Trudi Dempsey: Equine Trainer and Behaviour Consultant

22/04/2025

Looking forward to catching up with Adele The Willing Equine Gabriel Lencioni Lore Texas Veterinary Behavior Services and Melissa Deal in 2 weeks in Colorado Springs, come and join us.

13/04/2025

The LAW

A 'Learner's Acquisition Window' should be a reminder that learning is unique to every individual, and that window is shaped by much more than just a training plan.

It’s a reminder that every learner has their own pace. Some get it in one, others in 100, or 1,000, or any number in between. It’s not a measure of potential, but a reflection of where they are in the moment.

This is currently obvious with my dogs. Sherlock takes his time. Add a new element, like a change of environment, and it's like we're starting from scratch. New space, new smells, new distractions, and suddenly, it's a new learning curve. The same behaviour, but a new context for his learning. It’s a shift, and it's a reminder that everyone, whether horse or dog, needs their own time and space to figure things out.

Learning history, health, stress, the environment, and individual traits all contribute to the speed of acquisition. For some learners, it might just take a few extra repetitions to adjust; for others, we’re back to the start.

It’s about understanding that some learners take 1 trial to get it, some take 100, and some may need 1,000 or more. If your learner takes 1,000+, they are not 'thick,' 'stupid,' or being an 'idiot.' They are themselves. Don’t judge those who appear to be taking longer to train a behaviour that you breezed through with your horse (insert any species), because it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not training well. There could be so much more to it.

The key to respecting the LAW is to meet each learner where they are. It’s about adjusting to their unique learning window, recognising that the pace isn’t a reflection of their potential, but of how the learning environment and their personal history are influencing them at that moment.

Celebrate every step, however many there are!

12/04/2025

Looking forward to this event.

11/04/2025

I often work with clients who’ve been given advice on how to get started with clicker training. The intention is well-meaning, but the person giving the advice either has limited experience or has a one-method-fits-all approach, and the result is a horse who is confused, and a human doing their best but unsure how to move forward.

It’s a reminder that while we often talk about clicker training as something you can just jump into, the 'how' really matters. There’s no single method that works for every horse. They’re individuals, not automatons, and treating them the same way can lead to frustration.

But there are some essential principles we should consider:

Plan your sessions, even just how you'll start and finish.

Be crystal clear about reinforcement, how it comes, when it will come, what will come.

If the horse struggles, pause. Don’t try to fix it midstream; rethink the setup.

Prevent the mistake happening by clever setups instead of waiting to 'correct' it.

Make success the easy choice.

This stuff is simple in theory but rarely easy in practice. That’s why it helps to have someone watching and supporting you.

These are some of the principles that my current professional students will be exploring very soon in my trainer's course. I’ll also be a joint presenter on some of these ideas at the upcoming IAABC Foundation Conference.

My aim, always, is to bring more awareness to these foundations, to help make clicker training clearer, kinder and more effective for both horses and their humans. Whether you’re just starting out or deep into the journey, it’s worth revisiting the principles that make this work… REALLY work.

05/04/2025

Today it begins.

The very first day of my new course for professional horse trainers. Fifteen brilliant individuals are stepping into something I’ve dreamed about for many years, a course that isn’t just about teaching horses, but about shaping a future for equestrianism that we can be proud of.

This won’t be an easy ride (sorry). We’ll dig deep into theory and practice. We’ll look closely at what training is and what it could be. We’re going to learn, question, discuss and laugh and we’ll grow together.

My aim? To help forge creative, compassionate trainers, people who not only understand horses but humans too. People ready to meet the changing world of equestrianism not with fear or defensiveness, but with new ideas, practical skill, and the courage to begin change.

To the 2025 intake: thank you. Thank you for showing up, for trusting me with this, and for being part of my dream for horse training.

And to those watching from the wings? Perhaps you'll join me next year. There’s a place for you if you want to train differently, think deeper, and be part of a kinder, better-informed future.

29/03/2025

THE ILLUSION

There should be a moment in every trainer’s journey where we come to realise just how much we’ve been telling the horse what to do. Every step, every movement, every response carefully managed. We’re taught that control equals safety, that precision comes from dictating every detail. But when we step back and start allowing the horse more autonomy, everything can change.

Granted, it’s not easy. Letting go of that control feels unnatural at first. Progress may slow down when you give up 'control'. The horse hesitates, explores, experiments and starts communicating rather than just responding. This is where so many people struggle. It can feel like nothing is happening, like training is stalling, like the horse is ‘testing’ or ‘pushing boundaries’. But what’s really happening is learning. Real learning, the kind where the horse starts to understand, not just comply.

When we allow the horse to move at their own pace, to process, to engage with the training rather than be dictated to, we build something far more valuable than a set of cues and responses. We build a partnership. The horse starts to take responsibility for their own actions. They show us what they understand, where they need more time, what they are comfortable with, and what they are not.

And yes, in the short term, this can make things feel slower, certainly more uncomfortable for us. But in the long run, progress becomes less effortful. A horse that has been given the space to think and make choices is a horse that truly knows what is being asked.

This doesn’t mean letting go of safety or good training principles. Boundaries must still exist, but they are not purely about control. They are about setting up the environment so the horse can succeed while still having a say in how they engage with the process. That balance is difficult for humans. We like certainty, we like predictability. But if we trust the process and allow the horse to be a thinking, feeling learner, the results are more profound than we could ever achieve through control alone.

It’s a shift in mindset, but one that leads to something much deeper than just performance. It leads to true partnership.

