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Accredited Behaviourist and Trainer: Katie Bristow-Wade
Netherton Road, Oxford, OX13 5JXLook for more: Horse Trainers in Oxford
Average rating based on 2 reviews
About Us
Katie is an accredited animal behaviourist and trainer. Maintaining high standards of care, she strives to leave every owner with a better understanding of their pet. She offers a detailed understanding of your pets' behaviour, and provides step-by-step guides to put theory into action for complete resolution of a behavioural problem. There are many methods and techniques advised to resolve a behavioural issue, sometimes too much information can be confusing. This is why Katie takes the time to understand the individual needs of both the animal and the owner that she works with. Katie does not just tell clients what they should do, instead every aspect is explained to help owners make informed decisions for them and their pet's future. Visit www.animalminds.co.uk to learn more
Mutually beneficial relationships
With the stresses and strains of everyday life more and more people are noticing the potential positive affects that animals can bring to adults and children alike.As pet owners, we know that when we have had a bad day at the office, there is nothing better than being greeted by our animals. Whether we are riding our horses, walking the dog, or just cuddling up on the sofa with the cat, there is an increasing amount of research indicating the true value that our pets have on our health and well being.There are various ways that animals can help people, and it is categorized in so many different ways - Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT ) , Animal Assisted Activity (AAA), Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) .... the list goes on. Essentially, with all the above, the aim is to bring an animal into the world of an individual, where he/she becomes a fundamental part of a person's treatment. It is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide education, build life skills, and develop motivation.To give you an example, a child with autism may be finding it difficult to cope in a world as it can seem extremely unpredictable and therefore frightening at times. This often causes a child to breakdown (having what is often called a “tantrum” or “meltdown”.Now, I could go on about the research involved in this area, how it is thought that dogs help children affected by autism, but as I have been involved in a project of this kind, I would rather mention the firsthand accounts as to how dogs provide comfort and reassurance, really changing the lives of these children and families so dramatically in such a short space of time.I have witnessed the transformation of a 12 year old girl affected by autism, very withdrawn, terrified of leaving the home, simply through the presence of a dog, she became more confident, learning how to care for the dog and understand its own potential fears, and overcame her own anxieties over time.I have also experienced a boy of 7 years old talking for the first time, he first day that his puppy arrived at the home, that motivation to speak to a person that is non-judgment.This is wonderful, the building of positive relationships between person and animal for improved health and well being. Indeed, this is an area that is fast developing within the UK, and will increase in time.However, it is vital that these relationships are positive for all involved, both the person and the animal. We do not want stressed animals - whether in the form of a horse who is fearful of people, a cat that is stressed being passed from pillar to post, or a dog that may snap at any moment. We want animals who are full of character, feel confident in themselves, and positive about the world.So perhaps this area is not as simple as it sounds after all? It is not a matter of simply paring an animal with a person and hoping that it goes to plan, its about raising confident animals in positive environments, to build truly therapeutic relationships between people and animals for the future. Visit www.animalminds.co.uk to learn more
Its showtime .... Ditch the nerves and enjoy your horse!
Here is an example recent case study that I thought would be useful for those worried about the forthcoming show season, along with some 'easy-to-apply-yourself' exercises.If you have any questions feel free to ask as always!Katieinfo@practicalhorsepeople.com www.practicalhorsepeople.com ___________________________________________________________________CASE EXAMPLEHARRY AND SUZANNE – WARM-UP ANXIETIESSuzanne owned her horse Harry, 9 year old Thoroughbred gelding, for 2 years. After two seasons of routinely bathing, plaiting, loading, later finding herself unable to make Harry settle in the show ring, called upon my behavioural advice.During my initial consultation with Suzanne, I had found that Harry had been exhibiting a range of flight, freeze and fiddle responses across many contexts even before entering a show setting. He was known to fidget when tied up on the yard, nip himself when tacked-up, spook and nap when out hacking alone.Evidently, without a secure solid base this horse was already at risk of over-reacting, napping and rearing when asked to perform at a showground.Using the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) model of behavioural modification horse and owner were given a set of tasks to work positively in a step-by-step manner through. After spending some time to teach Harry to automatically relax when around owner, halter, and tack, on the yard, arena and out hacking, the couple were ready to re-introduce certain elements of the showground to Harry’s daily routine.After working with other horses in an arena at one time, re-introducing show jumps, trailers, noises, flapping materials in a gradual and positive manner, we began to expose Harry to the show setting, initially just attending to observe with a companion, and so on. With this structured step-by-step routine, using positive reinforcement and a detailed understanding of equine behaviour, Harry’s show nerves were swiftly overcome.___________________________________________________________________EXERCISES FOR YOUUNDERSTANDING YOUR MIND - PART 1For each of the following number patterns, look at the sequence for 5 seconds, cover it up and then try to remember.A. 9426B. 41392C 2946817D. 68127395E. 58263419246Did you find C quite difficult to remember? And did D and E seem practically impossible to get right?Similar tests have been used by experts to work out how much information the brain can take. We now know that humans can remember a maximum of 7 things at one time; 7 letters, 7 numbers, 7 things to remember when riding for example .The problem is that when nervous, we remember less! As our horses are relying on us to communicate/guide, it is really important that we relax.UNDERSTANDING YOUR MIND - PART 2(a) Learn to recognise when we are feeling worriedYou can do this anywhere, car, home or the stables. As soon as you feel worried, cross or stressed, stop and recognise what you are feeling. You can even work with a friend to keep checking each other.