Equitation Science Training

25/09/2025

There are about 47 unwanted equine behaviours listed in the wonderful book Academic Horse Training.

All of them are retrainable.

Many horses have a few issues going on, and that can feel overwhelming, but once we address the root causes, they almost always all resolve completely, with a short course of training.

Imagine that. No more difficult behaviours in your horse. A happier horse. Achievable in just a few clearly structured sessions.

Sessions in NZ from October.

Bye, bye problem rides.

Click here to learn more:

https://share.google/w4Yi5voxc2NTeDUlW

22/09/2025

Farrier relaxed with her head near the back feet of a horse that previously repeatedly lashed out with both hind feet at once. Four training sessions. The humans are doing the right thing, so the horse is behaving.

22/09/2025

Horses' facial expressions change as training progresses, usually during the first session or two. Check out the feedback about the severe biter.

"Hey Julie, thanks for checking up with me. So far so good! Grooming, putting cover on and even leading has improved immensely, and he even just seems so much happier in his face expressions.

We did have a few hiccups yesterday with our training but nothing for me to complain about it was just a couple nibbles on the hand and one small rear up. I fixed him though ..... and he listened without fighting back.

Then I put his head down and once he settled I started it up again asking him the questions.

I also feel so much more confident in my own ..... ground work!"

22/09/2025

Horse training takes time. There are no shortcuts that work reliably over the long term.

I won't rush a job, because I don't want to be associated with crap results. It takes as long as it takes, and that depends on the horse, as well as the effort and aptitude of the student (homework, consistency).

Having said that, I can generally give an accurate guesstimate of how many sessions it will take to delete an unwanted behaviour, or to install a new response. It's based on averages from over a decade of working with equine behaviour.

For example:

Training a horse to be calm and easy to worm nearly always takes 2 x 45-minute sessions.

Same for shoeing, injections, saddling and girthing the first time, etc.

Backing and loading take longer.

Remember, do it once and do it right.

22/09/2025

Almost all behaviour issues can be resolved by training the operant responses, in-hand and under-saddle.

Depending on the horse and student, I aim to train 6 of the in-hand responses during the first meeting. Trained at least to obedience level. You can print/copy this list, and tick each level of each response as we train it.

This isn't just a matter of training the horse. It's essential that I teach the student to maintain all of these responses, all the time.

If you slacken off, the horse will too. Back to square one!

And these aren't just party tricks. Training them in-hand transforms the horse's tension and renders them a joy to handle and be around. The in-hand responses also directly pre-train the under-saddle responses too. That's why I don't cut corners.

In-hand
Under-saddle
Sorted horse
Voila!

22/09/2025

I'll be back in NZ in October! Sessions available in Rotorua, and BOP, during that month. PM me to enquire.

It's a perfect time for backing your young horse, or resolving any equine behaviour issues.

Click here for more information:

http://www.equitationsciencetraining.net/equitation-sciencetrainingtestimonials

22/09/2025