Caring about Connection seminar

In this seminar, we’re going to explore connection with equines in all emotional states. From those who are shut down, disinterested and depressed to those who are too excited to think, over-aroused and downright cookie monsters. We’ll take a wander through the science of these emotions and give you practical tips on how to improve your connection, leading to better lives for them, more joy for you and the partnership you dream about.

Location:
De Hebberd
Bergenboulevard 15, 3825 AG Amersfoort
Date: 18 september 2024
Time: 19:30-22:00

Sign up now to grab the Early Bird price! All proceeds go to Rachel’s horse sanctuary, Positive Horse Training Spain.

Click here to sign in

Programme

START 19.30

Session 1
Rachel Bedingfield: Understanding The Feels

Rachel will give a short session exploring the emotional brain and setting the scene for the brain systems which can get out of balance and lead to disconnection.

Session 2
Laura Venema: How to make their eyes sparkle again.
Insight into the emotional systems and how they can help horses with depression or learned helplessness.

Learned helplessness and depression in horses is sadly common, especially in horses who have been in high-pressure environments, rescue horses or ones who have suffered trauma. In this presentation Laura will explain how to read the signs and, most importantly, how to help your horse find joy, confidence and freedom of expression again by the use of Pankepp’s emotional systems .

Dealing with horses who are in a state of learned helplessness can be difficult as they don’t respond to many stimuli in the way healthy horses do. However, reaching them and helping them out of it is so rewarding.

In this seminar you will learn:

• What is Learned Helplessness?
• How do you identify learned helplessness and depression in horses?
• What’s the difference between a bomb-proof horse and one who believes they have no choice?
• How can you prevent your horse getting into a state of learned helplessness?
• How can you help a horse out of a state of learned helplessness and depression to become expressive, empowered and joyful once again?

COFFEE BREAK

Session 3
Rachel Bedingfield: Caring About Connection: Building A Better Bond with Your Horse

Horses are born wired for connection. Most of their behaviour is directed towards building strong, lifelong bonds with their herd mates. If we are aware of how they ask for connection, we can strengthen our bonds with our horses. This creates deeper, safer and more joyful time together.

In this seminar you will learn

 – how to understand connection from your horse’s viewpoint

– how to be the person your horse feels comfortable to connect with

– practical ways to respond to your horse’s desire to connect, and

– practical ways to gain, maintain and regain connection in more challenging situations.

Connection is the gold medal podium position for our involvement with horses. This presentation will give you the skills and confidence you need to improve your connection now.

Session 4: Questions and Answers

END: 22:00

All profits from this seminar will be sent to Positive Horse Training Spain, Rachel’s horse sanctuary. We are very grateful for your contribution. You can find out more about the charity at our Patreon page

Biographies

Rachel Bedingfield
Rachel co-founded Connection Training  with her daughter, Hannah Weston. Connection Training is the most comprehensive online resource for learning how to train equines using positive reinforcement. Connection Training  is all about the art, heart and science of training and Rachel’s role is to bring you the scientific background, which supports and explains the success of your training. Students say they love the way she makes science relevant to their daily training and how she expands the way they think about horses and their lives and happiness. She makes the difficult stuff easy and the dry stuff interesting!

Rachel also co-founded Positive Horse Training Spain with CT Coach Claire Waldron. In their small horse rescue centre they develop and share the most equine friendly ways to connect with and train rescues. Over the years they have helped many owners to redefine and improve their relationship with their own equines. She loves travelling and is delighted to meet other equine students at her live clinics and seminars.

Laura Venema
Laura is a CT coach, trainer and horse behaviour therapist, specialized in fear-related behaviour. She runs a small rescue with 8 horses and she is passionate about helping horses, especially rescues, to enrich their lives and to empower them through the application of positive reinforcement training and by providing choice.

Laura has graduated on the subject of learned helplessness and depression in horses and is currently looking for a PhD position to study it further. 

Sign up now to grab the Early Bird price! All proceeds go to Rachel’s horse sanctuary, Positive Horse Training Spain.

Click here to sign in

Please note that tickets are limited due to the location.