About Olivia Turner
Driven by a commitment to animal welfare, I combine first-class academic research with holistic, practical expertise in equine and canine behaviour. From private consultations to international lecturing, my approach focuses on fine-tuning communication and resolving the root causes of behavioural issues.
Experience
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BSc Hons Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare (1st). 2013
Certificate of Attainment in Equitation Science. Equitation Science International. 2016
Training and Assessment in Fundamentals of Bits and Bitting (Distinction). Neue Schule and Lantra. 2017
Training and Assessment in Lorinery Science (Distinction). Neue Schule and Lantra. 2018
Training and Assessment in Bit and Bridle Fitting. Neue Schule and Lantra. 2019
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Dog Aggression for Animal Professionals course. 2017-2018
Treating Separation Anxiety, webinar. International Canine Behaviourists. 2017
The Challenging Behaviour Case, seminar. Learning About Animals. 2017
Aggression in Dogs for Professionals, basic and advanced courses. Dr Amber Batson. 2017-2018
Dog Separation Anxiety, seminar. Dr Amber Batson. 2018
Teaching Life Skills, course. Kay Laurence. 2018
Aggression in Dogs for Professionals: Advanced Course. Dr Amber Batson. 2018
IAABC UK, conference. 2018
Lorinery Conference: Equitation in the Rider’s Hands. UK. 2019
“Straight from the Horse’s Mouth - Equine Dentistry”, seminar. RVC. 2019
“How Much Does it Hurt? Pain Assessment and Treatment in Horses”, seminar. RVC. 2019
APBC Virtual Conference. 2020
Dog Law online course, 2020 and seminar 2022. Trevor Cooper
“What can go wrong with Horse’s Teeth?”, webinar. Dr Safia Barakzai. 2020
Introductory Bridle Fitting Course. SMS. 2021
“Sleep Disorders in Horses”, webinar. Dr Joe Bertone. 2021
“Troublesome Teens: Surviving Doggy Adolescence”, webinar. 2021
Predation Substitute Training, course. Simone Mueller. 2024
Horses Inside Out Conference. 2024
“Soundness from the Ground Up”, Vet and Farrier CPD day. 2024
BETA Bits, Bridles and Saddlery Conference. 2025
Annual Horses in Sport and Society Industry Conference. 2024, 2025
Scentwork for Horses 2 day workshop. Rachaël Draaisma. 2025
Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust Farriery talks. 2025, 2026
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Undergraduate research presentation at the 10th International Society for Equitation Science conference, USA. Won the award for the best student presentation. 2014
Speaker at the Animal Welfare conference, Anglia Ruskin University. 2014
Guest lecturer at the European School of Osteopathy. 2014 – 2018
Speaker at the Association of Animal Osteopaths AGM. 2016
Speaker at a Vaquero Horsemanship Clinic. 2017
Guest lecturer in Canine and Equine Behaviour and Welfare for Animal Osteopathy International. 2018 – 2020
Bits and Bitting, talk & Pony Club Lorinery Achievement Badge workshop. Bury Farm Equestrian Centre. 2019
Bitting talk for Breakspear Riding Club. 2019
Guest lecturer for E-horse, in person and online talks. 2019 - 2020
Canine behaviour talks at The Woolpack Veterinary Surgery. 2019, 2020
Bitting talk for the Cromwell Endurance Group. 2020
Lecturer for The Open College of Equine Studies. 2020 – present
Webinar “How Bit and Bridle Fit Affect Performance”, for The McTimoney-Corley Association of Skeletal Therapists. 2021
Bitting talk for Kimblewick Riding Club. 2021
Bitting talk for the Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust. 2023
Bitting talk for a Young Rider camp at Milton Keynes Equestrian. 2023
Bitting talk for Pony Club Camp at Red Piece Equestrian. 2023
Online lecturer for Equibitfit, Europe. 2023 – present
Bitting talk at the Endurance GB Youth Camp. 2024
Equine behaviour talks for young riders, Bury Farm Equestrian Centre. 2024
Webinar “Train your Eye: How is your Bit Affecting your Horse?” with Yasmin Stuart. 2024
Webinar “What is your Horse trying to Tell You?” with Yasmin Stuart. 2024
Bitting Talk “A Behavioural Approach to Bits and Bitting” and clinic at Tilefield Equestrian. 2024
Webinar “Bitted vs Bitless” with Equine Foundations UK. 2024
Bitting and Behaviour CPD days for the BHS in the South East. 2024 – present
Shuttleworth College Equine: Bitting lectures and demonstrations. 2024, 2025
Moulton College Equine: Bit fitting demonstrations, student Careers talk. 2024, 2025
Bit Fitting Demonstration for Equine students at the Berkshire College of Agriculture. 2025
Speaker at the BETA Bits, Bridles and Saddlery Conference, “Talking Horse: What we need to Hear”. 2025
Speaker at the Equimental Conference, Poland, “Understanding What your Horse Needs: Ridden Behaviour and Bitting”. 2025
Bitting Talk for Suffolk Riding Club. 2025
Webinar “Bit and Bridle Fit for Saddle Fitters” for the International Association of Saddle Fitters. 2026
Webinar “A Behavioural Approach to Bitting: What the Horse Needs”. Centaur Biomechanics. 2026
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“Equine Head Anatomy and Bitting Advice”. Endurance GB magazine, July/August 2019