(b) Work on our breathing patterns to make sure we can control our muscles at these times.Now that you can recognise these times that you are able to control yourself. So following on from ‘I’m feeling stressed’ stop and take 5-10 really deep breaths.PREPARE, PLAN and PROBLEM SOLVEThink back to last show season or when you last tried something new, what problems did you face? Was he/she difficult in the collecting ring? Refuse a jump? Bad to load? Scared of the tanoy noise?In answering these sorts of questions you can clearly see what you need to practise before going to your next show.You may need to practise riding with other horses in a warm-up area, courses of jumps, walking past cars, flags or loud noises ... write a list.This is really brief so if you have any specific problems I would recommend consulting with your vet and local behaviourist. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.Katieinfo@practicalhorsepeople.com www.practicalhorsepeople.com___________________________________________________________________REFERENCESCarlson, N. (1998) Physiology of Behaviour: Sixth Edition, Allyn and Bacon, United States___________________________________________________________________BIOKatie B Wade is a fully qualified and experienced animal behaviourist, working alongside veterinary clinics, rescue centres, societies, breeders as well as individual owners to assist with various aspects of animal behaviour and training. With professional experience handling, training, breeding and rehabilitating the competition horse, Katie went on to study a degree in Psychology and then on to specialise in Equine Behaviour with The Natural Animal Centre. Katie provides scientifically sound advice to the general public, building a bridge between academic research and practical horse ownership.Katie B Wadeinfo@practicalhorsepeople.comwww.practicalhorsepeople.com
Food Aggression and Your Horse
Food Aggression and Your Horse Aggression is a natural and sometimes necessary trait for horses, particularly those living in a domestic setting. Food aggression comes from a basic desire to protect resources, and therefore although common in the domestic setting, is not seen in wild herds where resources are plentiful (1).CausesDifferent species hold different resources in high esteem. Horses require space for grazing, exploration, play, body care and vascularisation, as well as a variety of different herbage and browsing, water, shelter, shade, and mares for reproduction (2) .Resource Holding Potential refers to an evolutionary strategy that has stood the test of time. In the wild, each horse understands what resources the other members of the herd have ‘first refusal’ to, eliminating the need to fight. This is a far more accurate way to describe the social hierarchy of a mammal, differing to the commonly believed notion of ‘pecking order’ only observed in birds. Resource Holding Potential status differs for different resources and between individuals.When resources become scarce or poor quality, an animal becomes ill or there is a change in group structure, this strategy is de-stabilised and the individual becomes motivated to ‘hold on to what he has got’ protecting the limited resources available, it is a simple survival instinct.In a typical livery yard where herds are not permanent, grazing space is small, feeds are not regular, stables are used daily and turnout time short, horses quickly learn to protect the limited resources available to them, whether it is simply not being caught or adopting aggressive behaviour to handlers or other horses.SolutionsEffective treatment will depend on the severity of the problem, how long the behaviour has gone on for and the individual, however in my experience, allowing for more natural behaviours and providing additional resources resolves approximately 70% of the problem within a couple of days.If the horse is allowed to be turned out for 24 hours a day, put in an area with ample grazing, foraging and browsing, in a stable herd, the results will come sooner. However if the horse really does have to be stabled, simple enrichment ideas go a long way. Here are a few to try…- Hang tree branches in a corner of the stable, and add licks, carrots, slices of apple.- Attach a door mat to the shed and a sturdy fence post or tree to enable self-grooming maintenance.- Provide different varieties of hay and herbage, scattered loose on the floor rather than in a hay net or feed bowl.- Allow straw bedding for its deep bed, texture and thermal properties.- Produce a new variety of vegetable for each day of the week.After relieving this initial frustration, you can begin to work on the other 30% of the problem. This part deals with the deeply learnt side of this behaviour, simply learning that this strategy works!To ‘undo’ this learning (3) I would advise that you speak with a qualified animal behaviourist who uses only positive reinforcement, as this part of the solution requires a detailed understanding of the individual and his or her background.Anyway I hope this helps anyone who needs it, for more specific advice just ask!Take CareKatiewww.practicalhorsepeople.com References (1) Maynard Smith, J. (1982) Evolution and the Theory of Games, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom(2) McDonnell, S. (2003) A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behaviour: The Equid Ethogram, The Blood Horse Inc., United States (3) Beck, A. (1976) Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders, International Universities Press, United States
Specialist Services
After making a full assessment you will be provided with detailed explanations and answers, along with individually tailored step-by-step action plans for positive, life-long change. At the end of every consultation, customers are also provided with full written reports summarising all advice for their future personal reference.
Trade Bodies / Associations
Katie is a provisional member of the APBC (which means www.apbc.org.uk/apbc/membership_levels), as well as a graduate member of the BPS, and a committee member of the CABTSG. Katie has one of the worlds leading institutions in animal behaviour and welfare behind her, ensuring exceptional standards of care are maintained for every case that she takes on.
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Mon-Fri 09:00-20:00, Sat 09:00-20:00
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