Horsemanship

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Jeff Test - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Katherine Taddeo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Monique A. R. Udell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • interspecific communication from people to horses equus ferus caballus is influenced by different Horsemanship training styles
    Journal of Comparative Psychology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Nicole R. Dorey, Alicia M. Conover, Monique A. R. Udell
    Abstract:

    : The ability of many domesticated animals to follow human pointing gestures to locate hidden food has led to scientific debate on the relative importance of domestication and individual experience on the origins and development of this capacity. To further explore this question, we examined the influence of different prior training histories/methods on the ability of horses (Equus ferus caballus) to follow a momentary distal point. Ten horses previously trained using one of two methods (Parelli™ natural Horsemanship or traditional horse training) were tested using a standard object choice task. The results show that neither group of horses was initially able to follow the momentary distal point. However, after more experience with the point, horses previously trained using the Parelli natural Horsemanship method learned to follow momentary distal points significantly faster than those previously trained with traditional methods. The poor initial performance of horses on distal pointing tasks, coupled with the finding that prior training history and experimental experience can lead to success on this task, fails to support the predictions of the domestication hypothesis and instead lends support to the two-stage hypothesis.

  • Interspecific communication from people to horses (Equus ferus caballus) is influenced by different Horsemanship training styles
    Journal of Comparative Psychology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Nicole R. Dorey, Alicia M. Conover, Monique A. R. Udell
    Abstract:

    The ability of many domesticated animals to follow human pointing gestures to locate hidden food has led to scientific debate on the relative importance of domestication and individual experience on the origins and development of this capacity. To further explore this question, we examined the influence of different prior training histories/methods on the ability of horses (Equus ferus caballus) to follow a momentary distal point. Ten horses previously trained using one of two methods (Parelli™ natural Horsemanship or traditional horse training) were tested using a standard object choice task. The results show that neither group of horses was initially able to follow the momentary distal point. However, after more experience with the point, horses previously trained using the Parelli natural Horsemanship method learned to follow momentary distal points significantly faster than those previously trained with traditional methods. The poor initial performance of horses on distal pointing tasks, coupled with the finding that prior training history and experimental experience can lead to success on this task, fails to support the predictions of the domestication hypothesis and instead lends support to the two-stage hypothesis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

Deborah Goodwin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • how equitation science can elucidate and refine Horsemanship techniques
    Veterinary Journal, 2009
    Co-Authors: Deborah Goodwin, Paul Mcgreevy, Natalie Waran, Andrew N. Mclean
    Abstract:

    Abstract The long-held belief that human dominance and equine submission are key to successful training and that the horse must be taught to ‘respect’ the trainer infers that force is often used during training. Many horses respond by trialling unwelcome evasions, resistances and flight responses, which readily become established. When unable to cope with problem behaviours, some handlers in the past might have been encouraged to use harsh methods or devices while others may have called in a so-called ‘good horseman’ or ‘horse whisperer’ to remediate the horse. Frequently, the approaches such practitioners offer could not be applied by the horse’s owner or trainer because of their lack of understanding or inability to apply the techniques. Often it seemed that these ‘horse–people’ had magical ways with horses (e.g., they only had to whisper to them) that achieved impressive results although they had little motivation to divulge their techniques. As we begin to appreciate how to communicate with horses sensitively and consistently, misunderstandings and misinterpretations by horse and trainer should become less common. Recent studies have begun to reveal what comprises the simplest, most humane and most effective mechanisms in horse training and these advances are being matched by greater sharing of knowledge among practitioners. Indeed, various practitioners of what is referred to here as ‘natural Horsemanship’ now use techniques similar to the ‘whisperers’ of old, but they are more open about their methods. Reputable horse trainers using natural Horsemanship approaches are talented observers of horse behaviour and respond consistently and swiftly to the horse’s subtle cues during training. For example, in the roundpen these trainers apply an aversive stimulus to prompt a flight response and then, when the horse slows down, moves toward them, or offers space-reducing affiliative signals, the trainer immediately modifies his/her agonistic signals, thus negatively reinforcing the desired response. Learning theory and equine ethology, the fundamentals of the emerging discipline of equitation science, can be used to explain almost all the behaviour modification that goes on in these contexts and in conventional Horsemanship. By measuring and evaluating what works and what does not, equitation science has the potential to have a unifying effect on traditional practices and developing branches of equitation.

