Liberating with Liberty, Positive Reinforcement & Marker Training, Postural Development for Optimal Biomechanics Part 2 – Glenorie, NSW – Jan 19-21

Start & Finish Times 9:00-5:00/5:30  Jan. 19-21 

 LIBERATING with LIBERTY (New course)

Developing skills to work with horses on the ground at LIBERTY, that is with no ropes attached, is a great thing to do. When we are catching a horse, before we get the halter on we are at liberty, some people might exercise their horses at liberty, others play with their horse at liberty just for fun, and others do tricks or exhibitions at liberty.  For me what is important about liberty is that it truly gives horses choice. That means that the horses are not pressured when they leave or coerced into staying because of the consequences that occur if they do leave. This also extends to no “pressure” when they don’t look at you or don’t “face up” as it is often termed, when teaching horse to be caught.

A lot of liberty that I see demonstrated or taught does not fit my criteria for liberty. Much liberty is trained with a lot of pressure, coercion and consequences for the horse. When we look at the horse’s body or look into their eye, if we see tension or a resigned, shutdown or otherwise unhappy look on their face that will indicate a horse that is not a joyful and willing participant.

So, if we are not going to use pressure or coercion how will we inspire the horse to be with us ?
Why would they want to be with us ?

Some ways to inspire horses to want to interact with us at liberty are:-

Make it a Mental game
Create Curiosity
Use our Energy in a way in which we become like a magnet that draws them to us.
Cause them to Feel Good
Use Food – Yes food is a great motivator and also a great social connector. In humans, we often meet together to have a meal, go out to lunch, have coffee, have a cup of tea, go out to dinner.

There has to be something in it for them – either Intrinsic motivation (feeling good on the inside. eg. safe, relaxed, stimulating)  or Extrinsic motivation (coming from the outside, eg. in humans a pay cheque, for the horse food or something else they like) or a combination of both these motivations. Connection with us, stimulation – mental, emotional or physical stimulation, and play (also a form of stimulation) are all Intrinsic motivators. Food is an extrinsic motivator but it too also leads to intrinsic motivation by various means.

This course will teach about both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.
Giving horses CHOICE is also a big motivator just in itself.
Choice is a powerful motivator and reinforcer.

The more we employ the horse’s “seeking system”, that is, having them seeking (wanting to move towards) something positive as opposed to them moving away from something they don’t like - discomfort or any aversive, the more relaxed, calm, happy and willing a horse will be. The “seeking system” stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which brings the horse into relaxation, rest and digest mode and social engagement or “connecting” mode. Its opposite, using discomfort, pressure or aversives, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system which puts the horse in the flight, fight or freeze survival modes which does not lead them to building connection or social engagement and they definitely are not going to be feeling happy, playful or joyful.

So pressuring techniques (even with low grade pressure) don’t result in the most positive outcome or relationship with your horse whatever we are doing, so it is especially not going to inspire your horse to want to be with you at liberty.

So if you are ready to liberate your horse and yourself with liberty this course will get you started or help you advance and get more joyful enthusiasm from your horse.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT AND MARKER TRAINING.

Maybe you know it as clicker training - and it is often associated with just doing tricks with your horse but this is not about just doing tricks.

When used well, and to honest this requires a very high level of skill to be used well, because you really have to use psychology, you really have to think and you really have to be aware. You have to be a lot smarter.  To be honest, in my past, I scoffed at clicker trainers with horses - thinking that is what people with no real horsemanship skills do. I was later enlightened when I explored it and started to really understand. It is something that I have been playing with for probably around 8 years now maybe even more, so I have had lots of time to experiment with different horses and explore how to implement and integrate it and where and when it best fits.  It is an extremely powerful teacher, motivator and uses SO much psychology. I look forward to sharing this great subject with you.

POSTURAL DEVELOPMENT

It is an ongoing thing that we want to keep improving. Working on our horse's physical body and balance (and our own) is just as important as the mental and emotional aspects.
I have made a lot of evolvements in this area - making BIG changes in the horses and it is doing simpler things. You can't get better than that !!! Liberty and Positive Reinforcement and Marker Training can be used to really accelerate their physical development so we are adding that into this course.

Can't wait to share it all with you !!!

Come along with or without your horse.

Of course if you can bring your horse along your learning will be maximized as nothing beats hands on experience and having direct feedback from a supportive instructor to accelerate your learning. However the other option for attending these courses is to come and participate without a horse, in which case you would actively participate in all of the theory sessions, Q & A sessions, most  simulations as well as watch the demonstrations and observe those with horses practice the techniques. People coming without their horses are not just fence sitters. All of these "non-hands on" with horses sessions actually make up a big percentage of this course so the fee is priced appropriately.

Investment The cost to come with your horse is $595 for 3 days EB (early bird) Price - if paid in FULL before Jan 12th. After that the price is $695. A 50% deposit will secure your spot. Horse spots are limited to 8.

The cost to come without your horse is $85/day. Total of $255 for 3 days - EB prices - if paid in full before Jan 12th. After that prices are $95/day. Total $285 for 3 days.

PLEASE NOTE: No stallions without prior permission. For questions regarding the course content, horsemanship or eligibility for the course contact Mel 0428 385 745 mel@melfleming.com
Please scroll down for booking forms.

'Functional Saddling' consultations, BALANCE saddles, Private lessons & Bodywork sessions -

These sessions are available the day before or after the course or in the mornings or evenings of the course.