Many of the ways in which I work now, still in the 16 years I have been in this career have changed vastly from the work I used to do. I would even say, most of what I do has changed.
I really believe if you aren't getting wiser, questioning what you do, and critiquing your techniques & processes, you aren't growing in the ways that are needed to simply do your work in a relevant, genuine and impactful way.
All of these changes, have been inspired by the focus on 2 things, how to achieve the best needed results for your horses, in helping them achieve ease in what is being asked of them. Efficiency, and quality are the two drivers. These are vital ingredients for horse welfare.
So, this has led to a needed EOFY reassessment on how I provide the work that I do, and how I make sure that I am holding myself to reasonable, achievable standards in the quality of service I expect to offer you and your horses. It also has lead to an analysis to identify the ways that I need to change what I do, to honour your expectations of what I offer, and honour my own integrity in what I choose to offer.
If you would like to skip the nitty gritty and head to the summary of the changes that are currently in place, and are coming.... click here.
If you are keen to understand my rational behind this big decision ( trust me I didn't take it lightly and It was scary!) , grab a beverage and read on...
The vasty majority of the work that I do, when I first consult on new horses, is yes: consultative. This consultative work takes nearly an hour, usually 45-60 minutes depending on what is needed to be discussed.
I investigate, critique, observe, assess & reassess. Then decisions of primary action are based on the horses needs, the horses cognitive profile (behaviour states & training influence), the horses movement profile, and the horses performance expectations.
Initial consultations, or consultations that have occurred after not seeing the horse for 12 months cover history (short & long term), present issues, and all potential influential factors including and not exhaustive of equipment fit: saddle & Bride/Bit/head gear, general fitness/health picture, performance picture, mental health picture, training regime, training relationship, hoof health, locomotion profile, nutritional profile.
I am not a specialist in saddle fitting changes, farriery, nutrition, bit fitting - but I am a specialist in factors that effect movement in the horse, welfare in the horse, behaviour in the horse & Equitation Science. All of which, cannot be separated from behaviour, as this is the only mechanism of communication or agency the horse has over it's existence.
So as you can imagine, understanding the area's which are based on evidence that we have, that could be an influential picture in what is a deficit in the horses welfare, or its performance, or it's movement profile, takes a very individual approach for both the horse, and their rider/manager. I take, the work that I do very seriously, as I believe in it, I know it's worth and how effective it is.
I also understand the vital importance of a multidisciplinary team - and therefore when required, I do not hesitate in referring further onto specialists in Equine veterinary assessment, farriery, bit fitting, saddle fitting, training.
The next portion of the work that I do during Initial bookings, is the time captured work in a sense, the work that is always understood the most - this is the manual mobilisation, tissue therapeutics. Working with the horses fascial, muscle & skeletal structure & nervous system to begin to regain the ideal tissue behaviours & ranges of motion to return to functional patterns, and nervous system states.
This portion of my work usually takes 45 minutes - it is completed by a re-assessment passively (standing still - I do take the horses limbs etc through movements) and dynamically (during horse driven movement) as well as complimentary physical exercises to effectively 'recalibrate' the nervous system for sustained results. This takes approximately another 15 minutes, so a total of 1 hours. This is limited by the horses needs, and welfare/tolerance levels.
The last work undertaken at the booking, is the plan of action phase.
This could be argued as the most import phase of the booking for the Human clients - the owners, riders & managers.
This can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes as what is required, is communicated.
This is where I focus on summarising observations and how they have responded to the initial manual therapeutics, what I have concluded as what your horse requires, the actions I need you to take from this point (referrals, saddle fit etc), how this will bit best with your expectations & your horses welfare needs, as well as the demonstrations of any exercises I need you to undertake with your horse to sustain the results.
So from this point where I leave the booking, it doesn't end...
Aftercare instructions are sent to advise you on the approach to take in the short term, Referrals are written and sent to communicate justification of referral (some of these are simple & concise, however others are more comprehensive and extensive) as well as initial Exercise Prescriptions (that are adjusted after future appointments as required), and the vitally important Client Notes which provide the compass reference points for a critically assessed progress and plan that applies to your horses individual needs. This all takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes per horse.
Now it might seem like I am justifying my time use to you, and - I guess I am in a way, becasue I really want you all to understand the value that I place, in this process, and this service, and how know that it is absolutely vital to the quality, and effectiveness of the work I do.
The reality is, that over the last 16 years, I have had some price increases - but I have always priced these initial bookings, and extended bookings at the same price point of a booking that should be no longer than 75 minutes. Unfortunately that is no longer sustainable for me, or fair on me, or clients.
The only thing that has changed over the years, is how much more conviction, evidence & confidence I have in the importance of the additional steps that are undertaken at the appointments, and the steps taken relating to the appointments after the booking has finished. It all matters as they are essential steps for a sustainable outcome. Communication & education of the 'human' clients is vital to the outcome of achieving what the horse needs!
The second reality is, that over the 16 years of my work, I have not adjusted my time management & expectations to meet essential demands on my time & energy, and the absolutely vital area's of focus that have evolved over the years.
What has occurred, is that this lack realistic time management has reflected on my inability to provide the aftercare, and follow up that occurs outside of the booking times to the level of quality work that I know is needed and to the level of quality that I an comfortable with providing.
So, on reflection I have decided to make a bold leap of a change of fee, and booking structure for initial appointments, appointments where I have not seen this particular horse for a 6 month period, appointments where I have not seen this particular horse for a 12 month period, with some adjustments to the regular basis return horse booking structure.
Changes to fee's & booking structures being implemented straight away:
(this does not affect bookings made & paid for at the lower pice)
Initial Bookings for Horses: Now have 2 1/2 hours of face to face booking time allocated, with another 30 minutes of administration time allocated.
As of immediately the charges for this will start at $175 for Local areas, and go up from that point to further areas.
*This booking type is likely to have a price increase on 6 months time, I will be staggering this change.
*Initial bookings for foals will not have any major adjustments to their time, or fee structure.
Return Horses: Unexpected Extended Booking Fee, for appointments that run for longer than the initially allocated time | These will be charged on a booking by booking basis, after communication at the booking, and are charged at the booking.
Fee's are an additional $25 per 15 minute block.
Changes to fee's & booking structures being implemented 1st August, 2023:
*This will not apply to appointments booked for dates after 1st August 2023, that were made prior to the 1st August 2023.
Return Horses: Regular Bookings | An additional charge of $5 per booking to covering increasing travel feels will be added to booking types, being booked in, from the 1st August 2023.
New booking types being implemented from the 1st August, 2023:
Return Horses after 6 months break: Now have 2 hours of face to face booking time allocated, with another 15 minutes of administration time allocated.
The charges for this will start at $135 for Local areas, and go up from that point to further areas.
Return Horses after 12 months break: Now have 2 1/2 hours of face to face booking time allocated, with another 15 minutes of administration time allocated.
The charges for this will start at $150 for Local areas, and go up from that point to further areas.
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email, the contact form here , via facebook messenger, or via sms if you are an existing client and have my number.
