The Compassionate Horse Click

Compassionate Equestrians Share about their Live R+ Experiences - Positively Inspiring!

clinic r+ Nov 07, 2024

One inspiring story comes from Jennifer, a compassionate equestrian in her 70s, who found Melissa’s R+ / compassionate teachings after a life-changing fall from her horse. The accident left her with multiple surgeries and an arena-phobic horse. With Melissa’s positively reinforcing online coaching, however, Jennifer’s bond with her horse, Brooks, transformed in extraordinary ways.

After working with Melissa and reward based training, Brooks now follows Jennifer around like an adoring puppy, matching her steps and joyfully playing with her in the very arena he once feared. Jennifer describes their relationship as “closer than ever,” and says both she and Brooks have found a level of happiness they never imagined.

When asked about auditing Melissa’s clinics, Jennifer was overjoyed to share:

“I loved being with like-minded people, learning more about +R, and exploring problem-solving strategies. Such an uplifting experience! Melissa’s clinics focus on BE...

AROUSAL IS NOT A DIRTY WORD - We need a level of arousal for our horses to be in an optimal learning state

anxiety arousal hormonal profiles r+ Oct 31, 2024

AROUSAL IS NOT A DIRTY WORD, although sometimes it's easy to get that impression from R+ communities online - The TRUTH is (per the science) that we need a level of arousal for our horses to be in an optimal learning state, though it's also true, over arousal can confound the training process and bring the horse too close to a hormonal profile that can easily lead to anxiety.

Arousal and hormones, we talk about it a lot within the CHC R+ community / membership. This white board is a visual from a recent Compassionate Horse Click Clinic (emphasizing the need for horses and humans to feel SAFE and HAPPY when we are together for optimal learning and success to occur in training.

🙂Safe and Happy was also the topic of a recent presentation/demo that I did at an international behavior conference (#IAABC). It was there I realized, that a visual depicting how some arousal is necessary for optimal learning to occur, could really simplify this concept. This one still needs perfecting but it ...

One Woman's Experience from Traditional to R+ Horse Training - she calls it extraordinary!

clicker training horses clinics r+ Oct 24, 2024

As one who's been to Iraq in serving our country an the military, seasoned equestrian and Compassionate Horse Click member, Kriestin Kleinschmidt , RN (KK) could be considered one tough cookie. But she still admits to having felt pressured and anxious about attending conventional equestrian events… and often felt that her horses didn't enjoy their time like she wanted them too. (Sound familiar?) Yet, she was successful in a variety of traditional arenas and struggled to find another way with her horses - one that didn't require her to stop using the skills she already had. KK was tired of feeling like she micromanaging her horses and wanted to be in safer more compassionate and comfortable environment where she could be herself.

As an experienced and respected conventional equestrian, she has found that results, meaningful relationship, connection, community and clinics/live events with her horses and other equestrians can be combined for a stellar result. And that doing so leads to a...

3 Easy Fast Ways to Create Polite People Loving Horses with R+

clarity communication cues Oct 17, 2024

"These horses are so different from most barns I've been to..." said a seasoned equestrian who was amazed by the behavior of loose horses in a paddock she was working in—an experience made possible by just three basic cues Melissa Spell Deal uses to provide clarity when people and horses are at liberty.

Polite, people-loving horses that aren't pushy or expecting treats for every little task are the natural result of kind, compassionate training through Cue Clarity. This method creates a strong connection with your horse, while maintaining boundaries and mutual respect.

If you're just getting started you'll love these options for creating clarity in your communication with your horse and those who have already started tell us the transformation is a game changer within 2 short weeks of implementing these tips.

Plus, discover when Melissa chooses to incorporate clickers into her training and when she doesn’t!

P.S. We’ve got an exciting Cue Clarity Clinic coming up this November in Bur...

Cue Clarity Live Clinic: Connecting & Communicating On the Ground or in the Saddle through innovative activities that you and your horse are sure to enjoy!

clicker training horses clinic live event Oct 03, 2024

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 ride your horse without reinforcers and riding no...

A Lesson in Compassionate Horse Training: Golden Nuggets

Uncategorized Sep 26, 2024

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? U...

"Oh man, I know my horse needs it, but..."

clinic Sep 19, 2024

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 to a clinic any...

Keep Sessions Short and Sweet: +R for you and your Horse!

Uncategorized Sep 12, 2024

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 while the latter expe...

What if we appreciated every little thing?

Uncategorized Sep 05, 2024

🌟 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..

Even the moments that we find most challenging or d...

+R Horse Clinic Fall 2024

clinic Aug 22, 2024

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 solutions for a plethora of situations! She’ll expl...

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