Who am I in my horses eyes?
Jacqueline Billington.
EquineTrainer and Behaviourist.
Squire in the Academic Art of Riding by Bent Branderup
Certified Professional R+ Trainer /Behaviourist.
To become an AAoR Squire
The Groundwork and Lunge test must first be passed which is followed by a ridden test with choreography that requires all lateral work and collection to be shown. Both tests are assessed and passed by Bent Branderup who is based in Denmark. There is a strong emphasis on training correct dressage movements, adapting to the horses special needs, precise use of aids, softness, relaxation and producing calm energy.
To become an SKU Certified Professional
This demands an understanding of Equine Learning Theory and submission of a series of R+ training Case Studies using only R+ to train behaviours connected to agreeable emotions, and demonstrating the 7 foundation behaviours. All videos are personally assessed and passed by Shawna Karrasch, who is based in USA. She was brought up with horses, but worked as a Marine Mammal Trainer in her earlier career, pioneering bringing the Science of Learning Theory to train horses using Positive Reinforcement 40 years ago.
My goal is to unite the AAoR with R+ and form a kinder,
more ethical way to train horses using Classical Dressage.
Academic Art of Riding by Bent Branderup Squire
https://knighthoodoftheacademicartorriding.eu/uk/
Shawna Karrasch Equine Certified Professional
https://www.shawnakarrasch.com
Full Member of IEP (International Equine Professional)
https://www.iepglobal.net/behaviour-consultants-trainers
Equine Touch L3
Enlightened Equitation Trainer L3
https://www.enlightenedequitation.com
Who I am.
Horses have been a lifelong passion for my whole life. My first drawings were of horses and I read books and talked about them endlessly as a child.
I am an Academic Art of Riding by Bent Branderup Squire using Positive Reinforcement to train classical dressage movements ethically paying close attention to correct biomechanics for the benefit of the horses’ minds and bodies.
I have completed the SKU CP theory course with densely packed information, together with a skill tested equine centred R+ training course with Shawna Karrasch Equine to become a qualified SKU Certified Professional.
I have followed many highly qualified University educators in order to study the indisputable science behind animal behaviour and learning theory, taking it to University Foundation Degree level during one such course. Recognising behaviours is one thing and interpreting them is quite another, but interpreting the emotion behind a behavioural response is key to resolving it before it becomes challenging.
I use positive reinforcement to train horses acknowledging how the internal and external environment affects the emotions and the importance of unconfrontational, sympathetic kind horse training. I have been fascinated enough to follow this path for over 20 years, evolving over time as the Science of behaviour has been led by Neuroscience research findings.
I am a full member of International Equine Professional and adhere to L.I.M.A. Principles (Least Intrusive, Minimal Aversive)
I am a certified Trauma Informed Horse Trainer having taken the Emma Lethbridge course on the Understand Horses site
I have completed Sue Dyson' pain ethogram course
I believe that using The Equine Touch has been incredibly helpful for finger tip checkups of horses bodies and is very glad to have taken this to L3.
Spending time well with horses is a maxim I have adopted from Bent Branderup and the definition of this for me is developing a calm friendly and trusting horse/human relationship as a priority over other goals. My approach aims to unite the horses physical and mental wellbeing as I strongly believe that training any movement at the expense of physical or mental well-being is just not ok. It’s not what you do, it’s the way that you do it that really matters and training must never become mechanical as good training is all about craftsmanship which can lead to artistry but always supported by a solid background of scientific research.
I think that both horse and human must enjoy their training time together. Bent Branderup sums this up by saying ‘Who am I in my horses eyes?’ I sum this up by striving to positively impress my horse rather than trying to impress human observers
The following hashtags were created by me, though I cannot endorse some of the people who have made posts using my hashtags
.#kindhorsetrainer #spendtimewellwithhorses