An important element of horse training and equine behavior is communication. As we introduce positive reinforcement(R+) training techniques, we will first focus on teaching the bridge signal (for our purposes we will use a clicker). Through this process we will also practice manners around food and ...

We continue working on manners both on the ground and around food. However, we are going to take it a bit further and add movement. We will be reinforcing relaxation and downward transitions. Therefore we put a greater value on our horses choice to quiet their bodies AND minds. Overtime this skill (...

In this lesson we talk about what a target is as it relates to positive reinforcement training and why it is useful and then introduce it to our horses.

Shawna takes you through stationary targeting, shifting context and some pointers for horses who try to hard or are a little shut down using positive reinforcement.

Help your horse to enjoy holding still for mounting. We will discuss techniques to minimize fidgeting, sidling and walking away. This technique will help them to be solid for mounting out on the trail, at a show, basically anyplace, anytime.

How to introduce the clicker for ridden work. Using positive reinforcement(R+) and feeding while mounted seems complicated but it is actually pretty simple. R+ is great for addressing all sorts of under saddle issues but in this episode we will work through the early steps. More to come in upcoming ...

Helping the rescue, feral, abused equine to go beyond acclimating to a life with humans, we will help them find their human interactions to be enjoyable utilizing positive reinforcement training. I address their fears, behavior and psychological state so that we can create a horse who is emotionally...

Helping horses who have difficulty loading become more than compliant about this essential behavior but actually enjoy it by utilizing positive reinforcement training.

Trailer loading/traveling is actually a lot of behaviors all put together. So we are going to address how to use positive reinforcement for each of the different stages to ensure that the horse enjoys and understands each element.

Trailer loading/traveling is actually a lot of behaviors all put together. So we are going to address how to use positive reinforcement for each of the different stages to ensure that the horse enjoys and understands each element. This time we introduce the trailer actually moving.

The trailer is only part of the equation. Teaching your horse to be relaxed, settled and focused in new places is crucial for creating a good experience. Often times this element is overlooked. Yet, the fear of new places and things can become the impetus for your horse to refuse to load in the trai...

Many people struggle with good ways to motivate their horse to go forward…to WANT to go forward when asked. In this lesson we discuss ways to help your horse go forward. By utilizing positive reinforcement we put something in it the the horse wants and values and this is a game changer. We will disc...

In this lesson we being teaching our horses to go from point A to Point B. This is useful for exercise, for teaching your horse to go away from you, to trailer load, and for teaching your horse to jump or go over obstacles.

Using positive reinforcement we can teach our horses to not only stand quietly, but to actually look forward to the clipping process. We will utilize systematic desensitization and counterconditioning. They sound like big words but it is a simple and useful tool to have in your toolbox for lots of s...

In this lesson, I discuss equine body language, facial expressions and the importance of recognizing when our horses go over threshold. These observations give us important information that we can use to improve our training. Our horses’ emotions are an important part of our relationship and they de...

In this lesson we discuss why horses bite. It’s not always what you might think. We also discuss positive and constructive ways to address the unwanted behavior.

Leading often leaves something to be desired. In this lesson we discuss ways to help get your horse refocused and back in the game of leading. It is often too much momentum that leads to many of the challenges so we discuss ways to help our horses practice some impulse control.

We discuss and practice techniques for teaching young horses basic skills, including standing still and impulse control.

Teach your horse to be cordial at the gate. Resource guarding is common among social animals, including horses. I discuss some techniques to help them to make better, safer choices at the gate or when in a group setting.

It is important to be sure that our horses understand and chose to focus on the things that we have taught them, even in new and distracting situations. I discuss ways to strengthen your horses focus and build reliability with your training.

Teaching your horse to happily participate in bridling isn’t hard to do when utilizing positive reinforcement as part of the equation. In this lesson I discuss what steps to take to create seamless bridling. In addition, I discuss how to change the reluctant horse into a happy participant.

In this lesson we discuss and practice getting ready for fly season. We walk through the steps to getting our horses comfortable with being sprayed with fly spray.