Lauren Fraser talks CAT and compassion

In this episode I talk to friend and colleague Lauren Fraser, in the main, about CAT and having compassion for horse guardians that are transitioning from traditional methods. A couple of LaHtW rabbit holes and the off tangent. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  Lauren is an experienced horsewoman, who has worked professionally with horses since 2006. Prior to her current specialization, Lauren taught riding and horsemanship, and trained horses. Lauren holds an Equine Science Certificate (with Distinction) from the University of Guelph, and obtained her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour (with Merit) through the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Her dissertation research looked at the behavioural effects on horses of a controversial training practice: ‘laying down’ a horse in an effort to effect behaviour change. Lauren is a Certified Horse Behaviour Consultant (CHBC) with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is a member of the IAABC application review committee, and she was hors division chair for the organization for almost a decade. Lauren is also a practitioner member of the International Society of Equitation Science (ISES), and a Fear Free® Certified Professional. In addition to working one-on-one with horse owners to address behaviour problems, Lauren presents educational events and lectures on horse behaviour to a diverse audience - monthly workshops for horse owners, online courses for veterinarians and other equine professionals, guest lectures for university equine science programs. Lauren has also worked as a freelance journalist, writing articles and press releases about horse behaviour and training for various publications and scientific conferences. Lauren owns three horses: True, an Arabian gelding, Calcite, a half Arabian gelding, and Viveza, an Andalusian mare. While she grew up riding English, she currently rides Western. She particularly enjoys starting horses under saddle and teaching life skill behaviours as well as teaching cooperative care behaviours.  A vocal proponent of shaping behaviour using positive reinforcement with all species, Lauren especially enjoys working with horse trainers and owners who may be transitioning from traditional or natural horsemanship backgrounds. Lauren lives in beautiful Squamish, BC, Canada and can be found online at www.equinebehaviourist.ca and at www.understandhorses.com where her new course on CAT will be launching very soon.