Equine Behaviorology Online Course, Recorded Lectures (10 Lessons)

This class is the perfect introduction to the Equine Behaviorology course, as it features an overview of the theory, discussions, & content covered throughout the course. It also provides a solid foundation for approaching behavior work, training, & equine management using a constructive lens.

This class covers essential topics like...
✍️ Labels & Constructs
✍️ Anthropomorphism
✍️ Operationalization
✍️ What makes an "evidence-based approach"?
✍️ The value of science, and the value of intuition

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In this class, you'll learn about dynamic motivation and the huge role it plays in your interactions, training, & relationship with your equine. This class covers some of the most important, yet often overlooked, concepts in training theory.

Topics include:
✍️ Defining an objective stimulus
✍️ The spectrum of value, from aversive to appetitive
✍️ Stimulus value as a subjective, dynamic, and context-dependent variable
✍️ Saliency, and its influence on motivation & behavior
✍️ The role of species-specific needs on equine behavior

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In this class, we demystify equine body language, so you don't have to be a "horse whisperer" to understand what your horse is trying to communicate to you!

This class gives an evidence-based overview of the following topics:
✍️ Equine affective states & emotions
✍️ Equine stress & comfort zones
✍️ Involuntary reflexive behaviors - such as facial expressions & survival reflexes
✍️ Functional communication signals - such as calming signals, displacement behavior, & distance increasing signals

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Respondent learning, or association-based learning, is one of the two biggest learning theories that influence your equine's behavior. For everything from spooking to relationship building, and clicker conditioning to confidence over fences, understanding respondent learning is essential for effective, ethical equine training.

This class covers key topics like...
✍️ Neural roots of behavior & learning
✍️ Classical conditioning
✍️ Stimulus stacking
✍️ Counter-conditioning
✍️ Understanding relationship theory - including the "bank account," "balanced/scale," and "topographic" models

🎁 This class also includes FREE Bonus Content on Latent Learning topics including Sensitization and Desensitization!

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Operant learning, or consequence-based learning, is one of the two biggest learning theories that influence your equine's behavior. For everything from training basic ground manners to olympic-level performances, whether you use clicker training, natural horsemanship, or the old cowboy methods - operant learning is the basis of all effective training.

This class covers essential topics like...
✍️ Functional Analysis
✍️ Quadrant Theory
✍️ Detangling Complex, Real-Life Behavior Situations
✍️ Steph's tips for having constructive discussions on equine behavior from an operant lens

🎁 This class also includes FREE Bonus Content on Latent Learning topics including Observational Learning, Specialization, and Generalization!

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Just because you CAN doesn't mean you should - and just because it works, doesn't mean it's ethical. It's our responsibility as equestrians to always strive to improve our standards for ethical care & training. This class gives you the tools you need to evaluate methods, professionals, equipment, & more, so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you & your equine. 

This class covers essential topics like...
✍️ The "LIMA" approach
✍️ The "EIEIO's" for evaluating horsemanship
✍️ Force-Free horsemanship
✍️ Fear-Free horsemanship
✍️ Understanding & applying the Humane Hierarchy
✍️ Applying a "Trauma-Informed" approach within the equine industry

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Probably one of the most influential classes from SKE, where Steph shares her best advice & strategies for efficient, effective shaping with R+ training.

This class covers essential topics like...
✍️ Understanding Shaping & Using Constructive Language Regarding Shaping
✍️ Expectations During Different Types of Interactions & Structure of Training Sessions
✍️ Implementing the SKE Jackpots Method (a differential R+ schedule for errorless learning)
✍️ Steph's Tips for Efficient, Effective Shaping
✍️ Methods for Guiding & Accepting Approximations

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In this discussion, we expand on the concept of functional analysis so you can learn to use your knowledge of learning theory to foster communication, not just compliance.

This class covers essential topics like...
✍️ Expanding the traditional "ABC" loops
✍️ Understanding functional analysis as a dialogue
✍️ Consistency & contingency during dialogue
✍️ Using dialogues to foster force-free, consent-based communication

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An in-depth discussion on concepts of safety, confidence, anxiety, and control. This discussion includes Steph's advice for maintaining human safety & equine safety in routine & emergency situations, while also maintaining an ethical, force-free approach.

This class covers essential topics like...
✍️ Safety with horses
✍️ How safety is related to "control"
✍️ Maintaining human safety with horses
✍️ Maintaining equine safety during training
✍️ How to balance ethics & safety
✍️ Restoring confidence in the fearful or anxious equestrian

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A comprehensive overview of Steph's favorite exercises & behaviors for developing & polishing your R+ training skills while also establishing and/or improving your equine's R+ foundation. This class goes in-depth with the practical applications of the course content from Lessons 1-9 of the SKE Equine Behaviorology Course. Steph strongly recommends students start with Lessons 1-9, to ensure you are familiar with the language & concepts referenced during this lecture.

This class discusses the following recommended behaviors & training exercises, selected to help equestrians develop and/or refine their R+ training skills:

Constructive Food Handling
✍️ Preventing & resolving "mugging" & mouthiness
✍️ Using food constructively

Bridge Signals
✍️ Conditioning bridge signals
✍️ Establishing functional bridge signals
✍️ Pros & cons of common bridge signals

Calm Default & Calm Attentive Behaviors
✍️ Defining Calm Default vs Calm Attentive Behaviors
✍️ Establishing a Calm Default Behavior (CDB)
✍️ Establishing a Calm Attentive Behavior (CAB)
✍️ Effective Stimulus Control with CDB/CAB's

Fluid Dialogues via Nose Targeting
✍️ Establishing a nose-targeting behavior
✍️ Recommended behavior generalizing criteria
✍️ Recommended equipment generalizing criteria
✍️ Recommended context generalizing criteria

Cooperative Care via Self-Reinforcing Station
✍️ Establishing consent during cooperative care
✍️ Fluid applications of consent cues & dialogue
✍️ Utilizing Self-Reinforcing Stations (SRS)
✍️ Applying the SKE Jackpots Method with an SRS
✍️ The role of learning theory during cooperative care

Developing Free-Shaping with Face Targets
✍️ Establishing face-targeting behaviors
✍️ Successive approximation in practice
✍️ The SKE Jackpots Method in practice
✍️ Defining prompts vs cues; establishing cues
✍️ Refining Stimulus Control

In addition to detailed lecture materials, this class also includes video recordings of Steph training equines, to provide examples of these techniques & methods in action.

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