded

"I love the black tips on his ears. And the way the markings on his muzzle look like a love heart. And the way his black stockings make him look really classy"

And then she got excited and told me all the things she loved about him... as he stood there yawning, licking and chewing, releasing the tension in his neck.

And as her energy changed towards him, his energy changed towards her -

And in that session he moved like a totally different horse, flowing in a way that we had never seen before.

The exercises were the same, though the output was totally different.

-

My initial training taught me about targetting the musculoskeletal system and that, if you repeat the exercise enough, with an appropriate amount of progressive loading, you develop the body.

And this isn't wrong at all.

But I subsequently learned that the emotional and nervous systems run the show.

We can do all the right moves, but if the nervous system and emotional association to the work aren't in alignment then you will be perpetually putting a stick in your bicycle spokes.

This provokes topics for discussion -

How do you show up to your horse? They can feel that energy and it has an effect on how safe they feel.

If your horse does not feel safe, the quality of their movement will be compromised. And let me tell you that their own personal safety is their opinion based upon their perceptions - not yours.

Though we do need to give them coping strategies to feel safe in a chaotic human world.

What does your horse perceive of the work? The exercise might be appropriate for their muscles but if the emotional association is poor, the output will be too.

Whilst the body may benefit, if their amygdala-hippocampus relay is perpetually assigning the work with negative emotions, its never going to feel nice to them.

-

📸 before & after of stripping the tension out of this guy's neck by helping him to find safety in some very simple movement patterns combined with very gentle upper cervical mobilisations ❤️

11/12/2024

Take a listen and then come join us Dec 14-15 to learn from Shawna and Jessie in person!!!

This will be a workshop format where you will get the opportunity to work both individually and in a group and learn how to effectively apply R+. Horses and lunches will be provided both days. Cost is $395 per person. There are still spots available. Contact me soon to get your spot!

11/12/2024

"Proper work is a form of bodywork. Improper work causes us to need bodywork (or overlook that and try to force more obedience later down the road)."

I have been saying this for years! I am not against bodywork by any means! It has a very valuable purpose. And can greatly enhance an already correct training system.

But, if your horse needs regular bodywork, gets the bodywork, improves, goes back into training, then a few weeks or months down the road starts to seem a little 'off' or 'out' and you think "Oh, it's time for another round or session of x,y,z", it is a HUGE red flag that your horse doesn't just need more bodywork, your horse needs a better training system!

The repeated pattern of needing bodywork on a regular basis with a horse that is in training is not normal!

Correct training should enhance the horse's mental and physical well being. Not be the cause for therapy.

This is a thought that has come up in the Relax & Reset Challenge, and I thought it was a good thought worth sharing for everyone.

When the poll releases, the head and neck will lengthen and lower. But just because we ask for the head to lower, doesn't mean that they release their poll. What we are after is relaxation in the poll (and, subsequently by trickle effect, the rest of the body), not a position in the head. The head position changes as a 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭, not as a 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭.

If they lower their head without releasing the poll (as we see so often in many "put your head down" programs) they can be holding tension in a false relaxed-appearing posture. This is obedience, often without acceptance. Position without release. And this will always end up showing up in the rest of the body at some point, also.

Proper work is a form of bodywork. Improper work causes us to need bodywork (or overlook that and try to force more obedience later down the road).

Something to think about...

__________
💥 You can still join us for the FREE Relax & Reset Challenge by registering at RelaxResetChallenge.com

11/11/2024

There are so many wonderful applications for R+! 🤗🐴

We are excited to have Shawna and Jessie joining up for a workshop here Dec 14-15! There is still room to join us for an amazing weekend!

This workshop will be great for all regardless of where you are at in your R+ journey!

Contact me for more info and to get registered!

11/02/2024

10/25/2024

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.

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

10/16/2024

💯 Same can be said in any discipline. Flash nosebands, martingales, tiedowns, harsh leverage bits, combinations of any of those, etc.

I asked a friend in the hunter-jumper world why he thought there was so much reliance on draw reins, restrictive rigs, strong bits, and he had a one word answer---“FEAR.”

“Fear of what?” I asked.

“Mainly fear of loss of control,” was his answer. He went on to say that many of the riders that he watched were basically either unfit, or green, or over-mounted, and that they didn’t want a very high level of risk, and that one way to lower risk was to have sort of “automaton” horses.

Horses can be gotten to a state, he said, of what we call “learned helplessness.”
I Googled “learned helplessness” and here’s what I read---

“What is learned helplessness in simple terms?
In psychology, learned helplessness is a state that occurs after a person has experienced a stressful situation repeatedly. They believe that they are unable to control or change the situation, so they do not try, even when opportunities for change are available.”

While this definition pertains to humans, we can see how it can also apply to a horse which has been repeatedly forced into submission.

So there’s that, and we see it too often.