How to use negative reinforcement in a positive way.

How to use negative reinforcement in a positive way.

What is negative reinforcement and how can we do it positively? Most training methods use some form of negative reinforcement, and just because it has the word negative doesn’t mean it is bad. Negative simply means taking something away in terms of when...
Starting Horses – Are you qualified for the job?

Starting Horses – Are you qualified for the job?

Starting horses can be daunting for some, so it’s essential to ensure you are capable or have a qualified rider/trainer doing it for you or at the least guiding you. Horses react to different situations and methods of starting. The techniques you may be used to...
It’s the Rider, not the Horse

It’s the Rider, not the Horse

Sometimes, it is easy to do, and we all do or have done it. You get so frustrated that the horse is just not getting what you are asking, so you blame the horse for not being talented enough, not paying attention, not understanding etc. In reality, it’s the...
What does it mean when a horse is Overfaced?

What does it mean when a horse is Overfaced?

What does it mean when a horse is overfaced? When a horse is overfaced, he can become reluctant to perform the work that is asked of him. You may notice that a horse being overly challenged starts to react to smaller tasks, like the simple act of walking on a loose...
3 Tips to Set you and your Horse up for Success

3 Tips to Set you and your Horse up for Success

Training Mustang mishaps and mistakes, or any breed of horse for that matter, are bound to happen. There are many techniques to starting horses, but some of the older techniques or rushing every step may backfire. Typically, when horses come in for starting, they are...
You Can’t Train Pain

You Can’t Train Pain

Often, when a horse reacts when you are training on them in the form of bucking, rearing, refusing to go forward, etc., our first reaction is to think the horse has a lousy attitude. But what if the response is associated with pain that has gone undetected? It is...