Knowing Your Horse: A Guide to Equine Learning, Training and Behaviour – Emma Lethbridge

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Lethbridge is an animal behaviour consultant and riding instructor, who has ridden and trained horses for 20 years. She is currently reading a PhD in Psychology at the University of Lincoln. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Neuroscience from the University of Sussex and a Diploma in Practical Equine Behaviour, as well as having trained with the British Horse Society attaining the Groom’s Certificate and Preliminary Teaching Qualification. Emma currently trains with well-known classical dressage master Heather Moffett, and her renowned High School horse trainer assistant Becky Holden, and holds their ‘Enlightened Equitation Teacher’ Qualification.

REVIEWS

This book is for owners who not only care about their horse, but also are willing to make a little effort to discover the true potential of their relationship. I can assure you your efforts will be more than rewarded. This book blends good science effortlessly with practice, so that the reader can soon become a more skilled trainer… If you understand the principles, then you are only limited by your imagination, and as you discover the many joys of training you will inevitably develop a deeper appreciation of horses… Emma is a passionate horse lover who genuinely takes the welfare of horses to heart, and she is also a scientist who understands both the theory and practice of learning and training. Perhaps what is less obvious is how rare it is to find this combination of characteristics in an individual who can write so clearly. She has brought together a wealth of knowledge with some of the latest research findings, to create an easy to read text.
Professor Daniel S. Mills, RCVS Recognised & European Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, University of Lincoln, UK

Instead of punishing what many perceive to be the horse ‘misbehaving’, often it is the horse trying to communicate that he is in pain, or is being blocked by the rider. Far from being able to carry out the rider’s wishes, it may be impossible for the horse to do so, but because, unlike a dog, he cannot cry out, he is punished for merely trying to communicate his pain or fear. It therefore behoves us to understand how the horse learns, and how his mind works. Scientific in thinking, Knowing Your Horse is nonetheless very readable. This book should be on the bookshelves of all who ride or train horses.
Heather Moffett, classical dressage trainer and founder of Enlightened Equitation, Devon UK

FEATURES

• Helps owners to understand their horse’s behaviour and thereby improve their training techniques.
• Provides thorough but clear explanations of learning theory.
• Explains how to apply the theory in ways that are both efficient for training and hold the horse’s welfare paramount.
• Offers a range of practical tools to use in solving horse behaviour problems.