Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am able to answer questions about Equine behavior and health issues. I can give educated advice about lameness and stallion management as well as tips on socializing and exhibiting a stallion in public competition. I have worked with Thoroughbreds and other Warmblood breeds for the last 20 years. I also own and manage a Sporthorse boarding facility.

Experience in the area

I have been a stallion handler for the last 20 years and I have many years experience showing English and Western horses. I have started and finished some very successful showhorses and have taught students of all ages and levels of riding ability. I have spent all of my adult life working with animals, horses being my primary focus.

Organizations

Hooved Humane Rescue, IWRC, CCWR, Shasta Wildlife Rescue

Publications

Practical Pet Care Horse Forums (Moderator), Practical Pet Care Farm Animal Forums (Moderator)I have just Co-Authored a Basic Wildlife Evaluation and Care training book that all Team Leaders will have on hand to refer to in our local Wildlife Center.

Education/Credentials

Degree from UC Davis in Equine Physiology and management and large animal healthcare. Personaized instruction from Hilda Gurney in 1999 on Stallion handling/Kurring demonstrations with my stallion Gallant Summer. I have attended symposiums with Parelli and Lyons and I have found that my own philosophies are very similar to "Natural Horsemanship" methods of teaching a horse to understand what is being asked of it. Patience not force

What do you like about this subject?

Animal care is my passion. I grew up around animals and my love of them helped decide the course of my education. My ability to work with animals comes natural and I am often able to achieve more within minutes then an owner can in years.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Each day brings more opportunities to learn something when you work with animals. My desire is to continue to add to my experience for a very long time yet.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Animals have unique personalities. Many people believe that animals are not intelligent and act only on instinctual levels. An animals intelligence may not be predisposed toward reciting poetry, animals have intelligence specific for their needs. All warm blooded animal babies play and have a sense of humor, they learn from experimenting exactly like we as humans have done for centuries.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

What would the world be like if animals had opposable thumbs, would we still be the superior species?