What led you to me?
Scout’s behaviour was complex and we had tried quite a lot (behaviour consults, treatments for suspect gastric ulcers, rehab for bilateral hind suspensory ligament damage, laser therapy, acupuncture, clicker training, moving from a busy yard to a private field) but he was still quite closed off and unpredictable with his biting and I just wanted to know how I could help him best.
How was your call helpful?
It gave me more clarity into what Scout was thinking and what he enjoyed and allowed us to have open communication whereas it was hard to communicate to him before.
Was it what you expected?
It was more than what I expected. To know that he understands how much I love him and how far I will go to make sure he is happy, means so much to me.
What were you most surprised by?
That he didn’t think he deserves my unconditional love at times. And that he really enjoys going out riding.
What was the most valuable aspect of your call?
To be able to help communicate to Scout that I will always be there for him and that I want to help find the best ways to help him communicate to me what he wants/likes/dislikes. And that he knows how deep my love is for him. And that he is willing to work on a better relationship with me and tools to help him make better communication choices than biting.
Did our call save you time and/or money in identifying and remedying an issue?
Absolutely!
Has your equine or animal’s behaviour changed following the call?
It has been dramatically better! He has been so much more affectionate and relaxed, and he used the tools suggested by Rachael to communicate he was annoyed/grumpy without biting. He clacked his teeth in the air near me, instead of biting, and so I told him I was proud of him for doing that and that I would give him a few minutes before we tried to put his grazing muzzle back on and then he was good as gold. He seems more willing to go out for a walk as well and is not as anxious and is listening to me better. He has also been learning to ask for scratches and show me where he wants them. And I was showing him how to browse from the hedges the other day, which he really loved and I’ve seen him doing that now on his own as well.
Has your relationship changed as a result?
100%! I feel more at ease with him and enjoy knowing that he genuinely wants to be around me. He seems more confident in relying on my guidance when we are out for a walk and something makes him a bit uneasy or nervous, and I genuinely feel like he is actively listening to what I am saying and responding to me, like we have opened up a blocked communication channel and we’re now on the same radio frequency channel.
What could I change or do to improve my call service?
You were brilliant! I was so nervous so wasn’t 100% sure how it was going to go, and whether it was the case that I was to let him lead the conversation or if I should be leading it. So maybe mentioning that at the beginning or seeing what the animal wishes to do?
A potential client is on the fence about whether to have a call with me; what would you say to them?
If you’re uncertain, give it the first 15 minutes and see how it goes. For me, it was well worth it and I will definitely be coming back for another session.
Jennifer Hunter, Cumbria