“Say Goodbye to a Horse Being Bridle Shy”. Your Horse magazine, January 2024
“Lorinery Science: Choosing the Right Bit for your Horse”. Feedmark online, 2024
“Headed for Comfort”. ETN magazine, May 2024
Contributing author for the ‘Ask the Experts’ section. Horse and Rider magazine, 2026
Contributing author to the Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship and author of the Lorinery Guide (Purchase here)
Full Bio
From 2015 I lectured and was a dissertation supervisor at the European School of Osteopathy (ESO) for the Foundation and Masters degree courses in Animal Osteopathy. As well as the scientific background for equine and canine behaviour, I was also able to teach more practical skills in handling and treating animal patients. I believe it is essential that anyone treating animals should have a thorough understanding of body language, particularly signals of pain and stress, so that the practitioner can optimise the care and treatment they offer, as well as supporting a safe and productive working environment.
“Dedicated to advancing equine welfare through industry-leading education, practical consultancy, and academic research.”
For the past two years, I have been involved in the ‘Horses in Society’ conference, an industry-led initiative dedicated to advancing equine welfare, ethics, and social licence. Working alongside representatives from leading organisations such as World Horse Welfare, BEVA, the BEF, and the BHS, we collaborate on developing strategic pathways to safeguard the future of horses in both sport and society.
Although always involved with animals my academic training began in 2009 when I studied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, graduating in 2013 with a 1st Class BSc (Hons) degree. With the focus of my studies on equine learning and behaviour, I presented my research on the use of positive reinforcement in horse training at the International Society for Equitation Science’s conference in Delaware, USA, in 2013.
My behaviour work with horses took me down another path when I became aware of the frequency with which behavioural issues presented as a result of problems with bit, tack and bridle fit. Simply retraining the undesired behaviour wasn’t going to be effective until the root cause of the problem was addressed. Therefore I wanted to explore the field of bits and Lorinery to see how we can fine tune this avenue of training and communication. At this time the field of bitting was still fairly new and the information I researched was contradictory with other sources. From 2017 I was one of the inaugural group of students to complete the full Lorinery and bitting course from The International School of Lorinery Science, gaining a Distinction in 2019
“Simply retraining an undesired behaviour is never going to be effective until the root cause of the problem is addressed.”
The topics of ridden behaviour and bitting now make up the majority of my work. After registering as a Retail Member with the British Equine Trade Association (BETA), I was asked to join their Retail Committee and their Council. I’m also a listed fitter with the Equine Fitters Directory and am hugely supportive of their work. Networking more with people in the equine trade introduced me to the Worshipful Company of Loriners and I was honoured to be invited to join the company as a Liveryman. I sit on their education committee and assist the company with events that aim to support different equine charities and promote equine welfare. Through the company I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Pony Club and am a contributing author for their new Manual of Horsemanship and author of their new Lorinery Guide.
The welfare of any animal I work with is hugely important to me which is what fuels my passion to educate others and further my own knowledge and experience. I regularly attend courses to continue my professional development in behavioural consultancy and equine bitting to ensure I’m up to date with the latest science and training techniques (see professional biography for full details). If you would like to know more about me or my qualifications, please feel free to ask.
After graduating I developed my skills in Equitation Science under Dr Andrew McClean at the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre as a working pupil. On returning to the United Kingdom I set up my business as a behaviour consultant working with owners and their animals, specialising in horse and dog behaviour, though treating a few cats and parrots along the way!
Recently I’ve become involved with the research team at Hartpury University where we’ll be exploring the field of Lorinery, bitting and behaviour in more detail.
In addition to my private consultancy, I serve as the resident Behaviourist and Trainer for House of Mutt across their London and Norfolk locations. I also specialise in conducting comprehensive canine behaviour assessments for fostering agencies, ensuring safety and harmony in homes with multiple dogs. Alongside these I guest lecture at a number of academic institutions, speak at conferences in the UK and internationally, and offer talks for different organisations.
