Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle

In this episode we dive into the controversial and widely debated topic of dominance theory. Is it still relevant, or has modern behavioural science moved on? We chat about what dominance theory actually is, how it came to influence horse training, and why it continues to spark disagreement today.

Join us as we explore what the latest research says, how dominance-based approaches compare with evidence-based, ethical training methods, and the real impact this has on horse welfare and human–horse relationships. As always, it’s an open conversation grounded in science, compassion and curiosity.

Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

 Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

Barn Bonus 4 - What is Positive Punishment?

Welcome to our fourth bonus episode of "Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle"! In this special "Barn Bonus" series, we dive into key behavioural terms that are crucial for understanding equine behaviour and training.

In today's episode, we explore the concept of positive punishment. Positive punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of an unwanted behaviour. We'll break down what it means, how it works, and why it’s a significant concept in horse training.

Join us for a concise and informative discussion that will enhance your understanding of horse behaviour and improve your training techniques. Perfect for both new and experienced horse enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge.

Tune in and let’s get to the core of positive punishment in this quick yet insightful episode!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Barbara and Jen at the links below. We'd love to hear from you!

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

In this episode, we delve into the art of desensitization in horse training, exploring how systematic desensitization can (in theory) help horses remain calm and confident in the face of challenging stimuli. Starting with the basics, we discuss how desensitization 'works', from identifying triggers to gradually increasing the intensity of exposure. Along the way, we highlight the role of counter-conditioning and share practical tips for integrating these techniques into your training routine.

Butfair warning—what began as a concise 25-minute discussion...  quickly turned into a lively, off-the-rails debate/exploration. 

Join us as we navigate through our own insights, laughs, and passionate tangents on the topic. It’s a slightly unhinged 😆, but thoroughly enjoyable deep dive into one of the most effective strategies in horse training.

Whether you’re a seasoned trainer, a horse enthusiast, or just curious about animal behaviour, this episode is packed with actionable advice and a whole lot of fun.

Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share your thoughts with us on social media. Your feedback helps us create more engaging and informative content for our listeners. Join the conversation and let’s continue to improve the future of horse training together!

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

We’re back from our summer break and kicking off a brand new season! 🎉

In this episode, we catch up on what we’ve been up to, what’s coming next for the podcast, and some of the things we’ve been reflecting on over the break.

Our main topic this week is language both the words we use when we talk about horses, and the “language” horses use to communicate with us.

We explore:

• How the language we use shapes our mindset, expectations, and welfare decisions
• The difference between describing behaviour vs. labelling the horse
• How horses communicate emotional states through posture, movement, and subtle expression
• Ways to shift from judgement to curiosity
• And how a more thoughtful vocabulary can lead to better understanding and kinder training

This is a reflective, gentle, conversation-based episode a thoughtful place to start the new season together.

We’re happy to be back. 💛

Voice note your questions on WhatsApp to +353 85 143 8688 to have your questions answered on the Podcast.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

 Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

Barn Bonus 3 - What is Negative Punishment?

Welcome to our third bonus episode of "Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle"! In this special "Barn Bonus" series, we dive into key behavioural terms that are crucial for understanding equine behaviour and training.

In today's episode, we explore the concept of negative punishment. Negative punishment involves removing something desirable to decrease the likelihood of unwanted behaviours. We'll break down what it means, how it works, and why it’s an important concept in effective horse training.

Join us for a concise and informative discussion that will enhance your understanding of horse behaviour and improve your training techniques. Perfect for both new and experienced horse enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge.

Tune in and let’s get to the core of negative punishment in this quick yet insightful episode!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Barbara and Jen at the links below. We'd love to hear from you!

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

In this episode, we explore the roots of dominance theory, beginning with Schjelderup-Ebbe’s 1922 research on domestic hens, and discuss how it has shaped our understanding of animal behaviour. 

The episode also dives into the intricate dominance behaviors within and between species, from wolves and primates to birds, showcasing the complexity of their social structures. Additionally, we scrutinise the scientific evidence that challenges traditional dominance-based training methods for dogs and horses, advocating for the more humane and effective approach of positive reinforcement/learning theory.

