My little business turned twenty earlier this year. The anniversary kind of slipped by me, I’ve been so busy, and then out of action with my back injury. But I have been thinking about the last twenty years and how things have changed.

Probably the biggest thing that has changed is me! When I think back to the beginning, I was like a puppy, bouncing with enthusiasm and energy. I knew what I wanted to do and I was going to make it happen. I remember when people were asking me what I was planning on doing and I told them, the general consensus was “You’ll never make a living doing that. Who’s going to pay you to tell them about their horses behaviour?” and the other big one was “clicker training? What on earth’s that? That’ll never catch on”. I’d like to think the naysayers have been proven wrong. I’m far from a millionaire, but the value I’ve got from my business over the years goes way beyond financial income. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, have enriched my life more than any fancy, high earning job could have done. I love my job and I am very lucky to do it.

It definitely hasn’t always been easy. In the early days it was a challenge to get people to understand what I did and why it might help. Twenty years ago the most horse people in Northern Ireland had heard of in terms of ‘behaviour’ was Monty Roberts, Parelli wasn’t even a thing and positive reinforcement based training involved a huge stretch in the imagination. The most common question I got asked was “are you a horse whisperer? Like Monty?”. At first I would painstakingly explain the differences and why I wasn’t at all like Monty. … but then I realised it was easier to just say “Yes, but I don’t need to send the horses away to get them to follow me”.

It was a struggle to earn enough at the start. I was lucky to be able to do a bit of lecturing in horse behaviour and welfare because of my PhD, and lecturing has gone on to be a small but valued part of my business. I teach on a variety of courses at a range of universities, just a few days each a year, which I really enjoy.

I also do some riding coaching, with a focus on classical principles, rider balance and posture and that has always been something I’ve loved. Of course, the behaviour and the training forms a significant part of that too and that means my lessons are definitely different to those that most riding coaches deliver, with the emphasis as much on how the horse is feeling, physically and mentally, and their enjoyment, as on the rider.

So how have I changed over the last twenty years? I think I’m more patient. I’m definitely more cynical. Not such a bouncy puppy any more. I listen more, I watch more, I say less. I’ve realised that the best thing to do is let people come to things in their own time, never try to enforce change, be there to support. I do my best not to be judgemental. I’m less outspoken. But at the same time I’ve learned perseverance. Most importantly, I’ve learned a HUGE amount about horses!! I do my best to keep up to date with the latest developments in research and knowledge, but I can honestly say none of that is as valuable as the lessons I’ve learned working with my own and my clients horses.

I’m incredibly grateful to all my clients over the years who have allowed me the opportunity to work with them and their amazing horses. They have ranged from the most novice owner to top professionals, from the most traumatised rescue case through to those with Olympic bound horses. And before that, to the lovely people whose yards I worked on 25, 26 years ago, particularly Jennifer Howes and John and Diane Harron Eakin, who unwittingly laid the foundations for my career.

How has the horse world changed in that time? Well, there is definitely a bigger awareness of behaviour, welfare and the impact of training methods on the wellbeing of the horse. ‘Clicker training’ has gone from being unheard of to popular, misused and often abused! People’s training ability hasn’t necessarily got better despite, or perhaps because of the wide variety of tools and information available…. it is true that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, and I do seem to spend a lot of time ‘tidying up’ with clients. But isn’t it wonderful that the information is out there? With social media, and a good discerning attitude, owners are far more informed than they used to be. On the whole I find I need to spend far less time with clients explaining what they need to do. And I never have to explain what my role is these days!

What are my hopes and dreams for the next twenty years?

I’d love to see ALL horses being managed in a horse friendly way- year round turnout in stable herds.

I’d love to see ALL foals allowed to wean naturally, rather than enforced, abrupt early weaning.

I’d love to see ALL initial handling being done gently and with awareness of learning theory and emotion, using LIMA (least invasive, minimally aversive) principles.

I’d love to see close attention paid to how horses are feeling at every point of their training, care taken to build fitness without over fatiguing, to build motivation and enthusiasm without excessive pressure, to observe how they feel about the tack, the equipment, the job they are asked to do.

Most importantly, I’d love to see ALL equine professionals correctly educated in terms of behaviour and welfare. Because that’s where the change will really come.

My experience is that horses can and do enjoy riding, if you go about it the right way. It can be an enriching experience for them, part of a life well lived, if we approach it with care and consideration.

Let’s use the horse world’s growing awareness of social license to inspire positive change, not reactive, but proactive.

So my question for you, as my clients, my friends or followers, is:

What one thing have you learned from our interactions/ training sessions that has been of most value to you and your horse?

Answers on a postcard please! As we used to say! Or via social media, generally an easier option these days 😊.

http://www.spencehorsesense.com