Lead a Horse to Water
by Trudi Dempsey
Lost in the sea of horse training? Step aboard for evidence based equine training and behaviour content. Listen to professionals and enthusiasts from the world of horse training and behaviour as well as associated areas of the equine world. Trudi Dempsey is an English equine trainer and behaviour consultant, specialising in positive reinforcement.
Episodes
-
Inside the Professional Horse Trainers Forum with Coraline Plumat
In this episode, I sit down with Coraline Plumat a presenter from the upcoming Professional Horse Trainers Forum, at Understand Horses. Coraline Plumat of Une Leçon d’Ancrage is a leading voice in Belgium’s R+ based equine training community and is a certified equine behaviour consultant CEBC...
-
Cooperative Care - there's so much more!
An audio only episode with me, Trudi, talking about how cooperative can we really be. If you want to know how to supercharge communication with your horse, this is the place to start. In Person Cooperative Care Weekend Professional Horse Trainers Forum If your ethos aligns with mine and you want…
more -
Inside the Professional Horse Trainers Forum with Naomi Garner
In this episode, I sit down with Naomi Garner a presenter from the upcoming Professional Horse Trainers Forum, at Understand Horses. Naomi began her career in equine podiatry in 2019, training with Equine Podiatry Training Ltd. Owning nervous horses herself shaped her desire to work with cases...
-
Inside the Professional Horse Trainers Forum with Milly Paton and Christa Culbert
In this episode, I sit down with Milly Paton and Christa Culbert, two presenters from the upcoming Professional Horse Trainers Forum, to explore what makes training genuinely safe and effective for both horse and human. Milly, a mental health nurse and positive reinforcement trainer, unpacks...
-
How Well Do We Read Equine Pain - in conversation with Dr Nicola Gregory
In this episode I talk to Dr. Nicola Gregory, a psychologist with a lifelong passion for horses whose research has been asking questions about how well we actually read equine pain. Nicola holds a BSc in Neuroscience from the University ofSussex (2000) and a PhD in Psychology from the University…
more -
Cooperative Care a Carpool Podcast with Gabriel Lencioni
What happens when two behaviour nerds, a parked car, and a determined group of tourists get in the way? You get this episode. Recorded in my car after a series of camera mishaps and unexpected background 'ambience,' this carpool podcast with veterinary behaviourist Gabriel Lencioni dives into the...
-
Positive Reinforcement Based Training - In Conversation with Coraline Plumat
In this episode, I sit down with Coraline Plumat of Une Leçon d’Ancrage to explore the current state of positive reinforcement–based equine training. We discuss the challenges of introducing R+, the importance of sharing knowledge, and how collaboration can help trainers and horses alike reach...
-
Choice, in Conversation with Christa and Taylor Culbert
In this episode I'm delighted to be joined by sisters Taylor and Christa Culbert. We talk about offering choice to our horses in their lives and their training. Christa is a horse trainer who lives in Bellingham, Washington with her husband, two dogs, and two horses. She has a BFA in painting and...
-
Forming Habits
In this episode I talk about habits. We often describe them as automatic and almost separate from conscious training, yet the processes that build them are the same ones that shape all learned behaviour. Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are usually taught as if they belong in...
-
Listening to Horses, in conversation with Nicky Ross
My Professional Horse Trainer Certificate Course is now open for 2026 and there is a scholarship place available with applications closing at the end of November. https://courses.understandhorses.com/courses/professional-horse-trainer-certificate In this episode I’m delighted to be joined by…
more -
In conversation with Irith Bloom
In conversation with-Irith Bloom certified professional trainer, behavior consultant and TAGteacher. I hope you enjoy the conversation I had with friend and colleague Irith about training and behaviour including, parallels between horses and dogs and much more. Irith Bloom, author, presenter,...
-
Can we shape behaviour using negative reinforcement?
We often think of behaviour produced with positive reinforcement as the only behaviour that can be shaped but of course behaviour produced using negative reinforcement can be shaped too. In this episode, I explore what constructional training is, how CAT protocols use R- to build functional…
more -
Can we build 'giving a break' into a reinforcer
As humans we might perceive many reinforcers in our world from edible delicacies to buying new clothes but often we feel limited with finding different reinforcers for our horses. This is a hypothetical discussion about using a 'time to relax' or 'giving a break' as a reinforcer....
-
Podcast Postbag- Your questions answered with Katrina Per-Carruthers
We consider your questions on: Hunter training- balance and more Choice vs Structure in training Listening to horses Reinforcers failing Techniques we stole from dog trainers X-species training
-
World Horse Welfare Webinar Unanswered Questions
If you didn't catch the webinar you can do so at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd-rr-4HLVY Thanks to those who asked some brilliant questions.
