Thrive Positive Training

24/06/2023

💗

If using food rewards and other ethical methods in front of people is embarrassing…⁣
⁣
If people around you are covertly judging you, or outright telling you to your face that what you’re doing is ridiculous… ⁣
⁣
If you don’t feel respected or understood by peers in the equine space… ⁣
⁣
Thank you 🙏🏼⁣
⁣
Thank you for taking the lead in a shift of industry, culture, mindset, and way of life. ⁣
⁣
Thank you for sacrificing your self image (by some people’s standards) to do better by horses.⁣
⁣
And please know, it won’t be like this forever.⁣
⁣
For example, food rewards were once frowned upon in dog training… and look where we are now. ⁣
⁣
And as a gentle reminder:⁣
⁣
You don’t have to be perfect to represent ethical, compassionate, science based training.⁣
⁣
You can be honest and humble, explaining to others, “I am still learning, but this is proven to be effective, and aligns with my values.”⁣
⁣
It’s okay to mess up, even when others are watching. People mess up with harsh methods, too. People often create dangerous behavioral issues with harsh methods.⁣
⁣
You may as well make mistakes while aiming for something that feeds your soul ♥️⁣
⁣
Let the naysayers resist the movement.⁣
⁣
Keep sharing your excitement with the world. You are being the change you want to see.⁣
⁣
We’re going to look back in 10 years and see a completely different horse industry, because of trailblazers like you 🔥⁣
⁣
Thank you 🦋⁣
⁣
— MM team 💫

24/06/2023

Yesssss!!!!

💫Expanding our horses comfort zone without force, stress or discomfort.

It doesn’t matter whether it is desensitizing to a new stimulus, practicing hacking out, or working on separation anxiety.
Key to familiarize your horse with a new situation or stimulus in a force-free manner, is to stay below threshold. You can do this at liberty or on the lead.
Most importantly though, is to get familiar with your horses body language. Learn to read their smallest signs of calmness, anxiety, nervousness, tension etc.
if you notice your horse getting concerned, or anxious, it’s time to step back.
We want to keep our horses engaged, curious, and calm.

09/06/2023

Use the 5 Point Safety Check When Selecting a Helmet

27/05/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100082321497001/posts/224725480281500/?mibextid=SDPelY

25/05/2023

We are so lucky to be free to choose our own paths in our inner and outer lives. If the path we find ourselves on stretches out in a direction that pulls us away from our heart, if the understanding we have is no longer what serves us. We can choose to try a different path to seek a new understanding. One of the many beauties of being human.

🌙 Remember this: Everything is made up. All of the traditions and dogma, the rules, the systems, the ways of doing things are just practices someone invented and someone else followed until it became The Way Things Are Done.
Sometimes even I forget this and am disconnected from my own power and separated from my deep connection to the land and the horses themselves.
Colonialism depends on breaking and devaluing relationships so it can supersede existing structures. Capitalism, to succeed, must only allow paid experts and gurus legitimacy within its’ system. The two together are powerful messengers telling everyone it’s best to be quiet and study from those who already know and to follow the well worn path, the sole route to knowledge.
But witchcraft assumes you are enough as you are. That the trees are both watching you AND whispering old spells for the taking when the wind rustles the leaves at dusk. That your body itself is knowledge and intuition is a direct line of intelligence, your inheritance. What if you do know the truth? What if you can remember your great grandmother’s voice, singing high, as she called her horses in from the field? They came at a gallop at the sound of her voice. What you know in your bones is true. Stop treating it like a rumor.
🌙

Words by: Jen Digate
Art by: Anastasia Starakova

25/05/2023

🧐

13/01/2023

13/01/2023

https://www.facebook.com/659273890765777/posts/6667896053236834/?mibextid=48Eh5f

Fact or fiction ?

The idea of the Alpha mare/stallion and asserting dominance is the pillar of some training ideologies. But does this hold any water ?

"Feral horses have no dominance hierarchies within bands, nor any need for them.The alpha leader mare is a myth. No single character initiates or leads marches or changes of activity. What provokes others to follow is determined, purposeful leaving. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that horses have a concept of authority. It is an entirely human concept" - Lucy Rees

Most of the social interactions within a herd is friendly and based on unity, it is a network of bonds based on family relationships and friendship. Expressing aggression is very rare and limited to specific instances including in**st avoidance and the rejection of inappropriate courtship.

Because of the widespread misconception of what "dominance" means, we should refrain from using it when working with out horses.
"The confusion between dominance, aggression and authority has occasioned more illtreatment of horses, to the point of sending them to slaughter, and more injury to people, than any other single point in equestrianism" - Lucy Rees

Resource:
Horses in company by Lucy Rees

02/11/2022

This is the very basis of the science of animal training.

Memorising it is easy, and essential.

Learning to use the appropriate reinforcement at the right time is also essential.

In my sessions I make this easy for students.

30/09/2022

05/09/2022

🎯

Many people take personal offense if a dog doesn't immediately warm up to them. I get it - it's hard if you love dogs and want them to like you but they're a little afraid. It's hard not to take that personally. But here's the thing, you might be a super nice person. And you're not actively hurting the dog or doing anything you think is scary. But the dog doesn't see it that way. Dogs don't understand intent. Read more in this week's post: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2022/09/05/dogs-dont-understand-intent/

03/09/2022

What makes a happy dog?

One whose needs are met
One who is treated (& trained) kindly
One who is allowed to display natural behaviours
One who is understood
One with clear boundaries
One with clear & consistent communication
One who is healthy & pain free
One who is a good fit for their home
One who is treated as an individual in their own right; not just an addendum to our lives
One who isn’t conflicted that his human might suddenly startle or hurt him

If you’d like a dog as happy as this get in touch. I’d love to help you x

02/09/2022

01/09/2022

‎Show Paws & Reward Podcast, Ep Ep 49: Building a Strong Relationship Between Your Dogs with Sarah Stremming - Aug 22, 2022