Equine Empowerment: A Guide To Positive Reinforcement Training

by Jessica Gonzalez

Science based training is not just a way of modifying behavior, but an entire way of living with animals. A solid understanding of our species’ natural history helps us best meet their needs and bring out their fullest potential. With an understanding of learning theory and behavioral science we can really begin to influence our companion’s choices in the kindest way possible. Positive Reinforcement techniques allow us to develop a strong bond based on mutual understanding, empathy, and compassion. With the help of ethology, biology, and neuroscience, we can better understand how our horses think and feel. Using all this objective, science-based information, as well as our desire to be kinder to horses, we can reshape the horse-human connection.

This book dives deep into the sciences behind how horses behave, learn, and feel with many custom designed charts and diagrams for visual learners to enjoy. There are over 70 instructional worksheets for you to apply this information to real life situations and individual equines. In these, we’ve detailed how to train a wide variety of ground and mounted behaviors as well as how to address emotional and behavioral problems.

230 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2018

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

What this book needs is a good editor. There are some noticeable typos and layout mistakes, and the book is generally more wordy than it needs to be. It's not bad, but there isn't too much here that can't be found in other +R books. As far as using it as an introduction to people who aren't already convinced by the application of behavior science to horse training, I don't think this is going to be the best choice of explaining +R or clicker training to someone coming from traditional training. People who came up in the natural horsemanship crowd will likely find this more up their alley.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent, in-depth introduction to clicker training for horses. A good number of visual informatics and photos. Layout is difficult to read, and a proofreader is needed, though.

[Pauline Barbier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content is great and really thorough, however the edition is really bad, lots of typos and the general design could have been much improved. However good nerdy book about R+ training!