Are you ready to deepen your bond with your horse while learning innovative and effective training techniques? You're invited to join us for an exciting live event where you’ll discover how to communicate with your horse in a way that’s kind, clear, and impactful! You don’t need to have a R+ trained horse, all you need is a desire to learn more about using reinforcers to clarify your communication for a happier horse!

If you want your horse to come running not only when you arrive at the barn but also when you get out the brushes, the halter, the tack and all your gear, like the horses on our farm and our students and clients horses do, communicating compassionately with clarity and value to your horse is a must...

If you’re on the fence or only want to dip your toe in R+, not to worry. 

We’ll address when to retrain with +R, layer on top, or leave conventional cues as they are. 

We’ll even discuss things like letting other people...

Ever think you know something about horses and training, only to realize later there was a golden nugget of wisdom you missed? Don't worry, we've all been there!

Just like a big rock forms from tiny, precious pieces, our success with horses builds on a foundation of strong fundamentals.

Here's the truth: Sometimes, we skip the basics or a basic thinking we "already know" or our horse "gets it." But guess what? Often, those seemingly simple things hold the key to deeper understanding for you and your horse.

Here's the challenge: Can we set aside our egos and embrace the "beginner's mind"? (Not always easy when we have years of experience or other things that might bias our brains.) This openness allows us to receive all the wisdom offered, even in familiar territory. 

Why it matters: By truly absorbing all the information (whether in a lesson, clinic, or just solo practice), we can build a stronger connection with our horse and avoid frustration down the road.

The reward? ...

Jenn wasn't sure she knew enough - she'd never been to a R+ clinic. Her horse was so green. "Oh man, should I do this thing???"

• She wasn't sure if her horse had enough miles on him - barely any was the reality. 
• She wasn't sure if she'd feel judged or embarrassed. On the fence...considering a R+ Clinic but hesitating -Would he even get on the trailer - not sure. 

She took a leap of faith for her horse's sake. Hear how it turned out.  See how it went for her, her horse and other participants and auditors. 

THOUGHTS FROM MELISSA: You don't have to be all in on +R Training to try it. You only need to have a desire to communicate clearly in a way that your horse values and finds reinforcing!
Sometimes, we get in our own way: Asking all the WHAT IF questions, doubting our own abilities to follow the lead of those we trust to mentor us. All it takes is awareness to turn this around, which is why we're sharing this video with you.

Even if you aren't thinking of going...

Keep it short and sweet (#KISS), I’m often saying in on online coaching sessions, whether group or private, at clinics and when speaking, (for horses and humans, BTW) but I was recently reminded why this is so important!

First, there’s the training apex that we always want to try to stay on the uphill side of…click here to see more details on the training apex

But, there’s so much more!

Recently an article came out about humans having greater latent learning between auditory sessions when the sessions are short. This supports my efforts to keep lessons and coaching session to 45 minutes tops for humans. But other data shows that we need to give horses micro sessions within our own training sessions too.

An article from the NIH, Published online 2021 Dec 3,

Spaced training enhances equine learning performance, indicated that horses learning in 2 minute sessions / with 2 min rest breaks, vs 4 minute sessions / with 4 min rest breaks had 94% success in learning...

Horses are the Greatest Gifts

I believe that the universe, God, Spirit, fate, or whatever you believe in brings us the horse we need, not necessarily the horse we want and that can look a lot of different ways. Often a way we never imagined or thought we wanted and other times more than we’d hoped for…I know what that’s like and it’s often anything but easy. And it can mean a lot of sleepless nights, tears and stress. But, without a doubt, the most challenging horses in my life have been the ones I’ve learned the most from, grown the most with, and loved with all my heart. 

And I'm incredibly grateful to have experienced them time and again. Though it hasn't always been easy, these horses have profoundly changed me, my life and the lives of those around me for the better in ways I could never have achieved on my own. And that leads me to remind myself:

What if we appreciated every little thing about our horses..

...

