Horse Behaviour and Training

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Abstract

This subject allows students to examine horse behaviour and training methods in detail. Students will be able to thoroughly appraise the importance of stimulus control for horse welfare and human safety and experience the use of established training strategies and theories in order to achieve a specified goal. The role of humans associated with horse management and training will also be considered, with particular reference to forms of stockmanship including the Indigenous Australian Stockmen. On successfully completing this subject students will become proficient in identifying a wide range of behavioural signs that may indicate inadequacies and/or anomalies in the horse's behavioural repertoire and be able to produce a well-reasoned plan for addressing these and consequently ensuring that the horse's welfare needs are met.

Syllabus

Fundamentals of behaviour, learning and memoryTraining principles, stimulus, response, reinforcement and stimulus controlTraining methods to include indicators of stress, conflict and fear and conditioned emotional responsesProblem solving using conditioning, habituation, extinction, stimulus generalisation, bridging, chaining/stringing, superstitious learning, shaping, counter-conditioning, desensitisation, overshadowing and stimulus blendingHorse-trainer-rider relationship and effective horse training using … For more content click the Read More button below.

Fundamentals of behaviour, learning and memory
Training principles, stimulus, response, reinforcement and stimulus control
Training methods to include indicators of stress, conflict and fear and conditioned emotional responses
Problem solving using conditioning, habituation, extinction, stimulus generalisation, bridging, chaining/stringing, superstitious learning, shaping, counter-conditioning, desensitisation, overshadowing and stimulus blending
Horse-trainer-rider relationship and effective horse training using ridden horse ethograms
Equitation pedagogy and understanding the learning space through triadic spheres, training styles, periodisation, arousal and affective states
Stockmanship and cultural impacts including Indigenous Australian cultural competency, tradition and resistance to change and equine quality of life

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

appraise the limitations of equine learning abilities and establish underpinning training principles;

assess the importance, and demonstrate implementation of stimulus control within equitation training;

analyse and determine effectiveness of real-life training methods in a range of horse uses and equestrian disciplines;

analyse causes of difficulties in training and provide behavioural strategies for their resolution;

deconstruct the horse-trainer-rider relationship in order to facilitate effective horse training;

differentiate and appraise the relationships between contributing factors such as tradition, culture and within Australia, Indigenous Australian impact with respect to horse welfare and quality of life; and

identify and employ appropriate communication modes depending on the context (of the conversation), the nature of the recipient audience and the topic under discussion.

Enrolment restrictions

This subject is restricted to students enrolled in Bachelor of Equine Science and Bachelor of Equine Science (Business Management). Bachelor of Animal Science and Bachelor of Animal Science (Honours) may also enroll with permission of the Subject Coordinator and their Course Director.

Pre-requisite

Learning activities

Intensive School