More About AEBC
Fundamentally, riders, trainers and coaches should give thought to the horse's dilemma in training. If you have trouble understanding dressage training, then imagine how tough it must be for the horse to learn it. Horses do not implicitly know what is required, they have to learn it. Training systems therefore need to be simple and straight forward. They need to focus on training single respnoses from clear aids (cues). All animal training sytems employ cues that are designed to be easily discriminated, but this is not so with horse training, because of its long history and embedded misconceptions such as the 'willing to please' and dominance/respect philosophies. Furthermore, a seated rider has limited available operant cues from legs and reins (excluding classcially conditioned seat cues that have to be learned and don't withstand environmental challenges) so it is essential that riders learn to use aids that are significantly different for the three universal responses in a single dimension (straight line): gait changes, tempo changes and stride-length changes. When these responses are associated with clearly with recognisable cues, bad horses aren't so bad after all and tense horses become calm!
It is also essential for the horse's mental security to learn the turning effects of each rein on the forelegs for both directions, and the turning effects of the rider's single leg on the hindlegs. These are the logical basics, the real basics from the horse's point of view. As training progresses, these aids shrink to become invisble. All dressage movements are either consecutive combinations or emergent properties of these basics. It really is that simple. Much of this approach can be found in Classical French training over the last 250 years. However, all wasn't perfect in such antique sytems either where curbs gave riders the illusion of lightness and gave the horse's overly short necks, if you look at the old lithographs. Embedding, developing and applying knowledge of learning processes within the structure of classical training provides the missing link to bring us to new heights of equestrian skill, safety and horse welfare. A golden age in equestrianism definitely still awaits us!
Dr Andrew McLean, together with his wife Manuela, conceived and developed the training system over many years and established the AEBC in 1991. Andrew McLean holds a PhD in horse training psychology (Thesis title "The mental processes of the horse and their consequences for training"), has authored several international best-selling books on horse training (including the world's first peer-reviewed text on learning processes in equitation) and is in constant demand as a lecturer and demonstrator around the world. Now National Federations are asking him to assist in rewriting their curricula to install learning theory and avoid the short-lived ill-informed ideologies of new age philosophies that focus on respect but not on how and what to teach horses. Respect doesn't come into it because there is no need for it when you teach animals (or people!) correctly! The learning theory that supports our philosophy is firmly based on the most updated scientific data.
The AEBC training system that emerges from the principles of Equitation Science is relevant for both horse and rider, across all levels; ranging from foundation training (breaking-in), to children's riding lessons, right up to FEI level dressage. It applies to every equestrian discipline, from pony club to polo, racing and showjumping, and the principles apply to all situations, whether it's learning to lead in-hand, float (trailer-load) and shoe calmly, jump obstacles obediently, calmly and straight, turn effectively, come-up on command, or perform challenging tricks. The emphasis in all aspects of training is on relaxation, attentiveness and self-carriage. It works similarly in elephant training, dog training or any other training. That's also the proof of its efficacy.
Decades of research, coaching and competition experience have produced the worlds first evidence based (based on scientific research) horse training system that is both ethical (does not have negative welfare implications) and sustainable (will serve riders and trainers well into the future).
The AEBC offers a step-by-step program that is designed to arrive at specific training goals. This approach represents the first major paradigm shift in modern equestrian culture and the results speak for themselves.
