Animado Equine in Geelong, Victoria | Horse trainer

Animado Equine

Locality: Geelong, Victoria

Phone: +61 421 809 834

Address: 65 Church Road 3240 Geelong, VIC, Australia

Website: http://animado.weebly.com/

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• Sport & recreation
• Horse trainer

25.01.2022 Ever had a horse just explode with no warning whatsoever? We often hear of someone having that experience, but the sad fact is it can usually be anticipated and, hopefully, avoided. There are nearly always signs or signals from our horses (cats, dogs, small children and other species) that would have warned us they were not coping - if only we knew what to look for. If you have had lessons with me you have probably heard me mention the term threshold. When we are training ...& riding we need to be aware of our horses level of arousal so we can judge how close they are to their threshold. The threshold is the point at which an individual goes from a learning frame of mind to a high state of arousal where learning is no longer on the agenda. The threshold varies with the context of the situation and from day to day. From a training perspective you need to know the point at which your horse is about to move over the threshold from the safe space of learning, to a dangerous place of the unknown. In practical terms it is that moment where the horse goes from watching the sleeping lamb in the neighbours paddock, to bolting from the dangerous monster that just grew legs (as the lamb stands up). When approaching the rope gate on the obstacle course, the threshold is that moment the horse hesitates as it looks at the rope/post/flowers/sponsors sign. If you try and push your hesitating horse to continue towards the gate, any learning up to that point is about to be lost and you are now training your horse to be afraid of the gate. Instead, when you feel your horse begin to hesitate on the approach, immediately stop. Stand still. Reward the horse for standing. Wait for their level of arousal to drop; you are looking for a slowing heart rate & breathing, head lowering, looking elsewhere, (usually 15-25 seconds for the adrenalin to reduce in their system) then walk AWAY from the gate/lambs/various monsters and re-approach. Repeat the stop & stand still until the level of arousal drops. Do this EVERY TIME you sense the horse is thinking about getting ready to stop/spin/turn away. The SOONER you stop (because you have sensed the horses rising anxiety) - the quicker the horse will learn to approach the obstacle with confidence and boldness. The time you spend doing this repetitive training will pay off during the stress of a competition or a genuinely threatening situation. You now have a horse that trusts you will not put them into a situation they cant cope with. You will have a horse that has learnt to be bold and confident in most environments. If you want to learn more about how to train ethically, this website might be interesting for you. Yes, it is about dogs, but if you think horse when you read dog, the lesson holds true. Enjoy. (Search for the PDF on Understanding Classical Conditioning https://www.simpawtico-training.com/learning/downloadables/)

25.01.2022 Clarity is Key to Establishing New Behaviours Why are there some days when nothing seems to go right? You put the aids on for the same movement you did yesterday and nothing happens! If anything, maybe the horse is even pushing back against your aids? Why? When you tried last week, she did it, sort of. And she was good when your instructor hopped on and showed your horse how to do the movement before that. Why wont the horse do it now? Lets go back a few steps. To teach...Continue reading

25.01.2022 Great advice from a thoughtful expert.

25.01.2022 The power of visualisation... and some wonderful music.

24.01.2022 Some vintage Andrew McLean. So many golden nuggets of information about how horses learn in this. My favourite is the little chestnut Arabs response to touching the ball the first time! https://youtu.be/fp0QYfYBnq4

24.01.2022 You mean some people DON'T feed chaff? https://thehorse.com//study-add-chopped-forage-to-feed-t/

22.01.2022 Remember the Pentathlon fiasco at the Olympics? Something is starting to happen. I wonder how far they will be prepared to pursue this?

