Behavior consultations are an in-depth look at your horse’s history and current environment to determine the underlying causes of unwanted or problematic behaviors. As a current master’s student in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare through Virginia Tech, I am committed to taking an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to behavior, addressing medical needs, environment, and human-horse communication in ethical ways that have the horse’s and human’s welfare as a primary goal. In a behavior consult, we may partner with other professionals, like vets, farriers, nutritionists, and body workers as needed to get to the root of the problem. I offer both online and in person consults.

Behavior is complex.

Sometimes we can resolve issues quickly, but other times it may take in-depth observation, analysis, and partnership with other specialists to determine and address the underlying cause of behavior. I am here to support you and your horse every step of the way!

I offer positive reinforcement and gentle pressure and release training for husbandry behaviors, groundwork, and riding, with a focus on developing emotional and physical balance and long-term soundness. We can build joyful interactions that are fun for you and your horse, whether on the ground or riding. Depending on your needs, I can teach you how to improve your communication and riding, or I can provide hands-on training with your horse.

I work with unhandled horses and horses with trauma or special physical or mental needs, always offering choice where I can and ensuring a low stress training environment. I also love working with children who are interested in learning about all aspects of horse care and ethical training.

Positive Reinforcement Training: One of the areas I specialize in is Positive Reinforcement Training with horses. It is sometimes referred to as “clicker training”, but there are actually many ways we can incorporate positive reinforcement into our work with horses. One of my main areas of interest with positive reinforcement training and training with food is ensuring the horse is calm and relaxed around the food and with our training. If you are having issues with training with food, are interested in learning more about “clicker training” or how you could incorporate other types of positive reinforcement into your training, I’m here to help!

Gentle Negative Reinforcement Training (Pressure and Release): Training with food is not for every person or situation. I am happy to help you and your horse with more traditional methods of training, using gentle pressure and release to shape behaviors. If you are interested in learning how you can communicate with your horse more gently, with more subtlety, or simply how to make it more fun, I am here to help!

IN-PERSON TRAINING: $60 for an hour session within 15 miles of Barkley Village in Bellingham (additional travel fee may apply outside that radius). Offered in Whatcom and Skagit counties in Washington state, with a possibility of further areas on a case-by-case basis. I come to your farm and teach you or train your horse.

ONLINE TRAINING: $50 for a 45 minute to 1 hour online meeting. Send me up to 10 minutes of video beforehand and then we can analyze it together and go over next steps and exercises in our meeting online.

IN-PERSON BEHAVIOR CONSULTING: $100 per session in Whatcom and Skagit counties, Washington. Additional travel fee may apply outside that area. After filling out a detailed history form about your horse, I visit you and your horse to observe the horse in their environment and help determine and address underlying causes for the unwanted behavior. I will support you and your horse with ethical behavior modification and training plans and collaborate with other specialists as needed.

ONLINE BEHAVIOR CONSULTING: $70 per session. After filling out a detailed history form about your horse, I will request videos for you to send me. In our online meeting, I will help you with determining the underlying cause of the behavior issue and next steps for helping your horse and resolving the issue.

Not sure which option is best for you? Email me at christaculberthorsemanship@gmail.com to schedule a free 15 minute phone call to discuss you and your horse’s needs and goals and how I can help you!