Via Nova Staff

About Via Nova Staff

Via Nova Training, Priority to Positive® in Santa Fe, NM is dedicated to bringing proven, science-based, positive-reinforcement training skills into the mainstream of equestrian pursuits. We believe that effective positive-reinforcement training can create happy, polite, confident horses for everyday pleasure and equestrian achievement.

Breaking Down the Key Aspects of Hand Feeding Safely with Positive Reinforcement: Part 3

Hand Feeding Safely with Positive Reinforcement (R+): Examples
While practicing Hand Feeding Safely with R+ we are teaching a behavior – calm, head away.  Seemingly simple, it does take practice and patience, especially when the horse and/or the trainer are new at R+.  

Practice, Practice, Practice ✋? […]

2021-07-24T16:29:36-06:00By |Blog, R+ Training, Training|Comments Off on Breaking Down the Key Aspects of Hand Feeding Safely with Positive Reinforcement: Part 3

Breaking Down the Key Aspects of Hand Feeding Safely with Positive Reinforcement: Part 2

What’s in your container? And what container do you use?

We’ve talked about HAND FEEDING SAFELY ✋? with Positive Reinforcement (R+). But how about what’s in your container? What reward works best? In this video, Shawna, Gilly, and Meredith talk about this key ingredient to success. […]

2021-07-24T14:12:34-06:00By |Blog, R+ Training, Training|Comments Off on Breaking Down the Key Aspects of Hand Feeding Safely with Positive Reinforcement: Part 2

Breaking Down the Key Aspects of Hand Feeding Safely with Positive Reinforcement: Part 1

As simple as it sounds, there is a right way to bridge and reinforce. And a lot of nuances. So let’s break down all the aspects of Hand Feeding Safely… ? 

Practicing hand feeding safely ensures two valuable things:

[…]

2021-07-23T09:06:45-06:00By |Blog, R+ Training, Training|Comments Off on Breaking Down the Key Aspects of Hand Feeding Safely with Positive Reinforcement: Part 1

Via Nova announces change in training team

July 19, 2021 – Santa Fe, New Mexico – Via Nova Training, home of Via Nova: Priority to Positive®, would like to announce that behaviorist and R+ expert Shawna Karrasch has stepped down from her position with our center. While living at our ranch, Terra Nova, she imparted her knowledge to […]

2021-07-19T17:55:20-06:00By |Blog, Training|Comments Off on Via Nova announces change in training team

Via Nova, Platinum Sponsor of the 2021 Convergence of Human & Animal Training and Technology Virtual Conference (CHATTcon)

Via Nova is pleased to have been the Platinum Sponsor of this year’s CHATTcon – the virtual Convergence of Human and Animal Training and Technology. All of the speaker presentations and the virtual Q&A sessions are still available to watch online for all registered attendees. So it’s […]
2021-08-01T13:02:33-06:00By |Blog|Comments Off on Via Nova, Platinum Sponsor of the 2021 Convergence of Human & Animal Training and Technology Virtual Conference (CHATTcon)

Happy Holidays from Via Nova Training ❄️

As we navigate the 2020 Holiday Season, we wanted to offer you some reinforcing opportunities for your time at home.

priority to positive divider

Join the Via Nova Training journey and sign up to receive the 5 Principles of Priority to Positive® in your Inbox. […]

2020-12-22T11:58:39-07:00By |Blog|Comments Off on Happy Holidays from Via Nova Training ❄️

Via Nova Priority to Positive® – Refining the lessons with the Reverse Round Pen

Shawna Karrasch works with an experienced horse 

In this video Shawna is working with Nico, who is a veteran of the Reverse Round Pen. As we advance with the work in this part of the training, we focus on refining movement and transitions. With the use of […]

2020-11-23T09:35:45-07:00By |Blog, R+ Training, Training|Comments Off on Via Nova Priority to Positive® – Refining the lessons with the Reverse Round Pen

Via Nova Priority to Positive® – Teaching a Young Horse about the Reverse Round Pen

Shawna Karrasch works with her young filly Henley

This video is about getting started with the Reverse Round Pen.  What is that exactly?  Just that – a round pen in reverse!  Made with cones and poles, the horse is on the outside of the ‘pen’ and the […]

2020-11-23T09:36:03-07:00By |Blog, R+ Training, Training|Comments Off on Via Nova Priority to Positive® – Teaching a Young Horse about the Reverse Round Pen

Via Nova Priority to Positive® – Getting started with Liberty Leading

Shawna Karrasch works with four-year-old Jett

In this video Shawna is teaching Jett to liberty lead. In Positive Reinforcement, that is defined as leading without the help of equipment, instead using your body and movement. No halter, no lead rope, no target. 

Jett is a four- […]

2020-11-23T09:36:13-07:00By |Blog, R+ Training, Training|Comments Off on Via Nova Priority to Positive® – Getting started with Liberty Leading
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