Q & A Mind matters
Our experts
Debbie Busby MSc is an equine behaviourist and helps to co-ordinate the Equine Behaviour and Training Association.
Kelly Taylor-Saunders BSc (Hons) BCaBA CHBC helps to co-ordinate the Equine Behaviour and Training Association.
Sandie Robertson is an equestrian performance coach with more than 30 years’ experience in the industry.
Loading woes
A behaviourist is coming to see my horse to help with our loading issues. What can I expect?
Amelie Freeney
A Debbie Busby answers: The first thing a reputable behaviourist will do is find out your horse’s history. This includes information about his daily routine, management and training, anything that’s happened in the past that might have caused the loading issues and what you’ve already tried to resolve the problem. They’ll look for the root of the loading issue, because they can only start to develop a behavioural treatment programme, rather than simply addressing the symptom without fixing it, once they know this.