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Why do horses do what they do? ​

The horse world is grounded in tradition. We’ve always done it this way. Yet, at times, our traditions and the evidence collide. As young competitive rider, I was coached in what to do and sometimes how to do it, but I was asking “WHY?” 

Later, as a professional horse trainer, I discovered answers about how horses learn best by trial and error.

Now, as a practitioner in equitation science, I love to share a Why for every What with the riders I coach -evidence based tools to solve their horse puzzles I wish I’d had as a younger rider. I love seeing riders enjoy being part of the process – not just the results.

I’m still learning – asking questions, reading, studying, observing, experimenting. Digging deeper through the Hows to the Whys of working with horses and riders.

"As a riding coach, horse show judge and specialist in equine behavior, I’m fascinated by the science and research of how horses really think and learn. Equitation science explains a lot of what happens in the show arena. And how horses learn best in the training arena. Having the heart of a teacher, I love to communicate not only the whats and hows of working with horses… but WHY."
- Lindsay Grice

About Lindsay

  • Practitioner in Equitation Science
  • Lecturer in equine behaviour and learning (e.g., University of Guelph courses,  speaker for Canadian horse associations and therapeutic riding facility staff )
  • Horse magazine columnist, several Canadian equine publications
  • Horse show judge: AQHA level 1.  Equestrian Canada Judge.  Hunter/jumper and dressage judge -open shows. Working Equitation L judge. Extreme Cowboy judge. Multiple breeds and disciplines.
  • Equestrian Canada judging committee and clinician for judging seminars (General Performance).
  • AQHA Show committee member
  • 25 yrs as a professional riding coach, competitor and horse trainer in Ontario
  • Certified Equestrian Canada Competition coach
  • Equine legal expert witness and horse industry consultant