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Introduction to Positive Reinforcement – Module 4

March 29, 2018 Kendra

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: Introduction to Positive Reinforcement

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I was relatively new to caring for and working with horses and had recently got my first miniature horse that was broke to drive. I was ready to consume any and all info that I could.

I got my miniature at a time when I was unable to attend clinics or visit others for hands-on learning experiences, due to the COVID 19 pandemic. I was encouraged to explore Kendra’s resources and found everything I needed to become successful through her online learning platform, social media, and email communication. My husband is impressed with how much I have learned and how I have connected with my horse in such a short amount of time. He has even asked me to do some ground work with his rope horse.

I am now VERY comfortable working with my horse, from grooming and feeding, to communicating and doing ground work. I always have more questions but my confidence has greatly increased.

My relationship with my horse has become one of mutual respect. We now “listen” to each other and have more patience, which has resulted in more “wins” for both of us.

The resources are easy to access on all of my devices and allow me to learn at my own pace, which worked well, as a mother of young children.

Meghan McKinnon

Before taking the Miniature Horsemanship online courses I was struggling with trying to plot a course of action for myself and my 3 minis. I didn’t know where to start. I had never owned a horse before and I felt overwhelmed. I wanted to be able to confidently work with and train my minis.

Now, I’m getting to know their personalities and learning styles. Working on liberty work, targeting, working as a team. I understand them better. It is interesting to compare them to Kendra’s horses learning the same things.

It’s been great! The courses have taught me concrete skills that were easy to master. Everything is explained in detail and it’s very easy to follow.

Kendra’s courses were just what I needed to start working confidently with my minis.

Lorraine Fraser

Before taking the Miniature Horsemanship online courses I was struggling with how to communicate with my new-to-me mini mule. I learned some great training alternatives which improved our relationship. Once I learned how he learned best, training has been so much easier and much less frustrating for us both!

Both my mini horse and my mini mule have really made progress in local desensitization clinics. My horse drives and has always been a solid little cart horse, but even he has shown more confidence since we started attending clinics. The mini mule started attending clinics as a yearling and has just become a confident little mule. He started ground driving this last year and will be put to cart some spring.

I am more confident as a trainer/leader and they are more willing and confident. We all have much more fun when out and about. I call this a win-win!

I find Kendra to be approachable and available. She is active in the FB page and is always willing to help troubleshoot any horse related issues. She is a great cheerleader as well. She helps to celebrate the little successes.

Kendra's courses have really helped us all!

Sharon O

As a result of the Miniature Horsemanship online courses, my communication with my horse and our understanding of each other has greatly increased. I am so much clearer on uses of harness and cart.

I have trained a couple of challenging horses and enjoyed it. I believe they enjoy it also – my relationship with my horses has changed, all for the better.

I’m impressed with Kendra’s quick responses in layman's terms.

Joyce Bentley

Prior to taking the courses with Kendra, I was struggling with what I realize now were primarily communication issues. I often did not understand what either of my two horses was trying to tell me. And sometimes what I was trying to say appeared to fall on deaf ears.

I am using what I learned in the courses with training my big (saddle) horse, too. In the past, despite my being a generally gentle person, sometimes he would get frustrated with my lack of understanding and act out with dangerous, aggressive, and/or greedy behavior.
My accomplishments resulting from taking the courses include:

More harmony in all our interactions.

A better appreciation for the remarkable intelligence of miniature horses and how using better communication could help me make real, deep friendships with them. I had thought, in the past, that kind of friendship between horse and human was a rarity.

An increased awareness and understanding of my horses' feelings about their lives and work. It is amazing to me how deeply horses think and how much they care about each other, me, their environment, work and training.

Learning about the better nature of, and results possible from, using positive reinforcement techniques rather than pressure and punishment in horse training.

Using liberty and positive reinforcement with wonderful results in the areas of trick training and trailer loading training.

I am a better "horse mom" because I am more tuned-in to the horses' wants and needs, which makes all of us happier. Watching how much their trust in me has grown has been a moving experience.

I have learned to have a better attitude about building teamwork with my horses. For example, instead of saying, "I want you to do this", I (effectively) say, "Let's figure out some fun things we can do together." Fun is the better goal!

