My Story
Horses have been at the heart of my life and career. From my very first job at 13, I was known as someone who could handle horses that others found difficult or impossible. My skill comes from a genuine passion for horses, an ability to read body language and other silent forms of communication, and a commitment to giving my time and energy completely to the animals I work with.
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Over the years, I've gained valuable experience through placements at various studs in Newmarket, the Royal Studs at Sandringham, and working with yearlings for sales prep at Meon Valley. I've also managed yards successful eventers, dressage riders, and breeders, among many other roles.
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Today, I run my own business, bit fitting and training horses for clients across the country from my base in East Anglia. Each role I’ve taken on has taught me something new, and I’ve applied my understanding of animal biology, behaviour, and psychology to everything I do. This knowledge has allowed me to work with horses who have long been considered difficult or unmanageable.
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I love what I do and feel incredibly fortunate to be living the life I’ve always dreamed of. It’s truly a pleasure to share that joy with the horses I work with.
Early Life
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Growing up on the edge of the Scottish countryside, surrounded by nature, it felt almost inevitable that I would develop a deep love for all living things. I was fascinated by everything, from the birds that built nests and hatched their young in my garden to the tadpoles that appeared in the nearby canal every spring. With an insatiable curiosity, I wanted to learn everything I could about them.
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While most of my friends were watching cartoons or playing video games, I was engrossed in nature documentaries or building puzzles for the resident squirrels to solve in exchange for some tasty peanuts. I would also spend hours hidden in the undergrowth, quietly observing as the creatures went about their lives, undisturbed by my presence.
Our family home was always full of animal characters throughout my childhood. Shortly before I was born, my parents got a golden retriever named Max. He and I grew up together and became inseparable. Our daily walks with Max were my opportunity to observe even more wildlife.
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The first pet that was entirely mine was a hamster, creatively named "Hamsty." True to his species, he wasn’t the most sociable creature, but he lived to the grand age of three and a half and was dearly missed when he passed. After Hamsty, I kept rats, having read that they made fantastic pets—and I found that to be true. Later, my family brought home a German shepherd puppy named Diva, and I decided I would train her myself.
Career Beginnings
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I first discovered my love for horses at the age of eleven when I began riding lessons at a local school. Like many riders, I quickly became hooked and found myself spending more and more time at the stables. By the time I was thirteen, this passion had turned into my first job, and even from the start, it felt like pure pleasure rather than hard work.
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As the new kid at the riding school, I began by schooling ex-driving cobs. It quickly became clear that I had a knack for working with them, getting results where others struggled. Over time, I was given more challenging horses to ride and helped out with the younger horses that needed education.
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It was here that I met a four-year-old Connemara x Welsh named Jumble, who would become my first pony. He was a real character—clever in that typical pony way and quick to drop a shoulder when it suited him. I became his default rider when others got frustrated with falling off. As we grew to understand each other, our relationship flourished, and we became a successful team at local show-jumping events. Those same tricky turns that could unseat you if you weren’t paying attention were incredibly useful in jump-offs.
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Stud Work
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Throughout my time at school, I continued to spend most of my days at the yard, and it became clear to me that I wanted to work with horses for the rest of my life. At 18, I was accepted onto the National Stud's NVQ course in racehorse care and breeding. I requested a placement at The Royal Studs at Sandringham and was thrilled when I got it. In January of 2002, I moved from Scotland to start my work there.
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Being part of a small team meant I was involved in all aspects of the job. I assisted with foalings, helped in the covering barn, and even drove tractors. At one point, I stood in as the manager of the mare and foal yard while the regular manager was on holiday.
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In my free time, I loved watching the mares and foals in the paddocks. Foals, especially, fascinated me as they were blank slates in terms of behaviour. I observed how they interacted with their mothers, and as they grew older, with other mares and foals. I learned how they communicated with body language and applied these lessons to my own interactions with them. This approach earned me a great deal of respect at the yard, and I became the go-to person when a horse was difficult to catch. They knew I could bring them back without a problem.
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For the second half of my placement, I chose Hascombe and Valiant Stud in Newmarket, focusing on sales preparation for mares and yearlings. I especially enjoyed working with the yearlings, particularly the colts. Although they were nearly fully grown physically, they were still very much babies in their minds, which led to some interesting and often entertaining moments.
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After a year of industry experience and with my NVQ completed, I moved on to work for Juddmonte Farms at Banstead Manor, home to the famous Frankel. I continued learning from the larger stud, handling many different mares and foals, and I was even trusted to work with the teaser stallion when needed. My ability to keep foals calm during their farrier visits earned me the respect of the farriers, who began requesting me as their handler. I understood the foals’ instinct to kick when being held still, and I knew how to soothe and relax them throughout the process.
