Hello
I have a mission to work with people who are trying to navigate their way through the fancy marketing, confusing messaging, and showmanship of the modern equine world. I want people to feel calm and confident around their equids, secure in the knowledge that the science of behaviour gives them the foundation for any challenge and the confidence to trust themselves to do the right thing for their horse, donkey or mule. I want people and their equines to safely and compassionately reach their goals together, and enjoy their journey.
My personal commitments and principles
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I believe in putting the animal first in every situation, always working with the principle, “the horse comes first,” a principle which creates safe, honest training.
As a certified equine behaviour consultant I use the science of equine behaviour rather than a one-method approach. I am certified by the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) and registered with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) so you are assured I will follow their guidelines and work ethically with you and your horse, donkey or mule.
I have a background in agriculture and a family history working with heavy horses. Since my beginning my behaviour career in 1999.
I have had the privilege to work with horses, mules and donkeys all over the world:
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Mustangs and racehorses in California.
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Racehorses and stock horses in Australia.
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Working equines in Cambodia, Eygpt, Mexico, Keyna and Ethiopia.
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In every corner of the UK and Ireland and across Europe.
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Traumatised animals at the UK's leading equine charities.
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Private homes and equine yards
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Demonstrations for the BHS
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Working with Human behaviour change in world-leading animal welfare organisations such as WSPA, The Brooke and The Donkey Sanctuary.
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I believe in educating owners so they develop their knowledge to solve their horses' behaviour issues.
I believe in creating individual solutions for each equine and human partnership. Allowing the horse to learn rather than forcing them to learn is vital to ethical training. Working quietly with the animal and doing small things leads to big changes.
I want people to push themselves to reach their potential. I believe that working with horses is about who we are, not about who we trained with, or what certificate we have, after all, horses cannot read certificates. The skill, ability and the trainer's true motives are what matters to equines. Horses, donkeys and hybrids are the best teachers, even if we sometimes don’t want the lesson.
Understanding the science of behaviour leads to doing the right thing at the right time for each situation to provide safe ethical training.
The journey to better horsemanship should be fun and enjoyable, even the tough bits. To enjoy the journey I work with the equine and the human together.
I feel that trainers should walk the talk, to do what they say they are doing and to work for the benefit of the horse not for the benefit of their ego.
Ben Hart
Ben Hart. Well what can I say. He is the only trainer that I have seen work with all sorts of different horses that has never let me down or made me think, woooh not sure about that
He never allows his ego as a trainer to come before the welfare of the horse he is working with, he never pushes a horse beyond its limit of what is good for it, he is always happy to answer any question put to him
He breaks down learning into such small steps that you often leave with the feeling 'why didn't I think of that, it seems so easy'. Ben walks the walk! Not many do.
So what do I do as a behaviourist?
I take a holistic approach to training which means working with human behaviour while considering the environment, pain and medical conditions, the equine's individual character, nutrition, history and much much more. Together we will establish the cause of behaviour issues and find a way of safely and positively removing the cause of behaviour.
If I can help you understand even the basic principles of behaviour, working together we can transform your knowledge and skills.
How can I help you?
You're unique, your equine is unique, and your environment, history, skills, emotions and experience are unique, so I think you need a solution and training that meets your unique needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. ​
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Using my 24 years of experience I will help you find your path to horsemanship. I like to have fun while learning and I pride myself on always providing a quality learning experience at every learning opportunity. I know that you, like everyone, learn by doing, but to get the best from your "doing time" or a face-to-face time with me, understanding the principles of behaviour creates a foundation that will save you time and money and propel you to success. So we work together to gain the skills and knowledge to work with behaviour in your unique situation and give you the tools of lifelong learning.
I have a range of resources to help you learn about equine behaviour and apply the science of behaviour to your unique situation wherever you are in the world:
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Online courses,
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Equine Centred Behaviour community
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E-books,
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Shaping plans,
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Distance coaching
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Youtube videos
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Events lecture demons, workshops, clinics
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Articles
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Home visits
My educational events balance practical and theoretical elements, delivered with a sense of humour and participation while encouraging people to have fun and trust their own instincts to increase their confidence in their own skills and knowledge.
IAABC Certified Horse Behaviour Consultant
ABTC Registered Accredited Animal Behaviourist
My principles when working with horses, donkeys or hybrids and their humans
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Work with honesty
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Don't compromise beliefs to make money or gain clients
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Don't compete or follow, walk my path
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Safety and balance always, small safe steps ensure safe success
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Always think with the horse's brain
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To guide and work with, rather than demand or teach
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No ego, not about me. Don't judge others, let people walk their own path
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Do no harm
Major guiding principle
The horses' needs always come first
Stephanie Hill recommends Ben Hart - Hart's Horsemanship
Best in the world in my humble opinion!! Everything Ben says just makes sense, in an uncomplicated, down to earth way. He tells us it’s acceptable to make mistakes, and to grow and learn from them and not be so hard on ourselves! His research and experience speaks volumes and he has taught me so much about understanding equines and has helped me personally with his confidence courses and professionally with horses, donkeys and mules. Thank you Ben!
Next steps
You can use this website to find the answers to your next steps with me, whether that be to resolve a behaviour issue, learn about behaviour in general or read more or find the shaping plan you need. If you want to check me out futher please visit the free resources page to see if I am the trainer for you.
Online Course
PUTTING YOUR HORSE FIRST - How to communicate so your equine can easily understand you.
In this equine-centred approach to training, I am going to share with you the science of behaviour, and explain how using these 6 simple principles can simply and safely improve communication with our equines without force, pain, quick fixes or expensive equipment.
