Weekly Wins, a day late from Africa 😅🌍🐴 I forgot yesterday 🙈 But in my defence, here in Africa time feels a little different. So let’s do it now 👇 What’s been your win or wins this week? What’s one thing you’re starting to get good and what’s one thing you’re going to begin next? Let’s hear it - wins and next steps. I’ll be reading from Namibia with a big smile on my face! 😃🐴✨🫶

The ??? is because gravy is getting a new name belgravia gin sounds so rough and tough which gravy is everything but so im on the search for a new name she is not registered or has a passport yet so im changing her name to somwthing that matches with her i have 2 but open to suggestions Lady Hollywood aka Lady Lady Las Vegas aka Vega I am open to more suggestion belowe a decription for options Elegant Floaty Levelheaded Soft but spicy Tangy Sweet Cuddly Smart Lazy but willing to go forwards when asked There is few of what ive observed so anything you can think of comments down belowe looking at a passport name "two names" then a "aka" thanks Also the pic basucalky speaks for itself Love the hollywood vibes so staying in that genre would be great but open to other suggestions ❤️❤️❤️

Let the video speak for itself

Last week I had the absolute privilege to have @Zoë Coade with us in person. The amount of knowledge she bestowed upon us is just unreal. As a first-time horse owner who is just figuring everything out - it meant so much to me to have Zoe actually showing me what I need to work on with Blackie. I am an introverted people - pleaser - so I did find it difficult to give my horse CLEAR instructions. Obviously this turned into some less than ideal learnt reactions from him. After working with Zoe I went through a lot in my head - 'Am I capable to do this?', 'I am scared'' , 'what if...'. But I sucked it up and I got to work yesterday - focusing on the signals I am sending out and what I am projecting and the results was amazing!!!!! Last week I was unable to get my horse out of the stable to the ring - yesterday he hesitated and. with the tools Zoe gave me, we were out of there in no time. Last week I couldn't bring a saddle pad up to my horse without him lashing out at me - Yesterday I saddled up my horse ( with a big old trail saddle - with a girth and a bucking belt) with no push back from him. I can't believe the difference this is making in my life. I am now super motivated to grow in myself and I am super excited about the connection I am building with my horse.

Hi everyone, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences around motivation in horses during training. Over time, I’ve noticed a consistent difference in my horse’s attitude depending on whether I include positive reinforcement (food rewards) in a session or not. I alternate between sessions with rewards and sessions without them, so it’s not something I use all the time. When I work with food rewards, I see noticeably more willingness from my horse to explore, offer responses, and actively try to figure out what I’m asking. The learning feels more proactive, almost like the horse is engaged in solving a puzzle rather than just responding. On the other hand, when I train using only pressure–release (pressure applied, in the lighest possible way, and release when the correct response happens), I sometimes feel that the motivation drops. The horse does respond, but it feels more mechanical and less enthusiastic. A clear example for me is backing up on the halter: - With pressure–release alone, the horse might shift weight back or take a single step, but often seems less engaged. - Using rewards, I’ve been able to build this up to 4–5 relaxed, intentional steps, with much more focus and curiosity from the horse. I want to emphasize that I’m intentionally using low‑value rewards (meadow hay pellets, while my horse has access to forrage ad libitum), and I’m not seeing “cookie monster” behavior, but I am seeing more interest and participation. So my question is: - Do you see this difference in motivation as well? - How do you interpret it in terms of learning theory and emotional state? - How do you personally balance pressure, release, and reinforcement to keep horses motivated without over‑reliance on rewards? Really interested in hearing different perspectives 🙏