The Willing Equine

Remember my social media post where I asked you all what *couldn't* be trained with R+? Thank you to everyone who commented, sharing their take on behaviors that they believed would not lend themselves well to an R+ based approach. I decided to go through the comments on my podcast, diving into some myth busting and explaining how I might go about teaching the behaviors mentioned with R+. The answers might surprise you! In this episode (part three of this series), I dive into how whether or not R+ can be used in the situations of: Horses coming off of stall rest Panicked, over threshold horses Trailer anxiety Be sure to stay tuned for part 4 of this series! And if you missed parts 2 & 3 be sure to head over and give them a listen. Part One Part Two

Remember my social media post where I asked you all what *couldn't* be trained with R+? Thank you to everyone who commented, sharing their take on behaviors that they believed would not lend themselves well to an R+ based approach. I decided to go through the comments on my podcast, diving into some myth busting and explaining how I might go about teaching the behaviors mentioned with R+. The answers might surprise you! In this episode (part two of this series), I dive into how you can safely implement R+ with: Aggressive horses Horses with severe food anxiety Foals/young horses Horses who display dangerous/explosive behavior (bucking, rearing, bolting, etc.) And more! Be sure to stay tuned for part 3 of this series! And if you missed part 1, be sure to head over and give it a listen here.

Welcome to season 5 of TWE podcast! After a long break from recording episodes in 2023, I'm so excited to be back. We kick off the first episode of season 5 by sharing some BIG life updates on the TWE herd, including moving homes, herd changes, and more! I also share my personal and business related goals for 2024. Then we dive into some myth busting! A while back I posted a photo on social media, asking commenters to share behaviors that they believed COULDN'T be trained with R+. In this episode and the one that follows, I'll be sharing my take, which is that R+ works for ALL behaviors! I'll discuss how you can go about teaching your horse that specific behavior using R+, and share some tips and tricks along the way. In this episode, we evaluate 3 behaviors. - Long duration ridden behaviors (dressage tests, jump courses, trail rides, etc.) - High school dressage movements - Tactile cues (Cues that look like traditional R- cues) So tune in to see just how you can teach these behaviors with R+! Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thewillingequine/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thewillingequine/support

In this episode, I talk to a very special guest, Julia Alexander, and we have a wonderful conversation about Equine Assisted Therapy. We discuss some of the experiences we have had with Equine Assisted Therapy in the past, and how these past experiences have brought up thoughts and questions about the ethics and emotional state of the horses involved.  We also share our plans for what the future of Equine-assisted therapy could look like, and how incorporating consent-based training and cooperative care could have a positive impact on the horses, clients, and therapists alike.  More about Julia Alexander and the work that she does: Julia provides compassionate therapy, education and consulting services rooted in anti-racist, social justice and liberatory frameworks. She offers a safe and accepting space to alleviate shame, heal trauma and discover inner resilience. Her approach is founded on an unwavering belief in the healing power of safe connection, and a deep knowing that sustained relationship to nature plays a major role in human healing. She specializes in providing eco and equine-assisted psychotherapy in the areas of childhood relationship trauma, coming out, systemic oppression, and shame held by white-bodied people. As a social justice educator, she offers customized consulting, curriculum design and group facilitation to individuals, teams, and organizations who want to understand their experiences and beliefs in the context of systemic oppression. She combines her expertise as a therapist and social justice educator to offer a unique form of equine-assisted psychotherapy rooted in the ethical inclusion of horses in human treatment. Through this work, she loves supporting people in exploring connection, dialogue, choice and consent. https://www.juliaalexandercounseling.com/ @juliaalexander_lcsw Podcast Transcript: https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/episode-57

It is inevitable that at some point in your horse's life they will experience a stressful, or even traumatic, situation, such as trailering to the vet or evacuating in the event of a natural disaster.  In this episode, I discuss several steps you can take to help your horse recover from traumatic events, as well as share some practical ways to prepare your horse (and yourself) to prevent the experience from becoming a traumatic one. www.thewillingequine.com Podcast Transcript: https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/ep-56----equine-trauma-prevention-and-recovery

Have you ever been in a situation with your horse that you looked back on and regretted? We've all been there; none of us are perfect...including myself.  In this episode, I discuss a messy situation with Finn that lead to some unique learning opportunities. We can't change the past, but we can plan for the future and know better for next time! www.thewillingequine.com