Whether you're an animal enthusiast, a pet owner, or a behavioural science aficionado, this episode is packed with valuable information to transform your understanding of animal social structures and training techniques.

 Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share your thoughts with us on social media. Your feedback helps us bring more valuable content to our listeners. Join the conversation and let’s reshape the future of animal training together! 

🔗 ISES position statement on the use/misuse of leadership and dominance concepts in horse training
 🔗 The Ethics of Using Dominance-Based Training Within the Equine Leisure Industry

References:

• Bradshaw, J., Blackwell, E., & Casey, R. (2008). Dominance in domestic dogs: Useful construct or bad habit? Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 4, 135-144. 
• Westgarth, C. (2016). Why nobody will ever agree about dominance in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 11, 99-101. 
• Dierendonck, M. C., Vries, H., & Schilder, M. B. (1994). An Analysis of Dominance, Its Behavioural Parameters and Possible Determinants in a Herd of Icelandic Horses in Captivity. Netherlands Journal of Zoology, 45, 362-385. 
• Houpt, K. A., Law, K., & Martinisi, V. (1978). Dominance hierarchies in domestic horses. Applied Animal Ethology, 4, 273-283. 
• Chase, I. D. (1982). Behavioral Sequences During Dominance Hierarchy Formation in Chickens. Science, 216, 439-440. 
• Piper, W. (1997). Social Dominance in Birds. 
• Drews, C. (1993). The concept and definition of dominance in animal behaviour. Behaviour, 125, 283-313.
• Mitman, G. (1990). Dominance, leadership, and aggression: Animal behavior studies during the Second World War. 
• Kamath, A. (2020). Territoriality. 
• Hinsch, M., & Komdeur, J. (2010). Defence, intrusion and the stability of territoriality. 
• Mitani, J. C., & Rodman, P. S. (1979). Territoriality: the relation of ranging patterns and home range size to defendability, with an analysis of territoriality among primate species. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 5(3), 241-251.

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

Barn Bonus 2 - What is Positive Reinforcement?

Welcome to our second bonus episode of "Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle"! In this special "Barn Bonus" series, we dive into key behavioural terms that are crucial for understanding equine behaviour and training.

In today's episode, we explore the concept of positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in behavioural psychology and horse training that encourages desired behaviours by offering rewards. We'll explain what it is, how it works, and why it’s an effective technique for training your horse.

Join us for a concise and informative discussion that will enhance your understanding of horse behaviour and improve your training techniques. Perfect for both new and experienced horse enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge.

Tune in and let’s uncover the benefits of positive reinforcement in this quick yet insightful episode!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Barbara and Jen at the links below. We'd love to hear from you!

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

Feeling like you’re failing with your horse’s training? You’re not alone, and we’re here to help. 

We explore the science behind habits, discuss the importance of consistent routines for both horses and their owners, and provide practical tips to overcome common barriers to habit formation. With insights from key research and real-life success stories, we'll guide you through setting realistic goals, tracking progress, and staying motivated.

Plus, we answer listener questions about training routines, improving behaviour, and maintaining positive habits.  (Email 📧[email protected] or   📧  [email protected]  with your questions)

Join us as we navigate the challenges of training and help you and your horse build a foundation of positive habits for lasting success.

 If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Barbara and Jen at the links below. We'd love to hear from you!

Research Papers Discussed:

• Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998-1009.
• Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2011). How habits are formed: The concept of automaticity in behavior. European Journal of Social Psychology, 41(10), 101-108.
• Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2011). How habits are formed: The role of environmental and contextual factors. European Journal of Social Psychology, 41(12), 120-128.
• Gardner, B., & Rebar, A. L. (2019). Habit formation and behavior change. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 26, 15-20.
• Jog, M. S., Kubota, Y., Connolly, C. I., Hillegaart, V., & Graybiel, A. M. (1999). Building neural representations of habits. Science, 286(5445), 1745-1749.
• Judah, G., Gardner, B., & Aunger, R. (2013). Forming a flossing habit: An exploratory study of the psychological determinants of habit formation. British Journal of Health Psychology, 18(2), 338-353.
• Walesh, K. (2007). Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks. Journal of Adult Learning, 8(2), 123-134
• McMullan, M., Endacott, R., Gray, M. A., Jasper, M., Miller, C., Scholes, J., & Webb, C. (2019). Teaching old dogs new tricks: Challenges of faculty development in simulation. Simulation in Healthcare, 14(3), 211-217.
• Garborg, K., & Bretthauer, M. (2012). Can Old Dogs Learn New Tricks? Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 15(1), 36-44.
• Pawlina, W., & Drake, R. L. (2015). Old dogs, new tricks: Ultrasound imaging in anatomy laboratories. Anatomical Sciences Education, 8(5), 453-460.
• Greenberg, D. L., Grünbaum, A., & Winslow, R. (2018). “Old Dogs” Can Learn Ultrasound. The Journal of Clinical Ultrasound, 46(8), 503-508.
• Francis, T., & Job, V. (2018). Lay theories of willpower. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 75, 210-220.
• Jeffrey, R. W., & Christensen, A. J. (1975). Behavior therapy versus "will power" in the management of obesity. Behavior Therapy, 6(3), 409-420.
• Job, V. (2016). Implicit theories about willpower affect self-control and goal striving. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 42(3), 406-414.
• Ainslie, G. (2020). Willpower with and without e

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

Barn Bonus 1 - What is Negative Reinforcement?

Welcome to our first bonus episode of "Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle"! In this special "Barn Bonus" series, we dive into key behavioural terms that are crucial for understanding equine behaviour and training.

In today's episode, we explore the concept of negative reinforcement. Often misunderstood, negative reinforcement is a fundamental principle in behavioural psychology and horse training. We'll break down what it means, how it works, and why it's important in creating effective training routines.

Join us for a concise and informative discussion that will enhance your understanding of horse behaviour and improve your training techniques. Perfect for both new and experienced horse enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge.

Tune in and let’s get to the core of negative reinforcement in this quick yet insightful episode!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Barbara and Jen at the links below. We'd love to hear from you!

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923

Send Us Your Questions

 We are back, back 🤗 with season two.

In this episode we explore the profound impact of language on our emotional experiences and relationships. Drawing on cutting-edge research, we discuss how the words we use shape our perceptions of emotions, influence our interactions with horses, and affect our self-talk.

Learn practical tips for improving communication with your horse, enhancing your emotional well-being through positive self-talk, and understanding the intricate connection between language and emotion.

Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of language and its powerful role in building better relationships with both humans and horses.

 If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to Barbara and Jen at the links below. We'd love to hear from you!

#YouAreAStrongConfientWomanWhoDoesntNeedToSmoke
#MakeJoeyASandwhich

Research Papers Discussed:
Exploring Emotions in Language Teaching
Author: Jack C. Richards
Journal: Volume 53, Issue 1
DOI: 10.1177/0033688220927531

The Role of Language in the Experience and Perception of Emotion: A Neuroimaging Meta-Analysis
Authors: Multiple
Journal: Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Volume 12, Issue 2, February 2017, Pages 169–183
DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsw121

Does Language Do More Than Communicate Emotion?
Authors: Kristen A. Lindquist, Ajay B. Satpute, and Maria Gendron
Journal: Volume 24, Issue 2
DOI: 10.1177/0963721414553440

Emotion, Language, and the Brain
Authors: Sonja A. Kotz and Silke Paulmann
Journal: First published: 01 March 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-818X.2010.00267.x

Language and the Perception of Emotion
Authors: Lindquist, K. A., Barrett, L. F., Bliss-Moreau, E., & Russell, J. A.
Journal: Emotion, 6(1), 125–138
DOI: 10.1037/1528-3542.6.1.125

Meet Your Hosts

Barbara Hardman (Bright Horse Equiation)
www.brighthorse.ie

📧[email protected] ☎️+353 85 143 8688

Jen Nash (The Equine Method)
www.theequinemethod.co.uk

📧 [email protected] ☎️+44 7902920923