Milly Paton Horsecraft

Milly Paton Horsecraft Trauma-informed rehab & behaviour for horses & humans. R+ trainer, sports massage, MH nurse.
(1)

Helping stuck & everyday cases thrive.
📍In-person Hampshire, South Wilts, East Dorset
🌍Online services worldwide

How is your horse at having their ears touched? How do they feel about having their bridle or headcollar put on?I've had...
03/09/2026

How is your horse at having their ears touched?

How do they feel about having their bridle or headcollar put on?

I've had a lot of calls lately, and am currently working with a number of clients, around head-shyness and bridle-shyness.

For me, the question here isn't simply how do we get your horse to accept the bridle - it's understanding what's really going on for them and fixing the root cause.

And what might some of those causes be?
Pain - not just the obvious dental checks or bridle fit checks, but does your horse have nerve pain, fascial pain or headaches? Is there pain in another part of their body giving referred pain? There's so much that could be going on beyond a sharp tooth.

Patterns - horses are amazing at patterns, so sometimes it's not the bridle itself but what the bridle represents. That an uncomfortable saddle is about to follow, that they're about to do an activity they don't enjoy, they're going to be taken away from their herd, etc. Often it's not about the bridle but what it signifies to the horse.

Fear - has your horse developed a genuine fear or phobia? What's the underlying reason for that and how can we help your horse feel confident and resilient before even thinking about the bridle.

We have to remember that it's actually pretty easy to coerce a horse using R+/positive reinforcement/clicker training. You can suppress behaviours using a clicker in just the same way as you can using pressure.

The risk here is that your horse accepts the bridle, that behaviour suppressed, but the underlying anxiety is not resolved. Another behaviour will then pop up somewhere else - and that's not a coincidence.

I don't see R+ as a way to solve problems. It's of course important how we train horses, but I see it as a tool in my overall toolkit to help you and your horse to a happier, calmer place.

If you're looking for a way to genuinely help your horse find their confidence, then my approach is for you and I'd love to hear from you.

Drop me a message to let me know what you're struggling with and we'll take it from there.
🩷🩷🩷

When I first met this lovely client, their pony was not comfortable being touched anywhere.We took a holistic approach t...
02/09/2026

When I first met this lovely client, their pony was not comfortable being touched anywhere.

We took a holistic approach to help her feel more relaxed and confident, which overall has helped all areas of her life and her relationship with her owner - as well as achieving the original goal of being able to give her a sports massage without any fear or force.

It's an absolute joy working with this wonderful combination, and seeing them flourish is such a privilege.

If you're struggling with similar issues, please get in touch to find out how I can help!

🩷🩷🩷

[Original review can be seen on my google page!]

-----
Work with me:
🌍Live online coaching: Worldwide
📍In person: Hampshire, South Wilts, East Dorset
💻Free Behaviour, Training and Rehab Assessment Calls available

Join the 92 horse-lovers who have signed up to The Relationship Reboot this September to begin on their journey to a mor...
31/08/2026

Join the 92 horse-lovers who have signed up to The Relationship Reboot this September to begin on their journey to a more joyful connections with their horse!

Not sure if this course is for you? Then hear what this lovely client had to say after they attended an online program with me!

"The course provided by Milly on horse behaviour has been extremely informative and key to my deeper
understanding of my young horse. It has enabled us to form a much stronger bond and some mutual understanding! It is a must for anyone seeking to work with their horse in a sympathetic and meaningful way."

If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, then simply sign up by joining the facebook group (link in bio).

We start 07.09.2026.

Christa Culbert and I can't wait to see you there!

30/08/2026

Did you see my last reel about why we use clicker training?

Well this is exactly why we do it!!!

These amazing ponies went from anxious and avoidant to relaxed and happy in our company so qu**ky, without any ropes, pressure, fear or force.

Their incredible new family are so committed to building them a better life, and doing it in a way that promotes choice, agency and control to help them recover from past traumas.

