Welcome to my equine training podcast
Lead a Horse to Water is a podcast brought to you by Trudi Dempsey about equine training and behaviour
Tune in for conversations with training and behaviour professionals plus deep dives into evidence based methods.
Episode 27, March 26th 2022
Horse Herd Leaders
Science continues to inform us about the nature of horses and old accepted ideas of herd leader (alpha stallion and mare) have been reconsidered. This is not a scientific stroll but a practical chatty episode about horses exhibiting behaviours that might be considered as 'leadership' qualities or dominance along with the assumption that there is a 'pecking order' in horse herds.
Thanks to Jo and her enquiring mind for the great question.
Equitation Science position statement on misuse of leadership and dominance in training
Episode 26, 20th March 2022
Saying Goodbye
In this episode I talk about the last day with my lovely Moralejo (Moo). If this subject could be difficult for you PLEASE don't listen. If this episode helps anyone then Moo and I will have given one last service to horses and their carers. Love to you all, take care of yourselves.
For help with end of life decisions this is a good starting point https://www.equine-endoflife.co.uk/end-of-life-options/planned-euthanasia/
Episode 25, 2nd March 2022
Being Kind
This episode is a meander through the concept of being kind to each other. In the world of horses there can often be conflict and it has lead me, in the past, to be less kind to the human in the horse-human partnership. I try to do better and we could probably all do better and with this in mind I ramble through some wonderful responses to a recent social media question I posed about how to be kind. I mention the wonderful Andrea Harrison in the podcast and especially her gratitude project for which I am truly, well, grateful!
Links to my upcoming course at Understand Horses and a live in person weekend workshop in June in Taunton can be found below:
courses.understandhorses.com/courses/Train-with-Trudi-custom-coaching
www.tickettailor.com/events/trudidempseyequineevents/652682
heartequineacademycourses.com/courses/73/about
Episode 24, 7th Febuary 2022
In Conversation with Kate Blackmore
A relaxed natter with the lovely Kate Blackmore about her new venture- Equischolars! Kate Blackmore is Head of Welfare at the Conquest Centre, equine behaviour consultant with Equilogical and founder of Equischolars – stewards of the horse.
Kate started volunteering at Conquest in 2012, became a groom, RDA GI, yard manager, deputy manager before going onto study for her behavioural consultancy qualification with the NAC. She then set up my own consultancy business, Equilogical, and joined forces with Becky Baylis from Little Green Stables to bring out the Equilogical podcast and create a Patreon site which follows training journeys (warts and all!). This led her onto develop a new curriculum called EquiScholars, an activity based modular course on equine behaviour, pulling from not only her own experience of working with kids but harnessing all the golden nuggets from the team at Conquest.
Based in Taunton, Somerset, Kate is passionate about opening up the playing field for the future equestrian generations and show that there is more than one way to work and be with horses.
Episode 23, 17th January 2022
In Conversation with Dr Hannah Donovan
In this episode I'm joined by my wonderful colleague Dr Hannah Donovan a veterinary surgeon and a certificated clinical animal behaviourist (CCAB) for equines, dogs and cats. Hannah talks to me about her journey to becoming a vet and behaviourist and how horse owners, vets and behaviourists are coming together to share modern understanding of horse behaviour. Hannah and I share some tips for horse guardians about how they can better prepare for vet visits and procedures and when you need to seek the help of a behaviourist with your horse.
Dr Hannah Donovan graduated with a 2.1 Bachelor of Science Honours degree (BSc (Hons)) in Animal Science from the University of Leeds, UK, in 2006. She then went on to study for her veterinary degree, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S) at the University of Edinburgh, UK, and qualified as a vet in 2011. During her time at the University of Edinburgh, Hannah also obtained a Masters of Veterinary Science in Canine Behaviour Research (MVetSci). She then worked as a mixed vet in Lincolnshire and during this time, completed a Master of Science in Clinical Animal Behaviour (MSc) at the University of Lincoln, UK, she graduated with distinction in 2013. Since then, Hannah has worked in small animal practices in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, she has also travelled and volunteered around the world in clinics and shelters, and spent some time working in a large RSPCA hospital and shelter in Sydney, Australia.
