After our initial contact, I send a form to collect information about your horse's background, medical history, environment, daily routine, diet, exercise, equipment use, and current problems as well as asking more about your reasons for contact or goals you wish to achieve. This allows me to gain some initial thoughts about the behaviour and the factors influencing it. It also helps me understand your abilities and goals so I can tailor my approach to best fit you. If you need assistance filling out this form, please don't hesitate to contact me so I can support you through this or provide alternatives for data collection.

Based on your answers, I will provide immediate advice to keep both you and your horse safe or to reduce stress until I can complete the first in-person session. I also strongly recommend you complete a veterinary check before I start the first session as this helps to speed up the process and ensure your horse is free from pain (which is one the biggest factors of behavioural issues) before starting any behavioural modifications. I will work closely with other professionals such as vets, farriers, or physios to ensure your horse receives the most effective treatment.

02

This is when I arrange an in-person visit to see you and your horse which allows us to get to know each other as well as discuss the history form and go over certain areas in more detail. It is then helpful to see the environment where your horse is kept and observe them doing some basic behaviours. Typically I observe your horse in the field, you catching your horse, leading your horse, your horse in the stable, and then more specific behaviours related to the problem. I will never ask you to show me any dangerous behaviours that put you or your horse at risk, or for you to do anything that puts you or your horse out of your comfort zone. It may also be helpful for you to send me videos or pictures of the behaviour if you manage to capture it so I can get a better understanding of what is happening. 

03

The next stage is to formulate a training plan to support you and your horse going forward. In the plan I outline the underlying issues of behaviours, why they may happen, and how they can be reduced or prevented. Recommendations may include seeking ongoing veterinary support, changes to management practices and environmental set-up, and alternative ways of interacting with your horse or interpreting their body language. If you seek to build a specific behaviour, I also create a shaping plan for you to follow to make each step of your journey clear, achievable and recordable. 

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