During a quick break for some lunch she asked me a question that I have heard so many times before in my previous experience as a horse trainer and behaviour specialist, “how do you deal with biting horses?”. Strangely though I was thrown by the question and I found myself going into my old default mode of “Well it depends on the reason why the horse is biting…” We talked about this for a bit and both agreed that there was always a reason. These can range from their natural curiosity and need to explore and understand the world and build strong bonds through mutual grooming. To early weaning practices and coping mechanisms to handle pain or stress, training and handling practices that trigger fear and the ‘fight’ response, causing horses to feel the need to defend themselves. All the way through to the sad situation of horses that have learnt the benefit of being aggressive towards people.

I then heard myself going back even further to say, ‘well in my days as a Monty Robert’s Instructor, we would teach the 5 different approaches to dealing with biting…” and our discussions continued as we talked about a variety of ways to reduce the behaviour depending on the underlying cause. However, it wasn’t until I was driving home that this question popped back in my mind, and again I felt strangely unsettled – How do I deal with biting horses? I suddenly realised I hadn’t actually answered her question. I had talked about things that I have done in the past and different approaches used by different trainers but I hadn’t told her what I do now. So, what was the answer to this question?

I let it quietly filter through my mind and I realised I genuinely wasn’t sure… Why? Then the realisation dawned on me that I no longer come across this issue anymore. That’s not to say that I won’t again in the future but it now seems so rare. Again, why? I thought back to my work with the lovely ‘Boot’s a few years ago who was certainly practiced at showing aggressive behaviours and threatening to bite, what did I do then?

Then boom, it came to me: ‘Extinction’! In psychology, extinction refers to the gradual weakening of a conditioned response that results in the behavior decreasing or disappearing. In other words, the conditioned behavior eventually stops. Only, I realised there was more to it than that, and perhaps through the use of extinction I had in fact largely eliminated it from even my own psyche, hence the difficulty in answering the question!

As I pondered the question further I began to realise that I no longer seem to even come across this problem, and again, I wondered why? Perhaps it is about the law of attraction – “what you resist, persists”, and instead of focusing on fixing a problem, I now always focus on developing a strong foundational relationship first. A relationship where touch is explored and consent is not taken for granted. Perhaps it is because touch is now a two-way process, where I allow horses to touch and explore me with gentle but clear boundaries in mind? Perhaps it is because I spend the time to just ‘be’ with the horses, developing a trusting bond before I ask for more? Perhaps it is because I have changed my approach and I am no longer overstretching horses and asking them to do things that they feel unable to cope with?

Perhaps it is because I now understand that all behaviour is communication, and emotions drive behaviour, therefore I am always working with the emotional horse and modelling what I would like to see in them? Perhaps it is because I am now reading and listening to the horses better, noticing the subtle signs and adjusting my approach accordingly. Or perhaps it is because I no longer see biting as a behaviour to be fixed or changed but in fact as a simple form of communication? The questions remain and the answer is allusive but you know what, it really doesn’t matter because clearly, things have changed and I am happy to celebrate that fact!!

If you’d like to find out more about my new ‘Mindful Partners’ coaching programme, empowering horse owners to become the person their horse(s) chooses to connect with and follow, then please contact me, Debbie at: info@understandingequus.co.uk

©Understanding Equus 2019

“When the student is ready the teacher will appear” Zen Proverb.

Driving to the stables for my first session with ‘Boots’ my head was in turmoil. After hearing the complex story of her past and now learning that she was stabled 24/7, with only short periods of turnout each day, I was feeling daunted. How could I make a difference? How could I build that special relationship I dreamed of and help ‘Boots’ overcome some of the problems she was experiencing, when my hands seemed tied in so many ways?

Due to the waterlogged paddocks, her basic behavioural needs were clearly not being met. My work and family commitments meant I could only see her a few times a week. Plus I was reliant on the generosity of her owner to keep and care for her and so I was unable to change the way she was handled, or managed, on a daily basis. Yet I felt drawn to face the challenge, to do something different, to move away from the methods and techniques that I was familiar with.

