We have had some stress in our herd lately, starting with our newest addition, Persephone. She is an 8 year old Welsh B pony who has previously been a broodmare. The introductory process did not go well, she broke through the electric fencing separating her from the other ponies. It turns out that her response… Continue reading Cooperative Care In Action
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Re-Starting with Horses
When I was a young person I was crazy about horses! As a teen I was sure I would have a career with horses. I started a few young horses and ponies under saddle by myself, did work experience, clinics, a bit of pony club, a couple of vocational courses and some voluntary work in… Continue reading Re-Starting with Horses
What’s wrong with “Move the pig”? Pt 1
In every pig group, when someone asks what to do about a “bossy” or “aggressive” pig, someone invariably pipes up with “show him/her who’s boss” and “Move the Pig”. The problem with this strategy is that it doesn’t make you the “boss”. Let me explain why. Dominance is an ethological term to describe who has… Continue reading What’s wrong with “Move the pig”? Pt 1
Using cute tricks to build positive relationships with animals!
Those who know me know I am a very keen trainer of cute, but apparently useless tricks. I have a sheep who fetches, parrots who do agility and play connect 4, ponies that go over obstacle courses and copy my leg movements so we can march in time, the dog that walks on balance beams,… Continue reading Using cute tricks to build positive relationships with animals!
Why R+?
As a young person I loved animals, especially horses, and thought it would be my career. As I delved into the industry as a teenager, I was not happy with a lot of aspects. The trainers I was learning from were very much of the dominance type mindset, where the horse must comply by the… Continue reading Why R+?
Wormers and other horrors!
Our small herd recently welcomed a new member, Sparkles, a rising 3 year old Arabian filly. She is a truly lovely pony, friendly and very considerate of her hairy and wooly herdmates. I don’t know much detail of her homes before us, this is her third and she seems to have had fairly conventional training.… Continue reading Wormers and other horrors!
Advocating for your dog.
As well as having a keen interest in behaviour and what drives it, I am also the mother of a small and mostly angelic, even if I do say so myself, 3-year old boy. He has inherited his parents love of animals, and seldom will walk past a dog on a leash without asking the… Continue reading Advocating for your dog.