Blue Cross Horse Behaviour Training Day

📍 Rolleston Centre, DE13 9AU
📅 25th September 2025
🕙 10:00 arrival for 10:30 start
👥 20 Spaces Available

🚗 Please note: Parking is limited – if possible, share lifts.

🪑 Please bring your own camping chairs.

Blue Cross in collaboration with RDA, supported by the Petplan Charitable Trust.

Day Schedule

10:30 – Welcome & Introduction

• Overview of the Blue Cross Adoption Scheme (including meeting horses available for adoption).
• Introduction to the Home Direct Scheme – how Blue Cross supports owners who need to rehome horses (e.g., retirement, personal reasons, securing a horse’s future).
• Opportunity for Q&A.

12:00 – Lunch (bring your own lunch)

13:15 – Session 1: ‘Parking’ Your Horse

• Trainer: Grace Shayler (Blue Cross Horse Rehabilitation & Behaviour Advisor)
• Focus: Training horses to park and stand still, especially at a mounting block.
• Methods: Use of reinforcers and clear communication to improve horse understanding and ensure horse and rider safety.

14:00 – Session 2: Introducing a New Object

• Trainer: Grace Shayler
• Focus: Introducing novel objects in training.
• Techniques: Helping horses manage their emotional response and desensitising them to new stimuli.

15:00 – Q&A and Closing

About the Trainer – Grace Shayler

• Experience: 14 years at Blue Cross.
• Qualifications: Degree in Sports Science, BHS certified.
• Career Path: Rider trainer → Training supervisor → Horse Rehabilitation Behaviour Advisor (current role for 2 years).
• Expertise: Evidence-based training, supporting traumatised/neglected horses, producing performance horses, and backing young horses.

Blue Cross Horse Behaviour Training Day