The Hosts
Dr Shelley Appleton
Dr. Shelley Appleton (B.Pharm, MSc, PhD) is the founder of “Calm Willing Confident Horses”. After a 25 year career as an academic in Pharmacy, she left to focus full time on horses due to the demand for her successful approach to teaching people how to train horses.
Shelley teaches people how to work well with horses via her books, online courses, workshops, presentations and clinics she provides throughout Australia. Shelley helps riders nurture partnerships with their horses whilst building confidence and trust by focusing on key, knowledge and mastery of a skillset.
Shelley has an uncanny, highly experienced ability to recognise, problem solve and correct issues with horses. Her doctorate in Human Learning proves beneficial to all coaching scenarios allowing a deeper understanding of strategies helping people develop their awareness, thinking and skillsets to be more in tune with their horse.
Shelley is a published author and editor of a number of books - Confidence & Trust, Solving the Human & Horse Equation, Buying & Supporting a New Horse -The Essential Guide and A Difficult Horse - A tribute to the horses that changed us.
Shelley is also dedicated to sharing her insights into teaching people about horses to other coaches, instructors, trainers, equine professionals and interested equestrians. Her Educating Equestrians program aims to lift the importance of respecting the human education side of equestrian pursuits. The reality is that the horse’s education, training and behaviour are grossly impacted by the knowledge and skill of the person hanging onto their lead rope or sitting in the saddle.
You can find out more about Shelley, her books, courses and educators program on her website: www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au
Kathryn Christieson
Kathryn Christieson (BAVBioSc, Dip EPT, RHDP) is a passionate hoofcare practitioner who has worked in the industry full time for nearly ten years. Based in Canberra, ACT her day to day work involves trimming, composite shoeing, glue on shoe application, hot shoeing and boot fitting services. She works collaboratively with veterinarians, bodyworkers and trainers to achieve the best results for clients in performance and rehabilitation.
Kathryn has a commitment to education and continuous improvement. She is passionate about building community and the sharing of knowledge with as many people as possible.
Kathryn's dedication to sharing her expertise shines through her teaching endeavours. For the past three years, she has been actively involved in educating Equine Science students at Charles Sturt University, where she shares information on the intricacies of farriery. In addition, Kathryn teaches workshops and online courses helping to educate the greater horse community about the correlation between hooves, posture and performance.
Outside her professional pursuits, Kathryn dedicates her time to the art of dressage, immersing herself in lessons and clinics to continually refine her skills. Her passion extends beyond riding, encompassing a profound interest in animal behavior and the intricacies of their minds. Kathryn explores the realms of self-awareness, recognising the relationship between personal growth and her horse’s well-being. This commitment reflects her holistic approach, where the pursuit of knowledge and personal development intertwines seamlessly with her love for horses.
To find out more about Kathryn and how you can learn more from her visit her website www.firenzapark.com.au