The Principles Of Horse Training

Overview

Have you ever wondered how expert trainers seem to effortlessly communicate with their horses, making training look fluid and natural? While “horse whispering” may sound like magic, the real secret lies in shaping and successive approximations—powerful techniques that help trainers create clarity and ease for their horses, resulting in soft, supple responses.

This course takes you through the science and art of shaping behaviours, showing you how to break down complex tasks into simple, achievable steps. Whether you’re teaching dressage movements, improving husbandry skills, or addressing problem behaviours, shaping helps you guide your horse smoothly through the learning process.

By enrolling in this course, you’ll gain the skills to train with precision and make progress more efficiently, turning those “wow” moments into a regular part of your training routine. Ready to take your training to the next level? Click Enrol Today to get started!

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£57.00

What Our Students Say

★★★★★

"The Diploma I received from NAC was life changing! If you want a career with horses, I highly recommend starting with NAC!"

★★★★★

"I’m loving it! This whole course has opened up my eyes - I'd just finished Uni and was planning on doing a masters but now I no longer want to…"

★★★★★

"I think this diploma is offering something very important This course has offered me some other perspectives on how people work with and train their horses. It has allowed the opportunity…"

★★★★★

"I would say this course is one of a kind and well on its way to improve the equine training and instruction industry."

★★★★★

"I really enjoyed it. I've been using positive reinforcement as a training method for years but I believe you can always learn more. I've now learned the correct terminologies used…"

★★★★★

"Tutors were always helpful and quick to respond to any questions The course was very well run. Course material was clear and comprehensive. The learning platform was easy to use. Weekly…"

★★★★★

"I enjoyed the weekend and particularly found the practical sessions on the second day really useful. I feel like I came away with some good ideas from the other people…"

★★★★★

"I really loved the horse centric approach throughout this course, the constant reference to ethics and welfare was refreshing as was the support for R+ training and definite avoidance of…"

★★★★★

"I had an amazing couple of days. I felt recognised which was just such a confidence booster. With it being a small group I didn’t feel overwhelmed, and…"

★★★★★

"Don't hesitate, just do it! Financially I was treated to the course as a gift as at the time it was too much of a stretch financially, but I knew…"

★★★★★

"My expectations being an introductory course were that it wouldn't contain as much information as it did or be in depth. I was really surprised and also glad that I have…"

★★★★★

"Thank you and all the staff so much! I had an absolute blast and learnt so much to aid me in my everyday care and training of my own horses…"

★★★★★

"The live lectures have been really useful! I have really enjoyed the course. The materials are easy to navigate in the website. I've definitely learned how to troubleshoot training scenarios much…"

★★★★★

"The Diploma I received from NAC was life changing! If you want a career with horses, I highly recommend starting with NAC!"

★★★★★

"I’m loving it! This whole course has opened up my eyes - I'd just finished Uni and was planning on doing a masters but now I no longer want to…"

★★★★★

"I think this diploma is offering something very important This course has offered me some other perspectives on how people work with and train their horses. It has allowed the opportunity…"

★★★★★

"I would say this course is one of a kind and well on its way to improve the equine training and instruction industry."

★★★★★

"I really enjoyed it. I've been using positive reinforcement as a training method for years but I believe you can always learn more. I've now learned the correct terminologies used…"

★★★★★

"Tutors were always helpful and quick to respond to any questions The course was very well run. Course material was clear and comprehensive. The learning platform was easy to use. Weekly…"

★★★★★

"I enjoyed the weekend and particularly found the practical sessions on the second day really useful. I feel like I came away with some good ideas from the other people…"

★★★★★

"I really loved the horse centric approach throughout this course, the constant reference to ethics and welfare was refreshing as was the support for R+ training and definite avoidance of…"

★★★★★

"I had an amazing couple of days. I felt recognised which was just such a confidence booster. With it being a small group I didn’t feel overwhelmed, and…"

★★★★★

"Don't hesitate, just do it! Financially I was treated to the course as a gift as at the time it was too much of a stretch financially, but I knew…"

★★★★★

"My expectations being an introductory course were that it wouldn't contain as much information as it did or be in depth. I was really surprised and also glad that I have…"

★★★★★

"Thank you and all the staff so much! I had an absolute blast and learnt so much to aid me in my everyday care and training of my own horses…"

★★★★★

What’s inside?

Explore the art of shaping, a fundamental technique that transforms training into a seamless, step-by-step process. Learn how to use shaping to break down complex behaviours into manageable steps, guiding your horse towards desired responses with precision and clarity.
Discover how to create effective training plans tailored to both you and your horse. This topic covers the essentials of designing structured, goal-oriented plans that keep your training on track and ensure consistent progress.
Understand the role of primary and secondary reinforcers in shaping behaviour. Learn how primary reinforcers, such as food or praise, and secondary reinforcers, like a clicker or verbal cue, can be used to motivate and guide your horse through training.
Dive into reinforcement schedules, exploring how different patterns of reinforcement impact behaviour. This topic teaches you how to apply various schedules, such as fixed or variable ratios, to optimise your training effectiveness and maintain your horse’s motivation.
Learn about the NAC Training Matrix, a comprehensive tool for assessing and refining your training approach. This matrix helps you evaluate different training elements and adjust your strategies to better suit your horse’s needs and progress.
Identify the factors that can influence your horse’s training progress. From environmental conditions to emotional states, this topic helps you recognise and address elements that may impact your training outcomes.
Uncover the concept of superstitious learning, where animals form unintended associations between actions and rewards. Learn how to avoid reinforcing accidental behaviours and ensure your training remains effective and focused.
Equip yourself with strategies for troubleshooting training challenges. This topic provides practical solutions for common issues that arise during training, helping you resolve problems and maintain a positive learning environment for your horse.

This course is an instant access course. Click the “Enrol Now” button and you will be taken to the checkout to process your payment.

Once you have completed the checkout, you will be sent your order confirmation and portal login details shortly after. If you have any questions or queries, please email [email protected].

There are no entry requirements for this course. It is for anyone owner or professional who is looking to better their practice and expand their knowledge.

We recommend you have experience with horses before taking this course, and would like to highlight that course involves technical language so being comfortable with written and spoken English will benefit your experience.

For your learning and development, there are quizzes throughout the course to allow you to self-assess your knowledge at multiple stages. This course is a non-assessed course and therefore does not lead to certification.

This course is an informational course aimed at Owners to further knowledge and skills. Therefore, course is not accredited and does not provide certification.