A recent Facebook conversation about positive reinforcement led to someone asking a question about one of my favorite fallacies – if you comfort a fearful or spooking horse, aren’t you just reinforcing the fear? I first encountered that idea when I started training our dogs, just over twenty years ago. My experience with a variety … More The fearful equine
If horses had friends and food at their disposal, why would they want to have anything to do with us? This is a question I see frequently posed; or, more frequently, something asserted in the positive. I find it an odd question. Perhaps it is because I have never heard it posed in relation to … More Why would they deal with us?
From the beginning of my life with animals I have seen parallels between their behavior and that of the people around me. I have seen them form friendships, show empathy, and grieve lost loved ones. I have also long been told by scientists, trainers, animal lovers, and behavior experts that those parallels don’t exist. Animals … More Liar, liar, fur on fire!
One of my earliest memories of going to the movies was waiting in line to see Dr. Dolittle (1967). I remember feeling excited to see the film, clutching a little Dr. Dolittle wallet to put my ticket stub in. Even as a small child, I was captivated by the idea of being able to talk … More Talk to the animals?
Horse Crazy Once Again 