Best Trudi Dempsey Podcasts (2025)

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Can we build 'giving a break' into a reinforcer 25:42

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5d ago25:42

25:42

As humans we might perceive many reinforcers in our world from edible delicacies to buying new clothes but often we feel limited with finding different reinforcers for our horses. This is a hypothetical discussion about using a 'time to relax' or 'giving a break' as a reinforcer. https://www.equine.training/my-courses/ for my courses.…

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Podcast Postbag- Your questions answered with Katrina Per-Carruthers 51:48

3M ago51:48

51:48

We consider your questions on: Hunter training- balance and more Choice vs Structure in training Listening to horses Reinforcers failing Techniques we stole from dog trainers X-species training

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World Horse Welfare Webinar Unanswered Questions 20:48

3M ago20:48

20:48

If you didn't catch the webinar you can do so at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd-rr-4HLVY Thanks to those who asked some brilliant questions.

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We all make mistakes 22:24

4M ago22:24

22:24

In my equine scent work session with Rum this week, I made a mistake that really highlighted the need for an errorless approach. He indicated on the wrong container, the blank without odour (in theory) and my instinct, was to offer no reinforcement, and redirect him to the search. Not really an errorless approach. In an errorless framework, we don’…

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The fix starts with you: in conversation with Katrina Per-Carruthers 1:01:49

4M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

In this episode my friend and colleague Katrina Per-Carruthers unpick some training fails and discuss solutions that are horse centred. Mounting block problems, fence refusal and unwillingness to go forward were in our sights this time. If you have topics you'd like us to cover then do drop me a message. Katrina Per-Carruthers lives in British Colu…

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Why clicker training might not be my go to with new equine clients 16:46

5M ago16:46

16:46

I don't always recommend clicker training as a first option when I start working with a new client. Why? Well take a listen as I talk through a specific example and explain ways that I might add some R+ based training without the pressure of the trainer carrying food and having to be great at timing and mechanics. How do I square this with working …

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Male horses 'dropping' when training with food 18:56

6M ago18:56

18:56

The topic of male horses 'dropping' when training with food (clicker training) has reared its head again- I'm glad because it is a topic we need to consider. In this short episode I will explain (again) why I don't think we should brush this topic under the carpet! Warning- I talk about penises in this episode. If you want help with your horse drop…

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Cooperative Care In conversation with Dr. Katerina Junghansova 1:12:22

7M ago1:12:22

1:12:22

In this episode Dr. Katerina Junghansova (Kate) and I chat about cooperative care for horses. Kate is an equine veterinarian, lifelong equestrian, animal lover, and the founder of an educational project called VetCareTraining. Her mission is to promote safe, and ethical horse handling and training. She is really passionate about equine cooperative …

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Talk about clicker training targets; it's a wrap 16:49

7M ago16:49

16:49

In this final short episode on target training I delve a little deeper into how and when I use targets in my training. Questions? Comments? Drop me a message or email [email protected]

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Talk about clicker training targets; when to use a target 12:30

7M ago12:30

12:30

The third (hop back and listen to the first two if you haven't yet) in the clicker training targets mini series. In this one I discuss when I use targets in my training from cognitive enrichment to training movement. If you want to learn how to train in this way then join me on my accredited professional trainer course in 2025 ⁠https://courses.unde…

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Talk about clicker training targets; plans and blueprints 17:20

7M ago17:20

17:20

The second (hop back and listen to the first if you haven't yet) in the clicker training targets mini series. In this one I discuss planning and setting up the behaviour- essential for all training. If you want to learn how to train in this way then join me on my accredited professional trainer course in 2025 https://courses.understandhorses.com/co…

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Talk about clicker training targets; an overview 12:32

8M ago12:32

12:32

My Understand Horses Trainer's course https://courses.understandhorses.com/courses/horse-trainer-foundation-certificate My IAABC Foundation course https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/equine-discomfort-ethogram/ My IAABC Foundation Journal article on targets https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/target-training-for-horses-hit-or-miss/…

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Young horse training, in conversation with Chess Watts 50:03

