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Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle
Welcome to Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle.
In the world of equine behaviour and training, there's a vast sea of information, research, and opinions that can sometimes make your head spin. It can be challenging to sift through it all and distinguish fact from fiction.
So, how do we navigate this?
Well, we've decided to tackle it head-on through candid, informative chats.
We dive deep into the critical topics, exploring different perspectives in an effort to reach well-informed conclusions.
Our podcast is your guide to understanding and dissecting tricky, and potentially dangerous topics of equine behaviour and training. We approach these subjects with a commitment to science, compassion, and constructive dialogue.
Join us as we demystify the world of horses, separating myths from realities, and empowering you with knowledge to foster a deeper connection with your equine companions.
Tune in to Dangerous at Both Ends, Tricky in the Middle and embark on a journey of discovery with us 🐴🎙️
Episodes
19 episodes
"A Horse Without a Job, is Wasted"
This was our very first episode back in September 2023, and I’m reposting it here because it’s super relevant to our newest episode!In this podcast, we try something a little different: a debate! If you’re familiar with debate club rules...
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Episode 20
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59:31
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"But They have A Good life..."
We’re back! Jen had the audacity to go and get married, and now I’m here editing this and complaining about her selfish behaviour… prioritising love over the podcast (how dare she!) 🤣It took us two hours to talk about this becau...
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Episode 19
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1:54:26
“Why Is Foraging Behaviour So Important in Horses?”
In this episode, we take a closer look at the role of foraging in equine wellbeing. Horses are hard-wired to graze for many hours a day, so what happens when we limit or disrupt this natural behaviour? Barbara and Jen discuss ...
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1:31:48
“Does Dominance Theory Still Hold Up in Modern Horse Training?”
In this episode we dive into the controversial and widely debated topic of dominance theory. Is it still relevant, or has modern behavioural science moved on? We chat about what dominance theory actually is, how it came to influence horse train...
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Episode 16
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1:48:21
“How Does Language Shape the Way We See Our Horses?”
We’re back from our summer break and kicking off a brand new season! 🎉In this episode, we catch up on what we’ve been up to, what’s coming next for the podcast, and some of the things we’ve been reflecting on over the break.<...
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Episode 15
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1:10:00
“Behind the Slaughterhouse Gates: Irish Horse Industry Exposé”
Welcome to a powerful and timely special episode of our podcast. In this edition, we tackle the investigation by RTÉ that uncovered shocking systems of animal-welfare abuse and food-safety failures in the horse-slaughter industry. W...
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Episode 14
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1:06:20
"What’s the Difference Between Desensitisation and Systematic Desensitisation?"
In this episode, we chat all about desensitisation and more importantly, how it differs from systematic desensitisation. These terms often get used interchangeably, but they’re not the same!We break it down in a practical and ho...
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Episode 13
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1:31:46
Bonus Episode 6: Extinction in Behavioural Modification
Here we talk about Extinction — when a behaviour reduces because it no longer “works” for the horse. We look at what extinction bursts are, what emotional responses can show up, and when extinction may or may not be an ethical or e...
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Episode 12
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33:26
Bonus Episode 5: Shaping Behaviours
This short episode dives into Shaping — reinforcing small steps toward a bigger behaviour. We explore how to break behaviours down, how to celebrate progress, and how shaping creates confidence and curiosity in learning. Ideal for ...
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Episode 11
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37:30
Bonus Episode 4: Positive Punishment
In this episode, we take a calm and honest look at Positive Punishment — adding something aversive to reduce behaviour. We discuss why it’s widely used, why it can create fallout, and how it affects emotional state and trust. No ju...
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Episode 10
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24:39
Bonus Episode 3: Negative Punishment
Here we explain Negative Punishment — removing something the horse wants to decrease a behaviour. We talk about time-outs, the role of clarity, and how to avoid frustration or confusion. A gentle, practical overview of a concept of...
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Episode 9
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19:04
Bonus Episode 2: Positive Reinforcement
This bite-sized episode focuses on Positive Reinforcement: adding something the horse values to encourage behaviour. We chat about food rewards, scratches, marker signals, and what makes reinforcement actually reinforcing....
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Episode 8
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24:17
Bonus Episode 1: Negative Reinforcement
In this quick bonus episode, we break down what Negative Reinforcement really is — and what it isn’t. We talk about the role of pressure and release in horse training, how timing shapes the horse’s experience, and how this...
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Episode 7
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30:27
"Is Riding Bitless Safe?"
In this episode, we explore a big and sometimes hotly debated question in the horse world: Is riding bitless safe?We look at what the research says, how bitless bridles actually work, and the factors that influence safety from tra...
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Episode 6
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1:29:00
"How Can I Train My Reindeer for Santa?"
In this festive episode, we share the story of the time we were hired by Santa Claus himself to help with some behavioural modification for one of his reindeer!This particular reindeer was having feelings about pulling th...
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Episode 5
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1:00:05
“How Can I Tell if it’s Normal or Abnormal Behaviour?”
In this episode, we take a closer look at how to recognise what’s normal horse behaviour and what may be a sign that something is off.We talk about how horses communicate stress, comfort, curiosity, pain, and emotional wellbeing...
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Episode 4
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1:38:42
“What is Learning Theory?”
In this episode, we break down Learning Theory, what it is, why it matters, and how it shows up every day in our interactions with horses (whether we realise it or not).We explore the core principles behind how animals learn, incl...
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Episode 3
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53:05
"How Can I Set My Horse Up for Success?"
In this episode, we dive into one of the most important questions in horse training: How can we set our horses up for success?We talk about what “success” actually means from the horse’s perspective, how environment and emotional ...
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Episode 2
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57:23
The Pilot - Does Positive Reinforcement Lead to Biting Horses?
Welcome to our very first episode! The audio is a little rough around the edges (we were still finding our sea legs), but the conversation is a good one.In this episode, we explore a big question in the horse training world: Does posi...
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Episode 1
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1:08:52