Hannah has worked as a veterinary surgeon since 2011 and has been seeing behaviour referrals simultaneously since 2013. Hannah has enjoyed providing continued education for vets and vet staff around the world about animal behaviour and how to improve handling and understanding during veterinary visits, rehabilitation of rescued animals or teaching young animals and preventing behaviour issues. Hannah’s aim has always been to improve animals’ quality of life and welfare by continually learning herself and teaching owners, trainers, veterinary and shelter staff.
Hannah now sees veterinary-referred behavioural cases all over the world, thanks to the development in virtual consultations in the last 18 months. Hannah is an RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) Advanced Practitioner in Companion Animal Behaviour, an ASAB (the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour) accredited Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) for Dogs, Cats and Equines, an ABTC (Animal Behaviour and Training Council) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist and registered Veterinary Behaviourist, a Full Member of the APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors), a Director and Certificated Member of the FAB Clinicians (Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians) and a Committee Member of the BVBA (British Veterinary Behaviour Association).
Check them Hannah here https://donovanvetbehaviour.com
FABClinicians Q & A Sessions available to vet staff for free. https://fabclinicians.org/veterinary-q-and-a-sessions/
A Horse Case for The Horse Trust on January 26th 2022. https://horsetrust.org.uk/training-courses/continued-professional-development/
Life from the animal’s perspective for Animal Therapies on February 2nd 2022. https://whova.com/embedded/event/assnc_202202/?utc_source=ems
Equine Fears and Phobias Webinar for FABC and The Horse Trust. March 30th 2022 https://fabclinicians.org/public-calendar/
Episode 22, 26th December 2021
Clicker Training Horses, Clarity in Liberty Movements
The final short Christmas bonus episode discussing how to develop good cue discrimination in complex liberty movements. This was in response to a call out for questions following the previous episode on Stimulus Control. In this episode we discuss Anne's fabulous question. Our new Train Clean interactive online workshop (back chaining) at the end of January is available to purchase from Trudi Dempsey Equine Trainer and Behaviour Consultant's Facebook events. Wishing every listener the very best for 2022!!
Episode 21, 24th December 2021
Clicker Training Horses, Send to a Distant Place
In this second of our short Christmas bonus episodes discussing how to create a behaviour of sending your horse to a distant place. This was in response to a call out for questions following the previous episode on Stimulus Control. In this episode we discuss Lisa's wonderful question. Our new Train Clean interactive online workshop (back chaining) at the end of January is available to purchase from Trudi Dempsey Equine Trainer and Behaviour Consultant's Facebook events. Wishing every listener the very best for 2022!!
Episode 20, 24th December 2021
Clicker Training Horses, Wait While I move
A super short Christmas bonus episode discussing how to develop a solid stand and wait for your horse. This was in response to a call out for questions following the previous episode on Stimulus Control. In this episode we discuss Drea's great question. Our new Train Clean interactive online workshop (back chaining) at the end of January is available to purchase from Trudi Dempsey Equine Trainer and Behaviour Consultant's Facebook events. Wishing every listener the very best for 2022!!
testimonials
What My Clients Say
Trudi is one of the most competent and understanding trainers I have met. She enabled me to get back on my boy (who has been known to be quite 'explosive') after 18 months of being out of work. She gives you confidence and really understands where the horse is at and they recognise her sensitivity. Trudi really 'listens' to the horse and her sessions are always fun. I can't recommend her enough!
Annie Keetch
I love having Trudi come to my yard for groundwork sessions with my horses, she really understands how they both are and works accordingly. She is kind and patient and knows exactly what to do so that the horse understands what she has asked!
She writes a full report after the sessions which are super helpful in keeping track of progress and she always gives pointers on what to work on.
Chloe Holland
Livery Yard Owner
When I contacted Trudi we were at our wits end with a very difficult pony....Trudi spent time not only observing how we did things and the pony’s reactions but also talking us through what she observed. She very quickly taught my daughter the signed to look for with regards to when is the right time to reward behaviour and when it’s not.....I would highly recommend Trudi to anyone having behaviour problems with their ponies.
Helle Andrews