9M ago50:03

50:03

In this episode I talk to Chess about her journey with Gambit her young Exmoor pony. I met them when she needed help with his behaviour and the two have been a real joy to work with. My new accredited trainer course is now live at Understand Horses https://courses.understandhorses.com/courses/horse-trainer-foundation-certificate Check out my IAABC …

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In Conversation with Jessie Sams 1:00:38

9M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

In this episode Jessie Sams and I finally got around to talking to her about her life and work with horses and other topics like a biopsychosocial model, the 3 C's of communication, choice and consent (with Emily Kieson) , compassion for human horse carers and lots more.Jessie Sams is an animal behaviour consultant with a degree in Animal Behaviour…

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Science, evidence...does it support clicker training? Summer short 6 17:35

10M ago17:35

17:35

Are science based or evidence based titles a good idea?How do we feel about science, especially in light of the recent dog study.Does science absolutely support R+ based/clicker training? How science has made me cross and how I'm learning to cut more slack!Heads up my Horse Trainer Foundation Certificate Course (accredited by Rural Skills) will be …

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Should we combine reinforcement, does it work? Summer short 5 18:38

10M ago18:38

18:38

It will come as no big surprise that intentionally combining positive and negative reinforcement isn't something I'm huge on. I was surprised to hear experts/academics lack of understanding regarding things like shaping and backchaining and reducing reinforcement without frustration. It's a bit ranty :)…

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Setting up your horse training with a clear pattern to follow Summer Short 4 11:29

10M ago11:29

11:29

As a young horse trainer I was very aware of creating situations where the horse could 'guess' the behaviour- we called it anticipation. Back in those days I didn't know about using reward based training but anticipation was a great way to create a willing and enthusiastic horse. Sadly some of the old ways haven't been passed on- in some cases that…

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'mis'behaving horse behaviour professionals Summer Short 3 11:03

11M ago11:03

11:03

Videos showing behaviour professionals sitting out bucks and rears gain thousands of likes, why?Above all other areas of equestrianism shouldn't behaviour be seen for what it really is and not used as a social media magnet? Or maybe I'm old and jaundiced!

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Summer short 2 of 2024 The basics when clicker training 10:20

11M ago10:20

10:20

We owe every animal in our care the ability to know how to interact with our world and us. That requires some basic training. I rarely see the basics done well or even at all. My courses at www.understandhorses.com and www.iaabcfoundation.org

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Summer Short 1 of 2024 How might it feel for a horse when they are tired? 15:21

12M ago15:21

15:21

I've had a tiring few weeks and my poor brain and body hurt. How might it feel for our horses when they are tired and we ask them to perform behaviours when training? Taking note of changes in behaviour might help us spot problems early. This is part 1 of my summer shorts 2024, if you have questions you'd like answering in another short episode mes…

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Affective Neuroscience and Horse Training with Dr Robin Foster 1:06:37

1y ago1:06:37

1:06:37

This time on the podcast I'm joined by friend and colleague Dr Robin Foster. For a very long time I've wanted to dip into Panksepp's work on emotions, which in some small way has been adopted by the clicker training world, and finally I got to chat with Robin.We STILL didn't get to valence...I think another chat is needed soon.I hope you enjoy Robi…

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Riding without a bridle 1:02:57

1y ago1:02:57

1:02:57

In this episode I was again joined by the fabulous Heather McManamy of Equus Integratus. Our focus was on bridleless riding but the skills we discuss go so much deeper than riding. Heather shares some great resources on her website https://equusintegratus.com/ on Facebook and Instagram Articles and videos can be found here https://equusintegratus.c…

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Equine Ecology in conversation with Annabel Holmes 1:00:51

1y ago1:00:51

1:00:51

In this episode I had the great pleasure of talking to Annabel Holmes, The Equine Ecologist a mum, ecologist and passionate horsewoman based in the Cotswolds. Growing up on a nature reserve in Suffolk,Annabel later went on to study Ecology, starting her career splitting her time between a feed company, and later in agricultural botany during the ho…

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Wild Horses with Sam Couper 1:18:15

1+ y ago1:18:15

1:18:15

In this episode I am thrilled to talk wild and feral horses with the wonderful Samantha (Sam) Couper PhD. We delve into Sam's back story right up to her present day training with her own horses and her work as a behaviour consultant. Sam is Board Chair of the Onaqui Catalogue Foundation, a group dedicated to compiling citizen observations of the On…