I wanted to strip away the usual ‘tools’ of horse training, to move away from coercive techniques and start afresh. To follow my heart and work at liberty, exploring the impact of emotional states and attachment on our horse-human relationships. As such I felt I needed to grab this unique opportunity. To do my best to find the root cause of her ‘loading problem’, to see what I could achieve, and learn from the situation…

For now though, I needed to let all this go, to clear my mind and tune in to my senses, so that I could be in the best place to listen… ‘TLC’ – Trust, Listen & Connect: The Understanding Equus relationship model pops into my head as I stride towards the barn. I stop, pausing to take a few deep, cleansing breaths.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference.” – Winston Churchill

At the barn entrance I observe for a moment, all the horses are calmly munching their haynets. ‘Boots’ puts her head over the stable door as I quietly approach. Reaching out my hand to offer my scent, ‘hello beautiful’ I say. Ears pricked she inhales. Then, raising her head she thrusts her nose towards my face and pins her ears back. I quietly step back out of her space and she returns to her hay, keeping an eye on my movements.

Ok I thought, that was interesting and unexpected. I remember her owner’s words: “I don’t understand why she won’t load… she’s fine with everything else…” My intention was to say hello and perhaps lead her out. To take her to some fresh grass enabling her to stretch her legs, and get to know her a little more…

My curiosity piqued, I pick up her halter and open the stable door. She instantly turns away stopping with her head in the far corner. I notice she is positioned guarding her left side, unmoving and braced. I wait to see what she does, and then, gently raise my arm asking her to take a step. Hesitant at first she moves forward, keeping me in her right eye. I ask again and we manoeuvre gently around the stable, until I am able to stand near her left shoulder. Dropping the halter as a silent thank you, for allowing me into this position, the mistrust and concern is palpable. My instinct is telling me my initial plan needs to be changed…

I stand for a moment, empathising and allowing her to relax, telling her I’m not going to do anything she doesn’t feel comfortable with. Quietly I step forward reaching out to stroke her neck. Instantly her head spins round, ears pinned back, nose thrusting towards my arm, nostrils’ wrinkled and eyes hard. I freeze, arm still extended, her head swings away, mouth tight and eyes wide with tension. Every part of her being is defensive, protecting herself, and I need to hear and accept what she is saying.

Slowly I bring my hand down enabling her to see her message has been heard. Standing quietly next to her I send out thoughts of love, kindness and gratitude and her head starts to droop. Again I reach towards her, this time with no intention to touch, just to stroke the air by her side. As her head jerks up and her ears go back I wait patiently for the reaction to pass, lowering my hand as she relaxes.

We then spend the next few moments doing this on both sides of her. Each time, I move away when she is relaxed, not pushing her to accept my touch. Slowly she starts to lick and chew, softening her mouth and eyes. Accepting her wishes, listening to, and connecting with her emotional state, I can see the trust start to grow.

After a short while she remains calm and relaxed as I approach each side. She then breaks into a series of yawns and I feel hugely privileged as she accepts a brief touch on her nose, ears forward and relaxed. I crouch down and watch her as she starts to doze, then she offer’s her ear for a gentle scratch…

“Acceptance of emotions and state builds trust” Dan Hughes.

There is very little research into the concept of attachment and horses. Yet for me it makes total sense as a key factor and influence in the horse/human relationship, and our horse’s ability to learn, grow, and develop. Dr Andrew McLean has written on this topic focusing on the role of attachment and learning theories, and the influence of touch for building bonds and attachments.

As a parent and within my work with vulnerable young people, I have been exploring different areas of attachment, the science behind it, and ways we can apply this to our relationships. It is well researched into how secure attachments help to reduce stress, build resilience, increase trust, bonding, rapport and learning for humans. And so, with the same emotional systems and mammalian brain, why not horses?

With this in mind, I believe we need to focus on our emotions, state, and attitude whenever we are with our horses. Dan Hughes’ describes the 5 key attitudes for building secure attachments in his PLACE model: Playfulness, Love, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy.

On my journey with ‘Boots’ I will explore this approach further, sharing the impact on our relationship as I endeavour to identify the root of her concerns. In the meantime, here is a snippet of me working at liberty with ‘Boots’, later that week, as I start to create a safe PLACE for change:
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and please do share your thoughts, comments, and experiences below.

Till next time, enjoy the moment, with a little TLC

With best wishes

Debbie

The concept of attachment
“In the 1950s, studies of human relationships resulted in the development of attachment theory, now well accepted, to explain the bond between mother and infant and how it influences development. Research soon identified four fundamental goals in infants; proximity seeking, safe haven, secure base and separation anxiety, all of which are familiar aspects of horse behaviour.