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Later in the season, when there was less to do at the stud, I took the opportunity to return to yearling sales prep, this time at Meon Valley Stud in Southampton. This yard was renowned for producing quality young stock and sold the highest-priced yearling at the sales that year, which topped out at 1.1 million guineas.
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Spending time with the horses one-on-one was the part of the job I loved most. I was allocated my own filly to prep, which I took great pride in. Talking to her as I worked with her was a fantastic way to soothe her, much to the amusement of the other grooms. However, they all commented on how well-mannered and easy to handle she was compared to the other youngsters, proving that my approach was paying off.
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Always eager for more experience, I then moved to Juddmonte Farms in Wargrave, near Henley-on-Thames. While I enjoyed the work, it was during this time that I realized I wanted to do more for the welfare of the horses I worked with.
Throughout my childhood, I had often been asked whether I wanted to be a vet, given my love of animals and my strong academic performance. It dawned on me that qualifying as a vet would give me the medical knowledge I needed to become a far better trainer.
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Back to School
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So, I decided to return to college. I worked nights while completing my A Levels, took extra classes, and joined clubs to strengthen my application. It was a busy time, but I kept my goal in sight. After two years of hard work, I was accepted into Cambridge University to study Veterinary Medicine.
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The Cambridge veterinary course includes a "sandwich" year, where students can study a subject of their choosing. I decided to study Biological Anthropology, as the study of humans as animals intrigued me. Although I was more interested in animals than humans, I tailored the course by focusing on comparative studies, like animal culture and tool use. It was during this year, learning about cooperation among elephants, hunting techniques among orca, and tool manufacture by chimpanzees, that I realized my true calling was to study animal behaviour, not just biology. I wanted to focus on making animals happy, not just healthy, and with that newfound knowledge, I returned to working with horses.
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The Next Stage
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My first job after qualifying with my veterinary MA was managing a yard for an eventer who also imported and produced Connemaras as eventing ponies. I helped school and exercise the horses, taking them show-jumping, dressage, and cross-country schooling, as well as the occasional trip to the beach.
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From there, I moved on to manage a yard for an international dressage rider. In this role, I schooled horses and had the luxury of receiving training on my own horse. I’m a firm believer in continuous education, and I always aim to become a more intelligent and sympathetic rider through ongoing training.
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My next two roles kept me in the world of dressage. In the first, I managed a private dressage yard where I helped with backing horses. It was also here that I began some private work, teaching and schooling horses for other clients. After that, I moved to a dressage stud, where I helped with exercising horses and backing a young livery horse.
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I decided to broaden my experience in two different directions. I spent time managing a string of polo ponies, where I resolved issues with catching and napping. I was also happy to assist with a cold-backed horse, combining my biological and behavioural knowledge to assess underlying conditions, check saddle fit, and work with the owner to manage the condition. It was deeply satisfying to find a solution that allowed the horse to enjoy its work again.
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Next, I moved on to Rossdales, the largest equine hospital in Europe, where attention to detail was crucial. Any slight behavioural change in sick horses could signal a potentially deadly issue. I became one of the first people to work in the newly built ICU and was trained in biosecurity. I was highly valued for my ability to spot problems and my skill with horses. During my time there, I didn’t neglect my own riding. I competed in local shows with a friend’s horse and joined a riding club dressage team, enjoying numerous successes, including placing second at regionals.
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Eager to return to yard management, I moved on from Rossdales to manage 40 horses for racehorse trainer William Haggas. Alongside the horses, I also supervised several staff members, which allowed me to practice both people and animal management. I further expanded my skill set by training to use a horse treadmill, spa, and other treatments. I also trained as a first aider and helped to train new staff. As in all my previous roles, I was the first person asked to assist with difficult horses, and with all my experience and knowledge, it seemed to come effortlessly.
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As time went on I began to feel that I wasn't doing the best by the horses that I was working with. I saw stress in many of them and it stopped me from being happy in my work. I knew I wanted to help as many horses and owners as possible, and going freelance was the best way to do that.
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And so, Bits & Behaviour was born.
Since starting my own business, my focus has shifted toward a deeper understanding of horsemanship. I’ve sought out knowledge and guidance from trainers such as Warwick Schiller, Ben Atkinson, and Mark Langley, whose philosophies have greatly influenced my approach to training.
I’ve found that combining traditional training principles with a more holistic understanding of horse behaviour and communication has not only enhanced my relationship with horses but also allowed me to better address the unique needs of each animal I work with. This shift has shaped my approach as a horse trainer today, where I prioritize patience, empathy, and trust in my training methods.