BEHAVIOURAL CONSULTATIONS

Horse Behaviour and Training Consultations

Here at Cutters Canines @ Prospect Farm we support equine science in all handling and training of horses within our workshop-driven events, 1-1s and group sessions.  The latest research supports that we do not have to train our horses using punishment based strategies.  Opportunities to train using positive reinforcement using the LIMA principle below has a much more successful outcome as we are trying to work within their cognitive ability and limitations.  Please contact us for further information.
I grew up around a traditional family setting of breeding and working welsh cobs and shires whilst another branch of the family were in the competitive world of breeding and training racehorses. Through observation I knew that the farm horses appeared settled, had solid relationships with their handlers and shadowed other horses to learn the job. They were not overfaced, were well-socialised to the people and world around them and kept in familiar groups. Contrary to current thinking many traditional horse people were well-versed in equine body language and had high ability to train their horses using consistent and fair handling. I therefore grew up wanting to investigate these two training strategies and sought to have a relationship with my horses and to keep them in as natural a setting as possible and ensure that they had their own voices that I was listening to at all times.
After many years of handling young horses including working in riding schools, showing and racing establishments,  I started my BHSAI in the 1970s, largely a less enlightened time.  Strategies used for horses showing grave stereotypic behaviours and ridden problems focussed on the reliance of often brutal equipment and punishment where the physical and mental wellbeing was hardly considered.    This was in direct opposition to what my forefathers had taught me but seemed to be main stream.  I then went on a journey to discover different types of teaching strategies both Western and English.  Yet again I found myself drawn to non-invasive methods and started to see that the word ‘horseman/woman’ was really a euphemism for the ability to stay on beleaguered equines. 
After working with many rescue horses, including my own herd that had had a variety of traumatic experiences, including being kept in pitch black isolation from birth, cigarettes put out on them, feet bound together and driven or ridden before the age of two.   These traumatised individuals tore at their own bodies, held a continued crouch position or attacked humans because they were so afraid. To see these abused horses finally start to trust again and enjoy life when kept in more natural conditions is what drives my work.  Seeing a supposed riding horse take a piece of French bread tentatively out of my hands only to be traumatised by the crunch in their own mouth shows the level of socialisation that these individuals are missing.  I believe we can all make a difference to the animals in our care.
Current research shows that horses have a high emotional understanding. They experience grief, separation anxiety, maternal bonding and crave relationships just like us. As mammals we all share some similarities in the basic development and composition of nervous systems. Through MRI scans it has been shown that their emotional site in the brain is actually more developed than ours,  so perhaps this is why we are drawn to these sensitive creatures. 

Just like us animals can learn through correct exposure to fearful stimuli, that no harm comes to them,  which in turn increases their confidence. This multiplies our chances for safe progression in riding and training where positive outcomes are higher than negative.  

Therefore, I support a more humane approach to behaviour modification.  Using positive reinforcement avoids putting the animal into an anxious state where behaviour is merely repressed into obeying our commands. 

Humans are predatory and horses are prey animals but we both need to bond with others to feel safe and so developing our relationship with our horses is a major part of our rehabilitation process.  

Our workshops, training and behavioural consultations try to address what the animal is trying to tell us and are supported using object and obstacle exploration, reiki, massage and animal communication to give them the peace of mind they need. As all individuals are better taught in their formative years it makes sense that foals should have the opportunity to play with other youngsters. I am therefore investigating opportunities to put foals in touch with other foals so that they do not develop corrupted play styles.
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