  • How equitation science can elucidate and refine Horsemanship techniques
    Veterinary Journal, 2009
    Co-Authors: Deborah Goodwin, Paul Mcgreevy, Natalie Waran, Andrew Mclean
    Abstract:

    The long-held belief that human dominance and equine submission are key to successful training and that the horse must be taught to 'respect' the trainer infers that force is often used during training. Many horses respond by trialling unwelcome evasions, resistances and flight responses, which readily become established. When unable to cope with problem behaviours, some handlers in the past might have been encouraged to use harsh methods or devices while others may have called in a so-called 'good horseman' or 'horse whisperer' to remediate the horse. Frequently, the approaches such practitioners offer could not be applied by the horse's owner or trainer because of their lack of understanding or inability to apply the techniques. Often it seemed that these 'horse-people' had magical ways with horses (e.g., they only had to whisper to them) that achieved impressive results although they had little motivation to divulge their techniques. As we begin to appreciate how to communicate with horses sensitively and consistently, misunderstandings and misinterpretations by horse and trainer should become less common. Recent studies have begun to reveal what comprises the simplest, most humane and most effective mechanisms in horse training and these advances are being matched by greater sharing of knowledge among practitioners. Indeed, various practitioners of what is referred to here as 'natural Horsemanship' now use techniques similar to the 'whisperers' of old, but they are more open about their methods. Reputable horse trainers using natural Horsemanship approaches are talented observers of horse behaviour and respond consistently and swiftly to the horse's subtle cues during training. For example, in the roundpen these trainers apply an aversive stimulus to prompt a flight response and then, when the horse slows down, moves toward them, or offers space-reducing affiliative signals, the trainer immediately modifies his/her agonistic signals, thus negatively reinforcing the desired response. Learning theory and equine ethology, the fundamentals of the emerging discipline of equitation science, can be used to explain almost all the behaviour modification that goes on in these contexts and in conventional Horsemanship. By measuring and evaluating what works and what does not, equitation science has the potential to have a unifying effect on traditional practices and developing branches of equitation. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • Horsemanship conventional natural and equitation science
    2008
    Co-Authors: Deborah Goodwin, Paul Mcgreevy, Natalie Waran, Andrew Mcclean
    Abstract:

    Many cultures have trained horses using conventional approaches and acknowledged a talent for working with horses as natural Horsemanship. The current popularity of “Natural Horsemanship” has prompted change in the equestrian industry. These changes extend from individuals to conventional training organizations. Academic ethologists were interested in these developments, but expressed concern at the way some Natural Horsemanship trainers presented “Equine Ethology”. Often personal opinions were claimed as facts, without any associated objective study of horse behaviour in the natural or domestic environment. Good Natural Horsemanship trainers are talented observers of horse behaviour and respond precisely to subtle cues during training. They have demonstrated their ability to utilize the marketplace and teach their methods for commercial reward. Unfortunately, not all followers of these methods are as effective as the originating trainers. Poor technique can lead to disappointing result, frustration and reduced safety in practitioners, and result in abuse, confusion and conflict behavior in horses. The success of Natural Horsemanship trainers encouraged scientists studying horse behaviour and training to be more active in communicating their work to horse owners and trainers. Science has much to offer in advancing techniques in horse training and reducing wastage by objectively assessing what does and does not work, and most importantly, why? Calibrated rein tension gauges and pressure sensitive pads can measure the strength and frequency of rider’s signals to the horse. Riders and trainers can integrate technology into their training methods to measure contact and lightness objectively. Assessment of welfare and performance is increasingly possible via a range of physiological and behavioural measures. Equitation scientists, conventional and Natural Horsemanship trainers aim to help people train horses more effectively. It is critical that we share our knowledge to achieve these goals because, when training fails, horses suffer and may pay the ultimate price with their lives.

