Further Information
Challenging Behaviour, Safety and Welfare
My priorities are your safety and your horse's welfare.
Where ‘challenging behaviour’ puts people and horses at risk there are important safety benefits to a positive diagnosis of learned misbehaviour or ‘naughtiness’.
There are also important welfare benefits in ruling out learned misbehaviour as a causal factor early in the diagnostic process, to allow a horse in pain or suffering a pathological or other physical problem to be properly referred back to the vet or appropriate specialist for this to be further investigated and treated as required.
Saving Time and Money
Ruling out learned misbehaviour early in the diagnostic procedure also allows more thorough veterinary investigation to be applied with confidence, as using all of the technology available today can be expensive. Insurance companies may be more willing to pay for further investigative work after learned misbehaviour has been discounted as a possible causal factor. This saves time and money all round.
Importance of Diagnostic Approach
Many people try a ‘therapeutic’ approach eg trying lots of different things to see if they will help. Lack of success here can be very frustrating especially when nothing seems to help. Using a diagnostic approach which gets to the root cause of any problem leads to leads to the most appropriate and therefore most effective solution.
Sometimes a simple change in management or handling or riding technique can solve the problem. However, there are no ‘quick fixes’ when it comes to re-training horses and changing behaviour. No single system ‘cures all’. To use a medical analogy, the same medicine which cured your neighbour will only work for you if you are the same kind of person suffering from exactly the same disease. I use a diagnostic approach, finding out what is happening and why before offering retraining or other treatment.
I find that once I have explained the nature of the problem behaviour, what is really happening and why you will understand your horse much better, be better able to cope with him or her and markedly improve your relationship.
Importance of Holistic Approach
Some behaviour problems are simply misunderstood ‘normal’ behaviour and can be dealt with by very simple practical changes to handling and management practices. Others may be complex, requiring a full history interview and assessment visit in order to properly diagnose the cause. This can be multifactorial and the apparent ‘problem’ caused by factors previously thought to be irrelevant, or made up of several different problems each requiring independent solutions.
Importance of the Individual
You and your horse are unique. You have a unique relationship. Not everyone has access to the same facilities and support. The training technique which suits one horse may not suit another. I have a sympathetic approach which takes full account of your individual circumstances, preferences and your horse's individual character and particular needs.
Training
Once a diagnosis has been made, training advice is given. This may be relatively simple or require a long term bespoke re-training programme with assistance as necessary.
Where retraining is required, I use all known available techniques, selecting from many those which are most appropriate in each individual case to reduce concerns and change behaviour, reaching practical solutions which improve the safety and welfare of all involved.
Your Horse's History
Your horse's behaviour is greatly affected by past experiences.
Professional Ethics
I follow a strict professional code, including maintaining professional confidentiality. I aim to provide the best service possible to every client.