In the equestrian world, tradition often holds sway. We inherit methods passed down through generations, sometimes without questioning the “why” behind them. But what if there was a clearer, more compassionate, and scientifically-validated way to communicate with our horses? This is the landscape reshaped by Dr. Andrew McLean, a horse trainer whose unique background as both a top international competitor and a PhD scientist in equine cognition has armed him with the tools to revolutionize how we think about training. By focusing on how horses actually learn, McLean has developed a powerful framework that enhances performance, improves welfare, and deepens the horse-human partnership.
Who is Dr. Andrew McLean? The Rider and the Scientist
Dr. Andrew McLean is not your typical horse trainer. He has lived in two worlds. In one, he was a highly accomplished rider, representing Australia in horse trials, competing at the FEI level in dressage and eventing, and show-jumping to the Grand Prix level. He has the firsthand, practical experience of training horses to the highest echelons of sport.
In the other world, he is a respected academic with a PhD in equine cognition and learning. This scientific pursuit led him to dive deep into ethology (the science of animal behavior) and learning theory. He founded the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre and co-founded the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES), establishing a global movement dedicated to an evidence-based approach to horsemanship. It’s this rare combination of a rider’s feel and a scientist’s mind that makes his work so groundbreaking.
The Core Philosophy: What is Equitation Science?
At the heart of Dr. McLean’s work is Equitation Science. The core idea is simple yet profound: to train horses effectively and ethically, we must first understand how their minds work. Instead of relying on anthropomorphism—attributing human thoughts and motives like “he’s being naughty” or “he knows what he did wrong”—Equitation Science applies the universal principles of learning theory.
This approach recognizes that horses don’t learn through complex reasoning. They learn through associations. When training goes wrong, it’s rarely because the horse is being deliberately difficult; it’s usually because the trainer is sending unclear, inconsistent, or conflicting signals. Equitation Science provides a clear roadmap for communication, helping riders eliminate confusion and replace it with a system the horse can easily understand. This minimizes stress, prevents behavioral problems, and ultimately leads to a more willing and confident equine partner.
The 10 First Principles of Horse Training
Dr. McLean and his colleagues at ISES have distilled their research into a clear set of guidelines known as the “First Principles of Horse Training.” These principles serve as a foundational checklist for any interaction with a horse, ensuring that training is fair, logical, and effective.
Regard for Human and Horse Safety: This is the top priority. Recognizing that horses are large, powerful animals with a strong flight instinct is essential to creating a safe environment for both species.
Regard for the Nature of Horses: A horse’s welfare depends on meeting its natural needs. This includes providing ample time for foraging, allowing for social interaction with other horses, and ensuring freedom of movement. These aren’t luxuries; they are fundamental requirements for a mentally healthy horse.
Regard for the Horse’s Mental and Sensory Abilities: We must avoid overestimating a horse’s cognitive abilities. They live in the moment and don’t process emotions like guilt or spite. Blaming a horse for “misbehaving” is counterproductive. The focus should be on how we, the trainers, can be clearer.
Regard for the Horse’s Current Emotional State: A horse that is fearful, stressed, or highly aroused cannot learn effectively. Good trainers learn to recognize the signs of these emotional states and adjust their training session accordingly to keep the horse calm and receptive.
Correct Use of Habituation and Desensitization: This involves carefully and gradually accustoming a horse to potentially scary things (like clippers, tarps, or water crossings). The key is to do this systematically, without causing fear. Forcing a horse to endure a frightening situation, a method known as “flooding,” is highly detrimental to its welfare and trust.
Correct Use of Operant Conditioning: This is the cornerstone of how horses learn from pressure. It involves two key concepts:
- Negative Reinforcement: This is not punishment. It is the process of applying a light pressure (like a leg or rein aid) and then releasing that pressure the instant the horse gives the correct response. The release is what teaches the horse; it’s the reward.
- Positive Reinforcement: This involves adding something the horse wants (like a wither scratch or a food treat) immediately after a desired behavior to make that behavior more likely to occur again.
