Education of Horse and Rider

The education of both horse and rider is as diverse as the many horsemen and women who share and promote their own training philosophies. However, before meaningful learning can take place, it’s essential to understand the principles of training and learning theory.

Unfortunately, this foundational concept is often overlooked in traditional horsemanship, passed over in favor of long-standing customs. Personally, I was never introduced to learning theory in my early years. It wasn’t until after 40 years of working with horses—and exploring various training approaches—that I finally encountered it.

Learning theory is rarely included in formal training programs, whether for horses or instructors. Yet, it should be considered a fundamental prerequisite. One possible reason for its absence is the complex scientific language often used to explain it. Thankfully, there are resources that present it in accessible, everyday language.

One such resource is Mark Hanson’s book, Revealing Your Hidden Horse. This book offers a revolutionary approach to understanding and caring for your horse, allowing both training and learning to be more effective. Hanson emphasizes the importance of the horse’s physical health and emotional state, making learning easier for both horse and rider.

His chapters on Control and Communication and Positive Reinforcement Training and Relationships explore the foundations of training and provide practical tools to create a positive, productive learning experience.

Another excellent resource is Emma Lethbridge’s book Knowing Your Horse: A Guide to Equine Learning, Training and Behaviour. 
This book equips readers with the knowledge to assess different training methods and develop a deeper understanding of their horse. When you understand how your horse learns—and why certain training methods are effective—you can train more efficiently, ethically, and with greater empathy.

Learn more about Horse and Rider Education from the following posts.