Post by Sue Palmer on Nov 26, 2009 19:54:15 GMT 1
All Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Associates are independent professional horse people, and as such each will have their own way of working. There is an evaluation form available on the IH website (http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/content/view/47/97/) where you can feed back your individual experiences to the IH office.
However, since this is my area of the IHDG, I thought I'd take the opportunity to let you know what to expect if you get in touch with me.
The initial enquiry:
Most people get in touch with me initially by email (sue@holistichorsehelp.com) or phone (07976 413488). Email works particularly well for me since it allows me to get back to you when I am able to do so (i.e. when I'm not working with a horse!), but phone calls are equally welcome. The initial enquiry will usually give a brief outline of what the person would like from me, and ideally it will also give an address (of the yard) including postcode, and a contact number (mobile is great because I text a lot). I will aim to get back to every enquiry within 48hrs (usually within 24hrs) with the required information (including costs), and hopefully with some suggested dates. Availability varies (and is always worse when I'm on tour with Monty, for obvious reasons!), so it's best to ask when you get in touch.
A date and time is agreed upon by email or phone (usually email), and I will send you an email or text a few days beforehand as a reminder. I will also let you know if there is anything in particular you need for your visit (there rarely is, but loaders for example need some preparation and protective gear available).
Taking the history:
First thing is paperwork (the bane of my life!!!). I need to get some contact details in case I need to contact you in the future (these details are for use by Holistic Horse Help only), and details of your horse (including vets details - it amazes me how many people don't have their vet's number on their phone!). Then we get to the nitty gritty - what would you like from me today? There's plenty of time during the initial visit for you to explain any issues, and I will ask questions related to diet, exercise, routine, saddlery, physical checks, etc, so that I have a solid background and understanding of how I can best help. Often these questions will bring up items for discussion which are as useful as the practical work which is to follow!
Observation:
Depending on what it is that you have called me out for, I will watch you working with your horse. This is not meant to be judgmental in any way (I aim for my visits to be as user-friendly as I can make them, if there is something I can do different please let me know so that others can benefit!), but is simply for me to establish a baseline. Often it will be something very simple like 'let me watch you lead your horse over to the other side of the arena, stop, then turn round and walk back again'. What I see in the 'observation' period will be combined with what I hear in the 'history' to help me decide how to progress with the session to best help horse and handler.
Practical work:
This is so variable that I can't even begin to describe it. It is totally dependant on what you have told me, and what I have seen, but suffice to say that we will spend some time with at least one of us working with your horse towards whatever goal seems most appropriate.
Expert advice:
As we all know, having an RA to visit is not a 'miracle cure' (well, sometimes it might seem that way!) - it's about the handler learning to understand their horse better and therefore to work in a way that makes more sense to the horse. To me it's a never ending journey, exciting, fulfilling, inspiring and fun - and definitely a case of the more you know, the more you want to know! I will always give 'homework' to be carried on with, and the option will always be there to email or call for further advice if needed (although often people choose to book a follow up session so that they can be confident that they are working in the best way possible).
I hope this helps you to feel a bit more confident and comfortable about contacting your local IHRA should you wish to do so - please feel free to contact me (sue@holistichorsehelp.com) if you have any questions!
Sue
However, since this is my area of the IHDG, I thought I'd take the opportunity to let you know what to expect if you get in touch with me.
The initial enquiry:
Most people get in touch with me initially by email (sue@holistichorsehelp.com) or phone (07976 413488). Email works particularly well for me since it allows me to get back to you when I am able to do so (i.e. when I'm not working with a horse!), but phone calls are equally welcome. The initial enquiry will usually give a brief outline of what the person would like from me, and ideally it will also give an address (of the yard) including postcode, and a contact number (mobile is great because I text a lot). I will aim to get back to every enquiry within 48hrs (usually within 24hrs) with the required information (including costs), and hopefully with some suggested dates. Availability varies (and is always worse when I'm on tour with Monty, for obvious reasons!), so it's best to ask when you get in touch.
A date and time is agreed upon by email or phone (usually email), and I will send you an email or text a few days beforehand as a reminder. I will also let you know if there is anything in particular you need for your visit (there rarely is, but loaders for example need some preparation and protective gear available).
Taking the history:
First thing is paperwork (the bane of my life!!!). I need to get some contact details in case I need to contact you in the future (these details are for use by Holistic Horse Help only), and details of your horse (including vets details - it amazes me how many people don't have their vet's number on their phone!). Then we get to the nitty gritty - what would you like from me today? There's plenty of time during the initial visit for you to explain any issues, and I will ask questions related to diet, exercise, routine, saddlery, physical checks, etc, so that I have a solid background and understanding of how I can best help. Often these questions will bring up items for discussion which are as useful as the practical work which is to follow!
Observation:
Depending on what it is that you have called me out for, I will watch you working with your horse. This is not meant to be judgmental in any way (I aim for my visits to be as user-friendly as I can make them, if there is something I can do different please let me know so that others can benefit!), but is simply for me to establish a baseline. Often it will be something very simple like 'let me watch you lead your horse over to the other side of the arena, stop, then turn round and walk back again'. What I see in the 'observation' period will be combined with what I hear in the 'history' to help me decide how to progress with the session to best help horse and handler.
Practical work:
This is so variable that I can't even begin to describe it. It is totally dependant on what you have told me, and what I have seen, but suffice to say that we will spend some time with at least one of us working with your horse towards whatever goal seems most appropriate.
Expert advice:
As we all know, having an RA to visit is not a 'miracle cure' (well, sometimes it might seem that way!) - it's about the handler learning to understand their horse better and therefore to work in a way that makes more sense to the horse. To me it's a never ending journey, exciting, fulfilling, inspiring and fun - and definitely a case of the more you know, the more you want to know! I will always give 'homework' to be carried on with, and the option will always be there to email or call for further advice if needed (although often people choose to book a follow up session so that they can be confident that they are working in the best way possible).
I hope this helps you to feel a bit more confident and comfortable about contacting your local IHRA should you wish to do so - please feel free to contact me (sue@holistichorsehelp.com) if you have any questions!
Sue