RD Equine Behavioural Science and Training (2024)

19/02/2024

Today was spent working with the lovely Finn, who although is a insanely talented show jumper, loading has become a very apparent issue. Within 30 minutes we had a very relaxed boy walking consistently on and off the trailer. We will continue to build his confidence over the next few weeks ready for his first outing of the year.

11/02/2024

Today was spent working with this lovely boy who at just 4 years old, took to the backing process like a duck to water. As with any horse in my care, we took everything very slow ensuring he was confident with the steps we were making and by the end of the session he was stood by the mounting block letting me lean over. A promising future ahead!

08/08/2023

A little jumping session a few months ago at university! He’s enjoying the summer off mostly now.

26/07/2023

I have availability from September after taking some time away to complete a seasonal job. I am an equine behaviouralist specialising in the use of evidence based techniques such as positive reinforcement (including clicker training and liberty). I offer both ground work and ridden problem solving, therefore, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to message the page. I also teach liberty work to both horse and handler, this can incorporate trick training or be utilised to improve groundwork and horse/ rider relationship. In addition, I provide backing/ starting, schooling, competing and I also have limited availability for instructing. As an instructor, I specialise in confidence giving to both horse and rider. I have vast experience teaching children and ponies of all abilities.

26/06/2023

Taking section ridden champion at our first show of the season a couple of weeks ago, with a busy season ahead!

26/06/2023

This is the lovely Kleid, who lacked some motivation in the school but not out hacking. He hasn’t done much schooling throughout his life so it is important to focus on the scales of training. We worked through lots of transitions, little and often sessions and mixing up his routine to keep him engaged. He is developing good balance in the schooling while building both his lateral and longitudinal suppleness. We have recently started to work into a contact which he is now finding easy as he is work forwards. It is important that the horses we are training are both physically and mentally suitable for the tasks we are setting them up for.

04/06/2023

Conditioned reinforcers have been used for many years in zoo animal training, and more recently have been adopted in dog and horse training.

Based on a technique initially pioneered by Skinner, this method pairs a food reward with a distinctive signal such as a whistle, a spoken word, a clicker, or even a flashing light. The signal becomes a 'conditioned reinforcer' and bridges the gap between the performance of behaviour and the giving of a reward.

Clicker Training is a useful secondary reinforcer that can help overcome the timing problems inherent in delivering positive reinforcement, as well as over distance.

To implement clicker training, use a target, such as a plastic plate on a stick. The clicker must occur as soon as the horse touches the target, followed by the food. This is repeated so that the horse associates the clicker with food and after some time the clicker itself will become a powerful reward for any behaviour (providing it always promises the delivery of food to reinforce its power). Recent studies showed that for optimal results food should follow within 3 seconds of the click.

We have a colourful range of clickers available that produce a loud, clear 'click' that is easily recognisable for horses: https://www.esi-education.com/product/clicker/

19/05/2023

RD Equine Behavioural Science and training is relocating to Warwickshire. With the intention of developing a client base to continue full time. I have availability for:
Problem solving
Backing
Schooling
Competing
Rehabilitation
Liberty training
Ground work
Instructing
Please message the page for more details!

12/05/2023

Building confidence over fences. 🐎
It is very important to encourage a confident approach to a fence in horses of all ages. Confidence is the foundation to developing and improving technique over fences for show jumping, cross country and working hunter. This however is what darcy lacked, which made it very difficult to progress through the levels. Late last year we were developing issues such as refusing, running out and knocking poles. Around 6 months ago, we took this back to basics and started with flat work and ground poles to encourage strength and balance while ensuring all the scales of training were being met. With lots of reward and very little pressure, I found darcys confidence increasing over small fences. I kept fences very low for months using lots of encouragement before and after the fence, providing a clear release of any pressure used. I now have a consistent jumping pony, who enjoys popping over the coloured poles while we slowly build the heights back up. It’s important to remember that taking a step back is not failing, it’s just reinforcing steps already taking. ❤️

13/03/2023

Well it’s been a hectic few months here at university! Wishing on the arrival of summer as I am sure most of you are. There are lots of exciting changes coming up this year. For now, I am still working with clients and Darcy is thriving with a red in his first show this year.

13/03/2023

🐎❤️👌🏻

15/11/2022

Availability through the Christmas period! I have very limited availability from the 19th to the 23rd December in Manchester although spaces are booking up fast. This will likely be the last time I am back in the area for a set period of time!
Available for backing, schooling or working through behavioural problems. Message for details.

14/10/2022

A lovely day back working with some past and new clients! For more information on services offered don’t hesitate to message the page!

10/10/2022

Having problems loading, handling, mounting or ridden problems and pain related issues have been ruled out? Or have a horse who needs further education, backing, schooling or competing? I have very rare availability. Message the page with any enquires. Working throughout Manchester/ Cheshire.

25/08/2022

Some exciting changes have been happening recently and I have changed the name of the page from ”RD Horsemanship” to “RD Equine Behavioural Science and Training”. With this I am hoping to begin re-establishing my business. I will be returning back to Cheshire in 3 weeks to complete my final year of my Fsc Degree in Equine Training and Rehabilitation with the idea of continuing at an alternative university to top up with a Bsc hons. This being said I am hoping to work along side my course through winter with a day dedicated for clients. Therefore I am looking at taking on a very limited number of clients for any service I offer from riding/ competing to behavioural problems. Alternatively, for those with transport or located near Cheshire, I may have more days a week available. By the end of the winter I am aiming to be a BHS stage 3 qualified coach to add to my list. I will be in contact shortly with those clients that have expressed interest in my services throughout the winter months and I will look forward to any messages received. Thank you!

