This is part 2 of our conversation with Mary Hunter.   We are continuing to use Mary’s recent StaleCheerios blog posts as the launching point for a series of interesting discussions. Mary’s April post: “Assess your Reinforcement Delivery” gave us a lot to talk about.  I especially liked this topic because it let us talk about how much we can influence our horse’s balance through the thoughtful use of food delivery.  

We’ve talked about this a lot for horses.  In this episode we consider how the details that we focus on for horses might also be relevant to dog training.

Episode 188 Mary Hunter Pt 2 Reinforcement Strategies

This conversation was prompted by an event that occurred just before the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics.  One of the top dressage riders had to withdraw because of a video that showed her whipping a horse during a training session.

The video came out just as Dominique and I were planning our next podcast recording.  Dominique said her social media feed was filled with posts discussing the video.  Should we talk about it.  Generally we shy away from talking directly about training that disturbs us.  But horse welfare is an important topic and one we need to be talking about.  

So I invited Michaela Hempen to join us.  We’ve just finished the conversation with Michaela on the connection between riding and the Feldenkrais work.  Normally we wouldn’t have a guest do back to back conversations, but Michaela was the perfect person to ask to join us.  In her day job with the European Food Safety Authority she is currently involved in providing scientific assessments that inform the European Commission and other EU member states to formulate legislation to protect animals.  This has primarily meant animals produced for food, but the mandate has broadened out to include equine welfare in general.  

In Part 1 Michaela described what they will be considering under these new mandates.  In Part 2 we consider the role each of us can play in moving the horse community as a whole forward towards more horse-friendly training.

Episode 291 Michaela Hempen Pt 2 Horse Welfare - The Role We Play

Equiosity is the podcast about all things equine with a special emphasis on the horse-human bond.

Episode 291 Michaela Hempen Pt 2 Horse Welfare - The Role We Play

Equiosity

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