I have a better attitude and more confidence about training now. It seems the horses never forget our training sessions and I let them tell me when they are ready to go to the next level in each area of our work. Now that I know more and have improved my methods, they seem to love training and frequently express dismay when I say it is time to stop.

The biggest change in my relationship with my horses is that now we work as a team instead of our relationship being just about me trying to get them to do things. I also have a bigger appreciation for how hard they try to please me and the bravery they sometimes show when facing tougher challenges. They seem to appreciate when I applaud their efforts and successes.

It's not unusual to find an instructor who cares about horses, but Kendra genuinely cares about their people, too. In the Facebook groups, she thoughtfully tailors her remarks and advice to each horse and person team, keeping their abilities in mind.

I love learning from Kendra. Her experience, scientific knowledge, and caring approach are just what I need from an instructor.

Mara Levin, Hidden Pond Farm

My first mini was only halter trained when I got her. Applying what I learned in the Miniature Horsemanship online courses has resulted in a better bond with my horse. Using the targeting we learned in Positive Reinforcement she learned to push a large ball as a game. She is definitely more inclined to hang out with me at liberty and she is more respectful of my space.

Susan Mackey

Before taking the Miniature Horsemanship online courses my horses and I struggled with working as a team and being too anxious and pushy for treats. I'm just starting out with two horses so we are learning together.

They both know now how to touch a target and be polite. One is really great working with me as a team. The other is still pushy for treats but is improving. He is polite in very short spurts. I think we enjoy each other a lot more and work better together!

I think Kendra is amazing! I haven't had the horses long and didn't know where to start until I read her book and took some of her courses. I feel more confident now. I also like how quickly Kendra gets back to you if you have a question, her sense of humor, and her videos that show her working so well with her horses!!

Laura

I had one horse that I trained to drive using these courses. The other two just needed a more consistent driver, giving more consistent cues.

Now, I have driven all my horses safely either in competition or just at home. I feel like they trust me now. They know I will give them some warning before asking them for things, and that I will always (try) to be fair.

These courses took me from not knowing how to put a harness on, to driving in the show ring. Absolutely time and money well spent!

Charity Canty

I inherited an old, very old gelding that I did not know what he knew or would tolerate. He has done very well with Positive Reinforcement. I can catch him easily now and he responds to basic requests such as stand, whoa, walk on and goes with me on the lead rope as I turn from one direction to another.

Using the online classroom every question asked is answered to my understanding. Looking forward to working with my other mini who is trained to drive and perhaps knows more than me.

Eloise (Ellie) Bishop

The Miniature Horsemanship online courses provided structure and a plan to move forward. I definitely developed a better understanding of how these horses learn, but also the acceptance of how different they can be, resulting in more positive interactions whether we are training, handling or just being.

Phil Gray

I had been away from horses for many years and found myself gifted with my first miniature horse. I didn't know anything about miniature horses when I found Kendra's "Understanding Your Miniature Horse" course. I discovered a lot of new things about horses that I didn't know and realized that there were different ways of working with horses than I knew about. Kendra’s courses have opened up a whole new world of understanding and working with horses to me.

I have taken my 2 year old horse from the basics of groundwork to a beginning driving horse (at age 4). I have a better relationship and understanding of "what makes him tick" than I've ever had with a horse before.

I've learned to lighten up in my training methods. I've learned that having fun is the most important thing, and that its ok to change directions if something isn't going well.

I really appreciate Kendra's willingness to be available for advice when the inevitable questions arise. The Book Club and other opportunities to meet with other horse owners have given me a great venue to share stories of successes and troubleshoot.

Elizabeth M

The Miniature Horsemanship online courses give me more structure with my horse’s exercises. Better understanding of the timing of rewarding. Better confidence in myself around my horse.

Our relationship has changed in every way - everything is better!

Suzanne Dugas

The Miniature Horsemanship online courses provided structure and a plan to move forward. I definitely developed a better understanding of how these horses learn, but also the acceptance of how different they can be, resulting in more positive interactions whether we are training, handling or just being.

Phil Gray

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