-
We all make mistakes
In my equine scent work session with Rum this week, I made a mistake that really highlighted the need for an errorless approach. He indicated on the wrong container, the blank without odour (in theory) and my instinct, was to offer no reinforcement, and redirect him to the search. Not really an...
-
The fix starts with you: in conversation with Katrina Per-Carruthers
In this episode my friend and colleague Katrina Per-Carruthers unpick some training fails and discuss solutions that are horse centred. Mounting block problems, fence refusal and unwillingness to go forward were in our sights this time. If you have topics you'd like us to cover then do drop me a...
-
Why clicker training might not be my go to with new equine clients
I don't always recommend clicker training as a first option when I start working with a new client. Why? Well take a listen as I talk through a specific example and explain ways that I might add some R+ based training without the pressure of the trainer carrying food and having to be great at...
-
Male horses 'dropping' when training with food
The topic of male horses 'dropping' when training with food (clicker training) has reared its head again- I'm glad because it is a topic we need to consider. In this short episode I will explain (again) why I don't think we should brush this topic under the carpet! Warning- I talk about penises…
more -
Cooperative Care In conversation with Dr. Katerina Junghansova
In this episode Dr. Katerina Junghansova (Kate) and I chat about cooperative care for horses. Kate is an equine veterinarian, lifelong equestrian, animal lover, and the founder of an educational project called VetCareTraining. Her mission is to promote safe, and ethical horse handling and…
more -
Talk about clicker training targets; it's a wrap
In this final short episode on target training I delve a little deeper into how and when I use targets in my training. Questions? Comments? Drop me a message or email [email protected]
-
Talk about clicker training targets; when to use a target
The third (hop back and listen to the first two if you haven't yet) in the clicker training targets mini series. In this one I discuss when I use targets in my training from cognitive enrichment to training movement. If you want to learn how to train in this way then join me on my accredited...
-
Talk about clicker training targets; plans and blueprints
The second (hop back and listen to the first if you haven't yet) in the clicker training targets mini series. In this one I discuss planning and setting up the behaviour- essential for all training. If you want to learn how to train in this way then join me on my accredited professional trainer...
-
Talk about clicker training targets; an overview
My Understand Horses Trainer's course https://courses.understandhorses.com/courses/horse-trainer-foundation-certificate My IAABC Foundation course https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/equine-discomfort-ethogram/ My IAABC Foundation Journal article on targets...
-
Young horse training, in conversation with Chess Watts
In this episode I talk to Chess about her journey with Gambit her young Exmoor pony. I met them when she needed help with his behaviour and the two have been a real joy to work with. My new accredited trainer course is now live at Understand Horses...
-
In Conversation with Jessie Sams
In this episode Jessie Sams and I finally got around to talking to her about her life and work with horses and other topics like a biopsychosocial model, the 3 C's of communication, choice and consent (with Emily Kieson) , compassion for human horse carers and lots more. Jessie Sams is an animal...
-
Science, evidence...does it support clicker training? Summer short 6
Are science based or evidence based titles a good idea? How do we feel about science, especially in light of the recent dog study. Does science absolutely support R+ based/clicker training? How science has made me cross and how I'm learning to cut more slack! Heads up my Horse Trainer Foundation...
-
Should we combine reinforcement, does it work? Summer short 5
It will come as no big surprise that intentionally combining positive and negative reinforcement isn't something I'm huge on. I was surprised to hear experts/academics lack of understanding regarding things like shaping and backchaining and reducing reinforcement without frustration. It's a bit...
-
Setting up your horse training with a clear pattern to follow Summer Short 4
As a young horse trainer I was very aware of creating situations where the horse could 'guess' the behaviour- we called it anticipation. Back in those days I didn't know about using reward based training but anticipation was a great way to create a willing and enthusiastic horse. Sadly some of…
more -
'mis'behaving horse behaviour professionals Summer Short 3
Videos showing behaviour professionals sitting out bucks and rears gain thousands of likes, why? Above all other areas of equestrianism shouldn't behaviour be seen for what it really is and not used as a social media magnet? Or maybe I'm old and jaundiced!
-
Summer short 2 of 2024 The basics when clicker training
We owe every animal in our care the ability to know how to interact with our world and us. That requires some basic training. I rarely see the basics done well or even at all. My courses at www.understandhorses.com and www.iaabcfoundation.org
-
Summer Short 1 of 2024 How might it feel for a horse when they are tired?
I've had a tiring few weeks and my poor brain and body hurt. How might it feel for our horses when they are tired and we ask them to perform behaviours when training? Taking note of changes in behaviour might help us spot problems early. This is part 1 of my summer shorts 2024, if you have...
