Horse behaviour therapy and training is a particular interest of mine, having owned my own pony since 5 years of age. I have competed in many different disciplines over the years, including endurance riding. With my pony Midnight Star I have won 2 national awards in endurance, and numerous other awards.
In addition to training and riding my own horses, I have been training and competing my own dogs in agility for over 18 years. I also have practical experience training other animals, such as cats and cows.
At the University of Southampton I studied an honours degree in Zoology and then went on to complete a postgraduate diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling. After writing a thesis on different equine training methods, I obtained a masters degree.
I am a qualified and practising 'equine sports massage therapist' and have worked on a vast array of horses and ponies with different musculo-skeletal problems. Understanding the musculo-skeletal system and how conditions may affect behaviour has been a massive benefit to my behaviour and training work.
I am committed to furthering my knowledge and understanding of horse's, and I complete many hours of CPD every year. This includes reading the latest research, attending workshops and working with other equine behaviourists. I am currently a provisional member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. (Provisional membership is available for those who have achieved relevant academic accreditation to degree level or higher and are able to conduct behaviour consultations but have not yet achieved the requisite experience to become Full Members). Although there is no official governing body for the field of professional behaviourists, the APBC represents a network of those that work to the highest practical and academic standards.
In addition to training and riding my own horses, I have been training and competing my own dogs in agility for over 18 years. I also have practical experience training other animals, such as cats and cows.
At the University of Southampton I studied an honours degree in Zoology and then went on to complete a postgraduate diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling. After writing a thesis on different equine training methods, I obtained a masters degree.
I am a qualified and practising 'equine sports massage therapist' and have worked on a vast array of horses and ponies with different musculo-skeletal problems. Understanding the musculo-skeletal system and how conditions may affect behaviour has been a massive benefit to my behaviour and training work.
I am committed to furthering my knowledge and understanding of horse's, and I complete many hours of CPD every year. This includes reading the latest research, attending workshops and working with other equine behaviourists. I am currently a provisional member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. (Provisional membership is available for those who have achieved relevant academic accreditation to degree level or higher and are able to conduct behaviour consultations but have not yet achieved the requisite experience to become Full Members). Although there is no official governing body for the field of professional behaviourists, the APBC represents a network of those that work to the highest practical and academic standards.
Summary of Qualifications and 'Continued Professional Development'
Honours Degree in Zoology from University of Southampton
Masters degree in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from University of Southampton
Diploma in Equine Sports Massage Therapy from the Institute of Complementary Animal Therapies
2010 Working a horse in hand clinic with British Dressage
2011 APBC Annual Conference on Harmonious approach to training and behaviour
2011 APBC practical pet training workshop with Sally Jones
2011 A day working with Dr Helen Spence (equine behaviourist) in Northern Ireland
2012 A clinic with Shawna Karrasch, observing equine clicker training lessons
2012 A day observing Dr Helen Spence (equine behaviourist) give clicker lessons
2012 Monty Roberts Jubilee Tour (Hartpury College)
2013 APBC webinar with Dr Anne McBride on Understanding Punishment
2013 A clinic with Shawna Karrasch, observing equine clicker training lessons
2013 APBC webinar with Prof. Natalie Waran on Equitation Science
2014 Online equine nutrition course with Royal Dick
2014 Gloucester equine behaviour training group sessions with Jenni Nellist
2015 BHS first aid 2-day course
2015 Pony watch - observing feral pony behaviour on the Gower with Jenni Nellist
2015 Peggy Cummings Connected Riding clinic
2016 Horses Inside Out 2-day conference
2016 APBC webinar with Loni Loftus on Equine Behaviour
Honours Degree in Zoology from University of Southampton
Masters degree in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from University of Southampton
Diploma in Equine Sports Massage Therapy from the Institute of Complementary Animal Therapies
2010 Working a horse in hand clinic with British Dressage
2011 APBC Annual Conference on Harmonious approach to training and behaviour
2011 APBC practical pet training workshop with Sally Jones
2011 A day working with Dr Helen Spence (equine behaviourist) in Northern Ireland
2012 A clinic with Shawna Karrasch, observing equine clicker training lessons
2012 A day observing Dr Helen Spence (equine behaviourist) give clicker lessons
2012 Monty Roberts Jubilee Tour (Hartpury College)
2013 APBC webinar with Dr Anne McBride on Understanding Punishment
2013 A clinic with Shawna Karrasch, observing equine clicker training lessons
2013 APBC webinar with Prof. Natalie Waran on Equitation Science
2014 Online equine nutrition course with Royal Dick
2014 Gloucester equine behaviour training group sessions with Jenni Nellist
2015 BHS first aid 2-day course
2015 Pony watch - observing feral pony behaviour on the Gower with Jenni Nellist
2015 Peggy Cummings Connected Riding clinic
2016 Horses Inside Out 2-day conference
2016 APBC webinar with Loni Loftus on Equine Behaviour