Kate Southcombe

Kate Southcombe is a qualified teacher with a Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychology and a Bachelor of Education Degree. Kate lectures in Early Childhood Education and conducts training seminars for educational institutions. She is a member of ISES (International Society of Equitation Science – www.equitationscience.com) and NZABA (New Zealand Association of Behaviour Analysts). Kate writes regular articles for educational publications on topics relevant to both teachers and trainers.

EPR Training provides education on the application of positive reinforcement, and offers a scientific and evidence-based focus on traditional and current training techniques through presentations and clinics. Presentations cover general principles and theories of learning and explain how understanding these principles can enhance our equine training skills. EPR Training supplies online products to support people with behaviour management and the ongoing training of their horses.

EPR Training Clinics
Clinic One – Positive Reinforcement – Motivational Training for Equines
• Training is a two way process involving the subject and the trainer – understanding the process and the theory behind our methods aids in application of correct strategies, minimizing frustration and ‘failure’ for both trainer and horse. This session will cover basic general principles of learning – operant and classical conditioning, positive and negative reinforcement and how positive reinforcement can motivate our equines and enable us to communicate more effectively in the training process.

Clinic Two – Applied Behaviour Analysis – The Science Behind Equine Behaviour
• How can basic ABA techniques help us as equine trainers? This session will consider the welfare implications of some training methods and how ABA can help us modify behaviour in a sustainable and ethical manner. "By considering the elements we can control such as the environment, training techniques and consequences, we are able to impact on the behaviour of our horses."