Dr McLean noted that the father of attachment theory, John Bowlby pointed out that the basis of attachment is not food but rather clear communication and soothing tactile contact.” Extract from: ‘Can good horse training get any better?’ by Lisa Ashton

What do the words ‘good horsemanship’ mean to you?
For me it is about our horse/human relationships; understanding our horses and ourselves, mentally, physically and emotionally – A holistic approach to managing, caring for and building trust based relationships with our equine friends.

Over the last 3 yrs I’ve been working with a wide variety of trainers, coaches, behaviourists, and equine therapists, all exploring different; methods, techniques, approaches, and belief’s, and all working to identify the foundations of good horsemanship.

What we found is: ‘Horsemanship’ is not about any specific ‘training’, ‘tool’, ‘method’ or ‘technique’ … It’s all about relationships…

Our ability to connect, understand and empathise, with our horses and ourselves.

Debbie and Caddy connecting with some mutual grooming

In fact I believe it is more about a way of ‘being’ not ‘doing’, ‘who we are’ and ‘how we show up’…

As demonstrated beautifully by my non-horsey husband!!!

– The Science Bit –

1. All cells are in a state of either protection, or, growth and development
2. The brain and neurological system is a social organ, responding to, and learning from others.
3. We all have ‘Mirror neurons’ in the gut and brain, which replicate what is going on around us. – Gut Instincts
4. Emotional nurture is a physiological need.

Building Trust and activating the nervous system with 4yo Feather

The recent advances in science and neuroscience have shown that we cannot grow and develop normally as children. Or learn, develop resilience, and be happy and healthy as adults, without feelings of safety, stability and security.

As such, secure attachment relationships, build brains. Helping our nervous systems find the vital balance between arousal vs. calming – Fight, flight, freeze vs. Rest and Digest.

In fact without comfort and emotional nurture we cannot survive…
As ‘Bolby’ the father of Attachment theories describes: “Seeking a close, trusting relationship, of care, comfort and love, is a natural instinctive behaviour.”

So what does this mean for our horse-human relationships? This brings us to…

– The Art Bit –

1. It’s all about the art of love and relationships.
2. Building trust through Understanding and Communication.
3. Engaging the seeking, play and care emotional systems, as described by Panksepp (1998)
4. Using Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE – Daniel Hughes, clinical psychologist.) to build strong bonds and encourage learning and development, in our horses & ourselves.

Building bonds through Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy

And so, in 2013 we developed the ‘Understanding Equus’ attachment aware relationship model, ‘TLC’. A simple reminder of the 3 keys to building successful relationships…

TLC = Trust, Listen and Connect.

T = Trust: The foundation of all good relationships. Trust requires empathy – the ability to ‘walk in your horse’s shoes’ – When we feel understood, we feel calmer, more ready to take risks. A calm and alert state means we are ready to learn.

L = Listen: Remember, Emotions drive behaviour and behaviour IS communication. Therefore emotional intelligence is vital for establishing and maintaining positive relationships. The starting point of all good communication is the importance of mindfulness, being truly in the moment, and able to tune in to ourselves and others. This enables us to model the behaviour we wish to see in others.

C = Connect: With love, empathy, creativity and play. Heart-rhythm synchronization occurs between people when they are feeling love and care for each other. Establishing a heart-felt connection and 2 way communication is vital to achieve the appropriate level of growth and development. Engaging the seeking, play and care systems to encourage and stimulate learning.

Respond and engage; assessing needs and activating the nervous system, through touch, or physical engagement.

Relax, balance and regulate; To sense, listen, and feel in the moment, without the distraction of the past, or the future.

Challenge and Stimulation; is vital for learning and neuroplasticity means we ALL have the ability to change and learn new things.

This model underpins the ‘Understanding Equus’ Horsemanship Coaching and ‘Equine Assisted Learning’ programs for horse owners, adults and young people:

– Horsemanship Coaching –

It is my belief that there is no ‘one’ or ‘best’ way to training and being with horses, and different methods and approaches, suit different people and different horses.
Each horse and human is unique, a product of their own genetics and life experiences. Therefore each will resonate with and respond to different training methods and approaches.
My work as a horsemanship coach reflects this, as I help people to: Build better relationships and find what methods, training and support they need, to realize their dreams.