I am so excited for their new life, and feel so privileged that I get to be a part of it!

If you're interested to hear how positive reinforcement could help you and your horse, drop me a message because I'd love to chat. 🩷

----
Work with me:
🌍Live online coaching: Worldwide
📍In person: Hampshire, South Wilts, East Dorset
💻Free Behaviour, Training and Rehab Assessment Calls available

28/08/2026

What’s actually the point of clicker training?

For me, it’s not really about the clicker. It’s about what positive reinforcement allows us to do with our horses.

We can make training something they genuinely enjoy, help horses who find situations difficult to feel safer and more relaxed, and use reinforcement creatively during rehab and recovery.

But there’s a lot more to it than giving your horse a treat when they do something right.

Good R+ training is about understanding what motivates your horse, what they’re communicating, how to build behaviour clearly and how to make sure the training works for both of you.

That’s the bit I love helping people with.

If you’re curious about R+ but aren’t sure where to start, or you’ve started experimenting with it and want some help making sense of it, I offer online and in-person coaching.

Send me a message and we can have a chat about your horse and what you’d like to work on.
🩷🩷🩷

----
Work with me:
🌍Live online lessons: Worldwide
📍In person: Hampshire, South Wilts, East Dorset
💻Free Behaviour, Training and Rehab Assessment Calls available

27/08/2026

Building and maintaining relationships, whether with horses or humans, take work.

We often think with horses that good relationships are built based on how we train.

That is of course important, but the things we do around that are equally important for not only creating, but reinforcing and maintaining positive relationships.

One of the things that helps with this is doing activities with your horse that they choose for themselves! No agenda from us, just fun.

Harry today chose blackberry picking, and it was a great choice 🤣

If you're looking to learn more skills to develop your relationship with your horse, then join Christa Culbert and myself on our free four-week experience, The Relationship Reboot.

We start 07.09.2026.

Sign up by simply joining the facebook group for free (link in comments).

Can't wait to see you there!

----
Work with me:
🌍Live online training: Worldwide
📍In person: Hampshire, South Wilts, East Dorset
💻Free Behaviour, Training and Rehab Assessment Calls available

I've had a flurry of new enquiries and bookings this week! This means that I have really limited availability left for S...
26/08/2026

I've had a flurry of new enquiries and bookings this week! This means that I have really limited availability left for September.

I think everyone is returning from their summer holidays and thinking about what they want to achieve this autumn.

If there's something you need support with or want to achieve, now is the perfect time! then Please get in touch to book a session or book a free assessment call to find out how I can support you and your horse!

All sessions suitable for new or existing clients for training, rehab or sports massage (except massage not available for online sessions 🤣).

Last remaining sessions:
12.09 - 1x between Wareham & Lymington - PM
19.09 - 4x NF area or online - AM & PM
24.09 - 2x between NF & Alresford or online - AM
27.09 - 1x NF area or online - PM

Message me to book or with any enquiries!

----
Work with me:
🌍Live online coaching: Worldwide
📍In person: Hampshire, South Wilts, East Dorset
💻Free Behaviour, Training and Rehab Assessment Calls available

We're celebrating the 74 people that have already signed up! 🎊🍾🎉Which means there are already 74 people about to spend S...
24/08/2026

We're celebrating the 74 people that have already signed up! 🎊🍾🎉

Which means there are already 74 people about to spend September looking at their horses, their training and their relationships a little differently.

If you’ve been thinking about joining the Relationship Reboot, this is your sign to stop thinking about it and come along.

It’s completely free, and it’s designed to help you build more joyful, connected relationships with your horses — without needing to become a completely different trainer or overhaul everything you’re already doing.

We’d love to have you in there.

Your journey to joyful connections starts here.

Simply sign up by joining The Relationship Reboot Facebook group, link in comments.

🩷🩷🩷

Address

Lymington

Telephone

+447854470378

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Milly Paton Horsecraft posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Milly Paton Horsecraft:

Shortcuts

Share

Category