-
Affective Neuroscience and Horse Training with Dr Robin Foster
This time on the podcast I'm joined by friend and colleague Dr Robin Foster. For a very long time I've wanted to dip into Panksepp's work on emotions, which in some small way has been adopted by the clicker training world, and finally I got to chat with Robin. We STILL didn't get to valence...I...
-
Riding without a bridle
In this episode I was again joined by the fabulous Heather McManamy of Equus Integratus. Our focus was on bridleless riding but the skills we discuss go so much deeper than riding. Heather shares some great resources on her website https://equusintegratus.com/ on Facebook and Instagram Articles…
more -
Equine Ecology in conversation with Annabel Holmes
In this episode I had the great pleasure of talking to Annabel Holmes, The Equine Ecologist a mum, ecologist and passionate horsewoman based in the Cotswolds. Growing up on a nature reserve in Suffolk, Annabel later went on to study Ecology, starting her career splitting her time between a feed...
-
Wild Horses with Sam Couper
In this episode I am thrilled to talk wild and feral horses with the wonderful Samantha (Sam) Couper PhD. We delve into Sam's back story right up to her present day training with her own horses and her work as a behaviour consultant. Sam is Board Chair of the Onaqui Catalogue Foundation, a group...
-
Rope Halters, pressure and clicker training with guest Polly Smeath
In this episode I chat to Polly Smeath about rope halters and controlling horses when leading. Polly has an extensive background in the world of horses, a passion that has woven throughout her life since childhood. Born into a family with a history of racehorses, Polly's earliest memories include…
more -
Self Control
Sooz Foster joins me again and this time we're talking self control. We consider horses and dogs, whether they can have self-control and how we can build build patterns to help. You can find Sooz these days at https://soozdogtraining.co.uk/ or come and join me training at her new club...
-
In conversation with Dr Eduardo J Fernandez: Training as enrichment
I was thrilled to be able to talk to Dr Eduardo J Fernandez on the podcast. Not only is he an amazing applied behaviour researcher but he is great at putting some of the more technical definitions into easy to understand terminology. Our discussion centres around training as enrichment but there...
-
In conversation with Heather K McManamy
In this episode I had a fabulous chat with Heather. We had aimed to look at what draws people to more 'glamorous' 'from different world' trainers but it turned into a wonderful introspective (well certainly for me, I hope Heather enjoyed it too). We ask how to be credible. What are our…
more -
All About Cues (part 6)
In this final (for now) episode on cues I look at transferring cues which is great if you want to tidy up your complex cues or change your original cue for something more appropriate. Please share these short episodes and let me know if you've tried any of my suggestions for improving your cues!
-
All About Cues (part 5)
What to choose as a cue? Physical, verbal, tactile? What is clear, easy to use, easy to replicate?
-
Are you quitting on me?
Rebeccah Baylis is one of my fave students, we talk in this episode about a session that felt quite sticky at the start but ended well. Do you know when it might be acceptable to push on a little further? Should we always stop at the first sign of resistance? It's definitely a training conundrum....
-
All about Cues (part 4)
Discrimination Knowing what to do to get reinforced- the best friend of stimulus control (part 3) and discriminative stimulus (part 2). How can you help your horse know what a cue means? Please enjoy and share, Trudi
-
All About Cues (part 3)
Stimulus Control In this third short on my continuing theme of cues I'm looking at how 'clean' our cues are. Stimulus control is an essential part of developing cues, it helps us create a clear language that reduces the chances of frustration. I share the 4 criteria of stimulus control and what…
more -
All About Cues (Part 2)
What to do when? Does your horse know? Do you think you know what your cues are? Does your horse agree? This short episode builds on the previous and looks at the idea of a discriminative stimulus- do you know what your SD is and does your horse agree?
-
All About Cues (Part 1)
I've done cues before but have we ever 'done' cues...this is the first part of a deep dive into cues. Send me questions and thoughts to [email protected] and share this episode with your friends. More soon, Trudi
-
Targets
What to do when things go wrong with targets and how to train a follow target, great questions sent in by a listener.
-
Failure (Summer Short 5)
Failure is scary, so much that we might allow failure to stop us doing what we enjoy (horse training). Be brave, embrace the fear!
-
Playing with Time (Summer Short 4)
Reducing anxiety by playing with the temporal gap (aka what I call temporal tinkering) needs shaping the same as every behaviour. In this summer short I answer a question or two posed by one of my current course students. If you have any questions drop me a message or email [email protected]
About this show
Lost in the sea of horse training? Step aboard for evidence based equine training and behaviour content. Listen to professionals and enthusiasts from the world of horse training and behaviour as well as associated areas of the equine world. Trudi Dempsey is an English equine trainer and behaviour consultant, specialising in positive reinforcement.
Hosted by
Trudi Dempsey