ABOUT JUSTINE

Justine has spent most of her life with horses. 

She started riding at 5 and by the age of 7 she was competing in her first National Final. She has since competed successfully in a number of disciplines including show jumping up to 1m 30, and dressage up to Medium level. She has many years of experience riding, competing and handling horses for owners and friends, helping with riding advice, training issues and ‘difficult’ horses. 

Justine decided to study the science of equine behaviour after unknowingly buying an aggressive young horse. After asking several well-known trainers to advise her, she soon realised there was no-one who could explain what was actually going on or could help her at all. The situation worsened and her horse become more anxious and aggressive in the hands of others.

Having already studied human psychology, Justine wanted to find out why this behaviour was happening. She initially studied the science of equine behaviour and welfare with Heather Simpson, gaining the Equine Behaviour Qualification. She then trained with animal behaviourist Dr. Marthe Kiley-Worthington in the South of France. In 2020 Justine was awarded an Honorary Degree by Writtle University College for distinction in the equine industry.  

Justine is a fully certified member of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). She is also the organisation’s UK & Ireland Co-Chair and a member of the Application Review Team. She is also registered as an Accredited Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and one of the organisation’s Trustees.

Justine is also proud to be a Fear Free Certified Equine Professional. The Fear Free mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety and stress in animals when undergoing veterinary procedures. Justine is dedicated to caring for your horse’s emotional and physical wellbeing and advocates using Fear Free, low-stress techniques for all handling and behaviour modification.

In 2021 Justine founded Understand Horses – an online equine education platform with courses for horse owners, equine students and industry professionals. The contributors are a brilliant team of experienced and highly qualified professionals who are passionate about presenting practical, evidence-based information on a range of topics including horse behaviour, training, nutrition, physiology and welfare.

In addition to helping horse owners solve their horse behaviour problems Justine regularly writes for magazines Your Horse, Horse & Rider (US), Endurance GB and Equitopia. She has also contributed to British Horse, Horse & Hound, Bit (Netherlands), Horses & People (Australia), Horse & Rider (UK), Horse Deals, The Sun newspaper and has written articles for VetVits and Petplan Equine Insurance. She is also a member of the editorial board of the upcoming Animal Behaviour and Welfare Cases resource with scientific publisher CABI.

Justine lectures on the BSc (Hons) Behavioural Science Degree at Writtle University College, presents talks and workshops regularly at universities and colleges around the UK, is an Equitopia educator and also acts as an expert consultant in legal disputes and court cases involving equine behaviour. 

She is a practitioner member of the International Society of Equitation Science (ISES). She also has BHS Stage 3 Riding and Horse Care qualifications, holds a current equine specific first-aid certificate, and is fully insured as an equine behaviour consultant and trainer. 

Justine regularly attends CPD courses to keep up to date with new research in equine science and behaviour.

Contact Justine to arrange a consultation.