Techniques for helping the spooky horse to focus under saddle. The key is that it is the horse’s choice to redirect his attention back to working with his rider. Often times we utilize equipment that controls a physical response, but the horses can remain in the same internal, emotionally...

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...

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...

We will be talking about how to help get your horse fit and balanced using the reverse round pen. Fading ourselves to the center of the circle is our first objective. We will also be introducing new cues including verbal to help prepare for ridden work.

The reverse round pen means that you are on the inside and the horse is on the outside. It is an excellent tool for helping your horse to get fit, develop balance and proper biomechanics while also giving him a choice. In addition it can be used to teach upward/downward transitions and impulse...

We will work on using positive reinforcement to help our horses to be relaxed and happy in the cross ties. We will teach him how to respond to the sensation of being tied, whether a single tie or cross ties.

We discuss and practice free jumping…not with a chute and whip, but with the obstacle in the middle of an arena or paddock.  We will utilize positive reinforcement to help horses enjoy and CHOOSE to jump.  Most horses find it fun and it stretches their toppline, which is good...

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.

Horses often times find unfamiliar things scary. In this lesson we will discuss(and practice) how to help your horse to perceive new things as good instead of worrisome. Technically speaking, it is called systematic desensitization and counter conditioning. It is a fantastic tool for all sorts...

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....

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...

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.

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.

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

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...

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...

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.

Preparing your horse for clipping, mounting, vet care, farrier work and your visiting nephews. This is a process that includes systematic desensitization and . That sounds dull but and it is more important than you might realize.

Teaching your horse to be relaxed and happy about foot handling.

Getting the fundamental Positive Reinforcement Training skills strengthened. The clicker skills go much deeper than a physical skill set. We are creating a horse who loves solving the puzzles that come along with training horses.

Teaching your horse to stand. Standing still, calm and relaxed, anytime, any place is one of the most important behaviors in their repertoire. Using the positive reinforcement in a systematic way increases clarity as well as your horse’s motivation.

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.

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.