Training the ridden animal: An ancient hall of mirrors.

McLean, A.N., 2012. Training the ridden animal: An ancient hall of mirrors. The Veterinary Journal. Personal view invitation, 2012

Opening paragraph (no abstract)

The scientific ingredients for efficient, safe and ethical training have become progressively available to humanity during the past half-century. Yet surprisingly, when compared with the uptake of technological information, their acceptance in horse- and elephant-training circles is slow indeed (Warren-Smith and McGreevy, 2008). But why are horse trainers in the West and elephant trainers in the East so slow to incorporate the principles of what is now known as learning theory – the science of the learning processes? When it comes to excavating the answers, the dual histories of both animal training and behavioural science are revealing………..