Knowing Your Horse (eBook)

Emma Lethbridge is an animal behaviour consultant and riding instructor, who has ridden and trained horses for 20 years. She is currently reading a PhD in Psychology at the University of Lincoln. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Neuroscience from the University of Sussex and a Diploma in Practical Equine Behaviour, as well as having trained with the British Horse Society attaining the Groom's Certificate and Preliminary Teaching Qualification. Emma currently trains with well-known classical dressage master Heather Moffett, and her renowned High School horse trainer assistant Becky Holden, and holds their 'Enlightened Equitation Teacher' Qualification.

Foreword

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Principles of Good Horse Training

Ten Basic Principles of Good Horsemanship

Learning recap

Chapter 2 Does Classical Conditioning Ring a Bell?

Different Stimuli and Response Terms

Training Task: How to Classically Condition Your Horse

Specific Training Situations

Learning recap

My training log

Chapter 3 Living With the Consequences

Operant Conditioning

Applying Simple Operant Conditioning

Training Task: 'Don't Mug Me' Training

Learning recap

My training log

Chapter 4 All Possible Consequences

Defining Positive and Negative Consequences

Reinforcement

Punishment

Which Consequence?

Learning recap

Chapter 5 Other Laws and Factors in Learning

The Final Law - Extinction

Understanding Generalisation and Discrimination Learning inTraining

Learning recap

Chapter 6 The Power of Positive Reinforcement

What Can Be a Positive Reinforcer?

Which Reinforcer Should I Use?

When to Reward

Training Using Positive Reinforcement

Learning recap

Training Task: Using Positive Reinforcement to Teach the Back,the Heel, the Stay, the Recall and the Yield

Training Task: Teaching the Head Down and Placement using theTarget Lure

My training log

Chapter 7 The Sound of Learning - ClickerTraining

What is Clicker Training?

The Training Game

Target Training

The Secrets of Clicker Success

Learning recap

Training Task: Using Clicker Training

My training log

Chapter 8 Negative Reinforcement - ReinforcementThrough Escape

Pressure-Release Training

The Important Factors for Applying Negative ReinforcementEthically

When Not to Use Negative Conditioning

Avoidance Learning

Is Every Physical Contact with the Horse NegativeReinforcement?

Combining Positive and Negative Reinforcement

Adding Cues and Commands

Learning recap

Training Task: Using Negative Reinforcement ThroughPressure-Release

My training log

Chapter 9 Understanding Punishment

The Side Effects and Problems of Punishment

Applying Punishment (Minimising the Side Effects)

Is it Possible to Train a Horse Without the Use ofPunishment?

Learning recap

Chapter 10 How to Deal with Unwanted Behaviours Without UsingPunishment

The Simplest and Hardest Option - Ignoring the Horse

Counter Conditioning

Driven to Distraction

A Final Note

Learning recap

Case Studies: Alternative Ways to Correct UnwantedBehaviour

My training log

Chapter 11 Step by Step

Shaping

Chaining

Applying Shaping

Training Task: Shaping

Training Task: More Complicated Shaping - Teaching theSpanish Walk

Applying Chaining

Conclusion

Learning recap

My training log

Chapter 12 Overcoming Fears and Phobias

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Overcoming Established Fears and Phobias

Habituation

Flooding

Systematic Desensitisation

Counter Conditioning

Combining Systematic Desensitisation and CounterConditioning

Learning recap

Case Studies: Helping Horses Overcome Their Fears

My training log

Chapter 13 Learning with Character

Does the Sex of the Horse Affect Learning Ability?

The Effect of Age on Learning Ability

Does Social Status Affect Learning?

Nature Verses Nurture

Learning recap

References and Furthern Reading.

Index

This book is for owners who not only care about their horse, but
also are willing to make a little effort to discover the true
potential of their relationship. I can assure you your efforts will
be more than rewarded. This book blends good science effortlessly
with practice, so that the reader can soon become a more skilled
trainer... If you understand the principles, then you are only
limited by your imagination, and as you discover the many joys of
training you will inevitably develop a deeper appreciation of
horses... Emma is a passionate horse lover who genuinely takes
the welfare of horses to heart, and she is also a scientist who
understands both the theory and practice of learning and training.
Perhaps what is less obvious is how rare it is to find this
combination of characteristics in an individual who can write so
clearly. She has brought together a wealth of knowledge with some
of the latest research findings, to create an easy to read
text.

Professor Daniel S. Mills, RCVS Recognised & European
Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, University of
Lincoln, UK

Instead of punishing what many perceive to be the horse
'misbehaving', often it is the horse trying to
communicate that he is in pain, or is being blocked by the rider.
Far from being able to carry out the rider's wishes, it may
be impossible for the horse to do so, but because, unlike a dog, he
cannot cry out, he is punished for merely trying to communicate his
pain or fear. It therefore behoves us to understand how the horse
learns, and how his mind works. Scientific in thinking, Knowing
Your Horse is nonetheless very readable. This book should be on the
bookshelves of all who ride or train horses.

Heather Moffett, classical dressage trainer and founder of
Enlightened Equitation, Devon UK