16/05/2025
Horse Trainer and "Behaviourist" RED FLAGS 🚩🚩🚩
Choosing a trainer or behaviourist is a total minefield in a world where the term “ behaviourist” is not protected this means ANYONE can claim to be one regardless of qualifications AND experience both of which matter. Do not be afraid to ask your trainer / behaviourist about their qualifications and experience. There are many courses and ”methods” available not all of which are created equal so please ensure that the behaviourist you choose is up to date on the following ( this is not an exhaustive list)
🐴Equine ethology ( the behaviour of horses under natural conditions),
🐴Equine wellbeing and welfare ( ie the Five Domains model) including assessment
🐴 Equine body language and the recognition of affective states, pain, arousal and stress signs
🐴 Attachment theory
🐴 Endocrinology in particular how stress and arousal influence behaviour.
🐴 Neuroanatomy and physiology
🐴 Horse / human interaction
🐴 Learning theory
🐴 Behaviour assessment utilising approaches such as the biopsychosocial approach , psychobiological approach (Mills,2017), formulation and differential diagnosis.
🐴 Understanding human behaviour
🐴 In addition they should work as part of a vet led team and as far as possible ensure that pain or medical issues have been as far as possible ruled out BEFORE proceeding with any behaviour change. They are also able to offer behavioural first aid advice and support you prior to your vet examining your horse if their behaviour is unsafe as a result of fear or high stress during veterinary procedures.
🚩🚩🚩Examples of Red Flags include
🚩🚩🚩Discusses dominance theory in relation to the horse/ human relationship. This has been disproved and is discussed extensively here (Hartmann et al,2017).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2017.01.015
🚩🚩🚩 Refers to the “ alpha “ stallion or “lead” mare (see above paper)
🚩🚩🚩 Does not recommend that you speak to your vet to rule out pain or other medical cause.
🚩🚩🚩Utilises flooding techniques (exposes your horse to the scary object or situation at full intensity while preventing escape but tries to pass it off as systematic desensitisation. This is a gradual process of exposing a horse to a situation they are afraid of at a rate they can cope with. As a caveat for severe cases systematic desertion may not be enough in isolation and a multi-pronged approach beyond training may be needed.
🚩🚩🚩Utilises aversive equipment such as rope halters, dually halters, other gadgets including for riding draw reins etc. It is important to understand that these types of equipment work as a consequence of causing pain. There is little evidence for their effectiveness and they carry a risk of creating negative associations with us. (See Ilchi et al 2018,2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.05.011, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105101? In addition even if they were more effective which they are NOT, why would any of us want to cause fear or pain to the animals we love?
🚩🚩🚩 Utilises flags, bags on sticks or whips. They may refer to a whip as a guide ( one that hurts if you ignore it). They may use terms such as bonding, connection or be the boss or the horses’ leader but the horse may appear highly stressed or withdrawn .(Fenner et al,2019).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2018.05.003.
🚩🚩🚩Describes the whip as an extension of your arm
🚩🚩🚩. Fails to acknowledge signs of fear stress, pain . or frustration.
🚩🚩🚩 Is very task-oriented and does not prioritise the horses' emotions.
🚩🚩🚩 Uses rolkur (See Von Borstel et al,2009) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105101 or Tilley et al,2023 https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101714
🚩🚩🚩Punishes your horse.
🚩🚩🚩 They fail to account for your horse’s age and developmental stage.
🚩 🚩🚩 Promises a quick fix and complete resolution. Addressing emotional state and changing behaviour takes time. Behaviour is complex all horses are individuals and outside factors can influence outcome. They should be realistic about what can be achieved.
🚩🚩🚩 They utilise join up and other similar exercises . These are extremely detrimental to equine welfare and the horse/ human relationship. See Fenner et al,2019 They use techniques such as forced head lowering . There is no evidence that forced head lowering decreases heart rate in horses, instead they are just anxious with a lowered head! In an attempt to encourage relaxation. For example if you were petrified of heights and standing near cliff edge if you were in a " relaxed "posture you would still be anxious.See Waran-Smith et al, 2007 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2007.04.003?
🚩🚩🚩 They do not collaborate with other allied professionals.
🚩🚩🚩 They do not allow you to be present during training. They make you feel stupid or inadequate for asking questions. They tell you what to do rather than the process being collaborative.
🚩🚩🚩 They guarantee full resolution and offer a quick fix. As with everything in life there are no quick fixes and behaviour is no exception . Behaviour is highly complex and many factors are at play that influence it and impact outcome. A good behaviour professional will support you to have realistic expectations.
Whether you are working with a behaviourist or coach do not be afraid to ask about their background, qualifications or experiences.
For a behaviourist they should be a member of or working towards membership of one of the following organisations
• APBC
• FABC
• ABTC
• EBA
🚩🚩🚩What red flags would you add?
©️ Jessie Sams (2024) Animal Behaviour and Trauma Recovery Service
