Do you often get adverts locally for 'Equine Behaviourists'?

[vivhewe]

I've noticed lately a lot of adverts locally for 'Equine Behaviourists'. Obviously lots of experience means some people will be able to offer advice/guidance to less experienced owners but I know several of them who don't charge hourly for their wisdom.

I'm a bit dubious about them all, I know of one who I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, and so I was wondering what constitutes an 'Equine Behaviourist' as seemingly any old idiot can do it!

Does anyone else gets lots of adverts for them or is it just a northern (or possibly Cumbrian) thing? Has anyone ever had experience of them and are they totally fantastic or simply a horse quack?

 

[amandathepanda]

Anyone can set themselves up as a 'behaviourist' but it doesn't mean they have any better results than the rest of us. A friend of mine thinks she is a behaviourist but I wouldn't let her near any of my horses

 

[Shilasdair]

There's a lot of 'behaviourists' round here too, but anyone can call themselves that...so it means little. If I wanted help I'd probably go by word of mouth, or pick a BHS registered instructor (and I'd check that they were actually registered).
If the 'behaviourist' has, for example an MPhil or a PhD in a behavioural issue like cribbing...then I'd have much more respect for their ideas as they've obviously done the research and really know what they're talking about.
S

 

[ISHmad]

It's the same round here. There is a local college who churns them out. Sad thing is that the one I know of round here can't handle her own horses who are docile enough, and doesn't ride as terrified - yet is happy to take other people's money to advise and help with their horses. Hmmmm. A strong case of "do as I say, not as I do"... Still if people are daft enough to employ these people without checking them out first then you can't blame the "behavourists" for relieving them of their money I suppose.