2022 has arrived, and I have LOTS to share with you guys! So much so that I had to split this episode into two parts. In this episode, you will hear information about.... The TWE Academy, hear about some of my plans for 2022, and hear updates on each of the horses. Finn (Where did his mane and tail go?) Raven's (under-saddle and EPM) Cashmere (Is she here to stay?) River (Under-saddle and ??? Some big news here) Candy & Cash (Aging, weight, and pain management) June (You'll be seeing her around a lot!) Pumpkin (Fractured molars and ligament injuries) Plus... a discussion about creating a medical support team for your horses, problem-solving mysterious medical conditions, and how just one or two vet exams are not enough to rule out pain! For More Information On PSSM : Websites: http://equiseq.com/learning_center/health/polysaccharide-storage-myopathy-pssm https://www.immubiome.com/blogs/horse-resources-and-education/things-to-know-about-pssm https://pssmawareness.com/2020/11/what-is-pssm2/ Youtube: https://youtu.be/Sp223pUYBRE https://youtu.be/nKHIGDjwCmM https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0WwcXotj6AuIxEKR-BD5A Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3gukeAibVssKRwlcGqcaRB?si=tDe3YE_YStK5x0Qtu5diaA&nd=1 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4plajNICEY8fPu3Sjzf1Gx Facebook Groups: 'PSSM & MFM Awareness' https://www.facebook.com/groups/pssmandmfmawareness 'PSSM Forum' https://www.facebook.com/groups/202978353056065 How to test your horse for PSSM1 & PSSM2: https://generatio.de/en (PSSM1 & 2 - UK & Europe) https://www.animalgenetics.eu/Equine/Genetic_Disease/PSSM.asp (PSSM1 - UK & Europe) http://www.equiseq.com/ (PSSM 2 - USA & rest of the world) https://www.animalgenetics.us/equine/genetic_disease/PSSM.asp (PSSM 1 - USA & rest of the world ) To Learn More About The Willing Equine : www.thewillingequine.com Podast Transcript: https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/ep-54----welcome-back-to-season-four-and-updates-part-two

2022 has arrived, and I have LOTS to share with you guys! So much so that I had to split this episode into two parts. In this episode, you will hear information about.... The TWE Academy, hear about some of my plans for 2022, and hear updates on each of the horses.   Finn (Where did his mane and tail go?)  Raven's (under-saddle and EPM) Cashmere (Is she here to stay?)  River (Under-saddle and ??? Some big news here)  Candy & Cash (Aging, weight, and pain management)  June (You'll be seeing her around a lot!)  Pumpkin (Fractured molars and ligament injuries)  Plus... a discussion about creating a medical support team for your horses, problem-solving mysterious medical conditions, and how just one or two vet exams are not enough to rule out pain!  Episode Transcript: https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/ep-53----welcome-back-to-season-four-and-updates-part-one www.thewillingequine.com

Are you interested in turning your horse out more but worried for their safety? Do they run the fences, call, stress, and in general act in a panicked way when turned out? Maybe they even act like they would prefer to be in their stalls and don't like the pasture! This episode is JUST for you. I explain my process to helping introduce horses to more turnout or to full time pasture life in a safe and low stress way. Low stress for them, and for you! I also share some of my personal stories of where "just turn your horse out" has not actually been the safest approach.  www.thewillingequine.com Podcast Transcript: https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/ep-52----helping-horses-adjust-to-turnout

In this episode we talk to the amazing Denise Fenzi! All about the similarities in dog training and horse training, bridging the gap between training methodologies, bringing positive reinforcement into our interactions with human learners, keeping in mind all the parties involved (owner/caregiver, trainer, animal learner, and society), and so much more!  "Denise Fenzi (she/her) has titled dogs in obedience, tracking, schutzhund, mondioring, herding, conformation, and agility. She has two AKC obedience champions, perfect scores in both schutzhund and Mondio ringsport obedience, and is well known for her flashy and precise obedience work. While a successful competitor, Denise's real passion lies in training dogs and solving the problems that her own dogs and her students' dogs present. She is a recognized expert in developing drive, motivation, and focus in competition dogs, and is known internationally as an engaging speaker and an expert in no-force training for sport dogs. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to train and compete with dogs using motivational methods in sports where compulsion is the norm. In addition to training and speaking, Denise is a prolific writer.  Denise thoughtfully and persistently works to break down the barriers that prevent people from obtaining a truly interactive and mutually enjoyable sport relationship with their dogs. Fenzi Academy is the culmination of her efforts as a forward step in providing progressive information to any trainer who wishes to learn." You can learn from Denise Fenzi through her many social media platforms or through her website(s)! https://denisefenzi.com/ https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/

