30/ OCTOBER 2024 THE RIDER The Science of how Horses Think & Learn


Falling Off. Does it really “take 7 falls to make a rider”?? Part 1


necessary evil of learning to ride… but is it?


Falling off hurts! It can shake a rider’s confidence


so much that many choose to abandon riding altogether. When I’m judging, I hate to see a


competitor fall off. I hate to fall off my- self.


So as a coach, I do everything I


can to minimize risks and systemati- cally layer skills needed for every pat- tern course or test. I check to see each skill is thoroughly understood by rider and horse, before progressing.


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


Did you read the recent article in


The Rider describing research into rider falls? Headline: The risk factors sur- rounding many falls may be preventable. Makes good sense to me. And it


lines up with what I’ve noted as a judge and riding coach over the years. While wearing protective gear –


helmets and safety vests - do prevent the severity of injuries, wouldn’t it be better to prevent the fall in the first place? Judges see their share of prevent-


able falls. Enthusiastic riders, climbing aboard fresh, distracted or green horses – prey animals in a busy, unfamiliar en- vironment…uh-oh. Young riders joked with me - their


barn policy is that anyone who falls off during a lesson buys their instructor a Coke. Fun, but ….it does reveal an un- derlying assumption: that falling off is a


Risk taking is part of our sport The process of becoming a com-


petent rider is like climbing a staircase. We take a risk each time we stretch be- yond our comfort zones. We step into the unknown the first time we climb aboard a new horse, try new tack, jump a bigger fence, or venture off-property to the first competition. We sense the caution signal of self-preservation, and push through it. As a coach and horse trainer it’s my job to measure each risk and determine when and how much to progress. Memories of my early days at the


local riding school include eager young equestrians dropping like flies. “It takes seven falls to make a rider!” the teacher would assert as she brushed us off and legged us back up. Looking back, we were advancing faster than our under- standing, “overdriving our headlights.”


Progressing sensibly: the science of “shaping”. It’s my goal in each schooling ses-


sion to slightly stretch the rider or horse with a new skill or “shape” a variation of the skill (faster, slower, more steps, more consistency etc.) - but only as they master the step before. For example, we wouldn’t move


up to the canter until the aids and rider technique was mastered at the trot. I’d never use a new bit until I’d tested it from the ground – making sure the horse understands the language of that bit. I wouldn’t take a horse on a field-trip to a competition or clinic until the cues are working in my home arena – every time. Anxiety rises and riders fall when they try to skip steps. Horses don’t learn when they’re stressed or confused. And riders, when anxious, don’t really enjoy the process. Admittedly, it’s not a process ap- pealing to thrill seekers. Riders like to


lope! And we like to jump. Nevertheless, in following this system, I find I rarely have to travel back down the staircase. It’s true – horse training at a


slower pace is ultimately faster.


Next month: After a fall, or equally scary incident – what now? I have a spe- cial interest in helping riders rebuild their confidence because I know what it’s like to lose it. Knowledge inspires confidence. By explaining the HOWS (technical skills) and the WHYs (horse behavior and the science of learning) I love to share with riders I teach, the tools and understanding to stretch to the next level at their own pace. They enjoy the process as much as


the results! About Lindsay Grice.


sights 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 commu- nicate the WHYs behind the HOWs of riding. “Equitation Science” – it makes life better for horses when we speak in a language they under- stand!”


and travelling to Ontario farms as a freelance coach. She’s taught the sci- ence of equine behavior and learning for horse associations, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges multiple disciplines and breeds, holding judging certifi- cations with • AQHA • Equestrian Canada • Extreme Cowboy • Ontario Working Equitation • OE provincial Hunter/Jumper • OE provincial dressage She loves to share her own in-


for competition and just enjoy the process of riding, not just the results! Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics


and specialist in equine behavior, 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