27/03/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who attended last night's webinar with World Horse Welfare and Justine Harrison - Equine Behaviourist it was an honour to present.

For many of my followers it won't have been news, all information that you're already applying but I hope it can be a resource that can be shared with those still undecided about giving positive reinforcement based training a try.

This was the last Wednesday webinar of the series but the team will be back in November with more amazing topics and presenters.

Unfortunately we didn't get to everyone's great questions but I made a note of some and will cover them in my podcast in the next few months.

Thanks to Little Green Stables for letting me share video of some of your training.

Join us on Wednesday 26th March for the final Welfare Wednesday Webinar of this winter series. Equestrianism, particularly whether we should be riding horses...

24/03/2025

Join me on Wednesday 26th March for the final Welfare Wednesday Webinar of this winter series.

Equestrianism, particularly whether we should be riding horses is under ever increasing public scrutiny and we all need ensure we are training horses using ethical practices based on learning theory.

I will explore how learning theory can be applied to riding horses and how we can incorporate positive reinforcement in our horse's ridden training.

I will be accompanied by fellow equine behaviourist Justine Harrison to answer your questions in a live Q&A.  

19/03/2025

Not only is the latest Journal out but in it the new organization standards that replace LIMA:
FREE and The Pathway to Positive Behavior Change.

This new framework incorporates the Five Domains Model with an emphasis on the animal’s mental states, the fifth domain to support animal well-being and behavior change.

17/03/2025

Join Me for the Final WHW Welfare Wednesday Webinar of the Season!

With equestrianism under increasing public scrutiny, it’s more important than ever to ensure we’re training horses ethically and in line with learning theory. In this webinar with World Horse Welfare I’ll be exploring how we can apply learning theory to ridden training, including using positive reinforcement.

I’ll be joined by fellow equine behaviourist Justine Harrison - Equine Behaviourist afterwards for a live Q&A to answer your questions. Don’t miss this important discussion. These webinars are free to sign up for!

📅 Wednesday, 26th March
https://worldhorsewelfare.zoom.us/webinar/register/9417417766987/WN_X1WIM4_vRIOAVusvOUxyfA

Join us on Wednesday 26th March for the final Welfare Wednesday Webinar of this winter series. Equestrianism, particularly whether we should be riding horses is under ever increasing public scrutiny and we all need ensure we are training horses using ethical practices based on learning theory. We wi...

15/03/2025

MY HORSE ISN'T INTERESTED IN THE FOOD

There are many reasons trainers tell me they can't use food. If your horse isn't interested in food, there are a few things to consider.

PAIN and DISCOMFORT (physical, mental, emotional) are often the biggest culprits, so always check for these first.

Sometimes the environment is a factor. Too many distractions or stress (being away from home, friends) can sap their motivation.

The usual problem-solving advice is to look at the value of the food. Is it something your horse really enjoys? Considering the type of food or adjusting the rate of reinforcement can sometimes do the trick. Lowering the food value can help reduce anxiety which is a barrier to training too.

In all training it's important to consider if the task is clear and achievable. If a horse is confused or frustrated, they won’t be as motivated to train. Keep the steps small, clear, and build on them gradually.

Now the one most trainers struggle with, OFFERING CHOICE. A lot of people think giving choice means the horse will lose interest, but actually, it can do the opposite. When horses get to make decisions about how to access the food reinforcer, it can boost their engagement and helps the training process become more dynamic. It’s not about creating chaos. It’s about letting horses show us the flaws in our training.

And sometimes (shock, horror), if they offer a different behaviour than we asked for (or prefer to go munch on hay or take a break instead), it’s okay to give 'FREE' food for making that choice (and giving us some clear communication about our training). It’s not all about control, although that shift from old fashioned ideas is a difficult one for some to negotiate. Choice and control really help with motivation!

11/03/2025

Horses pay attention to everything: body position, eye direction, sounds and even the smallest shifts in movement. Every little action you make is a potential cue, whether you intend it or not. If your cues aren’t clear and consistent, your horse could be getting mixed signals, leading to confusion and inconsistency in their response.

Don’t put cues on sloppy behaviours! Make sure a behaviour is solid before adding a cue.

08/03/2025

9-10 August 2025 at NTU Brackenhurst. A unique equine event - a weekend of lectures plus practical demos & workshops on horse behaviour, training, physiology, equine science and welfare at NTU Brackenhurst, Nottinghamshire.

07/03/2025

Don't take too much notice of social media (luckily I don't)

I'm very niche in my horse training. Usually, I’m delighted when a video of mine creeps past 500 views. But somehow, the algorithm decided that a completely random, very short, and utterly unremarkable clip deserved 79k views. Not an in-depth training tip, not a carefully crafted explanation—just a fleeting moment of my very niche world. I have no idea why, but I hope those 79,000 people enjoyed their accidental trip into the depths of positive reinforcement horse training. The internet is a weird place.

Well, back to business with one that will drift through the wilderness 🤣 but a very warm welcome to all my new followers.

05/03/2025

Equine ABCs always sharing good information!

Did you know?

Injured or elderly wild (feral) stallions typically leave their groups. Younger stallions remain alone until they have recovered significantly enough to rejoin bachelor groups or bands. Older stallions, or those with chronic injuries, often occupy similar home ranges and may join together.

03/03/2025

Come and join us for the practical day pre-conference in Colorado in May!

01/03/2025

New episode with the wonderful Katrina from Leviosa Equine
This is a little more of a mainstream episode 'The fix starts with you' where we unpick some training fails and discuss solutions that are horse centred.

Also available on YouTube now- link in comments.

Lead a Horse to Water · Episode