Have you ever wondered how to safely introduce new horses to each other? Or integrate a new horse to an established herd? In this episode I share with you my process and thoughts on the matter! I've successfully introduced many horses to herds and to companions with minimal to no bickering, injuries, or scary moments. The goal is peaceful introductions with safety in mind! Even the most intense resource guarders and poorly socialized horses CAN learn to safely interact with companions, and SHOULD have equine companions. www.thewillingequine.com Find The Willing Equine On... Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and even Twitter! Podcast Transcript: https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/ep-50-introducing-new-horses

"You don’t want to ignore the horse. Everything we do with this type of bodywork, we are paying attention to what the horse is saying. And so, you have to adjust what you are doing to what the horse is saying so that they’re as relaxed as possible - because it doesn’t work if they’re not relaxed." -🗣 Jim Masterson, Ep. 49, Listening to Your Horse with Jim Masterson @mastersonmethod In our 49th episode on the podcast Jim Masterson joins me to discuss his experiences working on horses using the his own method of bodywork, the Masterson Method. We discuss: 🔸︎ Bodywork with horses at liberty vs. restrained 🔸︎ Recommendations for nervous horses, and horses who don’t like being touched 🔸︎Calming signals/stress signals in relation to bodywork 🔸︎Allowing horses to eat during sessions, especially if they are stressed or nervous 🔸︎Examining the root cause of pain and tension And so much more! Jim Masterson was the equine bodywork therapist for the 2006 through 2014 US Endurance Teams, and for show jumping and eventing equine athletes competing in World Cup, Pan American and World Equestrian Games competitions. The method of bodywork he uses follows responses of the horse to touch, that enable it to release tension in the body that affects performance and behavior. It is a method that anyone can use to improve performance and behavior, and to open new levels of communication and trust with the horse. To learn more about Jim Masterson and the Masterson Method, head over to his website, https://mastersonmethod.com/, as well as check out his YouTube channel. Podcast Transcript: https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/episode-49----listening-to-your-horse-with-jim-masterson

This is a two part series!  For our 48th episode on the podcast Brie Simpson of PATH Equestrian joins me to discuss "pure" positive reinforcement, LIMA (and the humane hierarchy) for human learners, damage control vs structured training, setting you and your horse up for success, transitioning from traditional training to positive reinforcement, and so much more! We hope you enjoy this episode and would love to hear if you have any questions for Brie and I on this subject. This is a topic that is near and dear to both of us and we hope that this episode helps you, as a listener and potentially someone working to incorporate R+ into your interactions with your horse, and encourages you! "Brie Simpson is the founder and owner of PATH Equestrian in Ontario Canada. She is studying to be a Certified Horse Behavioural Consultant (CHBC) through the IAABC and has been training and working with horses for over 14 years. She has dedicated her last 4 years to researching and studying equine behaviour, positive reinforcement training, the learning theory and equine enrichment. Brie is extremely passionate about improving the day-to-day life and basic handling of horses and wants to help advance the equine world into using more compassionate, humane and science-based methods of training." https://pathequestrian.com/

For our 47th episode on the podcast Brie Simpson of PATH Equestrian joins me to discuss "pure" positive reinforcement, LIMA (and the humane hierarchy) for human learners, damage control vs structured training, setting you and your horse up for success, transitioning from traditional training to positive reinforcement, and so much more! We hope you enjoy this episode and would love to hear if you have any questions for Brie and I on this subject. This is a topic that is near and dear to both of us and we hope that this episode helps you, as a listener and potentially someone working to incorporate R+ into your interactions with your horse, and encourages you! "Brie Simpson is the founder and owner of PATH Equestrian in Ontario Canada. She is studying to be a Certified Horse Behavioural Consultant (CHBC) through the IAABC and has been training and working with horses for over 14 years. She has dedicated her last 4 years to researching and studying equine behaviour, positive reinforcement training, the learning theory and equine enrichment. Brie is extremely passionate about improving the day-to-day life and basic handling of horses and wants to help advance the equine world into using more compassionate, humane and science-based methods of training." https://pathequestrian.com/ Stay tuned for part two!

