What I can help with.

Horses that are genuinely difficult at competitions, spook at indoor arenas, or deteriorate in performance under pressure. Systematic exposure work combined with a competition-day management plan.

Careful differentiation between fear, discomfort, and learned avoidance. Structured re-introduction to fences with a clear progression plan.

Dressage-specific evasions and resistances. I work with the horse's experience of the movement and collaborate closely with the rider and trainer.

First experiences under saddle, done at the horse's pace and with full attention to their confidence. A good start saves years of remedial work.

A horse that plants, spins, or refuses to move forward is communicating something clearly. I identify whether that's fear, pain, learned behaviour, or a rider-horse mismatch, then build a programme that addresses the actual cause.

Both behaviours warrant careful assessment before any training intervention. Where there's any possibility of underlying pain, I refer to a vet before proceeding. Where the cause is behavioural, I address it progressively and safely.

Desensitisation and confidence-building work, developed at the horse's pace. I also work with riders on how their own responses can inadvertently reinforce the behaviour.

Bit acceptance, head-shaking, evasion. Often linked to dental or tack problems — I work collaboratively with your vet and saddler to rule these out before addressing training.

One of the most common referrals I receive. Using systematic desensitisation, I help horses that are resistant, dangerous, or panicked around trailers and trucks. Every session ends with a clear protocol for the owner to maintain the progress.

Weaving, box-walking, crib-biting — these are often stress responses. I look at management and environment first, alongside behavioural work, to give the horse the best chance of real resolution.

Herd-bound horses that scream, pace, or become unworkable away from companions. Progressive exposure programmes built around the individual horse's threshold.

Biting, kicking, barging, and boundary-testing. I establish clear, consistent boundaries through fair, non-forceful methods — and crucially, I make sure the owner understands how to maintain them.

Refusals, washing up, loading difficulty, and barrier-related anxiety are among the most costly behavioural problems in racing. I work systematically within the training environment to resolve these.

Horses that sweat, lose condition, or become dangerous in the pre-race environment. Desensitisation work combined with management advice to give the horse the best possible chance on race day.

Feed aggression, farrier resistance, vet resistance, general yard manners. Staff safety and operational efficiency both improve when these are addressed properly.

Available for ongoing consultancy with training yards — programme design, staff coaching, and assessment of horses presenting with complex or persistent behaviour problems. Monthly retainer available.