Building Trust: Co-operative Care for Horses

Routine husbandry and veterinary procedures can be some of the most stressful experiences for horses and the people handling them. Even simple tasks like grooming, injections, or hoof care can trigger avoidance, tension, or defensive behaviours. Traditional methods often rely on restraint or force, which may get the job done in the moment but can damage trust and make future handling more difficult.

‘Co-operative Care’ offers a different approach. By teaching horses to participate in their own care, we can reduce fear, improve safety, and create calmer, more predictable interactions. In this webinar, equine behaviourist Trudi and vet Gabriel will explore the principles and science behind Co-op Care and how to apply them in everyday practice. You’ll learn how to prepare the environment for success, plan effective training steps for any procedure, and use positive reinforcement to build lasting trust and confidence. This approach supports wellbeing, strengthens communication, and creates safer, more enjoyable experiences for both horse and handler.

Trudi and Gabriel looked at:

  • What Co-operative Care is and how it differs from traditional handling methods

  • The behavioural science

  • How to prepare the environment to encourage calm participation

  • Designing a clear, step-by-step training plan for any procedure

  • How to teach start buttons and listen for 'no'

  • Handling emergencies and high-stress situations when there is no time to train

  • Real-life examples of Co-op Care

  • Practical tips for getting started and overcoming common challenges


After the presentation, Trudi and Gabriel answered questions from the audience.

This webinar is aimed at horse owners, trainers, students, and equine professionals.

Once enrolled, you have 60 days to watch this recording.

Who is this course for?

  • HORSE OWNERS

  • EQUINE STUDENTS

  • EQUINE PROFESSIONALS

Continuing Professional Development (CPD/CEU)

  • Course Contents

    1 x webinar recording and 1 x CPD/CEU quiz

  • Course Duration

    1.5 Hours

  • Certificate of Completion

    You can download a personalised CPD/CEU certificate after watching the webinar and completing the quiz.

  • BHS

    This course has been approved for 1.5 CPD points for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches by the British Horse Society. Upon course completion APCs can log their points by completing the CPD Feedback form on the BHS website.

  • IAABC

    This course has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). You will need to request an IAABC CEU certificate directly from us, so please get in touch once you have completed the course and quiz.

  • IAAT

    Understand Horses is a trusted partner of the International Association of Animal Therapists, offering external CPD courses for its members.

  • KPA

    This course has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the Karen Pryor Association (KPA). Once you have completed the course you can contact us for an event code, then email both code and CEU certificate to the KPA.

Building Trust: Co-operative Care for Horses

Your Instructors

TRUDI DEMPSEY

Trudi is a certified horse behaviour consultant with the IAABC and an Accredited Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Training and Behaviour Council. Trudi has been offering her own unique blend of classical dressage and positive reinforcement as Creative Equine training since the ’90s. She is an experienced gymnastic groundwork coach and specialises in bitless training. For the last 10 years, Trudi has written and judged the Baroque dressage classes at Interdressage and offered online training to international clients. She presents clinics, talks and workshops in person throughout the UK and webinars and courses online around the world.

GABRIEL LENCIONI

Dr. Gabriel Lencioni is a veterinarian and PhD student in Animal Welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ) of the University of São Paulo (USP). His passion for the study of animal behavior and welfare ignited during his college years, prompting him to actively engage in organizing seminars, symposiums, courses, and other educational activities on the topic. Under the guidance of Professor Adroaldo José Zanella, Gabriel had the privilege to develop scientific projects and interact with esteemed professionals in the field. His research focuses on various aspects of animal welfare, with a particular emphasis on pain assessment in horses using artificial intelligence, learning theory, ethical training for solving unwanted behaviors, and fear-free methodologies for veterinary interventions.

COURSE PRICE

Archived webinar recording

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