“Is it me or my horse?” Horse show judge, coach, trainer


Equine Studies Online: Transforming Dreams through the Power of Education


Guelph, ON Aug. 23, 2024 - Originally posted Aug, 12, 2024 by Open Learning and Educational Support, Uni- versity of Guelph


Dana Willett’s life-


long passion for horses transformed over many years, evolving into a dream both simple and profound. At an early age, Dana’s love for horses began with rid- ing. She quickly became a “barn rat” as she put it, doing every chore possible in exchange for riding time on any available steed. Her


childhood dream was to ride in the Olympics; but as many of us can appreciate, life has a way of redirecting our dreams. Yet, one dream remained. “My family would


tell you whenever talking about dreams, that mine was consistent: I just wanted a horse in my backyard,” re- calls Dana. She sought out a single riding lesson at the Los Angeles Equestrian Centre and learned of their ‘working student’ program. “That chapter was a game changer for me,” says Dana,


“as my focus was more on caring for horses than com- peting.” Later in life, Dana


wanted to tackle this nag- ging dream, which included finding a property and dis- covering all that she did not know. Her desire to provide a sanctuary for horses in need led her to Colorado Horse Rescue, where she re- alized she needed more ed- ucation to truly make a difference. Her search for the best university equine education led her to the Equine Studies Online pro-


Come and ride the horse


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grams at the University of Guelph (U of G). At work, Dana cares


for a herd of 60 horses, with many different health cir- cumstances and euthanasia decisions. A passion for sen- ior horse care became her focus


throughout her


coursework and she noted several important takeaways from the courses offered within her program; more specifically, the topics of emergency and estate plan- ning in Management of the Equine Environment made an impression on Dana. Other course highlights in- cluded: • Reading a horse’s subtle cues for pain and discomfort in Equine Behavior • Creating an in-depth video feature and accompanying published story, Merciful Sleep: Equine Euthanasia Case Study, in the Equine Journalism course • Researching health con- cerns for the elderly horse and at-risk population in Equine Health & Disease Prevention • Gaining a scientific under- standing of a horse’s unique systems in Equine Func- tional Anatomy “My instructors have


been phenomenal,” empha- sizes Dana. “I am still in


touch with many, as we are peers and colleagues. The resources shared through the courses are of the highest quality, and I have become an expert in identifying quality research and re- source materials. All my teachers are current with in- dustry standards, active in their careers, and inspira- tional in their leadership. I only wish I could meet them in person, and have face to face discussions! I am so grateful for the quality of this education I’ve re- ceived.” With the knowledge


gained from the U of G, Dana has continued to care for horses, including the eld- erly ones on her own prop- erty. “In the last four years, I have cared for five elderly horses on my small prop- erty, two at a time, and fo- cused on quality of life. I call it ‘hospice for horses,’ and I have been fortunate enough to work alongside renowned veterinarian Dr. Bruce Connally, who has written a book on euthanasia practices.” Dana’s dedication to


horse care is a testament to the transformative power of education. The University of Guelph’s Equine Studies Online program has not only


%Trough Equine Guelph’s online courses Dana turned her passion for horses into a way to help senior equines


empowered her to fulfill her dream but also to set an ex- ample for others. Through her work at Colorado Horse Rescue, she emphasizes her commitment to sharing her knowledge with visitors and volunteers, circulating best practices, and fostering re- sponsibility. This dedicated approach to her work allows Dana to continue to make a difference and embody the values and education she re- ceived from the University of Guelph. Fall 2024 Equine


Studies Online courses are open for registration and begin on Monday, Septem- ber 9, 2024. In the month of Sep-


tember, Equine Guelph pro- motes Senior Horse Educa- tion, increasing awareness of ways caregivers can be the best advocates for the health and welfare of their senior equines. Check out our free interactive health- care tool – Senior Horse Challenge


Story by: Open Learning and Educational Support, University of Guelph


Web Link(s): Story web link: https://the- horseportal.ca/2024/08/equi ne-studies-online-trans- forming-dreams-through- the-power-of-education/


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