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Rope Halters, pressure and clicker training with guest Polly Smeath 50:17

1+ y ago50:17

50:17

In this episode I chat to Polly Smeath about rope halters and controlling horses when leading. Polly has an extensive background in the world ofhorses, a passion that has woven throughout her life since childhood. Born intoa family with a history of racehorses, Polly's earliest memories include avivid encounter with a tall, dark brown horse at the …

1
Self Control 54:02

1+ y ago54:02

54:02

Sooz Foster joins me again and this time we're talking self control. We consider horses and dogs, whether they can have self-control and how we can build build patterns to help. You can find Sooz these days at https://soozdogtraining.co.uk/ or come and join me training at her new club https://www.dreamsdogclub.co.uk/ Or catch us both presenting at …

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In conversation with Dr Eduardo J Fernandez: Training as enrichment 1:20:23

1+ y ago1:20:23

1:20:23

I was thrilled to be able to talk to Dr Eduardo J Fernandez on the podcast. Not only is he an amazing applied behaviour researcher but he is great at putting some of the more technical definitions into easy to understand terminology.Our discussion centres around training as enrichment but there were also some rabbit holes and side stories that we d…

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In conversation with Heather K McManamy 1:06:29

1+ y ago1:06:29

1:06:29

In this episode I had a fabulous chat with Heather. We had aimed to look at what draws people to more 'glamorous' 'from different world' trainers but it turned into a wonderful introspective (well certainly for me, I hope Heather enjoyed it too).We ask how to be credible. What are our insecuritiesHow to collaborate and build connections. If you are…

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All About Cues (part 6) 17:41

1+ y ago17:41

17:41

In this final (for now) episode on cues I look at transferring cues which is great if you want to tidy up your complex cues or change your original cue for something more appropriate. Please share these short episodes and let me know if you've tried any of my suggestions for improving your cues!

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All About Cues (part 5) 17:04

1+ y ago17:04

17:04

What to choose as a cue?Physical, verbal, tactile? What is clear, easy to use, easy to replicate?

1
Are you quitting on me? 1:10:30

1+ y ago1:10:30

1:10:30

Rebeccah Baylis is one of my fave students, we talk in this episode about a session that felt quite sticky at the start but ended well. Do you know when it might be acceptable to push on a little further? Should we always stop at the first sign of resistance? It's definitely a training conundrum. Find Becky and our shared events in 2024 at https://…

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All about Cues (part 4) 17:58

1+ y ago17:58

17:58

Discrimination Knowing what to do to get reinforced- the best friend of stimulus control (part 3) and discriminative stimulus (part 2). How can you help your horse know what a cue means? Please enjoy and share, Trudi

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All About Cues (part 3) 17:00

1+ y ago17:00

17:00

Stimulus Control In this third short on my continuing theme of cues I'm looking at how 'clean' our cues are. Stimulus control is an essential part of developing cues, it helps us create a clear language that reduces the chances of frustration. I share the 4 criteria of stimulus control and what we need to consider right from the get go in terms of …

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All About Cues (Part 2) 13:30

1+ y ago13:30

13:30

What to do when? Does your horse know? Do you think you know what your cues are? Does your horse agree? This short episode builds on the previous and looks at the idea of a discriminative stimulus- do you know what your SD is and does your horse agree?

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All About Cues (Part 1) 13:51

2y ago13:51

13:51

I've done cues before but have we ever 'done' cues...this is the first part of a deep dive into cues. Send me questions and thoughts to [email protected] and share this episode with your friends. More soon, Trudi

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Targets 13:31

2y ago13:31

13:31

What to do when things go wrong with targets and how to train a follow target, great questions sent in by a listener.

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Failure (Summer Short 5) 13:29

2y ago13:29

13:29

Failure is scary, so much that we might allow failure to stop us doing what we enjoy (horse training). Be brave, embrace the fear!

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Playing with Time (Summer Short 4) 13:51

2y ago13:51

13:51

Reducing anxiety by playing with the temporal gap (aka what I call temporal tinkering) needs shaping the same as every behaviour. In this summer short I answer a question or two posed by one of my current course students. If you have any questions drop me a message or email [email protected]

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Summer Short 3 Labels 14:42

2y ago14:42

14:42

Can labels be useful in horse training? Labels are used everywhere in life and often to the detriment of the label wearer. Take a listen to this short episode and drop me a message if you have ideas for future episodes.

