Problem-solving with a clear plan

When you’re dealing with a specific issue, the first step is to understand the horse, the context and what may be driving the behaviour. Problems can show up under saddle or on the ground, and may involve more than the behaviour you first notice.

I work with you and your horse to assess the situation, do practical work where appropriate, and agree a realistic way forward. The aim is to build understanding and useful skills, not simply suppress a symptom.

A person wearing a jacket, jeans, and a cap is standing in an outdoor horse enclosure, gently touching a brown horse with a white mane. The background features rolling green hills and a cloudy sky.

Problems I can help with

  • Loading and travelling

  • Catching, handling and ground manners

  • Mounting issues

  • Napping, tension or inconsistent responses under saddle or on the ground

  • Loss of confidence, anxiety or reactivity

Every horse and situation is different. We’ll decide what is appropriate and safe to work on after the initial assessment. Loading is a separate service with its own appointment structure.

A brown and white horse with a white mane stands on a grassy field. In front of the horse, there are orange and white traffic cones and a purple flag with white stars. The horse is wearing a harness, and in the background, there are more horses grazing on the field, fences, and a few structures under a clear sky.

How the process works

1. Start with an assessment

The first appointment for a specific problem is a problem-solving assessment at £90, plus travel. We’ll discuss the horse’s history and what has been happening, observe the situation and do practical work where appropriate. The main purpose is to gather information, understand what may be contributing to the problem and agree sensible next steps.

Sometimes the assessment and practical work are enough to address the issue in one visit. If so, no further problem-solving appointments are needed.

2. Agree focused follow-up work

If more work is appropriate, we’ll agree what the next stage should focus on and how many appointments to plan initially. Focused follow-up problem-solving appointments are £75 each, plus travel. We’ll review progress before agreeing further work. If a four-appointment plan is appropriate, we can book the first two, review progress, then decide together whether to arrange the next two.

There is no fixed number of appointments or guaranteed outcome. You’ll be involved throughout, with clear steps to continue between visits. If the work becomes general foundation coaching rather than focused work on the assessed issue, the standard session rate of £60 applies.

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Fees and practical details

Standard training or coaching: £60 per session for general groundwork or ridden education.

Problem-solving: £90 for the initial assessment, then £75 for each focused follow-up appointment agreed after the assessment. If the issue is resolved during the assessment, there is no need to book further problem-solving appointments.

Loading: £180 for the initial loading appointment and £90 for a follow-up appointment. Loading has its own appointment structure.

All prices are plus travel charges, based on the travel zones shown on the booking form. I work at your own yard and do not take horses in for training. You’ll know the agreed appointment fee and travel charge before booking.

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