Creating Optimal Learning Environments for Ourselves and Our Horses
change the way they respond when things are not going according to plan. The questions change to: What’s preventing me or my horse from learning right now? What learning needs aren’t being met?
Kjelson often guides her clients through a similar perspective shift. “A lot of my clients come to me because they’ve tried everything they know how to do with their horse to change their behaviour, and they’re stumped,” says Kjelson. Modern science provides fascinating insight into how horses learn, and the more we understand a horse’s needs as a learner, the more able we are to create an optimal learning environment for them.
What is Learning Theory?
“Learning theory looks at how an individual receives, retains, and processes knowledge,” explains Kjelson. “Learning theory isn’t just about horses; it applies to all animals including humans. Learning theory encourages us to consider how an environment impacts an individual’s behaviours and how their needs are being met or not being met. In essence, learning theory looks at all the pieces that influence how an animal learns.”
- How do we create an optimal learning environment for our horses? Kjelson provides three key areas to consider:
- Horses need a low stress environment in order to learn well.
- Horses need teachers who can make things really clear to them.
- Horses require their natural needs to be met in all aspects of their lives in order to show up in the arena as calm, happy horses ready and willing to learn. These natural needs can be summed up as friends, forage, and freedom. Meeting these needs will significantly reduce the horse’s stress.
Interestingly, we can apply the same framework to ourselves. Just like horses, humans learn better in low stress environments. We also need to clearly understand what we are doing, and learn better when our own basic needs, such as safety, autonomy, and belonging, are
