Positive Rider Podcast

Last week, Cupcake had a procedure and then had to be on stall rest for several days. Agh! So stressful. All we want is for our horses to be happy and healthy! I have learned a ton about Cupcake's health and wellness during the time I have had her. In this episode I share the things that have helped me to help Cupcake, what Cupcake's recent procedure was, and how thankful I am for my vet and farrier who not only tolerate but genuinely like me and Cupcake.

How our horses live, who they live with, what they eat, what they wear, all contribute toward a more positive life for our horse, or a less positive life. These decisions can also take a mental toll on us horse owners and caregivers! Many of us want to give our horse's the best lives we can, but it can be exhausting and overwhelming knowing how to do so.

Thank you to Sara from Sunrise Equestrian for being the first guest on the Positive Rider Podcast! Sara introduced me to positive reinforcement training over a decade ago. Sara shares her insights from years of managing horses, including how her views have shifted over time. Get all our hot takes, and let us remind you: horse welfare matters, and human welfare matters, too.

Cupcake and I went to a horse show this weekend! It was a fuzzy open show and very laid back. But it was a great opportunity to get in some R+ practice outside of our home base, in more of a "show" atmosphere. I share my perspectives on showing R+ trained horses and some insights from the day.

If you're like most horse people: you didn't start out using positive reinforcement, and most people around you don't use it. There is definitely still significant stigma associated with using positive reinforcement for horses, but don't let that stop you from the amazing journey that you and your horse can embark on. Here are my tips on how I've navigated the various opinions of people around me, including how I've sought out affirming voices - I need positive reinforcement, too! - and how I've dealt with feedback from horse professionals such as vets and farriers.

An experienced, savvy horse person recently told me that she had been thinking about trying positive reinforcement, but she was afraid of turning her horse into a Cookie Monster. We all know the kind: nosing in every pocket, never leaving you alone, shoving you out of the way to go for a carrot on the other side of the barn.

What if I told you that you can avoid creating a Cookie Monster, and you can actively improve your horse's manners around food by using positive reinforcement?

In this episode I address this common fear, and share why teaching food manners is a great introduction to positive reinforcement training for you and your horse.

Mentioned resources:

Shawna Karrasch Equine Clicker Training 101 Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/equine-clicker-101-by-shawna-karrasch/id1439229756?i=1000421956480

Adele Shaw of The Willing Equine, article on How to Get Started

https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/2017/01/07/Clicker-Training-How-To-Get-Started

I had heard of positive reinforcement training, but I thought it was just for teaching horses fun tricks. I didn't see how it could be used for the practical, every day horse training I was interested in. Then, a horrible injury changed everything. I saw the results that Positive Reinforcement gave me, and I had to give it a try.

Words are important, and labels matter. In the Positive Rider Podcast, I talk about using Positive Reinforcement Training with my horses. What exactly do I mean by that? And why does it matter? Spoiler: it's a lot more than just giving my horse cookies... even though I do love to give my horses cookies!

My experience learning to train my horse using positive reinforcement has been life changing. But it was a lot harder than it needed to be. I have wanted to share my experience for a long time, but I wasn't sure how to, as I'm not a professional trainer. Then I had the idea for the Positive Rider Podcast: sharing my experiences and journey as a DIY Amateur, and talking about all of the challenging mental and emotional shifts that come with it.

Please reach out to me and Cupcake on Instagram @ClickWithColor, we'd love to hear from you!