With 35 years of experience working with horses, my journey has spanned across many different training methodologies. I started out using traditional methods and later explored natural horsemanship. However, after witnessing the harsh practices and force often used in the industry, I knew there had to be a better, kinder way. It simply didn’t sit right with me.
My path changed entirely when I began introducing food rewards, initially creating my own reward-based approach. I truly refined this system while working with rescue organizations, rehabilitating and rehoming deeply traumatized, fearful, and sometimes aggressive equines. This intensive experience taught me to look at training through a completely different lens. Today, my practice is my own reward-based approach. I truly refined this system while working with rescue organizations, rehabilitating and rehoming deeply traumatized, fearful, and sometimes aggressive equines. This intensive experience taught me to look at training through a completely different lens. Today, my practice at Connected Equine Ireland is rooted in science-based positive reinforcement (R%), where the welfare of the horse always comes first.