30/ APRIL 2024 THE RIDER


The Science of how Horses Think & Learn Horse Show Success: Attention to the details.


By Lindsay Grice. Equestrian Canada coach, horse show judge and specialist in equine behaviour.


Many judges will tell


you they can forecast how a performance is going to go at the in-gate. Now, I’m not talking


about the spit ‘n polish turnout details (though im- portant), but the training de- tails – all those resistances that go unnoticed outside the show ring as the rider focuses their attention on the gaits, movements and jumps they’ll require inside the ring. We’ve all seen the gro-


cery store meltdown. Some poor parent declines to buy the Captain Crunch, then tries to keep a lid on the tantrum. Hmmmm… don’t you have


an inkling that this little war- rior gained his confidence for the cereal aisle showdown through winning lots of little contests-of-the will outside the grocery store? We’re always training –


there’s no neutral. I encour- age the riders I teach to be mindful of each moment they spend on the ground or in the saddle. Catch those little re- sistances and use them as training opportunities, rather than letting them slip under the radar. Every unwanted behav-


iour is a teachable moment. Try to interrupt and redirect the resistance as it starts, each time, until it’s finally erased. If not, it will undoubtedly show up later in a pressure situation, like a horse show. “In almost all training,


Mounting block manners – one of many training details


adding up to a payoff in the show ring – your horse is less likely to say “no” when the pressure’s on.


situations, the most effective way to “delete” behaviours is to prevent them from being expressed.” Dr. Andrew Mclean.


Here are a few more “initiatives”, before the in-gate, your


horse might take -small braces or behaviours that go unno- ticed at home or as you move around the show grounds. One trainer calls them unauthorized decisions – I like that! • Rubbing on you • Circling around you while leading • Cutting a corner • Rooting or tugging at the reins • Biting the lead shank • Walking away from the mounting block • Travelling faster or slower than you’d really like


Wow - could I be un-training my horse if I don’t follow


through on the details? Time for a reset. First, define your expectations. It’s not fair to your horse


if the boundaries keep moving. Second, be thoughtful and clear in your communication.


Every unwanted behaviour is a teachable moment.


If not addressed, it’ll undoubtedly show up later in a pressure situation, like a horse show.


It’s then reasonable to expect that every question you ask your horse, if understood, will yield a soft response - from the mo- ment you unload from the trailer to your entrance into the ring.


The payoff? He’s less likely to say “no” when the pres-


sure’s on. Fewer costly wrong leads, added strides, freeze-ups in turns or seconds lost in speed events.


We’re always training – there’s no neutral.


I encourage the riders I teach to be mindful of each moment they spend on the ground or in the saddle.


About Lindsay Grice.


“Is it me or my horse?” Horse show judge, coach, trainer and specialist in equine be-


havior, Lindsay Grice helps riders solve their “horse puzzles”, sharing keys from the science and research of how horses think and learn. She loves to help riders prepare for competition and just


enjoy the process of riding, not just the results! Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and travelling to Ontario


farms as a freelance coach. She’s taught the science of equine behavior and learning for horse associations, courses for Univer- sity of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges multiple disciplines and breeds, holding judging certifications with • AQHA • Equestrian Canada • Extreme Cowboy • Ontario Working Equitation • OE provincial Hunter/Jumper • OE provincial dressage She loves to share her own insights and stories learned from 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer.


“Why do horses do what they do?” Lindsay says, “In the horse world, our traditions and the evidence sometimes collide. I love to communicate the WHYs behind the HOWs of riding. “Equitation Science” – it makes life better for horses when we speak in a language they understand!”


Burwash Equine hosts a first of its kind event Addressing critical shortages in Canadian Equine Veterinary Practice


COCHRANE, AB – Burwash Equine Services (Burwash Equine) recently hosted 60 veterinary students and vet tech students from across Canada at an event appropri- ately called Spotlight: Equine Vet Practice in Canada (Spotlight), an industry-leading weekend conference that highlights the positives of a career in Equine medicine. With equine veterinarians represent-


ing only 4.9% of veterinarians in private practice, there is a critical shortage of vet- erinarians in Canada. By many accounts, the shortage of registered veterinary tech- nologists (RVTs) is even more critical; there currently are not enough RVTs in the industry, and those coming out of school are being pushed away from equine prac- tice and lead to pursue other veterinary sec-


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tors. “Vet and vet tech students are


often discouraged from pursuing a ca- reer in equine practice,” begins Dr. Crystal Lee, Equine Veterinarian and Co-Owner of Burwash Equine Serv- ices. “The shortage of veterinarians in Canada is becoming a major problem, and this shortage is acute to the equine field in particular. Spotlight is the first of its kind and I plan to host it every year at Burwash as my way of answer- ing the call to highlight the positives of the career that I love for students.” There were 14 industry partners


and 27 veterinary clinics involved in sponsoring this innovative event Jan- uary 13-14, in addition to the 50 helpers — veterinarians from across western Canada, vet techs from across Alberta, industry reps, and other friends of the industry — that helped make Dr. Lee’s vision a success. “There were so many equine


veterinarians and vet technicians from across western Canada that stepped up to help teach labs and to speak about a day in their lives,” continues Dr. Lee. “You could feel the excitement and passion for equine practice in every moment of this weekend!”


Thanks to generous sponsorship,


the Spotlight event was completely funded so that there was no cost for students to attend, covering student’s hotel, flight, and fuel expenses. Atten- dees raved that it was an “amazing hands-on experience with excellent mentorship and teaching — the labs, lectures, and networking opportunities were something we could never have gotten at school, and it was so cool to meet students from across the coun- try!”


Burwash Equine’s vision is to


deliver complete and compassionate equine healthcare by providing excep- tional diagnostics and personalized care. Committed to excellence in the continued training of equine veterinar- ians and technicians, Burwash Equine is excited to host events that prepare up-and-coming equine professionals for a successful, well-rounded career in equine practice. To learn more about Spotlight, visit www.spotlighte- quinevetpracticeincanada.com.


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