Equine Behaviour and Training

Does your horse get stressed or anxious during vet or farrier visits? If so, you probably get quite stressed too! What if there was a system of low-stress handling techniques that you could learn to help your horse be more relaxed?

Senior Equine Vet, Sally Hodgson, has a strong interest in equine behaviour and training and has space to offer a number of clinical equine behaviour consultations, using humane methods based on modern equitation, science and an understanding of equine behaviour.

Common issues that we can help with in this way include fear or dislike of needles or examinations, handling or catching problems and fear of the farrier. These methods are also very effective for everyday handling and education of foals and youngsters.

Our aim is to create a vet visit that is less stressful for you and your horse and to give you the tools to work through common handling problems in a safe and humane way.

The video below shows the progress of Felix over a 2 week period. Although Felix’s ridden education had been exemplary, his previous home hadn’t built his confidence with handling from the ground. When he needed a course of weekly injections, he became very stressed and defensive, making even a vaccination a pretty hairy prospect for his owner and the vet!

These videos were taken two weeks apart on Sally’s first and fourth visits!

Please contact the practice and speak to Sally if you would like to book a behaviour consultation. T: 01608 730085

Research published in the journal Equine Veterinary Education has highlighted that equine vets have one of the highest injury risks of all civilian professions. To help address this serious issue, the British Equine Veterinary Association has launched a series of videos featuring equine vet and behaviourist Gemma Pearson, demonstrating quick, simple and humane ways of helping horses to be quiet, relaxed and safe for injections, clipping, worming, examinations and other veterinary procedures.