CASE STUDIES

Case Studies

PRESENTING SYMPTOMS
Reactivityto people and dogs
"Simon and I were just chatting about you yesterday and wondering how you are? Little Barney is coming along lovely now thanks to your help. Philip and Rachel keep coming out with phrases you’ve taught them like ‘he’s getting above threshold’ which makes me smile. I’m so glad my son and his girlfriend popped up to get your help with their little dog.  

Oscar has had an operation to have a cancerous tumour removed from his foot of all places but is now on the mend. Thanks to your help over the years Oscar’s nervousness with people and dogs are gone. He is perfect in every way now. He no longer even barks when anyone comes to the door but just wags his tail in happy expectation. I’m completely confident with him in every situation. He is still an independent old chap but he is absolutely ok if anyone strokes him and he is wonderful with our little 2 year old grandson who currently thinks throwing the ball for Oscar is the best game ever. You changed him Claire from the nervous dog he was when we got him, who I walked away from everyone in the back fields of Lotherton everyday and whose challenges made me cry often, to the calm dog he is now and we will be forever sooo grateful. I am so glad that the Leeds Dog’s Trust recommended you. I know Oscar will be absolutely delighted to see you sometime.  

Take care – we think of you often. Much love"

Pamela and Simon Carlton, Sept 2019
PRESENTING SYMPTOMS

Challenging behaviours in canter and groundwork
"Claire is very caring and passionate about all animals especially dogs and horses. She has taken every opportunity to study the psychology as well as the physical aspects of these animals and therefore is very knowledgeable and compassionate. Claire and I have attended equine clinics together and I have observed on many occasions the results she obtains with even very difficult horses, she understands their needs and is very patient but firm when required. Claire organised and ran a successful clinic in Murcia, Spain when I moved from the UK with my horse. She has helped me immensely with the training of my once very challenging horse, Claire’s instruction with groundwork, reading the horse and timing was invaluable contributing to the well balanced and beautiful equine partner I have today. Claire is a wonderful teacher, patient and calm and with a measure of fun which makes for a very enjoyable lesson. I have no hesitation in recommending Claire to anyone seeking a natural partnership with their horse or dog."

Hilary Martin, Spain
PRESENTING SYMPTOMS

Spinning on road and barging in hand

"I first met Claire Klima at riding school over a year ago, I was a novice and had got a horse that was young and had only been driven with blinkers on. I could ride in the school pretty well but taking Jim out on hacks was a completely different ball game. Jim seemed to know that I was not confident and we soon got into difficulties where he started to spin on the road, run backwards and bolt. He was also afraid of going through narrow spaces and I couldn’t hold him on the lunge. Claire explained that Jim wasn’t really playing up but lacked the confidence to be ridden without guidance from me and in addition probably hadn’t seen traffic coming up from behind him due to him wearing blinkers. I went up to Prospect Farm and Claire showed me how to do some ground work to increase mine and Jim’s confidence. She explained how difficult it was for Jim as he was learning too and explained what to do when he did those behaviours that frightened me. She said to remember that it had frightened him too and he wasn’t just being awkward and so always to take a few steps back. This stopped him from becoming afraid and kept him under threshold which in turn would be safer for me. This was a relief and started to take the pressure off us both. Using only positive reinforcement methods Claire showed me how to shape his behaviour and develop our relationship – we went right back to basics even checking his saddle and bridle – which I changed. 
I felt like I have really learnt some new skills that I could first practice on the ground and then transfer that to being in the saddle. I had never done anything like this before and it was a whole different approach. Over the past year we got him used to walk, trot and canter in hand and developed his rhythm and balance. Claire showed me how to get him to stand on a relaxed rein and how to keep calm by using my own body language and energy and to always remove him from worrying situations so as to support him rather than trying to make him confront them. This was a very different approach from what I had previously learnt which was all about ‘making him know who was the boss’. As soon as I turned him around to look at the traffic it almost immediately started to make him feel more confident and he now takes my lead and we haven’t had any bolting episodes since.  

He was also difficult to catch and Claire showed me how to read his behaviour by his body language and see what part of the exercise he was worried about rather than use aversive techniques. I said he often looked like he was playing and he often came straight up to me after having a few minutes fun. Claire said I was very astute and not many people realise a lot of behaviour we see is indeed play and as it wasn’t dangerous and he always came after a few minutes to allow it as it would strengthen our bond. I started to ride out with Claire through the woods and we used the same techniques to cross water, get on him from walls etc. and to practice riding over different ground etc. Claire commented on how good my timing was and how settled Jim had become and we really started to enjoy our rides out. I found Claire very understanding about how confidence can affect you as after having suffered a stroke herself she has had to work hard to get her own confidence back as her balance suffered. After years of breaking youngsters in she knew how difficult this apprehension can be and how it can inhibit us. She told me how important it is not to put additional pressures on ourselves and only ride as far as we felt able as our horses need us to be there for them and being anxious didn’t help them in anyway. Slowly but surely we were eventually riding out on day rides and meeting all kinds of obstacles and challenges on the way.  

I now no longer feel sick and Jim rides out alone and in company due to his increasing trust in me. Claire does push me out of my comfort zone but always supports me and makes sure she knows what is within my limits. My overall goal was to take Jim to my local show and handle him myself. Claire showed me how to get him ready and taught me Ringcraft and I taught him how to stand square by voice command. As I always throw myself in at the deep end and hope for the best Claire suggested that it might be better to break the goal down into small manageable steps much like we do for the horse. To that end we decided that it might be best if I showed Jim ‘in hand’ much for Jim’s benefit as well as my own. Thank goodness she suggested this as I hadn’t realised how much showing entails and felt very nervous on the day. Claire’s humour kept me strong and I couldn’t believe it when I got 1st at my local show. Imagine my surprise when I was presented with a cup - I hadn’t realised that I had also won the overall in hand championship for coloured cobs too. It was a proud moment as Jim’s past owner was there and he couldn’t believe how we had both come on. Claire is now helping me prepare Jim and myself to take part in the ridden classes next year and I have even lunged Jim over a few small jumps which he seems to enjoy. 
 
I wholeheartedly recommend Claire and her approach and her unending enthusiasm and humour to anyone who wants to develop their relationship with their horse and learn how socialisation and play is very important to them. I now know how to observe Jim’s body language and to see how my own body position is affecting his behaviour. Whenever I used to think he was acting up I now know I hadn’t prepared him enough and just like us some days they feel more confident than others. 

Jim just cannot do enough for me these days and I cannot wait to learn more. I have even started riding out with friends who ask me for some tips. I usually say it’s just about trying to see it from your horse’s point of view and taking the time to build a relationship with them."

Sallie Russell
PRESENTING SYMPTOMS

Afraid to wear a nebuliser...
"I was at my wit’s end when contacted Claire about my horse who was suffering from equine asthma. She gave me excellent and effective advice on how to introduce her to the nebuliser (prescribed by my vet). Her knowledge of horse behaviour and how to introduce a potentially scary piece of kit was brilliant. Very impressed with her sensible and clear advice, which has proved so effective. Result - a happy horse who is totally relaxed during her medication.


Carolyn Malloy 
Doncaster 



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