Scentwork for Horses – Rachaël Draaisma

Detailní popis produktu

Scentwork for Horses – Discover a New World Through Your Horse's Sense of Smell

Horses experience the world through their senses, yet their remarkable sense of smell is often overlooked in everyday training and management. What happens when we give horses more opportunities to explore, investigate, and make their own discoveries?

In Scentwork for Horses, equine behaviour specialist Rachaël Draaisma introduces an innovative approach to mental enrichment, learning, and relationship-building through scent-based activities.

Drawing on her extensive experience in animal behaviour and training, Draaisma combines scientific background with practical exercises that encourage horses to use their natural abilities.

The book is divided into two main sections:

Part 1 – Exploration and Mental Enrichment

Discover why exploration is so important for equine well-being and how opportunities to investigate the environment can influence behaviour and learning.

Topics include:

• Understanding the relationship between the brain, behaviour, and exploration

• Encouraging curiosity and independent investigation

• Introducing new sensory experiences into everyday life

• Using exploration to support confidence and learning

• Creating meaningful enrichment activities

• Understanding how environmental exploration can help address behavioural challenges

Part 2 – Scent Tracking for Horses

Learn how to introduce your horse to the fascinating world of scent tracking, progressing from simple exercises to more advanced challenges.

The practical guidance covers:

• The anatomy and physiology of the horse's sense of smell

• Biomechanics and movement during scentwork

• The principles behind scent tracking

• Essential equipment and preparation

• How to lay your first scent track

• Step-by-step exercises for beginners

• Gradually increasing the difficulty of tracking activities

• Searching for hidden food bags and other targets

• Following human footsteps

• Introducing scent tracking while riding

A different approach to working with horses

Unlike activities focused primarily on obedience or athletic performance, scentwork gives horses opportunities to investigate their surroundings and engage in purposeful problem-solving.

Exercises can be adapted to different environments, including small spaces, paddocks, arenas, and outdoor areas. This makes scentwork an interesting enrichment option for a wide variety of horses and handlers.

With 286 pages and 276 colour illustrations, the book offers a combination of accessible explanations, practical instructions, and ideas for developing scent-based activities.

Who is this book for?

• Horse owners interested in enrichment and equine welfare

• Trainers exploring positive, horse-centred approaches

• Equine behaviourists and veterinary professionals

• Equine-assisted therapy practitioners

• Anyone looking for creative ways to engage with horses beyond traditional training

Whether you want to introduce simple scent games or explore the possibilities of advanced tracking, Scentwork for Horses offers a fresh perspective on what horses can learn and experience when we encourage them to use their senses.

An inspiring and practical guide to enriching horses' lives through curiosity, exploration, and the power of scent.