Who are we?
The inspiration for EquiScholars began in an Equine Therapy Centre which means that, as well as having a deep awareness of the needs of our horses, we also understand the challenges life can bring for us humans, too! We follow a strong ethos, promoting positive mental health, encouraging open communication, building confidence, resilience and ultimately, empowering learners.
Meet the team
Kate Blackmore
Founder
Kate is an equine behaviour consultant and trainer. She runs her own behavioural consultancy business, Equilogical – Positive Equine Partnerships. Alongside this Kate worked for Conquest Centre, during her time there she worked with both children and adults in 1:1 and group settings with a range of abilities, as well as being Head of Equine Welfare. Kate has worked with horses in a variety of settings, including equine therapy centres, riding schools, livery yards, and animal care centres.
For the last 10 years, she has strived to implement and inspire students with behavioural based knowledge through education and has recently turned her focus on expanding the EquiScholars program around the globe.
Louise Napthine
Brand Ambassador
Louise Napthine is an Equine Behaviour Coach. She has over 25 years experience with horses, supported by a strong theoretical foundation. Qualified to Postgraduate level, Louise has a Bachelors Degree in Equine Studies and a Masters in Equine Health and Welfare. With her business ‘Why Do Horses’, she delivers reward-based training and horse behaviour workshops.
Owing to her passion for horse behaviour and welfare, Louise became a Brand Ambassador for EquiScholars. She covers Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire.
Collaboration
We know that working with a diverse range of children and young adults requires a multi-disciplinary approach. We are proud to have some fantastic collaborators on board covering both human and equine behaviour from various fields including equine behaviour, equine assisted activities, trauma informed care and psychology.
Emily Kieson PhD, MS, PgDip, ESMHL (Equine International Research Institute)
Emily Kieson holds a PhD in Comparative Psychology, a MS in Psychology, and a graduate degree in Equine Science. Emily also holds multiple certifications in various models of equine-assisted activities and currently serves as Chair of the Equine Welfare Committee with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH).
Her current research focuses involve looking at equine affiliative behaviours to study how horses create and maintain social bonds and how those can overlap with human affiliative behaviours for application in management, horse ownership, equine-assisted activities, and indicators of welfare in horses with and without humans. She also has a passion for supporting sustainable systems of horse management and husbandry that promote the physical and psychological welfare of the horse while simultaneously supporting sustainable ecosystem practices on small and large scales (for both feral and domestic equids).
Emily currently develops and teaches courses at universities in the fields of psychology, animal-human interactions, animal-assisted interventions, animal behaviour and training, and animal welfare and ethics.
Jessie Sams
Jessie is an animal behaviour consultant who completed a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the University of Greenwich in 2012. She is also currently undertaking her Certification with the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour to become a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist.
Jessie has been around horses since a young child and prior to working as a behaviour consultant she worked with a wide range of horses in different settings and circumstances including work with showjumpers and racehorses. Jessie competed up to young riders level and produced her pony as a Junior from British Novice to JA. From here she grew a passion for giving horses the very best start regardless of discipline using a holistic approach of the horses psychological and physical wellbeing.
After completing her degree she then developed an interest in positive reinforcement training. She also works in a mixed general practice with horses and dogs, many of whom have suffered trauma. Jessie has a special interest in trauma in non-human animals and incorporates trauma informed care principles, neuroscience, Polyvagal and attachment theory into her work. Her approach is integral and focuses on the whole animal with the aim of improving animal – human relationships by facilitating safe relationships and experiences from which a solid foundation and relationship can be built.
Jessie has her own business, Animal Trauma Recovery Service in UK which you can find out more about here:
Chantal Lashmar
Contributor
With over 14 years of experience, Chantal has a keen interest in neurobiology and applies this knowledge to her work. Horse Boy trained, Thrive Practitioner and Movement method trained, Chantal has broken down barriers to learning with countless children.