You're invited to a R+ Horse Clinic: Topic of Your Choice 

It’s all about you and your horse - You’ll enjoy Insight, Solutions, and Inspiration – all positively created specifically for you and your horse. Topics/coaching sessions and training in this clinic are all tailored to your needs and requests and those of your horse!!!

Whether you're new to +R, use only verbal praise, are a seasoned clicker trainer or don't use clickers or food at all and are just curious (hand feeding isn’t required, BTW), this clinic provides lots of value for those committed to having SAFE HAPPY horses

No more confusion, feeling like you and your horse just aren’t speaking the same language, wondering what the next steps are or feeling frustrated that your horse doesn’t understand what you’re asking – (or maybe they do, and they are saying no thank you or not right now???) Not to worry, Melissa has many years experience providing compassionate proven...

Feeling like conventional folks are watching you with a condescending eye? Avoiding going to the barn at busy times? Wishing you could just do your thing with your horse and not worry about what anyone else was thinking or going to come and say to you about reinforcing your horse with food? 

You’re not alone, but by polling R+ equestrians we’ve compiled a list of helpful responses, see the link at the bottom of the page and check out the comments) that can help these situations go and feel a whole lot better! (and if you contributed, many thanks to you too!) 

To begin, in these situations, no matter how uncomfortable we feel, research shows arguing doesn’t pay. 

No need to argue with conventional horse people about +R. It only causes them to become more entrenched against it. (+R is for humans too ) Instead, we are more likely to make an impact if we:

SHOW them what is possible with +R!

SHOW them happy well adjusted +R horses!

...

So often, we get wrapped up in all we think we "should" do for them as a "good" horse owner, we end up overwhelmed with doing things "for and to our horses ". instead of BEING WITH them. It can be emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting for us and it's important to remember that they don't benefit when we have this energy either.

Silence, time and space with our horses. It’s a rare moment in today’s world when our mind can just be still and we can be present when we are with them. No agenda. Just being lost in their world for a moment

Soaking in the sound of horses munching, the warmth of their breathe on our skin, noticing the rise and fall of their rib cage, the expansion and contraction of their nostrils, the swish of the tail at a fly, the caress of a muzzle, the subtle shifts as them move – these are the things I notice, when I am choosing to be fully with them.

Of course, we don’t always have to choose. Sometimes we’re fortunate enough...

Give your horses the time they deserve in a serene setting with a small group of like-minded +R equestrians.

Beginners to advanced are welcome in this relaxed atmosphere as each coaching session will be customized to the horse/person and the topic or behavior they are currently interested in. Delve into multiple activities in-hand, under tack or in anywhere between. Or focus on just one area. Either way you'll have an experienced and certified instructor / trainer who's helped horses and their humans connect successfully with +R for well over a decade now. Plus, learn from watching others in a friendly environment and join the banter in group discussions, watch dynamic demos and more.

Not into hand feeding? No worries, it's not required. We have multiple options available to ensure your horse feels reinforced and has a positive experience.

Live clinics are great getaways. Go from Frustrated to Fascinated or just have a weekend retreat with your horse where there's nothing to focus on...

“It’s a horse eating monster!” our giant size chestnut Trakehner had to be thinking (or something similar) by the looks of it. He’s snorting and blowing loudly at the sight of a side-by-side topped by a very large blow-up pool. The pool was strapped on the roof and the whole menagerie was heading across his paddock, with his blue heeler friend riding shotgun. 

Meanwhile, a 13.1 hand Chincoteague pony gelding is having an entirely different reaction as he peeks out of a nearby run-in shed, ears pricked, looking very curious. (More on this story in a second.)

Happy Horses are more resilient, less likely to spook or overreact, more tolerant of human mistakes and when they do encounter trauma, tend to recover faster. How do we create horse happiness?

- Play,

- Physical comfort (including staying cool in summer heat),

 - Feelings of safety and care,

 - Friends,

 - Good nutrition,

 - Choice and autonomy when it comes to husbandry and...