Ridden Behaviour & Performance Issues
Poor Performance or Dangerous Behaviour? Solutions for Every Ride.
Is your horse acting up during training or competitions? Bolting, bucking, or refusing to listen to your aids when you need them most? It’s frustrating when your horse seems to challenge you, ignore commands, or push the limits when you’re trying to achieve results.
You want to feel in control, confident, and perform at your best—but your horse just won’t cooperate. They’re being bold, not listening, and holding back your progress.
You’re looking for solutions that get your horse back on track so you can focus on achieving your goals without the drama.
This is where I come in. 👋
My Solution: Practical, Performance-Focused Training
When your horse isn’t listening or acting up, it can feel like they’re testing your patience. But most of these behaviours—whether it’s refusing jumps, ignoring aids, or acting up during schooling—stem from miscommunication, discomfort, or anxiety. My approach combines proven, effective training techniques with a no-nonsense, practical plan to help your horse perform consistently and reliably.
This is about getting results and helping you regain control—without harsh methods that break trust. Instead, we’ll work on ensuring your horse understands what’s expected, listens to your aids, and stays focused. No more excuses or acting up.
Let’s get your horse performing their best—whether you’re competing or just looking for more control in daily rides.
What’s Included In This Package?
Comprehensive Assessment and Tailored Training
- On-site Behavioural/Riden Assessment: A thorough two-hour session where I’ll observe your horse’s behaviour on the ground and under saddle, during schooling or competition-style situations. We’ll identify the root causes of their behaviour—whether it’s bolting, rushing jumps, or ignoring aids—and create a plan to address the issues.
- Custom Training Plan: Based on our assessment, I’ll develop a personalised training plan to get your horse performing reliably. This plan will focus on improving your horse’s responsiveness, focus, and consistency during rides.
- Hands-On 1:1 Coaching: During our sessions, I’ll work directly with you and your horse, showing you how to apply effective training techniques that get results. You’ll learn how to ride with control, ensuring your horse listens and performs the way you need them to.
- Ongoing Support: This isn’t a one-off session—it’s a 12-week program designed to progressively improve your horse’s behaviour and your control. We’ll work together over multiple sessions to ensure you see lasting improvements and can consistently achieve your riding goals.
- Veterinary Collaboration: If necessary, I’ll work with your vet to ensure there are no underlying physical issues contributing to your horse’s behaviour, giving you peace of mind and confidence that we’re addressing all aspects of their performance.
3 Steps to Success
1️⃣ Assess and Understand: We’ll begin by identifying why your horse is acting up under saddle, whether it’s ignoring aids, bolting, or refusing jumps. We’ll pinpoint what’s driving these behaviours and what’s holding back your performance.
2️⃣ Train for Focus and Control: Through structured training and guidance, I’ll help you get your horse focused and responsive to your aids. We’ll build on your horse’s strengths and address their weaknesses to ensure consistent performance.
3️⃣ Review and Achieve Results Over 12 weeks, we’ll work together to ensure lasting improvements in your horse’s behaviour. I’ll be here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you and your horse are performing your best.
Is This the Right Fit for You?
This Package is Perfect For You If…
- Your horse is acting up during training, refusing to listen, bolting, bucking, or rushing.
- You’re frustrated with your horse’s lack of focus and consistency, and you want to regain control without relying on harsh methods.
- You need practical, performance-focused solutions that improve your horse’s responsiveness and behaviour under saddle.
- You’re ready to improve your horse’s performance, consistency, and control, both in daily rides and competitions.
Let’s reduce fear and increase performance! 👇
Recommended By Vets
“Performing nerve blocks during a lameness assessment on horses with behavioural issues can be a dangerous undertaking leading to injury of the veterinarian or the horse, or both. In most of these cases where needle placement cannot be performed utilisation of advanced imaging techniques such as gamma scintigraphy or bone scans are then required, and in horses with mild chronic lamenesses the sensitivity of such diagnostics is usually reduced. Thus, blocking is best but fighting with a 500kg horse is always going to end with one winner.”
“Barbara’s ability to reduce the behavioural issues of these cases and improve the horse’s acceptance of needle placement for nerve blocks has made the blocking process possible and safer in some of these cases. Her patience and effort has allowed us to do more thorough diagnostics and definitively identify sources of lameness in horses that would otherwise have been impossible to deal with. This again highlights the value of multi disciplinary cooperation within the veterinary community and respecting the skills and areas of expertise of our fellow professionals.”
Simon Hennessy MVB MSc Cert AVP(ESO)(ESST) MRCVS DipECVS EBVS Recognised Specialist in Equine Surgery at Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital
If you want to Claim on Insurance
As a fully qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) accredited by APBC, many insurance policies will cover my fees. Check your pet insurance policy to see if you can claim back some or all of the costs.
Ready to Start?
How it works: Simple & Stress-Free
Get in Touch: Tell me about the issues you’re experiencing with your horse’s performance. We’ll determine if this service is the right fit and schedule an assessment.
Assessment and Plan: We’ll start with an in-depth riding assessment to uncover the root causes of your horse’s behaviour. Then I’ll create a tailored training plan to help improve focus, control, and performance.
Ongoing Support: Through ongoing hands-on coaching and training, we’ll work together over 12 weeks to ensure your horse’s behaviour improves and your performance reaches new heights.
Ready to get your horse back on track and performing at their best?
Contact Me Directly