PROBLEM HORSE TRAINING

Calm, Practical Help for Problem Horses

Difficult behaviour can leave owners feeling frustrated, worried or unsure about what to do next.

Brookby Heights offers calm, individual training for horses experiencing behavioural, handling, confidence or ridden issues.

We look beyond the behaviour itself, work to understand where the problem may have started and help the horse develop clearer, safer and more confident responses.

DISCUSS YOUR HORSE WITH KAREN

COMMON CHALLENGES

What Is Your Horse Struggling With?

Every horse and situation is different, but some of the common challenges owners contact us about include:

Bucking, Rearing or Bolting

Unsafe or unpredictable behaviour that requires careful assessment and a calm, experienced approach.

Napping or Refusing to Go Forward

Horses that plant, reverse, spin, resist leaving home or become difficult when asked to work forward.

Mounting & Ridden Difficulties

Tension around mounting, moving away from the block or becoming anxious and resistant once ridden.

Ground Manners & Handling

Problems with leading, tying, standing quietly, personal space or everyday handling.

Loading & Travelling

Horses that are anxious, resistant or difficult to load, unload or manage around a float or truck.

Jumping Refusals

Loss of confidence, repeated refusals or anxiety around poles, fences and jumping exercises.

Anxiety & Tension

Horses that become overwhelmed, distracted or difficult to manage in new environments and situations.

Re-Schooling After a Difficult Experience

Patient retraining for horses that need to rebuild confidence, understanding and trust in their work.

THE BROOKBY HEIGHTS APPROACH

Understanding the Cause, Not Just Correcting the Behaviour

Unwanted behaviour is often the result of discomfort, confusion, fear, a loss of confidence or gaps in the horse’s earlier education.

Our first priority is to understand the horse in front of us. We consider its history, temperament, physical comfort, previous training and the situations in which the behaviour occurs.

From there, we develop an individual programme that breaks the problem into manageable steps. The horse is given time to understand what is being asked and to develop calmer, safer responses without being rushed or overwhelmed.

The aim is not simply to suppress the behaviour. It is to improve the horse’s understanding, confidence and ability to cope with the situations it previously found difficult.

Looking Beyond the Behaviour

Before retraining begins, it is important to consider whether physical discomfort may be contributing to the horse’s behaviour.

Sore backs, dental problems, poorly fitting saddles or equipment, previous injury and other physical concerns can all affect the way a horse responds.

Where necessary, we may recommend that an appropriate veterinarian, dentist, physiotherapist or saddle fitter assesses the horse so that discomfort can be addressed before the training programme progresses.

A PROGRESSIVE PROCESS

From Assessment to a Clearer Way Forward

Whether the horse’s future lies in dressage, show jumping, eventing or another discipline, strong foundations make every later stage easier.

Our goal is for each young horse to leave Brookby Heights ready to continue progressing with its owner, rider or trainer.

1. Assess

We discuss what has been happening, review the horse’s history and assess its behaviour, handling and current level of education.

2. Rebuild

The horse works through a calm, progressive programme designed to rebuild understanding, confidence and safer responses.

3. Reconnect

Where appropriate, we work with the owner or rider so they understand the horse’s new responses and can continue the progress at home.

KEEPING YOU INVOLVED

Clear Communication Throughout the Process

We know it can be difficult sending a problem horse away for training, particularly when the owner has already been dealing with a stressful or unsafe situation.

You will receive regular messages and video updates so you can see how your horse is progressing and understand the work being done.

When the horse is ready, owner sessions can help rebuild the partnership and give you greater confidence in continuing the training at home.

The goal is to return a horse with clearer responses and to leave the owner with a better understanding of how to support that progress.

Ready to Find a Better Way Forward?

Tell Karen what has been happening with your horse and what you would like to achieve. An initial conversation is the best place to start.

TALK TO KAREN ABOUT YOUR HORSE

Feedback & Reviews

"I have sent several mares to Karen to be served by Mighty Heights and have always been delighted with the care that they have received. She has always kept me informed of their progress and I have been confident that they have been treated with respect and understanding. The resulting offspring have also been exceptional and I will certainly be returning mares for the coming season."

Ruth Lucas

"I bought Steve from Karen as my first hack a couple years ago. Steven is such a placid and kind natured horse. Karen has been helpful to me ever since I first saw him and still is to this day with maintaining my gorgeous boy. I feel very lucky to have him and from such a great place where he was able to mature and be ready to become my best mate!"

Shelby Cooper

"I just wanted to write to say thank you and how privileged we feel to be the owners of a Mighty Heights horse.

The transition from ponies to hacks can sometimes be quite problematic. The amazing nature of the Mighty Heights progeny and the training you have put into them has made this transition for my daughter not only seamless but an absolute delight.

It has completely rebuilt her confidence and reignited her passion; something I am eternally grateful for.