Articles by Katy

In Person Training Session – Tuesday 16th June

Open to all RDA Staff, Coaches, Volunteers

£5 for RDA Coach/Volunteer
£10 for Approved Centre
£15 for External Delegate

This collaborative open day with Blue Cross offers a practical insight into equine behaviour, rehabilitation, rehoming, and positive reinforcement training- with a particular focus on building confidence, communication and emotional wellbeing in horses.

Led by Grace Shayler, Blue Cross Horse Rehabilitation & Behaviour Advisor, the day combines discussion, practical demonstrations and real-life case studies to explore how horses learn, respond to new situations, and build trust through clear, consistent handling.

Alongside practical training sessions, attendees will also gain an understanding of the support Blue Cross can offer horse owners through both their Adoption and Home Direct schemes.

The day is designed to provide practical, realistic approaches that can be applied within everyday equestrian settings- whether supporting horses within RDA groups, introducing new training approaches, or simply building confidence in understanding equine behaviour.

What Will This Session Cover?

What You’ll Learn

• An introduction to the Blue Cross Adoption Scheme and horses currently looking for homes
• Understanding the Home Direct Scheme and support available for horse owners needing to rehome
• How horses learn through positive reinforcement and clear communication
• Techniques to help horses stand calmly and confidently for mounting
• How to introduce horses to novel objects and unfamiliar environments safely
• Understanding emotional responses in horses and reducing stress around new stimuli
• Practical approaches to improving confidence, safety and trust between horse and handler
• Opportunity for discussion and Q&A with Blue Cross experts

Programme Schedule

10:30 – Welcome & Introduction
Overview of the Blue Cross Adoption Scheme, including meeting horses available for adoption, alongside an introduction to the Home Direct Scheme and Q&A opportunities.

12:00 – Lunch
Please bring your own lunch.

13:15 – Session 1: ‘Parking’ Your Horse
Practical training session focused on helping horses stand calmly and confidently, particularly around mounting blocks.

14:00 – Session 2: Introducing a New Object
Exploring how horses respond to unfamiliar objects and environments, including techniques to support confidence and reduce stress responses.

15:00 – Q&A and Closing

Location:

Blue Cross Burford Rehoming Centre
Shilton Road
Burford
OX18 4PF
United Kingdom

Book using this link: Blue cross X RDA Booking