Has your horse had his/her back, tack and teeth checked recently?

The majority of the time a horse will perform a certain behaviour for a valid reason - this could be pain or discomfort. Steve feels it would be wrong to ask a horse to behave a certain way when all the horse is doing is trying to communicate to you that it is suffering in some way. Problems with back, tack or teeth are the most common reasons for a horse to start showing uncharacteristic behaviour - so if these haven't been checked recently please have them looked at before booking a visit.

Do you have a safe (for the horse) area to work in?

Depending on the reason for the visit this could be an indoor or outdoor school, smallish paddock, grass track, sectioned off area of a large paddock, or stable. While Steve doesn't mind spectators, please choose an area where there are as few distractions as possible so as to give your horse the opportunity to concentrate and learn.

If you are using electric tape to section off an area please ensure your horse is comfortable with this before Steve’s visit as it could save a lot of time.

LOADING ISSUES – Steve prefers NOT to attempt loading on concrete or gravel. If the horse objects and starts to dance around or go up in the air when being asked to load this could cause the horse pain or discomfort. In this case the horse would feel justified in not wanting to go into the trailer/horse box because he/she would associate pain and discomfort with going into a vehicle.

Is your horse in good health?

If your horse has a current health problem please mention it to Steve when booking a visit in case it is something which would preclude a visit at this time.

Are you confident that anyone else who handles your horse will follow your instructions on how to handle it after the visit?

It would be pointless and a waste of everyone’s time if Steve teaches your horse to behave a certain way and then someone else comes along and uses other methods. After being initially confused, the horse would quickly revert back to his/her former behaviour.

Are you willing and capable of carrying out any suggested ‘homework’?

There is only so much Steve can accomplish within the time he has with you and your horse. Once everyone involved feels they’ve got as far as they can go, Steve will leave the owner/handler with some homework to fine tune the horse's new behaviour.

Do you need to groom the horse before Steve’s visit?

No, not really.  However if you would like to groom him/her please DO NOT use ‘mane and tail’ 'coat shine' or any other silicone based product as this will get onto everyone’s hands and make them slippery, which then interferes with holding lines etc..

Does the horse need to be brought in for the visit?

No. Please stick to your normal routine as much as possible so as not to create any undue stress for your horse. To form a true impression of what is going on Steve prefers to see your horse in their natural environment at the start of the visit.

What do you need to wear?

Comfy, strong footwear,  a pair of gloves and a hard hat - the rest is entirely up to you.