Megan Hines

I am passionate about building a trusting human-equine relationship, avoiding unnecessary stress and fear in training, and empowering animals to choose to participate in their own care. I started my Positive Reinforcement journey almost 20 years ago, training dogs, and I am currently assistant manager on a private equine rescue. My focus is rehabilitating abused and/or neglected rescues through LIMA (least invasive, minimally aversive) principles, utilising counter conditioning, systematic desensitisation, and of course positive reinforcement. 

 

I was taught by SANEF instructors for 10 years in South Africa, where I had the opportunity to experience different equestrian disciplines including vaulting, gymkhana, dressage, jumping and cross country. Upon moving to Ireland, I began to volunteer with equine rescues. I then began science-based study of equine emotions, behaviour and training, and discovered Connection Training. 

Connection Training has broadened my skills and helped shape me into the positive person I am today. 

 

I continue to further my understanding of equine behaviour and training, learning from world recognised equine/mixed species positive reinforcement trainers and equine behaviourists, recently completing the Resolving Fear in Horses course from the IAABC.

 

My pony Redser is an Irish Cob who came into the rescue traumatised, reactive and dangerous. I started working with him in early 2016 as one of my Equine Case Studies and I adopted him about a year later. He has come on in leaps and bounds and is now a fun, friendly, and outgoing pony. When he is ready he will be started under saddle using CT techniques, a process I am greatly looking forward to!

 

Working students: 

Our rescue farm offers the opportunity to visit us for 6+ weeks as a working student where you get to help with everyday care and training of the animals. Get to grips with basic training mechanics, learn to recognise equine behaviour, and help train husbandry behaviours like voluntary hoof lifts, deworming etc. This is a great way to start out with an animal that suits your experience level and will support you in your learning process. Contact me for details.