21.01.2022 If horse behaviour fascinates you, as it does me, check this out. I believe this is free to view, but if not, it is a token membership fee to access quite a few resources. The presenter uses different language to what I usually use, but the science is the same - such as advance and retreat, and recognising thresholds. (Lauren Fraser talks about green, yellow & red zones.) https://www.equitopiacenter.com//solving-horse-behavior-p/

21.01.2022 Excellent description of finding your independent seat.

21.01.2022 Thought for the day. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'! Audrey Hepburn

20.01.2022 Lets hope it happens in Australia sooner than later.

20.01.2022 What a mess. Does anyone have any answers? This quote from an email from EA/KordaMentha received at 11:47 Thurs 9 July; "...State Branches to confirm To put the question of members right to vote at the second meeting beyond doubt, we invite each of the State Branches by 5pm today, 9 July 2020 to:... 1. Confirm in writing to all members that they will support all members being recognised as creditors for the purpose of voting at the second meeting, and 2. If required, will support the Administrators to protect and defend members rights to vote at the second meeting if that right is challenged by any party in Court at a later date." See more

20.01.2022 Im using one lately to remind myself where my hands need to be...

20.01.2022 Do you use supplements?

20.01.2022 And this is why you need a good lower leg!

19.01.2022 No matter how good the rider is, the environment is unsafe, given the horses galloping in the background and the pony's behaviour. This is probably one of the reasons why horse riding is so dangerous. So many people believe in the myth of 'don't let the horse win' and feel pressured to keep going when good sense would say, 'there must be a better way'. Where would the harm be in getting off the horse when the galloping started, enjoy watching the mob having fun (while training the pony in 'park' and impulse control), then get back on and have a productive ride without the risk of life changing injury to a child that is too young to make that decision for herself? Hmm the video seems to have disappeared...?

19.01.2022 Information from Equestrian Victoria regarding Covid Restrictions and caring for our horses. https://www.vic.equestrian.org.au//EQUESTRIAN%20VICTORIA%2

19.01.2022 Now this will be good! Congratulations Nicola Smith from DRT and DHT. https://www.facebook.com/watch/

18.01.2022 Equestrian Victoria Eventing and the wider equestrian community were saddened to learn of the death of Gill (Gilly) Elwes. Gillian Elwes or Gilly/Gill as she is... better known to those who know her was a highly knowledgeable, experienced and humble horse woman, who contributed significantly throughout her life in all Olympic disciplines of the sport. She was an excellent horsewoman and World Cup/Advanced Eventer, a beloved instructor, a knowledgeable and fair Dressage judge/official as well as a hardworking volunteer on too many committees to note. Gill was awarded The Equestrian Victoria Volunteer of the year award in 2014 acknowledging the hundreds of hours a year she had contributed. Please visit our website to read a wonderful tribute by Jacqueline Sayers about this remarkable woman: https://www.vic.equestrian.org.au//vale-gill-gilly-elwes-1

18.01.2022 An interesting read. Please note: you do ground work before riding to observe the horse's behaviour BEFORE you get on, rather than to 'connect' with the horse.

18.01.2022 What a wonderful idea. Well done Mel Cannon and Dressage Masterclass.

18.01.2022 Stay safe. Keep your friends and family safe. Stay well.

17.01.2022 Being more accurate with our language when describing horse behaviour is an important first step towards thinking about training from a learning theory perspective, rather than a traditional model. Using more precise language fast tracks us to the solution for problem behaviours.

17.01.2022 Leadership & Horses Do we need to be a good leader to be a good horse rider? It is an interesting question and not without some controversy. In my opinion the answer is; Actually, no. Understanding horse behaviour is way more complex than just needing us to be their leader. Following are some examples of behaviour where being more of a leader is often supposed to help; o Does your horse want to walk over the top of you as you lead him? - The problem is the horse is mov...Continue reading

16.01.2022 More LIVE eventing! https://www.hartpuryequineevents.co.uk/ht-live-streaming-m/

16.01.2022 I am convinced that at least some of the fear and anxiety many riders face is caused by our subconscious recognition that our balance & core strength is not sufficient to keep us safely in the saddle. Get fitter, be braver.

15.01.2022 I couldn't find their usual feeder, (I wonder why?) so I had loaned them the good one from the tie ups for their dinner tonight...

15.01.2022 Yay! Some live cross country https://www.facebook.com/watch/

14.01.2022 Blue loves to wave his legs around. The more you teach your horse, the easier she learns and the closer you become.