12/03/2022

Over 78% in our prelim dressage last weekend to secure a 2nd place! Seeing his progress shine through makes me incredibly proud.❤

02/03/2022

We had our first outing this year, on Sunday! Having been out of work since January due to lameness issues, we were kinda in the deep end but pulling 3rd in a strong open class and 2nd alternative coloured, just topped off a very happy owner. ❤

31/01/2022

A little video update of what me and darcy have been up to since moving to reaseheath. Unfortunately he is under veterinary treatment at the moment due to unknown lameness. ❤

04/01/2022

Happy new year everyone from myself at RD Horsemanship! I am unsure currently of what 2022 will mean for RD Horsemanship, but I am hoping that I will have some vacancy to start up with clients again. I would love to see what all my past clients are getting up to now so feel free to message. Any inquires, I can still be contacted through the page!

02/12/2021

I have availability from the 18th to the 23rd December. Pm the page for more information.
Darcy won both his show jumping classes on Sunday Qualifying for trailblazers championships next year.

29/10/2021

Well where do I start... at the start of July I moved to South Wales to work on a holiday riding centre... the best 3 months of my life. I learnt so much and had the best time with amazing horses and people. Then came September and it was time to move back, but not back home... as of the start of September I began my degree in equine training and rehabilitation at reaseheath. Joined by my very own spotty pony who is flourishing from the use of the facilities and routine. In the small amount of time we've been here, we have competed in ridden showing, dressage and showjumping with plans for more in the upcoming weeks. Once on track with uni I will be planning dates to get back teaching and riding in Manchester. If anyone is interested in my services, feel free to message the page for more information. ❤

04/07/2021

Progression from being tense and bolting to working without reins, calm and relaxed.❤

30/06/2021

Most that have followed my page for a long while will have seen me post about Bella before. I have worked with her for around a year building her confidence on the ground, overcoming different tasks such as picking up the hooves, putting on suncream and using sprays as well as starting her ridden career. She accepted me as her first ride the other day after lots of ground work and preparation. She didn't flinch, happily taking it all in her stride and walking off. It has been amazing to be apart of this young mares journey. ❤

14/06/2021

Have a horse with a loading problem? Or a horse that needs backing/ schooling? Difficulty handling, mounting, picking up feet or using sprays ect? I have availability this summer for a variety of horses and ponies. All ridden ponies must be 13hh and above due to my height with no upper limit. I am based in the centre of Manchester, so horses within the greater Manchester and Cheshire region are ideal. Contact me for more information.

02/06/2021

It's been a busy few weeks again, as the summer holidays start to creep in now. I've spent the past few weeks working with this mare! She becomes very tense with the school and therefore has learnt to bolt as a way to avoid pressure.
The bolting became a confidence knock for those riding her and therefore increased tension between horse and rider. Over the past few weeks we have worked on lots of long and low work to help cancel out any tension. Today we managed to canter on a long rein, encouraging relaxation. I am looking forward to working with her more! ❤

15/05/2021

Starting with some updates from the last few months, I will start with Darcy. Darcy usually ride very hollow and avoids contact by falling behind the vertical. We went back to basics working on relaxation, rhythm and balance in all 3 paces. Moving forward Darcy needs more work on suppleness: both laterally and longitudinally. We are working through different exercises to accomplish this. With hope of competing in a couple of weeks.

07/05/2021

It has been a busy few months keeping up with clients, my own horses and college so I've not had much time to post. I have the whole summer to dedicate to client horses. So I now have availability arising for loading problems, behavioural problems, backing, schooling and liberty/ groundwork. Before I head of to start a new venture in September for a little while. Over the next few weeks I will be updating this page with lots of pictures of the horses and ponies i have had the pleasure to work with over recent months.

25/02/2021

I've currently lost access to the messages on this page, i'm not sure why but I'm trying to get back on top of it. Apologies for any delays in replying!

23/02/2021

With summer starting to get closer and nights getting longer, I will have some availability through June- August. I am available for schooling, backing, behavioural problems and ground work. Please message the page for more information! ❤

24/01/2021

Day 1 of Darcys fitness plan! Darcy struggles dramatically to build up topline which has presented a few issues with his back recently. When looking at any pictures of darcy, it is clear how dropped his stomach/ back is. Along the fitness process we will be including: lunging, hill work, long reining pole work and lots of transitions/ long and low work when schooling. We will be including the use of the passoa to encourage him to engage his hindquaters and work over his back.
Todays session started with some stretches followed by a lunge session with the use of the passoa. At the start, Darcy was very tense; his strides were very small and tight, and his head was situated above whither level. Towards the end of the session, he was carrying his head lower, working over his back and beginning to track up.
I will be tracking his progress over the next few weeks and providing exercises that we will be using. ❤

RD Equine Behavioural Science and Training

19/02/2024

11/02/2024

08/08/2023

26/07/2023

26/06/2023

26/06/2023

04/06/2023

19/05/2023

12/05/2023

13/03/2023

13/03/2023

15/11/2022

14/10/2022

10/10/2022

25/08/2022

12/03/2022

02/03/2022

31/01/2022

04/01/2022

02/12/2021

29/10/2021

04/07/2021

30/06/2021

14/06/2021

02/06/2021

15/05/2021

07/05/2021

25/02/2021

23/02/2021

24/01/2021

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