Courses and Webinars

Trudi is a rare gem I feel privileged to have learned from. The positive regard she offers her students is applied to her student trainers in a well-planned course that also helps foster a continued community for ongoing support and learning.

I offer a range of online learning options, from shorter, on-demand courses to longer, instructor-led, interactive programs. My flagship course at Understand Horses is my Professional Horse Trainer Certification, which provides a complete path for anyone wanting to teach positive reinforcement-based horse training.

At Understand Horses, I also offer additional courses that focus on specific aspects of training, allowing you to deepen your skills in areas such as clicker training, planning, and motivation. These courses are ideal for anyone looking to strengthen their positive reinforcement-based techniques.

Through the IAABC Foundation, my courses take a more behaviour-focused approach, exploring the latest research on pain and equine behaviour. I also developed an interactive course with veterinarian Gabriel Lencioni that examines cooperative care training for husbandry behaviours.

Book a consultation today to discuss the best course options for you or use my contact form

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Professional Horse Trainer Certificate

Turn your passion for ethical, evidence-based horse training into a recognised professional qualification with my 22-week Professional Trainer Certification at Understand Horses. This programme blends theory, practical learning, and real-world application to equip you with the skills and confidence to train horses and coach humans effectively while prioritising wellbeing. You’ll cover equine learning theory, in-hand and ridden work preparation, husbandry care, and positive reinforcement-based techniques. By the end, you’ll be able to design safe, effective training plans, interpret equine behaviour, troubleshoot challenges, and run professional training sessions both in-person and remotely……..Find out more

Trudi Dempsey's Positive Horse Club at Understand Horses

Positive Horse Club

I created the Positive Horse Club as an exclusive training community where you can join live monthly training presentations with Q&A, access a library of video resources, take part in group and individual discussions, get feedback on your training videos, enjoy monthly challenges, and connect with like-minded horse owners and trainers in a supportive environment.

Course card for Understand Clicker Training for Horses at Understand Horses.

UNDERSTAND CLICKER TRAINING FOR HORSES

Whether you’re new to clicker training or refining your technique, this self-paced course gives you the knowledge and tools to train with clarity, confidence, and welfare in mind. You’ll learn the science and practice of clicker training and how to teach tasks effectively while building stress-free, clear communication with your horse.

how to create a successful training plan course card at Understand Horses

HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL TRAINING PLAN

Training is more effective when you have a clear plan. I’ll show you how to create step-by-step training plans tailored to your horse and goals, whether for competition, hacking, or everyday handling. You’ll gain confidence, make better-informed decisions, and see real progress in your horse’s skills and behaviour.handling and training.

when positive becomes toxic course card at Understand Horses

WHEN POSITIVE BECOMES TOXIC

I explore the rise of reward-based training and the pressure to always be ‘positive.’ In this webinar, you’ll learn to recognise when food-based training is challenging for a horse and how to adjust your approach to support them effectively without creating stress.

train your horse to wait course card at Understand Horses

TRAIN YOUR HORSE TO WAIT

I’ll show you how to teach your horse to stand still and wait calmly during grooming, hoof care, gate opening, or vet visits using clicker training. You’ll gain the skills to build patience and confidence, helping your horse wait reliably without frustration.

Understand bitless horse riding and training course card at Understand Horses

Understand Bitless Horse Riding and Training

Bitless bridles offer a gentle alternative for communicating with horses when paired with thoughtful training. I cover different designs and how to use them to deliver clear, effective cues so your horse understands what you are asking without confusion or tension.

Equine Behaviourist or trainer course card at Understand Horses

Equine Behaviourist or Trainer?

With Justine Harrison I explain the differences between behaviourists and trainers, including their approaches, qualifications, and goals. This will help you decide which professional is best suited to support your horse and your training or behaviour challenges.

cooperative care for horses course card at understand horses

Building Trust: Co-operative care for Horses

Routine veterinary and husbandry tasks can be stressful. Gabriel Lencioni and I show you how to build trust and cooperation, so your horse willingly participates in care, reducing tension and making handling easier and safer for both horse and handler.  

Total recall, how to train your horse to come to you course card at Understand Horses

Total Recall, Train Your Horse To Come To You

I consider why some horses might be difficult to catch and how to train them, using positive reinforcement, to reliably come when called. You’ll learn practical steps to make recall consistent, even when your horse is distracted or in new environments.

An introduction to training Horses with food course card at Understand Horses

AN INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING HORSES WITH FOOD

I introduce the principles of using food rewards in training, exploring both advantages and challenges. You’ll gain strategies to improve your skills, troubleshoot common problems, and train with confidence while prioritising your horse’s welfare.

Better beginnings building resilience in young horses course card at Understand Horses

Better Beginnings, building resilience in young horses

Gabriel Lencioni and I look at how early experiences shape a horse’s behaviour and wellbeing. This course covers supporting young horses from pre-birth through weaning and transition, as well as helping mature horses who may have lasting effects from early handling.

Equine cooperative care course card at IAABC Foundation

Equine Cooperative Care

In this interactive course, vet Gabriel Lencioni and I show you how to help horses willingly participate in health and veterinary care using choice-based training and optimised environments. You’ll learn strategies that reduce stress, improve learning, and benefit both horses and the people who work with them.