User:Shawnakarrasch

Shawna Karrasch is a former Sea World trainer (whales, dolphins, sea lions) who took these techniques and introduced them to the equestrian world. On Target Training focuses on positive reinforcement training, problem solving, motivation, performance.

After 10 years at Sea World (1984-1994) Shawna began working with 2 time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden and her husband John Madden. They began applying the positive reinforcement training techniques used at Sea World to horses. Shawna started her business On Target Training as a tool to teach people how to apply these proven techniques to their horses.

Shawna Says: "A degree in psychology is not required to train animals. It is, however, helpful. All of the work we do as animal trainers (with horses too) is based in psychology, whether we are aware of it or not. The more you understand about these proven priciples the better you are as a trainer. That is the focus of my training is helping people to gain a better understanding of behavioral psychology and the benefits of positive reinforcement in regards to horse training. I chose to make the move to horses partly due to the lack of positive reinforcement being used with horses. I recognized that horses were not trained the same as the marine mammals. I also saw that the training we implemented at Sea World would be a huge asset to the horse world. A lot of horse people, including professionals, don't know much about the proven principles of behavioral psychology. So I see a bigger need in helping horse folk to further understand the principles that govern the relationships we build with our horses.. It is really fun to see the light come on!!"

For book, DVD, blog, upcoming clinics, demos, lectures or just more information please visit the website: www.shawnakarrasch.com