14.01.2022 Might want to grab a cuppa before you start this one...

14.01.2022 Watching the XC at the FEI European Eventing Championships and Lucinda Green comments on the modern format, saying that tired horses weren’t politically correct Seeing horses barely able to rise for the last fence and shambling across the finish line, is painful to watch and will get the sport rightfully removed from the Olympics and lose our social license to enjoy our sport. On the other hand, seeing very fit, well trained horses enjoying a gallop across country is a joy to watch.

13.01.2022 Not every rider thinks of themselves as a 'trainer', but if you are with an animal, your are training that animal - whether you realise it or not. With horses, good training is essential for everyone's safety and good horse welfare.

13.01.2022 Heartwarming story - lots of good people in the world. https://youtu.be/svQdgzs-uOY

13.01.2022 Listening to Jane’s CD’s over and over, when travelling to and from work, helped my riding enormously. RIP

13.01.2022 Who else is going to be on this webinar? See you online

13.01.2022 Grab a cuppa. This is a long one. I often share posts about TRT and it is always interesting to see posts about other great trainers, to see who inspires other riders. I hope readers of this page take away some ideas that help them in their riding and horsemanship. We have a horse here, Ollie, that was OTT and has taken a lot of training hours to get him to a point where we feel he is suitable for his next career. He was either anxious about any change (who moved that... drum/pole/tree?) or he was dull and unresponsive. He lacked personality and rarely did more in the paddock than walk around to eat. BUT since we have been using Tristans methods, especially teaching Ollie how to calm himself when anxious, he has rapidly improved under saddle and in handling him. But the biggest change is that Ollie now plays in the paddock, is developing his own personality and, most importantly, he is so much more confident about life in general. It is a huge change in his life - both with being handled by humans and in the other 23hrs in his day! Please, please, do not underestimate the impact we make on our horses lives with HOW we train! Make that change a good one. Stay safe everyone. Be well See more

13.01.2022 Ok, I need to do more clicker training! This is the fabulous Georgia Bruce.

12.01.2022 Such sad news to hear of Gills death. I will miss her cheeky smile when I have said something less than smart. So much experience and knowledge gone with her passing. Thanks to Barry Roycroft for sharing this wonderful memory of Gill.

12.01.2022 Consistency We hear it all the time; You need to be consistent in your aids, your training, your expectations. But what does consistent mean? Is it always doing the same exercise? Rewarding the same behaviour?...Continue reading

12.01.2022 Why have I only just understood that horses strike off into canter from a front foot first?

11.01.2022 And a bit of science to round off the evening... https://ampascachi.com//horse/interview-paul-mcgreevy.php

10.01.2022 Well thought out suggestions in this article.

10.01.2022 Prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure.

10.01.2022 Good news for horses.

09.01.2022 The fatties cleaning up before fire season. What a dedicated team of eating machines!

09.01.2022 I’ve just listened to Warwick Schiller’s podcast #57 on shut down horses. So much clarity in this one podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com//the-journey-on-po/id1525271300

09.01.2022 Here is an interesting blog from Karolina Westlund PhD. I have often been to the top of Mt Stupid. But less often the last few years. That seems to be a positive thing. https://illis.se/en/fact-or-fake/

08.01.2022 Absolutely not true. Nope. Ah ah.

08.01.2022 Please think about what we can do to help slow down climate change in our role as a horse owner. Lots to think about in this audio cast. I would love to hear about what you are doing on your land. https://soundcloud.com//episode-38-julia-field-pt-2-hoppin

07.01.2022 Very worthwhile for anyone planning on competing or just wanting to improve your skills.

07.01.2022 If you are planning to watch the Freestyles starting today at the Paralympics, you may be interested to listen to an interview with a composer, Tom Hunt. He works with riders to develop the music for their programs. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09t2j35

06.01.2022 Rule number one, the horse must go in 'self carriage' - that is, if the horse is in walk (trot/canter/passage), it keeps walking (trotting/cantering/passaging) without ANY prompting from the rider. It really is that simple!