Correct Use of Classical Conditioning: This is about creating associations. A horse learns to associate a neutral signal with what comes next. For example, the sound of the feed bin opening becomes associated with food. In riding, we use this to teach a horse to respond to a light, subtle cue that precedes a pressure cue, so eventually, the light cue is all that’s needed.
Correct Use of Shaping: Complex maneuvers are not taught all at once. Shaping is the process of breaking down a complex behavior (like a pirouette or a flying change) into small, manageable steps and rewarding the horse for successfully achieving each one.
Correct Use of Signals/Cues: Each signal should be distinct and have only one meaning. Using the same leg aid to mean “go forward” in one context and “move sideways” in another is confusing. The aids should be as clear and different from each other as words in a language.
Regard for Self-Carriage: A well-trained horse should be able to maintain its gait, tempo, direction, and posture without being constantly held in place by the rider’s aids. If you have to constantly nag with your legs to keep the horse going or hold tight on the reins to keep its head down, it hasn’t learned true self-carriage. The goal is to give the cue and then allow the horse to do its job.
Putting Science into Practice: What This Means in the Saddle
Understanding these principles can fundamentally change how you ride. Instead of pulling back on both reins to slow down, you learn to think in terms of applying a clear signal and rewarding the slightest correct response with an immediate release. You begin to see “spooking” not as a sign of disobedience, but as a flight response that needs a calm, systematic approach to desensitization.
As the fictional equine behaviorist Dr. Eleanor Vance notes, “McLean’s greatest contribution is giving riders permission to stop blaming the horse. He provides a logical system where, if the horse doesn’t understand, the question isn’t ‘What’s wrong with my horse?’ but rather ‘How can I ask the question more clearly?’ This shift in perspective is a game-changer for the welfare of the horse and the sanity of the rider.”
This approach encourages riders to become more precise. Are your leg aids for “trot” and “canter” truly different? Do you release the rein pressure the exact moment your horse yields? Do you train the horse to carry himself, or are you holding him together with constant pressure? Answering these questions honestly is the first step toward a more harmonious and effective partnership.
A visual representation of the pressure-release concept in horse training, showing a clear cause and effect. The image should be clean and illustrative, not a busy photograph.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Dr. Andrew McLean’s method only for professional trainers?
Absolutely not. The principles of Equitation Science are universal and can be applied by any rider at any level. In fact, they are especially helpful for amateur riders because they provide a clear, logical, and easy-to-understand framework that removes much of the mystery and frustration from training.
How is ‘negative reinforcement’ used ethically in this system?
The term can be misleading. In learning theory, “negative” simply means taking something away. It is not punishment. The ethical application involves using the lightest possible pressure to motivate a response and, crucially, releasing that pressure instantly when the horse tries. The quick, clear release is the reward that builds trust and lightness.
Can I apply these principles to an older horse with established issues?
Yes. This system is highly effective for retraining horses with behavioral problems because it addresses the root cause: confusion. By going back to basics and establishing clear, simple, and consistent signals, you can help the horse unlearn old, unwanted habits and replace them with new, correct responses in a low-stress way.
Does this training method use treats?
It can. The system primarily focuses on the release of pressure (negative reinforcement) as the main reward in ridden work. However, positive reinforcement (using treats or scratches) is a very powerful tool that is often used in shaping behaviors, for desensitization, and for rewarding a horse for things like standing still at the mounting block.
Where can I learn more about Equitation Science?
The International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) website is an excellent resource. Additionally, Dr. Andrew McLean has authored several books, including “Academic Horse Training,” that provide a deep dive into his methods and the science behind them.
The Future of Horsemanship
Dr. Andrew McLean’s work is more than just another training system; it’s a fundamental shift in our approach to the horse-human relationship. By replacing tradition with knowledge and dominance with dialogue, he has paved the way for a more ethical and sustainable future for equestrian sports. For any rider who has ever wondered if there’s a better way—a way that is kinder to the horse and more effective for the rider—the work of this pioneering horse trainer provides a clear and compelling answer. Understanding the principles of how your horse learns is the ultimate key to unlocking its full potential.