We cover two topics, of similar nature, in this episode! To begin with... all the things you can do with young horses BEFORE you ever get on to ride! This can really help take away the pressure to get to those first rides, and put you WELL ahead of the game when it is the right time! Second, we discuss preparing for shows from home. Especially during this recent season in pretty much everyone's life with the pandemic. A lot of us haven't been traveling with our horses much and the shows have been largely virtual. It may be a bit of a surprise for your horse to suddenly return to the show arena after such a long time away, but it doesn't have to be!  ✦ www.TheWillingEquine.com✦ Instagram.com/TheWillingEquine ✦ YouTube.com/TheWillingEquine ✦ Facebook.com/TheWillingEquine ✦

In this episode I share with you my experience in how horses that are trained with clicker training, focused on positive reinforcement, respond to negative reinforcement (or pressure & release) training. I also provide suggestions for boarding and other situations where you horse may be handled periodically by people trained traditionally, how to help horses understand traditional handling, and give examples of situations I've been in where I had to switch over to negative reinforcement. ✦ www.thewillingequine.com ✦

In this episode Steph K of @stephkequestrian shares with us her recipe for success in combining a thriving rescue/rehab program with a successful lesson program! We also discuss.. ✦ “Career training” for horses ✦ Personality/temperament changes in horses ✦ Rehoming rescue/R+ horses ✦ Instructor personality types and matching with the right students ✦ Personality/temperament matching of horses and humans ✦ And sooooo much more! If you want to learn more about Steph's program, check out her website at https://www.skequine.com/ or find her on Instagram @stephkequestrian

This episode began with answering a listener's question about bonding with their horse, took a deep dive into "toxic relationships" in the middle somewhere, and ended with 5 (or was it 6?) steps towards improving your relationship with your horse. We also look at operationalizing "willingness", choice, trust, and more. Plus, there's a whole tangent nestled in there about how first impressions are often not accurate! (Just because the horse looks like they have a choice doesn't mean they actually do). It's a bit of a whirlwind! ✦ www.TheWillingEquine.com ✦ Instagram.com/TheWillingEquine ✦ YouTube.com/TheWillingEquine ✦ Facebook.com/TheWillingEquine ✦

I'm excited to share this wonderful conversation with Ryan Cartlidge of Animal Training Academy with you guys! In this episode we discuss...  ✦ What throwing spaghetti at the wall has to do with brave and resilient learning ✦ How our feedback towards other may directly impact their motivation to go out and train ✦ Flow charts and being a confident trainer ✦ Generalizing and trigger stacking ✦ And how we are not so very different from our horses! → Here is a little more information about Ryan  "Ryan Cartlidge is a certified professional dog trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy & the founder of Animal Training Academy & Kapiti Dog Trainer! He has been working internationally as a professional trainer since 2007, including in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the US. Ryan has trained teams, developed animal training programs, been published in leading industry magazines, spoken at international conferences, and delivered presentations in a university on animal behaviour. And now through the Animal Training Academy, he connects hundreds of animal behavior & training enthusiasts with a large (and growing) library of lessons and tutorials delivered by renowned animal experts." To find out more about Ryan check out the Animal Training Academy at www.animaltrainingacademy.com

As promised, here is the episode talking about Pumpkin! This episode is all about my beautiful mare Pumpkin, what she has taught me, how she has challenged me, how she's transformed over the years, and so much more! We talk about: "Slow", "resistant", and "lazy" horses. The different ways fear can manifest in behavior. How to recognize learned helplessness/shut down/going internal behavior. What can cause frustration and rage responses in us as trainers. How I responded then vs now to Pumpkin. Putting horses into boxes and the problem with treating rescue and "regular" horses differently. Plus a lot more! This is a bunny trail episode as we explore all the ways Pumpkin has made changes in me and my horsemanship.  www.thewillingequine.com