1x1 Personal Development Sessions...
Supporting You To Do The Change-Work that May be Impacting Your Horse 

UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist, Monty Roberts Certified Instructor and EGL facilitator, I offer one-on-one sessions to help you work through any personal blocks that may be impacting your relationship with your horse. 

This could be for you if.... 

• You have hit a block in your training and addressing the horse's behaviour is not the whole solution  
• Your horse has already undergone training (either with you or someone else) but the 'issue' hasn't resolved yet
• Your horse goes perfectly for someone else but behaves very differently with you
• ​You are curious about your own 'stuff' and would like to explore more
• You would like to develop your relationship with your horse, and are interested in what your horse might be showing you about your 'self' 

As a qualified therapist, I can safely support you to explore issues such as self-regulation, anxiety, stress, bereavement, trauma and anger. Being overly outcome focused, becoming more assertive and finding meaning and purpose in life are also areas that I specialise in.
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Have you ever wondered why it is that some horses are calm and quiet for some people, but turn into raving lunatics when they are with someone else? Of course if the handler is experienced and confident in themselves, then a nervous horse will quickly draw comfort from that. But that's not the whole story.... 

Horses respond to the inner world of the person, not just the external behaviour. So if you see two people apparently doing the same thing, but getting a very different result from the horse, this may be because one person's internal state is very different from the other person's.

The horse attunes to all sorts of emotional, biological, neurological information in us. They are masters at reading us. This is what has kept them alive for 60 million years of evolution.  

Where do sessions take place? 
Either at my yard or yours. I am based Northamptonshire (NN13 5LG). We have a purpose built clinic space, turn out for your horse, stables and a round pen. Click here for how to find me. I also travel within a 1-hour radius of NN13 5LG. 

Are the sessions private? 
Sessions are private and confidential. We can work outdoors with your horse in a private area, or in my private clinic space at my yard. I am bound by the UKCP code of ethics, and full member of Beeleaf Community of Contemporary Psychotherapists. 

What can I expect for a first session? 
Initially I like to take some time to get to know you. After our initial session, I can tell you how many sessions you might need and you can make an informed decision about how you would like to go forward. For some, one session will be enough to see the shift. Others choose to meet once a month, others meet twice a year.

How long is a session and how much will it cost? 
Each session lasts 2.5 hours and costs £150. If I travel to your yard, travel is additional. 

What can I expect after the session? 
Don't be surprised if you see your horse breathing a big sigh of relief. She might have been trying to tell you what's up for some time.... 

​What do other horse owners say?


"I felt very comfortable with [Laira's] non-directive, non-judgmental and curious style. She put us at our ease whilst raising questions for us and gently challenging." Heather, Psychologist

"Laira has a refreshing disposition that brings together gentleness, confidence and authority without any need to push herself forward." Eva, Reverend
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"May we just say how very impressed we have been every time we have had your help. On the first occasion we had you out, we had an Arab who hadn't been handled much recently and had very few ground manners. You showed us how to be confident with him and we have all improved since (gently teaching him that he has manners, even in the wind!) Freddie is notoriously hard to box (when he came to us it took 6 hours with sedation), so we had you back as we needed to move him as the stables was closing down. You showed us how to box him and we were very happy with doing it with. You came back this Thursday and you had him boxed within 10 minutes and he loaded with no fuss. We were amazed at your skills and so thankful to you for all your help and assistance. We will carry on bringing our little Arab along further as you have shown us and we will definitely work with you again when it comes to re starting his ridden work. We have no hesitation in recommending you to all our friends." Sarah and Freddie


"I wanted to update you on the progress we have made with Sonny and Oscar following the training session with you. The farrier was totally amazed and couldn’t believe they were the same horses when he came to trim them this week!  We are over the moon!  They both stood perfectly quietly for him, no rearing or pulling away.  It is amazing that just a few simple adjustments to how we handled them has made such a huge difference.  Thank you again.  We will definitely be doing more training with you in the future", Julie, Director



"Just to let you know it is lovely to have Shadow home and what a noticeable difference in his behaviour - thank you so much. I went out for a hack with Polo yesterday and Greg lead a little way with Shadow - he did try to get ahead a little to keep up with us but Greg was on his toes to school him back, he is a dream lad not invading space and he was brilliant not at all bored with having to stand for the farrier!", Lesley, Facilitator & Teacher
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​Training for your Horse... Alongside You

Of course there are times when the issue does not lie with you - it is definitely horse related. As a Monty Roberts Certified Instructor, some of the issues I can help with include 

• Ground manners
• Learning to pick up feet
• Introduction to the first saddle
• Long lining / double line lunging
• Mounting problems
• First rider, hacking and introduction to traffic
• Overcoming ridden problems
• Handling the untouched horse
• Loading
• Restarting the older horse
• Helping horses overcome fears towards common everyday issues such as clippers, traffic, plastic bags and water

Prices

• Individual call outs addressing 'problem' behaviour are £75 plus travel (anywhere within a 5 mile radius from NN13 5LG is free of charge for travel)
• Loading call outs are £100 plus travel
• 1x1 Join-Up sessions where facilities and horses are provided for teaching are £75

You can get in touch with me to discuss your requirements on T 01280 403 096 / M 0780 153 8088 or Email. 

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