Horse Training - Applied Behaviour Analysis for Horses

19/05/2024

19/05/2024

Are Traditional Training Methods Eroding Our Humanity?

In her book, Stormy May eloquently outlines how the common training practices used with horses - methods that rely on force, fear, and the suppression of the animal's natural behaviors - take a tremendous physical and psychological toll on the horses themselves.

However, May also argues that these same training approaches have a profoundly damaging impact on the humans who engage in them, slowly eroding our capacity for empathy, compassion, and authentic connection.

May explains that when we are constantly in a mode of needing to overpower, control and coerce another being (in this case, the horse) in order to get what we want, it has a corrosive effect on our own inner landscape. We become hardened, less able to truly see and attune to the needs of others.

This can manifest in a variety of harmful ways. May suggests that riders who are steeped in traditional training methods may become increasingly:

Disconnected from their own authenticity and emotional intelligence. Constantly having to project an image of dominance and mastery, they lose touch with their deeper feelings, vulnerabilities and capacity for vulnerability.

Obsessed with status, hierarchy and performance. The focus becomes all about winning, beating competitors, and proving one's superiority - rather than cultivating mutual understanding and care.

Lacking in empathy and compassion. When we're in a mindset of needing to conquer and subdue another being, it becomes very difficult to respond with empathy, patience and consideration for their experience.

Prone to aggression, violence and a sense of entitlement. The mentality of "I can make you do what I want through the application of force" can easily spill over into other areas of life, leading to abusive or domineering behaviors.

Distrustful and closed-off in relationships. Having to constantly be "on guard" and in control when working with horses, it becomes challenging to approach human relationships with genuine openness and vulnerability.

May shares how she personally struggled with these dynamics, even as an accomplished and respected horse trainer. The more she immersed herself in traditional methods, the more she felt her own humanity slipping away. It was only when she was willing to question these approaches and seek out alternative, more compassionate ways of relating to horses that she began to reclaim her authentic self.

Ultimately, May believes that our treatment of horses serves as a mirror, reflecting back to us the very best and worst of our human qualities. If we are willing to be honest about the harm that traditional training methods inflict - not just on the horses, but on our own capacity for empathy and care - it can be a profound catalyst for personal and societal transformation.

By letting go of the need to dominate and control, and instead learning to listen, attune and engage in authentic partnership, we unlock new levels of harmony, not just with our equine friends, but within ourselves and our human relationships as well.

It's a powerful invitation to evolve, both individually and collectively, in service of a more compassionate world. But it starts with the willingness to see the truth, however uncomfortable it may be.

To read the pre-release version of the book "A Better World for Horses and Humans" as well as see many exclusive videos and other content please subscribe to her Patreon account. https://www.patreon.com/posts/latest-version-75003597

11/04/2024

https://youtu.be/FutfAy78bPU

Cashing in on the wild weather to do some tarp training - Jamie knows this quite well but Wilson is learning - so i am reinforcing approach behaviours and us...

10/04/2024

Our first release of the Positive Reinforcement Myth Busting Series - "My horse will not learn that way".

Welcome to our Positive Reinforcement Myth Busting Series, where we delve deep into the world of animal training to debunk common misconceptions and shed light on the power of positive reinforcement. In this series, we'll explore the science behind positive reinforcement training methods, dispelling myths that may hinder its effectiveness or understanding.

10/04/2024

At last!

Our first release of the Positive Reinforcement Myth Busting Series - "My horse will not learn that way".

Welcome to our Positive Reinforcement Myth Busting Series, where we delve deep into the world of animal training to debunk common misconceptions and shed light on the power of positive reinforcement. In this series, we'll explore the science behind positive reinforcement training methods, dispelling myths that may hinder its effectiveness or understanding.

28/03/2024

16/03/2024

Wilson responded really well so I did another session!As he progresses I can fade out the target and use my hands to guide him.

16/03/2024

For some reason the text didn't post - maybe I deleted it? Who knows - I am not firing on all 4 cylinders for sure.

This last month has flown by and has been about getting used to;
a life without spots
a life without someone who changed my life
a life of acceptance, and adapting to a new direction

It has also been a month where we welcomed a miracle horse called Wilson 🙏❤️
a semi retired show jumper
a special soul
a new companion
a welcome distraction

Thank you Shelby Cooper for your precious gift ❤️

16/03/2024

Absolute GOLD 🙏

09/03/2024

February has been challenging - the end of an era as we said goodbye for now to Jaxon 🙏💕
We know the day comes at some point but it always seems too soon.
He was a horse like no other and we knew each other inside out! Our rides were so easy because he knew me and tried to figure stuff out - im so going to miss that connection that intuition 🙏
Love you lots my spotted wonder horse - I know you’re with me in spirit - nothing could bring me to believe you’re not ruling the roost upstairs 💕

Brigid was so right - you were my soulmate and I miss you it hurts like hell but as I said before your galloping free now with all my forever horses
Sooty Tommy Melita Jazzy and your gal Missie.

I have to give a massive thank you to Shelby Cooper for bringing Wilson into our lives! I was desperate to find a partner for Jamie as we faced the imminent loss of Jaxon 😞
The universe conspired to help me as time was running out.

It’s been a tough month adapting to a life without spots, but dear Wilson has been a gem and helped distract me and fill a gap in Jamie’s world 🙏
Nearly 20 years together makes the loss a huge adjustment but I can’t thank you enough Shelby for choosing us to take your boy to help us heal ❤️

22/01/2024

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2NlrKoi5-h/?igsh=c3hsMzAzejBzMjJ2

Maybe relevant to some of us who feel that soul connection….

02/01/2024

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/v/u88Koc8dXDzV3wVM/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The day will come!

26/12/2023

A smile from us to you these holidays!

24/12/2023

Christmas Eve here in NZ - wishing you all much peace and happiness, and here's to 2024 🙏❤️

30/11/2023

Accountability and fall out...following the news

21/11/2023

https://www.facebook.com/milestoneequestrian96/videos/1092245178459089/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

I commented on this in my zoom last night 🙏
Join the dots and life starts to make sense
R+ is so much more than training!

21/11/2023

Great example of the power of positive reinforcement in building trust and connection!

21/11/2023

Get more from Kate Wi******er on Patreon

21/11/2023

Awesome zoom session tonight!
Covering the ins and outs of reinforcement 😳🤩

Catch up in December
More to come!

20/11/2023

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/real-horses-zoom-series

Not too late to register click below for more details and to register 😁

Join us on November 21st

20/11/2023

Reinforcement - the ins and outs!

18/11/2023

Challenging Post Alert!

So why am I posting this photo?
This sums up a frequent approach to life when things go wrong!
Patch it up and keep going!

Maybe this seems a bit of a loose analogy to horse training issues and yet we know it happens

Get someone in to “fix” or patch up the issue so we can keep going!

Maybe we need to consider how long this approach will last, and is our horse’s welfare being compromised in the process?