Applied Equine Behaviour
The innate behaviour of horses and its application to welfare & training
Home Study Certificate Course (theory based)
Approximately 85 study hours
This A.E.B. Home Study Course has been designed to increase the owner's knowledge over a wide spectrum of subjects not covered in mainstream publications.
By understanding the innate behaviour of the horse (and the human) and to correctly recognise subtle cues and understand different behaviours the owner will be able to become a great puzzle solver. To help all horse owners benefit from this knowledge and successfully apply it to the welfare and training of horses I have converted the theory from the original two year diploma course into a home study program.
This theory based course comes with support material and one on one instructor tuition. It is essential that students understand the complexity of the information as well as the subtlety and it is with this in mind that over eighty pages of bespoke notes have been developed which go alongside the essential reading books.
There is a great deal of information in this course which is aimed at improving your knowledge and therefore your skills. You will become far more aware of what you are ‘saying’ to your horse and how to communicate with him whether on the ground or in your ridden work. The information will increase confidence levels in both horse and human. We hope that the following overview will help give some insight into its content and structure.
In terms of course reading there are five essential books which can be purchased on Amazon. The 24 questions are divided into 8 formal assessments which are delivered with the framework of the notes. Any re-submits are included in the price and will be coached through to a pass mark.
The course is expected to take between four and eight months.The Applied Equine Behaviour home study Certificate Course is priced at £195.00 and includes:
- Over ninety pages of bespoke notes
- Sixty minutes consultation (can be taken over 2 or 3 separate calls)
- Free email support
- There are 8 formal assessments with a total of 20 questions
- Certificate of achievement (on 95% pass mark)
- The theory course is a prerequisite for those wishing to study the practical
The Home Study Certificate Course covers & includes notes on:
| Similarities & Differences Between Horse & Human | Essential knowledge for a deeper understanding of the relationship that can be gained between horse and human, and in particular covering welfare |
| The Evolution of the Horse | A very brief summary with relevance to welfare and training... including The five freedoms Welfare Act |
| The Senses of the Horse | Touch, taste, sight, sound, smell |
| How the Herd Works | Highlighting insightful aspects of herd behaviour and what is relevant to our 21st century domestic horse |
| The Five Freedoms (Welfare Act, 2008) |
How we can improve on them |
| The Language of horse | Body language and vocalisation |
| The Language of human | Body language and vocalisation |
| The Flight Path | What it is and how to use this knowledge for training |
| The Drive line | Essential information for training, especially liberty/free schooling training and for catching |
| Personal Space | Why it is important to respect theirs as well as have them respect ours. How this is achieved and how to offer the horseman's handshake |
| Approach and Retreat Thresholds | An understanding of feel and timing and how to develop your skills with the knowledge of thresholds to gain curiosity, confidence and trust |
| Pressure | Understanding the horse’s sensitivity to mental, emotional and physical pressure. How to become more aware of ourselves and how we are perceived |
| Understanding Terms Used by Behaviourists & Trainers |
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| Our Responsibilities | What changes we need to make in ourselves. How to become an enthusiastic puzzle solver. Understanding the horse's perspective. |
| Conclusion Relevance to training |
An overview of what it takes to become a valuable resource to your horse as well as a friend and partner. |
The questions in the assessment paper are not hard, they are thought provoking. The aim of this bespoke course is to share information that has been learnt over 35 years of being a student of the horse and studying & teaching horse behaviour. I want you to learn skills and gain useful and practical information The questions have been set in such a way as to help cement the knowledge delivered in this course.
© Sue Gardner: Applied Equine Behaviour home study course. Created 2012