– EAL –

Together with emotion coaching, the ‘TLC’ model forms the basis of the Equine Assisted Learning and Development Courses and programs we run.
Partnering with the horses, we offer Coaching and Facilitation for adults and young people.
1. For personal or professional development, life and social skills.
2. Developing leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
3. Building trust, confidence, emotional intelligence, self belief and resilience

Including the ‘Building Connections’ EAL program for young people in care. This is a 6-10 Week program, interacting with horses, helping children to develop life and social skills, emotional resilience, confidence and trust, in themselves & others.

Summary

So, next time you go to your horse, remember:
“Be the change you want to see in your horse”

Stop, ground yourself, and breath…

Then just think, we all need a little: TLC –
Trust, Listen and Connect, to build happy and healthy relationships

Photo’s taken at The Natural Equine Fair 2015.

Thank you to Lindy Wale and all the students at Kingston Maurward College for organizing, to Lorrie Bee & Hazel-Ann Wilson for the beautiful photo’s, to Caddy, Feather and Charlotte for braving the audience and to all who attended for your input and questions. Thank you also to my long-suffering husband! We hope you enjoyed the day and left with plenty of food for thought.

“The most important part of any piece of equipment is the hands that hold it” Monty Roberts

Walk into any tack room and you will undoubtedly see a dizzying array of tools. Mentally, now, make a list of all the ones you may own. Can you count ten? Fifteen? Over fifty! Then contemplate why you bought them, under whose advice and for what purpose? How often do you question their affects or effectiveness?

Many of you, I imagine, may have a large array of what might be termed classical or traditional tools; a simple head collar, a lead-rope, perhaps a range of bits, lunge cavessons, some side reins, a saddle or two, a bridle of course, and a collection of whips. Perhaps some of these are assigned to the cupboard and you have been experimenting with tools from the natural horsemanship camp; a variety of rope and/or pressure halters, some long lines, perhaps the odd Sainsbury’s shopping bag or stuffed glove on a stick, a plastic bottle with dried peas in, an old tarpaulin, a colourful umbrella and a ‘Carrot stick’ (aka a whip of course!). You may even have branched out into the reams of the more scientific approaches to horsemanship; having some ‘wraps’ (elasticated bandages used for TTouch & TTEAM techniques), a clicker and target along with food used for positive reinforcement training. With the vast array of tools available to the modern horseman today, plus the strong views and opinions attached to them it is no surprise that it is a difficult and potentially contentious topic to talk about.

Many of these tools will seem innocent enough to most (especially if they just stay in the cupboard!) and some might be described as a ‘must have’ or the best thing since sliced bread! Yet others may be perceived as potential tools of torture that are only used for the infliction of pain and suffering! Herein lies the problem of perception, as it is in my opinion and experience that ALL of these tools can be misused or abused, causing potential pain, stress and anxiety to our horses, especially when used without the appropriate knowledge, compassion and understanding.

Many tools have become synonymous with certain training methods or techniques like the double bridle and spurs with the higher levels of competitive dressage, the Round Pen and Dually Halter with Monty Roberts’ techniques, the rope halter and carrot stick with Parelli Natural Horsemanship, and the clicker and food treats with clicker training. As such they are often judged and criticized due to this relationship with a trainers approach or equine discipline rather than the possible advantages and disadvantages of the tools themselves.

Exploring bridge and target training with Shawa Karrasch, creating a whole new emotional state through the use of an appetitve stimulus.
Photo by Natalie Bourchier photography.

Over the past 2 years I have been in a unique and privileged position as the founder and chairperson of the Understanding Equus ‘Meeting of Minds’ program (MOM). Its aim is to explore horse / human partnerships with a wide variety of highly skilled, experienced and well renowned trainers. Of course such trainers advocate the use of many different tools. Yet at the heart of the MOM approach is a non-judgmental stance where participants and trainers alike have the opportunity to examine and question in detail cutting edge techniques and explore these different tools, advances and philosophies, always with the aim to identify the underlying keys and foundations to good horsemanship, irrespective of the tools themselves.

No Pain no Gain?

