About Nicola

Equine Behaviourist

Nicola Chamberlain is an equine behaviour counsellor with over 35 years experience handling, training and riding horses. She has written various equine articles for the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, Veterinary Times and other equestrian publications as well as being a guest speaker at various conferences and seminars, of note include the Equine Clicker Conference 2013, looking at learning theory and restraint techniques for equine veterinarians for the BVBA in 2017 and considerations of the equine gastro-intestinal tract in performance, behaviour and training at University of Winchester’s ‘Understanding our Companion Animals: Ethology, Welfare and Training in 2019.

Having swapped a career in law of 18 years for one studying clinical animal behaviour in 2008, Nicola gained a First Class BSc (Hons) in applied animal behaviour science during which her research was based on efficacy and consequences of learning theory in different methods of horse training, which she presented as a poster at the specialist equine science and industry based Alltech-Hartpury Conference 2013.

Bringing together her additional skills in equestrian coaching and equine specific positive reinforcement training, Nicola is now known for her considerable experience in the practical application of behaviour, welfare science and learning theory to training methods in horses to all levels and ranges of problems. From complex unwanted behaviours to optimising performance in various ranges of ridden work covering the family pony to competition level. Nicola practices as an equine behaviour counsellor and provides education, training and coaching for horses and their people from her base in the New Forest, Hampshire.