About us
A message from Karen:
In many aspects of horse riding and training, people experience difficulties leading to disillusionment. Understanding the horse’s evolutionary background and learning processes, means we can effectively train the horse for anything we require of him. Through behaviour analysis and clear use of the aids, we can obtain consistent responses and reduce ‘random behaviour’.
I am mindful of the horse’s welfare, rider confidence and dignity and operate with the safety of horse, rider and trainer in mind.
The approach is collaborative, encouraging enquiry and discussion, and at times, experimentation.
Karen Britton of Equine Behaviour Solutions (me!) starts young horses, retrains responses in older horses and coaches horse owners in riding, horse handling and groundwork.
I have worked as an equine professional in 3 countries, and my experience includes:
• Working for Lady Hugh Russell, past trainer of the British 3 Day Event team (who trained amongst others: Lucinda Green, Ian Stark, Princess Anne and our own Mark Todd), and her husband Lord Hugh Russell who was at one time an Olympic selector.
• Re-training sport horses for re-sale.
• Studwork – from handling foals, starting under saddle and both natural service and AI work with stallions
• Grooming for Swiss 3DE National Champion Jorg Bodenmuller
• Racehorse training in the Waikato.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Biology), a personal course of study which I tailored to equine & animal behaviour.
My degree included:
- Animal Behaviour
- Behaviour Analysis
- Brain & Behaviour
- Equine Health & Nutrition
- Equine Production
- Animal Science
- Heredity & Gene Expression
- Plant biology (useful now for understanding pastures, weeds and the components that may interact with horses!)
My approach is ever-evolving, as I learn new things, as I consider new research, and if I determine there is a better way of doing something. Additionally, I have been influenced by:
- Personal experience and lessons from the best teacher of all – the horse!
- Stockmanship (my life on a farm meant I developed a natural ability to observe and interact with horses, traits that cannot be learned in a riding school,through books or lessons).
- Dr Andrew McLean & the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre. I introduced Dr McLean’s approach to New Zealand, acting as New Zealand coordinator – arranging clinics, lessons and demonstrations around the country.
- Classical equitation, especially the principles of Spanish Riding School of Vienna and the work of Philippe Karl and Nuno Oliviera
- Academic/scientific studies, including both zoological and psychological sciences – equine and other species biology and behaviour.
- ‘Natural’ horsemanship – Ray Hunt (having been lucky enough to attend one of his rare NZ clinics, prior to his death in 2009), Australians Neil Davies & Ken Faulkner, John O’Leary, Pat Parelli’s “7 Games”, and widely considered early pioneers of the ‘natural horsemanship’ movement – the Dorrance brothers, Bill and Tom.
- I keep up to date with research from my colleagues in Equitation Science and am a full member of the International Society for Equitation Science.
- I am currently undertaking study for Equestrian Sports New Zealand Coaching accreditation.
If you need help in improving performance, eliminating ‘problem’ behaviours, teaching your horse not to jump on top of you, to float load, to lunge, jump, do dressage (which simply means ‘training’), or simply need to gain confidence… give me a call.
Phone: 04 233 1408 or Mobile: 027 233 1408
‘Equestrian endeavour and horsemanship is a life-long process, and like all journeys, begins with one step!’
