Lead a Horse to Water

Oct 31 2024 64 ep. 37 mins 17

Lead a Horse to Water Podcast artwork

Lost in the sea of horse training? Step aboard for evidence based equine training and behaviour content. Listen to professionals and enthusiasts from the world of horse training and behaviour as well as associated areas of the equine world. Trudi Dempsey is an English equine trainer and behaviour consultant, specialising in positive reinforcement.

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Young horse training, in conversation with Chess Watts

Oct 31 2024 50 mins

In this episode I talk to Chess about her journey with Gambit her young Exmoor pony. I met them when she needed help with his behaviour and the two have been a real joy to work with. My new accredited trainer course is now live at Understand Horses https://courses.understandhorses.com/courses/horse-trainer-foundation-certificate Check out my IAABC Foundation course here https://i

In Conversation with Jessie Sams

Oct 09 2024 60 mins

In this episode Jessie Sams and I finally got around to talking to her about her life and work with horses and other topics like a biopsychosocial model, the 3 C's of communication, choice and consent (with Emily Kieson) , compassion for human horse carers and lots more. Jessie Sams is an animal behaviour consultant with a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science from the Un

Science, evidence...does it support clicker training? Summer short 6

Sep 27 2024 17 mins

Are science based or evidence based titles a good idea? How do we feel about science, especially in light of the recent dog study. Does science absolutely support R+ based/clicker training? How science has made me cross and how I'm learning to cut more slack! Heads up my Horse Trainer Foundation Certificate Course (accredited by Rural Skills) will be coming online in 2025, detai

Should we combine reinforcement, does it work? Summer short 5

Sep 12 2024 18 mins

It will come as no big surprise that intentionally combining positive and negative reinforcement isn't something I'm huge on. I was surprised to hear experts/academics lack of understanding regarding things like shaping and backchaining and reducing reinforcement without frustration. It's a bit ranty :)

Setting up your horse training with a clear pattern to follow Summer Short 4

Sep 03 2024 11 mins

As a young horse trainer I was very aware of creating situations where the horse could 'guess' the behaviour- we called it anticipation. Back in those days I didn't know about using reward based training but anticipation was a great way to create a willing and enthusiastic horse. Sadly some of the old ways haven't been passed on- in some cases that's a good thin

'mis'behaving horse behaviour professionals Summer Short 3

Aug 22 2024 11 mins

Videos showing behaviour professionals sitting out bucks and rears gain thousands of likes, why? Above all other areas of equestrianism shouldn't behaviour be seen for what it really is and not used as a social media magnet? Or maybe I'm old and jaundiced!

Summer short 2 of 2024 The basics when clicker training

Aug 18 2024 10 mins

We owe every animal in our care the ability to know how to interact with our world and us. That requires some basic training. I rarely see the basics done well or even at all. My courses at www.understandhorses.com and www.iaabcfoundation.org

Summer Short 1 of 2024 How might it feel for a horse when they are tired?

Jul 24 2024 15 mins

I've had a tiring few weeks and my poor brain and body hurt. How might it feel for our horses when they are tired and we ask them to perform behaviours when training? Taking note of changes in behaviour might help us spot problems early. This is part 1 of my summer shorts 2024, if you have questions you'd like answering in another short episode message me!

Affective Neuroscience and Horse Training with Dr Robin Foster

Jul 11 2024 66 mins

This time on the podcast I'm joined by friend and colleague Dr Robin Foster. For a very long time I've wanted to dip into Panksepp's work on emotions, which in some small way has been adopted by the clicker training world, and finally I got to chat with Robin. We STILL didn't get to valence...I think another chat is needed soon. I hope you enjoy Robin's this thought provoking chat.

Riding without a bridle

Jun 14 2024 62 mins

In this episode I was again joined by the fabulous Heather McManamy of Equus Integratus. Our focus was on bridleless riding but the skills we discuss go so much deeper than riding. Heather shares some great resources on her website https://equusintegratus.com/ on Facebook and Instagram Articles and videos can be found here https://equusintegratus.com/resources/videosarticles/