Too young to back? Why a two year old needs to be left to mature

Enthusiasm and a desire to develop a strong bond with your horse can nudge you to embark on the process of backing your youngster without fully understanding the potential risks involved. Backing obviously has to happen at some point in the development of a riding horse, and it requires careful consideration and expertise. Below I

Human-animal relationships in south-east Turkey, a behaviourist’s personal perspective

There has been a more widespread move towards keeping dogs as pets over the last ten years in some areas, interesting sociologically and behaviourally. Two signs of (relatively) greater affluence in a locality are more estate agents and the emergence of pet shops. The introduction of trap-neuter-return (TNR) policies, animal welfare legislation and municipally-funded animal

The right Behaviourist for the job

Already this morning I’ve taken six enquiries for help with dog behaviour, really desperate people, wits’ end, it’s all gone wrong for them with their beloved family member, they’re distressed, their lives are in turmoil. What will they do if they can’t live with their dog?? All of them have seen at least one “behaviourist”,

News! New group programme for behaviour students and trainees

I am launching a new group mentoring programme, “Consulting with Confidence”, where I’ll take you through an observed consultation case study, coach you through the steps to setting up your own consulting model, and support you in sourcing and running your own field case study.  The programme includes regular Zoom meetings where you can learn,

Feeling desperate about your horse or dog’s bad behaviour?

Too afraid or embarrassed to leave the house with your dog? Can’t even leave the yard, or enjoy a good schooling session with your horse? Why you need a behaviour practitioner who is regulated by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, if your horse or dog is playing up. The ABTC is the industry regulator

Can you spot a stressed horse?

Last December I and my colleagues published a paper describing one of our research studies, in the peer-reviewed journal Animals.  As the Equine Behaviour and Training Association (EBTA) we investigated how horse owners, riders and trainers recognise signs of equine stress. We found that equestrians often fail to recognise the behavioural signs that horses display

Abuse in horse training

I was honoured to contribute to this thought-provoking article by Christa Lesté-Lasserre on abuse in horse training. Click on the link below for the full article. TheHorse article

Announcing two new horse training courses from Dr Helen Spence

Is this you? 🐴You want to train your horse in a kind, effective way. 🐴You have tried using “traditional” methods, natural horsemanship and/or clicker training but you and your horse have ended up confused and frustrated, sometimes just downright cross with each other! 🐴You have tried working with trainers who teach your chosen method and

Are you a veterinary, behaviour or training practitioner looking for mentoring or supervision?

Mentoring I offer mentoring for undergraduates, postgraduates, trainee behaviourists and those starting out as animal behaviourists. I am fully qualified, insured and registered at the highest level with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, with 15 years experience as a behavioural practitioner running my own successful consultancy business. I enjoy

New book: The Horse: A natural history

I’m proud, delighted and very pleased with my new recently published book, co-authored with Catrin Rutland, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Developmental Genetics at Nottingham Trent University. An evolutionary, anatomical, behavioural and anthrozoological overview aimed at equine professionals, enthusiastic amateurs and undergraduates, it’s an easily-readable and accessible book that has been academically peer reviewed by