To optimise horse welfare and rider safety it is imperative that we always target relaxation when training, riding, and handling our horses. The horse’s level of relaxation is directly tied to its emotional level and that is often controlled by how predictable its environment is. Later in this article, we will discuss how you can make your training…

Race-2-Ride - Making a good transition There has been much in the press over the last year about the welfare of horses leaving the racing industry, raising questions about the sustainability and ethicality of the current situation. In this article I am going to discuss how we can all help to protect the welfare of off-the-track horses by easing the…

Combined Reinforcement We often hear riders say that they 'only use positive reinforcement' or that they do not use negative reinforcement, but it is also not at all unusual for the same person to state that pressure-release is the most effective way to train. So, what is the difference between pressure-release and positive and negative reinforceme…

Self-Carriage What do you picture when you think about 'self-carriage'? Many of us picture a horse, perhaps in a dressage arena, travelling in a certain outline and maintaining gait and direction. But in this article I'm going to discuss why self-carriage has a much wider definition than this and how important it is to all riders and horse handlers…

This is an important lesson for horses that have not yet worn a saddle or horses that are described as 'cold-backed'. It is important to explain the lesson to the horse and not just flood the horse.Af Kate Fenner

Trailer loading can often be difficult and the most common thing I hear is that the horse gets on, or part way on, and then rushes off backwards. Why is this happening? How do we help the horse through the lesson?Af Kate Fenner

If your horse has had an injury, how do you know when it is ready to work again.Perhaps you could just do short lessons with it or lessons that only involved walking? In this podcast we'll talk about what you should and shouldn't do and why.Af Kate Fenner

The round pen has a bad reputation among many people but it can be a very useful tool when used correctly. Here I'll discuss getting the most out of your work in the round pen and, as always, have the focus on doing the very best for your horse.Af Kate Fenner

What do you do when your horse behaves perfectly at home and you take him out and it is a completely different story? What is happening in these situations and how do we go about fixing it? Is the horse being naughty or perhaps the horse is scared?Af Kate Fenner

Have you ever lunged your horse to 'get the edge off' and wondered if there was a better way than simply trying to tire your horse out? In this episode, I'm going to discuss the advantages of long-reining over lunging and explain why it is so much more beneficial to your horse.Af Kate Fenner

Making the first contact - where and how. Should I use food? Teaching the horse the first pressure-release lessons. Introducing positive reinforcement. Desensitization (sacking out) - why should the horse be unrestrained? Teaching to turn-and-face. Habituating the horse to the lead-rope. Haltering - the easiest way to put the halter on and teaching…

This lesson walks you through starting shoulder control on the ground. To learn more visit: https://www.kandooequine.com/Af Kate Fenner