“Naughty” Horses- What are they trying to tell us?

This is a recording of a presentation given by Jenny Hartung and Saebra Pipoly at the 2019 PATH Intl. Region 10 Conference.

Continuing Education Information: This presentation was granted "CR ALL" by the PATH Intl. Office and focuses on equine welfare and management.  Part 1 & 2= 2.4 of educational learning.

Certificate of Completion available! Watch Part 1 and Part 2 AND complete the short review quizzes to receive a Certificate of Completion for each presentation as well as a final certificate showing 2.4 hours of learning. Once you complete both presentations and review quizzes, your final Certificate of Completion will be available on this page.

naughty: adjective naugh·​ty | \ ˈnȯ-tē  , ˈnä-\naughtier; naughtiest

Definition of naughty 1a: guilty of disobedience or misbehavior, a naughty child b archaic: vicious in moral character : WICKED

– Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Have you ever had a horse be ‘naughty’ in a class? Have you seen bad behaviors like nipping, ear pinning or even kicking? Are your lesson horses just ‘not right’ or unsound?

You are not alone!

This two part presentation (lecture and arena) will delve into the common problems instructors and programs face on a daily basis and help participants troubleshoot what they are seeing to find the root cause of what they are seeing in their horses. Our horses are the backbone of our lessons and we can’t do what we do without them. So how do we keep our horses happy, healthy and working years to come?

A huge thank you to the host facility, Stable Strides, and to the attendees for allowing us to record this presentation so others can benefit from the information.

Naughty Horses- Part 1

Discover the key to transforming “naughty” horse behaviors into meaningful communication in this engaging and informative session designed for therapeutic riding professionals. Explore the root causes behind challenging behaviors—such as pain, stress, nutrition, and workload—and learn actionable strategies to enhance horse welfare and program safety. Backed by real-life examples and the latest research, this session empowers you with tools to assess horse health, foster a culture of empathy, and create a harmonious partnership between horses, staff, and participants. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your program by prioritizing the well-being and success of your most valuable co-workers—your horses!

Naughty Horses- Part 2

Join us for an engaging and transformative session that dives deep into the world of adaptive/therapeutic riding, focusing on empathy, adaptability, and equine well-being. This interactive presentation equips participants with practical techniques for observing and interpreting horse behavior, conducting thorough wellness checks, and addressing common challenges in equine-assisted activities. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, you’ll gain valuable insights into creating balanced, effective programs that respect and prioritize the needs of both horses and participants. Whether you’re an experienced instructor or new to the field, this session offers innovative approaches and fresh perspectives that will inspire and elevate your practice.

BONUS: Detailed downloadable handout with instructions so you can duplicate the “Boot Swap & Belt Tighten” awareness and empathy building exercise with your team!

???? = Presentations with certificates of completion available.