Living in the present – Enjoying an equine in the moments spent together with no pressure or expectation on the partnership. The concept of bringing yourself to the present moment is one of the most underpinning concepts of mindfulness. It is summarised as being in the present in any given moment as much as possible. This …
When thinking about bit basics we must be aware of the structure of the horses face and the pressure points that effect the horse when pressure is applied. The shape of the head, depth of the mouth, thickness of the lips and tongue, height of the roof and position of the curb grove are all …
Sensitisation and habituation are examples of non associative learning. Non-associative learning refers to a change in a behavioural response to a stimulus after repeated or continuous exposure to that stimulus. Habituation Habituation occurs when horses get used to a stimulant through the process of repeated exposure and stops reacting in a fearful way. Habituation occurs …
‘Stable vice’ is a term used to describe undesirable behaviours displayed by stable kept horses. These stereotypical behaviours, once established, can be difficult to change. The exact cause of stable vices are unclear but environment is likely to play a significant role. Horses are designed to be on the move, grazing throughout the day. Many generations …
The 5 freedoms was the first widely accepted evidence-based framework to capture the key aspects of animal welfare in one model. The concept of the internationally recognised Five Freedoms originated with the 1965 UK Brambell report. The Five Freedoms were later expanded upon by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) and represents the welfare of …
Guest blog by: Chloe Konkle of Bonafide Behaviour and Training Below are the most common myths I’ve heard throughout my R+ journey. I’ll be honest, having a strong foundation in traditional training myself, I’ve had these thoughts too. I chose to let them go and continue learning. I’m so glad I did. Myth 1 “My …
Equine Reiki– Guest blog by Nicola Roberts of Equine Zen Reiki. What is Equine Reiki? Reiki, pronounced Ray key, is a accent Japanese method of healing energy that reduces stress and promotes healing, both for animals and their humans. We are all made of energy and this energy can sometimes become blocked or stagnant in …
What are the essential items for the first aid kit? There are many items that can be included in a first aid kit but all should have the basic essentials. No matter how extensive your first-aid kit is, you should always call your vet in an emergency. Essential items for the first aid kit include: …
We all have an ego. Many people think of someone with an ego as a person who is big headed and vein but that is an extreme version of the ego. The ego in all of us is our sense of self and who we are. In the practice of mindful horsemanship we make an …
Cognitive dissonance is a mental conflict that occurs when your beliefs don’t line up with your actions. For example: The rider who wouldn’t strap closed a dogs mouth knows it causes pain and discomfort to the dog. They don’t wish to cause the dog harm because they feel its wrong and not in line with …
