How do I choose
a trainer?

How do I choose the right trainer/behaviourist for me and my horse?

When it comes to seeking help for behaviour issues in horses, donkeys, or mules, there are several factors that you need to consider:

Before you begin looking for someone to help you, it is worthwhile sitting down with a pen and paper and creating a list of your principles and criteria for help.

Principles are like a compass; they help steer you in a direction. Correct principles are self-evident. They are a guide to finding our way in the world. They do not change but remain constant to provide a direction even in the most difficult of times.

So if you have a principle that says, I will not use physical force or pain to achieve results (do no harm) then that will mean you would be best off finding a trainer who has the same principles and reduces the number of trainers that are going to be suitable for you. However, if you have a principle that says horses can just be playing up and naughty, you will likely be attracted to trainers with similar principles. Finding our principles can take a few tries, but it can help you clarify the principles you will likely want in a trainer.

What are your criteria for help? This is just getting clear on what you want to achieve and what success would look like to you. I want to get his problem fixed by three weeks on Thursday so I can go to the show, it will give you a very different search compared to my horse's experience, which is most important to me, so I don’t mind if it takes a while. I don’t have time to work on this so I need an easy answer without much investment from me and a trainer who can do the work for me, brings a different type of help compared to the relationship I have with my horse is important so I want to do the work as I know this will bring the greatest rewards. It is important to get clear on the cost you afford, time scales, level of support and service you expect before you start your search as you will avoid wasting your time and get a trainer best suited to you and your horse.

band of horses in long grass with grey mare and foals looking towards camera words Please treat horses, donkeys and mules as individualls an reconngise that behaviour issues are symptoms of fear, stress pain

Other factors – do some detective work, don’t be afraid to ask questions, require references and “interview” potential trainers.

Reputation and Experience: Does a trainer have a proven track record of successfully addressing behaviour issues in equines? Are they qualified and signed up to a set of ethical standards and behaviour that are governed by a professional organisation? Word-of-mouth recommendations and online reviews can greatly influence this.
Specialization: Does this person specialize specifically in equine behaviour or the specific issue you or your equid has? A specialist will have a deeper understanding of the unique challenges you face.
Cost Considerations: Finances play a significant role in decision-making. The cheapest isn’t always best. A cheap service can be great and expense is no sign of quality, so don’t choose on price alone. You might only need a great trainer once, but an average one,10 times.
Accessibility: How soon can you get the right help? An experienced behaviourist may not be able to come out straight away, as they should be busy, you might catch a lucky break and get a cancellation spot. Do you want regular visits, then someone more local might be more suitable.
Trust and Rapport: How do you feel about this person, reviews, social media posts, videos? Dig deep, don’t believe one YouTube ad, search and see what you can find, what about social media reviews do they build a picture of someone you can trust? You want to feel confident that the person you choose understands your concerns and can provide effective solutions.
Education and Credentials: Certifications, degrees, and relevant training can enhance a professional's credibility. Experience is important too but ideally, some certification to show they understand learning theory is always a good sign.
Approach and Philosophy: What are the trainer/behaviourist’s principles? Can you tell from what they show or do they have them written down on public display? You may prefer a more natural or holistic approach, while others may favour more traditional training methods.
Previous Experiences: What have been your experiences with professionals, or those of close friends or colleagues? You are more likely to choose someone or a method you have previous good experiences with but don’t let this be the only reason you choose a particular trainer or method.

To avoid cognitive bias think about why you might not automatically or naturally choose a behaviourist as your first option:

Awareness: You may not be aware that behaviourists exist or understand the depth of expertise they can offer. To avoid just turning to more readily available resources, such as local trainers or online forums, search on some online resources such as the Animal Behaviour & Training Council website https://abtc.org.uk/ , the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants https://iaabc.org/ or Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors https://www.apbc.org.uk/ .
Perceived Cost: You may assume that consulting a behaviourist is prohibitively expensive and opt for more budget-friendly alternatives that might prove to be more costly in the long term. Talk to a qualified behaviourist about their prices and support to get a clear picture of the cost involved, they may provide a variety of cost-effective support.
Time Sensitivity: If you feel your behaviour issue is urgent, you might opt for the quickest available solution, even if it's not the most effective in the long run. Sometimes it is worth changing your timeline to ensure you get the best help, maybe you don’t need to go to that particular show or perhaps you can let the hoof trim slide a few weeks to get the right help and do the work.
Limited Availability: There is a reason there aren’t thousands of behaviourists, that is because it takes time to qualify and requires lots of practical evidence of skills. There might not be a local behaviourist, but most will be able to offer support and advice and reading their websites will help you decide on the best course of action and support for you and your horse.

I am for you if the way your horse perceives you is more important to you than how other people perceive you. If you are prepared to risk the negativity of the equine community in order to do the right thing and work with the true nature of equines. If you are prepared to look at the environment, medical conditions, tack, diet, pain, and yourself before you begin training.

I am for you if you want a simple, honest and proven approach to working with equines that’s safe, honest and sustainable and empowers you to follow your own path, to follow your own dreams and I am for you if you truly believe the statement “you never stop learning” and are prepared to feel the discomfort of applying that statement to your life.

I am not for you if you want to rush, if you want to get the job done without questioning if it’s in the best interests of the animal to do it that way.

I am not for you if you just want the answer to the problem rather than understanding why.

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. There are free podcast links on working with behaviour and building relationships on the free resources page to see if I am the trainer for you.