06.01.2022 Have you found the Advanced Animal Training podcasts yet? I was listening to episode 138 this morning where Dr Chris Varnon describes his work with bees, reptiles and birds. Fascinating stuff. So I had to find this video he mentioned about training snakes to use levers to control their environment. Who knew snakes could learn? Well, of course they can, we just don't usually think about it, do we? If snakes can do this, what can our horses do? Scroll down to the video https://www.animaltrainingacademy.com//train/chris-varnon/

05.01.2022 Do you boot or bandage? https://www.horseandhound.co.uk//risks-benefits-protective

05.01.2022 The Piggy Horse What is going on when we say a horse is being piggy? It is not just sucking back/behind the leg/behind the bit; it is being behind the bit with ATTITUDE! The more leg you put on, the bigger the attitude you get back. Have you ever ridden a horse that seems to be saying to you; Dont push me, you wont like what happens next! Your response to this blackmail depends on your age (too young to know better!), level of confidence in your riding ability (how m...Continue reading

05.01.2022 Brett is always interesting to listen to.

03.01.2022 Have you seen these dogs? Amazing. I went to teach Working Equitation at Leighdale PC today and got to see some of these wonderful dogs, including Mickey and Sienna, during our lunch break. Great training and a very impressive presentation by Flipping Disc Dogz. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=922716754730049

03.01.2022 Why Reward? Are you one of the riders that likes to pat their horse and tell them how well they have done? Yeah, me too! It feels good to let the horse know that we appreciate their efforts. But does the horse really understand what we are trying to share with them? I wonder if the horse always understands that we are saying - You got that right. Well done! We know to reward our horse because we want the horse to learn a consistent response to our aids, but does the h...orse know it is being rewarded? A quick story. Some time ago we were given a horse that the owner could not manage. The mare, MC, bit and kicked, and the owner was too scared to ride her. After a little groundwork MC became much more polite to handle and we started riding her. Progress was slow at first. Each time we tried to reward her with a scratch at the wither or a gentle pat on the neck, the mare would suck back behind the leg, start swishing her tail, and generally tell us to get off! We figured the mare had come to understand that a pat from the rider meant the rider was scared and ready to be bluffed into getting off. What we thought was a reward, the mare understood as a cue to stop working! So why do we reward our horses? Why would we not? It is a proven way to train horses (cats, dogs, or any other pet mammal). It is faster and more ethical than using punishment. If you have goals you want to achieve with your horse, you want to train ethically, and your time is valuable - then evidence tells us to use positive reinforcement. Add clicker training to that and you will fast track your way towards your goals. Is patting a reward? Why do most of us pat our horses when we want to reward them? If you want your horse to understand your reward, look to where they scratch each other; at the wither, along the back, and on the rump. It seems to be instinctive for us humans to use our hands to punish or reward. We pat our horses because it makes us, the human, feel good. To be the rider we want to be, we need to put our ego aside and focus on providing what the horse needs to learn, rather than what we want to feel. So, we can scratch instead of pat. Ethically training our horse is the way forward for our equestrian sport. If you want to do some reading on this, check out McLean and McGreevy. The importance of disseminating the full knowledge of learning theory (mechanisms of associative and non-associative learning) to all people and organisations involved with horses is imperative for the above mentioned ethical and safety reasons. Such an approach would obviate the need for punishment and other excessive and unethical practices, and will highlight areas of welfare concern where fear is employed and accepted in horse training (McLean and McGreevy, 2010). Sourced from https://equitationscience.com//position-statement-on-avers 8/8/20 See more

03.01.2022 Blue knows if I get on in the yard, we are going up the laneway to visit the other horses - one of his favourite things to do - so he is always happy to help me get on.

03.01.2022 Fascinating time lapse of the hoof growth for the first 12 months of life, just for all us nerds that love everthing horse!

02.01.2022 Put it in your diary

02.01.2022 Some handy links to the various Olympic equestrian events here...

02.01.2022 So I am off to practice right now. (Make sure you read the article that goes with this meme...)

01.01.2022 Youre homework for this week...