Most Equestrian Coaches Don’t Understand Training
Researchers are unimpressed with what Australian equestrian coaches know about training horses. A recent survey revealed that most coaches can’t properly explain how to use positive or negative reinforcement when training a horse. The authors of this study assert that the wellbeing of horses could be improved by coaches becoming better educated.
The lack of understanding was revealed in a survey sent to all 830 coaches registered with Australia’s National Coaches Accreditation Scheme. Over 200 responded to questions on the usefulness and application of various reinforcement techniques in horse training.
When asked about the value of different kinds of reinforcement for training horses, four out of five equestrian coaches considered using rewards, or positive reinforcement, very useful. Nearly one in five said that negative reinforcement was very useful. Punishment was also regarded as a very useful horse training technique by 5% of the coaches.
What alarmed those who analyzed the survey results was that few coaches correctly explained the use of these training techniques. Less than 3% properly described how to use positive reinforcement to train horses. Only 12% of coaches gave an accurate account of using negative reinforcement, while just 5% correctly explained about punishment.
The study reveals how little the qualified Australian equestrian coaches understand about using reinforcement in horse training. Since these people have a big influence on horse training in the country, their misinformation has widespread consequences. This study’s authors believe that better informed coaches will result in horses being more responsive to training and having fewer behavioral problems.
Reference
Amanda K. Warren-Smith and Paul D. McGreevy. 2008. Equestrian Coaches’ Understanding and Application of Learning Theory in Horse Training. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals. 21(2): 153-162.
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Very interesting article - are there particular suggestions to turn this problem around?
If people are accredited or qualified and don’t have the knowledge they need to correctly educate riders about their horses, does that put the focus on the accreditation process or the individual to improve understanding and standards?
I have paused from teaching for the time being due to not feeling capable/qualified/educated enough to teach some riders that need more than I can give but I was only working towards a qualification in instructing, not having been near finishing.
One would hope that once accredited they would be educated enough to capably educate others (though that shouldn’t stop the want to read and learn more and ride and learn more).
Hi there, I believe the problem goes beyond horse training! Many training professions lack the full knowledge of these two techniques and perhaps there needs to be more education across the board for anyone who is ‘instructing’. As a teacher I was blown away by the lack of any behavioural training in our course!
I have attended martial art courses and other ‘lessons’ and always notice the instructors who are able to capitalise on the use of positive reinforcement! I would hazzard a guess that for horse training, the long tradition of the art of horsmanship has glazed over the fact that training horses revolves around scientific techniques!
Its mainly jus common sence. if yew dont know what yer doin than why do it in the first place.