  • natural Horsemanship a balanced view
    2008
    Co-Authors: Deborah Goodwin
    Abstract:

    The recent popularity of Natural Horsemanship has created something often difficult to achieve in the equestrian industry - change! Natural Horsemanship trainers have produced a cultural change in thinking and approach to horse:human interactions. These changes extend from individual horse owners through to conventional training organizations, including the BHS, who dubbed 2007 “The Year of Equine Ethology”. Academic equine ethologists were very interested in these developments, but became concerned at the way that some Natural Horsemanship trainers presented “Equine Ethology”. Often personal opinions were claimed to be facts, without any associated objective study of horse behaviour in the natural or domestic environment. Good Natural Horsemanship trainers are talented observers of horse behaviour and can detect and respond precisely to subtle cues during horse training. They have demonstrated their ability to exploit the marketplace and teach their methods for commercial reward. Unfortunately, not all followers of these methods are as effective as the originating trainers. Inaccurate application can lead to poor results, disappointment and eventually frustration in people, which may result in abuse, confusion and conflict behavior in horses. It is beguiling to think that we can learn to “speak horse”, impose our will on horses by understanding their behavior; even exert dominance over them, and that as a result horses will respect our leadership. Though attractive, unfortunately these ideas are inherently flawed and potentially problematic. We have no evidence that horses perceive us as “honorary horses”, or that we can insert ourselves into their social organization. Such beliefs can cause problems when things go wrong. When this happens does it mean that we are “poor leaders”, or that our horses don’t “respect” us? Or is there a simpler explanation? Have we simply failed to successfully train correct responses to our cues? Scientists studying horse behavior and training have been prompted by the success of Natural Horsemanship trainers in achieving cultural change to take a more active approach in communicating their work to horse owners and trainers. The recently formed International Society for Equitation Science http://www.equitationscience.com/ aims to encourage this communication between equine science professionals and practitioners. Science has much to offer in advancing techniques in horse training and reducing wastage by objectively assessing what does and does not work, and most importantly, why? Trainers can be helped to be more effective through improving their understanding of how horses learn and the correct application of learning theory in training. Calibrated rein tension gauges and pressure sensitive spurs can measure the strength of aids used to communicate a rider’s intentions to the horse. Riders and trainers can integrate technology into their training methods to understanding contact and lightness objectively. Performance and welfare assessment is now possible via heart rates, gait analysis, blood, urine and saliva analyses plus other well accepted physiological measures. Equitation scientists, conventional and Natural Horsemanship trainers aim to help people train horses more effectively. It is vital that we share our knowledge to achieve these goals, as when training fails the horse suffers, and may pay the ultimate price with its life.

Nicole R. Dorey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • interspecific communication from people to horses equus ferus caballus is influenced by different Horsemanship training styles
    Journal of Comparative Psychology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Nicole R. Dorey, Alicia M. Conover, Monique A. R. Udell
    Abstract:

    : The ability of many domesticated animals to follow human pointing gestures to locate hidden food has led to scientific debate on the relative importance of domestication and individual experience on the origins and development of this capacity. To further explore this question, we examined the influence of different prior training histories/methods on the ability of horses (Equus ferus caballus) to follow a momentary distal point. Ten horses previously trained using one of two methods (Parelli™ natural Horsemanship or traditional horse training) were tested using a standard object choice task. The results show that neither group of horses was initially able to follow the momentary distal point. However, after more experience with the point, horses previously trained using the Parelli natural Horsemanship method learned to follow momentary distal points significantly faster than those previously trained with traditional methods. The poor initial performance of horses on distal pointing tasks, coupled with the finding that prior training history and experimental experience can lead to success on this task, fails to support the predictions of the domestication hypothesis and instead lends support to the two-stage hypothesis.

  • Interspecific communication from people to horses (Equus ferus caballus) is influenced by different Horsemanship training styles
    Journal of Comparative Psychology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Nicole R. Dorey, Alicia M. Conover, Monique A. R. Udell
    Abstract:

    The ability of many domesticated animals to follow human pointing gestures to locate hidden food has led to scientific debate on the relative importance of domestication and individual experience on the origins and development of this capacity. To further explore this question, we examined the influence of different prior training histories/methods on the ability of horses (Equus ferus caballus) to follow a momentary distal point. Ten horses previously trained using one of two methods (Parelli™ natural Horsemanship or traditional horse training) were tested using a standard object choice task. The results show that neither group of horses was initially able to follow the momentary distal point. However, after more experience with the point, horses previously trained using the Parelli natural Horsemanship method learned to follow momentary distal points significantly faster than those previously trained with traditional methods. The poor initial performance of horses on distal pointing tasks, coupled with the finding that prior training history and experimental experience can lead to success on this task, fails to support the predictions of the domestication hypothesis and instead lends support to the two-stage hypothesis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

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