Horse Behaviour Problems

Horses can develop behaviours that are challenging or worrying for many reasons, it can feel upsetting, frustrating and confusing when your horse or donkey is showing behaviour that is difficult to manage. I can help you identify what is motivating your horse to display these behaviours and design an individual and practical plan to offer long term and ethical behaviour resolution which will help to further build your relationship with your horse. Using my knowledge of horse behaviour and how horses learn I use a variety of practical and ethical science based training methods that can be adapted to suit you and your horse on your journey to a behaviour resolution.

I am a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) for horses and donkeys.
I am an accredited Bit and Bridle fitting consultant and an endorsed World Bitless Association Trainer. To ensure an unbiased consultation I am an independent fitter of bits and bridles, if you are considering bitless I can offer transition advice and bitless bridle design and fitting.
I currently work as Lead Equine Behaviour for a leading equine welfare organisation and am a guest writer for Horse & Rider

It takes a holistic approach to resolve behaviour that we perceive to be a problem, our horses behaviour is a form of communication that we can learn to listen to in order to effectively resolve the behaviours that they are displaying and ensure we are meeting their needs so they do not feel the need to show the behaviours.

“ I take a holistic approach to resolving horse behaviour that we perceive to be a problem. I hope to teach others that their horses behaviour is a form of communication that can be listened to in order to effectively resolve the problem. I use ethical behaviour modification processes and in cases where pain or injury was a motivation for the behaviour I can offer massage and complimentary physical rehabilitation exercises after suitable veterinary referral.”

It all started when…

After a childhood full of Pony Club, One day events, Prince Phillip Cup and Show Jumping I found that I enjoyed training young horses more than competing and over time I shifted my focus more towards the training and behaviour of the horse. I gained my BSc Hons degree in Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Biology in 2005 and travelled to Mongolia to study the social behaviour of the Przewalskis living wild in the Steppe Mountains. This time spent immersed in the study of ethology of the horse with the closest truly wild extant horse we have left on this planet was inspiring and influenced my work with our domestic horses.

I continued with a career in research which took me across the globe and to live in an environment where I was again surrounded by wild equids. Alongside my work I was able to observe various Zebra species ethology including their interactions with domestic horses. I rode through the African bush almost daily for 5 years, teaching children riding and Pony Club alongside escorting horseback safaris. I returned to the UK with a different view of how we should be managing our horses and how we perceive their behaviour which is driven by their evolution as a prey species.

Since returning to the UK I have developed my interest in horse behaviour further studying feral horse training methods, positive reinforcement and working to apply the science of learning to create ethical resolutions for horse behaviour problems. The link between the physical and mental well being of horses is clear. To develop my ability to assess horses I have studied to become a Qualified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (IAAMT) and I hold am a bit and bridle fitting consultant (Lantra accredited). I advocate for management systems that support and allow for horses expression of natural behaviour and training systems that are current, ethical and allow horses to learn with clarity and without fear.

Testimonials

Thank you to all who have recommended me, see more on my Facebook page.

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“Another highly successful visit from Kayna. We have now had 3×2 hourly training sessions and the results are incredible. Yes it takes commitment on your part but the results are just breath taking. I would highly recommend Kayna, she is so gentle in her approach and truly understands every aspect of your horses behaviour. I can't Thank you enough Kayna, not just the work you do with her but for giving me the confidence that I had lost. The best thing I have done since buying our beautiful youngster is to have Kayna working with us, not just retraining her thought process but giving us the skills to continue her wonderful work. I would highly recommend Kayna Prescott Brighter Equines to anyone”

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“Kayna takes time to understand a problem properly and has a wealth of experience to call on when recommending a course of action. I have really enjoyed watching her handle my mare who has a difficult issue.”