Michaela Hempen

Hi, As I write this email on January, 22nd, 2025, I have just returned from a fabulous week in Copenhagen. We had the kick-off meeting of an exciting project about developing methodologies to assess positive animal welfare using behaviour-analytic and ethological approaches. The project is lead by the Danish Technological Institute and the University of … Read more

Hi, This is a long email. I thought about splitting it in two, but decided to finish up with Blondie’s saddling project. This topic could easily take ten more emails (in case you want those emails let me know, and I’ll think about it). So let’s continue… Now that we have found our starting point … Read more

Hi, When you are presented with a training puzzle, the constructional approach suggests to start with the identification of your goal, followed by an assessment of your current position in relation to that goal. My goal was a saddling routine during which Blondie remained calm, relaxed and engaged from approaching with a saddle until the … Read more

Hi, The programme I developed for Blondie is tailor-made for her. Each next step evolved out of the training as she needed it. It was a very fluid process that I adapted on the spot. However, the principles that I applied, remain valid for other horses not only those with saddle aversions but basically with … Read more