OK. So, now I'm going to try and tell a bit about what I've learned. This might become quite long, so I'll split into different posts.
Our trainer was Edie and she was assisted by Lindy and Catherine. Generally, we started each day with some theory, then went to play with the horses and then had a de-briefing.
Edie explained and demonstrated some things, and we practised on each other before trying it out on the horses.
She also spoke a few things that I found very thought-provoking.
"Behaviour is a usually symptom of a habit, not an expression of a preference or choice."
"Balance has 3 supports - physical, mental (focus) and emotional. Treating any one of them will effect all 3."
"Self grows through confidence, control and carraige."
"Make it clear, make it possible, make it tolerable. Listen."
"Be absolutely consistent."
"We seek direction, not correction."
"Touch and movement changes tension patterns."
"What we do depends on the needs of the horses and people participating."
"Explosions or shut-downs are rarely caused by single concerns, but by a series of events or emotions."
"Owners fret about "big" issues or specific behaviours - reduce the number of concerns the horse frets about and the frequency of all dangerous behaviour will reduce."
One particular thing that was emphasised was to monitor the horse's breathing as that is usually the first sign of discomfort. Rapid, shallow breathing and holding the breath are decidedly undesireable! She showed us several ways to release the breath before it became tension. The easiest is food, or to get the horse to turn it's head until the nose is close to the shoulder (sort-of like carrot streches.) She specifically said that "head-down" when already stressed is counter-productive.
I haven't paid enough attention to my horse's breathing.