If your horse suffers from separation anxiety, it’s all down to the PANIC system in the brain. As a herd animal, the instinct to stay with other horses is incredibly strong, even in adults. This video explains this brain system and how it impacts your relationship and training with your horse. The PANIC system differs […]
Don’t Leave Me! – 5. The PANIC System Read More »
In this video, I look at the PLAY system, what play is to horses and how you can use it in your training sessions to make your training more effective and joyful for both of you. This builds on the SEEKING and CARE systems covered in previous videos. You can watch all the videos in
Having Fun – 3. The PLAY System Read More »
This video is all about understanding what goes on in the brain when your horse is building relationships, both with you and his pasture mates. How can you use this to strengthen your connection and build your relationship together? Watch this video to find out… (If you haven’t watched the first in this series, yet,
Making Connections – 2. The CARE System Read More »
Ever wondered how your horse’s emotions affect your training? In this video, Rachel explains what makes horses curious, enthusiastic and happy to learn. This is the first in a series of 7 in which Rachel will explore the full range of your horse’s core emotions. Find out how a great emotional connection is the key
The Way Horses Feel: 1. Living the Good Life – The SEEKING System Read More »
This video shows how Helen used Connection Training to change her pony, Charlie, from running away from people in the field to coming to call! There are lots of reasons why horses might not like to be caught from disliking what happens next to separation anxiety to a bad history with catching. Charlie arrived to Helen
Can’t Catch Your Horse? Read More »
A shared dream of many of us is having a horse who loves to be ridden just as much as you want to ride. A horse who comes willingly over to mounting block, is willing to go forwards but just as happy to slow down again when you ask. A horse who moves evenly, soundly
Want to get connection under saddle? Join us for our 2016 Conference… Read More »
In a previous blog I developed the traditional behavioural consequences model (aka the “learning quadrant”) to include my ideas of how Panksepp’s emotional systems may be considered in that framework. In this blog I want to take this further to look at the next consideration: arousal and threshold. Arousal levels have a massive effect on
The New Emotional Learning Quadrant: Adding in Arousal Read More »
Making the transition from groundwork to ridden work can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! At CT, we have some techniques to make this process smooth, easy, calm and fun for both you and your horse. These techniques can be broken down into 3 steps: Riding from the Ground This is where you
Backing Your Horse – The Connection Training Way Read More »
Did you see this good article, Positive Reinforcement: Where Does It Fit in Equine Training? about learning theory and horsemanship (with great comments on our own Shawna)? I particularly like the graphic that Henderson used to illustrate the four quadrants of operant conditioning: The Original Learning Quadrant This is often known as the “learning quadrant”
The Emotional Learning Quadrant Read More »
Have you ever wondered why reward-based training works so well to build a strong connection with your horse? Maybe it’s because when we start Connection Training, we emulate many of the behaviours that horses use themselves to create their mutual bonds. This fantastic video clip from The Cloud Foundation shows an older foal meeting his
The First Connection: Learning from Foals Read More »
Or, The Great Green Cloth Experiment Lots of horses get in a state about having things put over their head or having their ears handled. When I rescued Roisin, this was one big issue and we had to undo bridles, head-collars and reins to put them on and off. I successfully re-trained this using a
Overcoming Head Shy Fear Read More »
Well, maybe you always have been and have not been bothered about scientists moaning on that “animals do not have feelings”. But I did a degree in biological sciences and the charge of being anthropomorphic, ascribing “human” feelings to animals, was a serious put down. As I was trying to prove my equal abilities as
Phew! It’s OK to be Anthropomorphic! Read More »
Sign up to our mailing list below. You will receive a FREE Video Seminar on The 4 Elements of Connection Training!
When you sign up to our mailing list you will receive our blogs, which come out every 1-2 weeks. We may also send you CT offers occasionally.
We won’t pass on your details and we won’t spam you – we hate it, too! You can unsubscribe at any time.