Many researchers have started to look at a variety of tools and their affects on horses physically and mentally as well as on performance. One would hope that these could shed some light or clarity on the situation, yet we are presented with some fascinating, but at times conflicting, results. For example researchers from the University of Sydney urged people to rethink the use of Round Pen training by Monty Roberts, suggesting that some of his techniques applied emotional pressure to horses as their responses were based on fear and safety. Alternatively research done in the UK found that horses trained using these same methods and tools had significantly lower maximum heart rates when taking their first saddle and rider when compared to a British conventional training method.

Other research done by the innovative and controversial Alexander Nevzorov demonstrate the potentially damaging effects of the bit and the saddle and as such he is calling for a revolution suggesting a complete ban of all competitive equine sports that use such tools. These demonstrate some of the conflicting advice and the wide range of views and opinions in the horse world today.

As a horse trainer experienced in working with young and remedial horses, initially with the more traditional approaches, then later adopting a more holistic one, I have certainly used and experienced a wide variety of tools and techniques. Whilst listening to the horses themselves, this experience has led me to believe that there is no ‘one way’ or all encompassing tool, and what works for one horse or horse-human partnership does not mean it will work for all. In fact I believe these judgments help no one, as we (and the horses) are each on our own unique spiral of learning, with different past experiences and learnt behaviours and as such we will react and respond differently to each method or tool.

Over recent years my eyes have been opened to the possibilities and intricacies of liberty play being taken to a whole new level by some of the more cutting edge trainers like Carolyn Resnick and Klaus Hempfling. Along with the art and subtleties of classical riding, these are techniques that are achieving balance and collection with nothing more than a simple cordeo (neck rope). And this is where we start to see the importance of our minds and attitudes along with the power of our energy and intention. It now seems to me that the greatest and most powerful tool we have at our disposal is OURSELVES!! Our own bodies, our senses and most importantly our minds and attitudes.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” – Winston Churchill

If we can start to look beyond the tools themselves and start to focus on ourselves, developing our knowledge, understanding and skills then we will start to truly understand such concepts as ‘less is more’ or ‘slow is fast’. Confusing and contradictory terms in themselves but once you develop a good understanding of equine & human behaviour, learning theories, anatomy and biomechanics and equine science it all starts to make sense and the tools themselves can become irrelevant.

“It’s not what you use, it’s how you use what you use” – Monty Roberts.

Always working on ‘ourselves’ to create balance and lightness with Amanda Barton. Photo by Natalie Bourchier photography.

For example the recent article in Equine Science entitled; Does whip use improve show jumping performance? found that “Those who used the whip were statistically less likely to achieve a clear round…elite riders were statistically more likely to achieve faults if the whip was used.” So what does this say about the effectiveness of the tools that so many of us feel so reliant on?

In fact I would go so far as to suggest that most of the tools we use are in fact just glorified comfort blankets, things that we feel we need to remain safe and secure. Many give us the illusion of control over our horses or give us confidence in ourselves when used as a ‘communication tool’ or ‘extension of ourselves’….

I believe good horsemanship understands the horse physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, bringing all these aspects together to encourage balance in mind and body. A good understanding of equine communication & behaviour is essential to staying safe, not one specific tool. Self-awareness and an understanding of how we can influence our horses through our energy and intention will create softness and improve our feel, timing and balance. The
ability to be present & focused in the moment to truly observe and ‘read your horse’, to attune ourselves to our horses and communicate with understanding and empathy, to step back and adapt what you are doing with sensitivity & creativity are just a few of the vital keys to optimizing our partnerships.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used to create them.” – Albert Einstein

I believe we can learn something from everyone even if it is how or what we don’t want to do. So for the sake of the horses, I encourage you to keep an open mind, a non-judgemental manner and strive to add to your toolbox by increasing your knowledge, understanding and skills, always listening to the horses and working on the improvement of ourselves. You may then just find that in fact ‘Less IS More’ and no pain is required!!

“Be curious, not judgmental” – Walt Whitman.

Research Articles
Australian research on Round pen techniques: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-urge-rethink-monty-roberts-horse.html

UK research with Monty Roberts – http://horsetalk.co.nz/2012/07/24/monty-roberts-fights-science-with-science/#axzz2gCLQX2Va

Alexander Nevzorov – The effects of the bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkxOp_xfVEg

Does whip use improve showjumping performance: www.equinescienceupdate.com/