How Does the Horse Feel About This? Chatting with Naomi Ainley

In this episode of Over the Oxer, I sit down with Naomi Ainley, Head of Animal Management, Equine and Veterinary Nursing at Northumberland College's Kirkley Hall campus. Naomi's career has taken her from riding school pupil to groom, yard manager, biomedical scientist and equine educator, but it's her willingness to question long-held assumptions that makes this such a fascinating conversation.

Rather than claiming to be an expert, Naomi believes the real power lies in curiosity and being prepared to ask better questions, admit when we don't know something and continually learn from our horses. We discuss how her team has transformed the way horses are managed and taught at Kirkley Hall by asking one simple question: How does the horse feel about this?

Whether you're a rider, coach, owner or simply someone who wants to do better by horses, this episode offers plenty of food for thought about horse welfare, education and the future of equestrianism.

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