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Summer Short 2 The Emperor's New Clothes 15:19

2y ago15:19

15:19

In this, my second Summer Short episode, I consider how we can know if something is awesome or BS and does it matter as long as you and your horse are happy and healthy?Might be a bit controversial but I opened my mouth and out came me! Ideas for other Summer Shorts can be emailed [email protected]…

1
Summer Short 1 The human element 16:38

2y ago16:38

16:38

In this, my first Summer Short episode, I look at the human side of the training equation. Training can take it's toll on both sides of the learning partnership and I often address this for our horse/dog but this time it's all about the human. How can you reduce your own stress and lack of motivation. Ideas for other Summer Shorts can be emailed tr…

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In Conversation with Karen Luke 44:15

2y ago44:15

44:15

In this episode I chat to Karen Luke about her most recent study linking horse welfare and behaviour with rider safety and satisfaction. Karen is a lifelong horse enthusiast and horse ownerwho is currently completing a PhD where she is investigating the relationshipbetween horse welfare, rider safety and rider satisfaction.She has expertise in ridd…

1
Gaping holes in your Shaping? 35:16

2+ y ago35:16

35:16

Do you have shaping issues? It's an intense element of our training with horses, part art and part technique.Do you reward the slightest try and feel that your behaviours are getting nowhere? Perhaps you get frustrated and cross with yourself.Enjoy this episode and please share it with your friends.Find my courses via trudidempsey.carrd.coand my we…

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Shaping behaviour (taster episode) 11:15

2+ y ago11:15

11:15

Sooz Foster and I whizz through our thoughts in a taster episode on shaping. Check out our courses at understandhorses.com and find me at www.equine.training and Sooz at soozequine.co.uk

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Brave pants, confidence, confusion and disappointment in reinforcers. 43:13

2+ y ago43:13

43:13

In this episode I talk about the awesome Understand Horses Live and my less stress workshop in the summer as well as answering questions on wearing your 'brave pants' and why horses may continue to 'mug' you. I close with a quick look at reward prediction error. You can find all my courses, my website, Ko-fi and social media accounts via trudidemps…

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Recognising equine pain, in conversation with Gabriel Carreira Lencioni 47:47

3y ago47:47

47:47

In this episode I chat to Gabriel Carreira Lencioni about his love of horses and his recent projects looking at pain assessment in horses. Gabriel recently graduated as a Veterinarian from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, where he took part in research groups on animal behaviour and welfare and developed a project on automated pain assessment i…

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Clicker training cats and MORE with Cheryl Kolus 52:57

3y ago52:57

52:57

In this episode I was joined by the wonderful Cheryl Kolus. From Colorado, USA, Cheryl is a veterinarian who specialised in behaviour, working with shelter animals (primarily cats) and with pet owners to help them better understand their dogs and cats and manage or resolve unwanted behaviors in their pets. She and her colleagues even published rese…

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Equine clicker training workshop where were you? 1:03:10

3y ago1:03:10

1:03:10

Sooz joins me for a natter about our recent live workshops. We hit some big topics Including the ethics of novice clicker trainers! Of course we return to our favourite topic, reinforcement routines, and much more. You can find Sooz Foster CHBC AAB for dog training at https://www.tarkadogtraining.co.uk and for horses at https://www.soozequine.co.uk…

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Standing on the Shoulders of Giants 18:13

3y ago18:13

18:13

Welcome to Season 3! A new season of interviews, deep dives into training and behaviour and some giggles when Sooz joins me! In this short episode I consider the greats that went before me and wonder why women often look to men for coaching. If you would like to support the podcast I have created a Ko-fi account where you can come and join me as I …

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Horse herd leaders 28:07

3+ y ago28:07

28:07

Science continues to inform us about the nature of horses and old accepted ideas of herd leader (alpha stallion and mare) have been reconsidered. This is not a scientific stroll but a practical chatty episode about horses exhibiting behaviours that might be considered as 'leadership' qualities or dominance along with the assumption that there is a …