Dr Kate Fenner
Kate is an equine science lecturer (University of Queensland), and researcher with a PhD in horse behaviour and training (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney), studied equestrian coaching (Intro coaching certificates with Equestrian Australia and British Horse Society) and horse trainer (John and Josh Lyons Certified Trainer). Kate has ridden, trained and competed in Dressage, Jumping, Western and polo in Australia, Europe, USA and Asia.
After years of experience starting horses for clients, Kate feels strongly that owners are best served by learning to train their own horses. As a result, she founded Kandoo Equine and has developed a series of ethical, easy-to-follow, step-by-step guides that are suitable for horses and riders of all levels.
Kate is also an hon. lecturer in equine science, in the areas of training, behaviour and welfare, at the University of Queensland.
Welcome to Kandoo Equine
The Kandoo Equine Online Training System has been developed to enable YOU to train your horse at home.
FREE Training Video Workshopš
[Workshop] If you feel that your horse could be more š„° relaxed, happierš to leave the home yard and his or her friends and more engaged š with you, take this FREE video training workshop and find out how you can achieve that, regardless of your horse's past experience or training level.
You'll learn how to āļø engage your horse with you to āļø enable your horse to āļø relax and āļøfocus on you and the cues you are giving. This will keep your horse in the engagement zone, focused on you and not on the surroundings, for a safe and happy ride.
"Thank you! I just wanted to share with you how much confidence, focus and enjoyment your course has ALREADY brought me! I have been working on give to the bit the last three days and my horse is responding soooo well! I love how easy to follow, clear and full of useful and practical info your videos and lesson plans are. In an age when information overload can actually be a problem and the internet is full of (often conflicting) thoughts and ideas on horse training, it has been a breath of fresh air to find you!"
"I really appreciate your help. There arenāt many training programs that you can talk directly to the one who created the program! So helpful and reassuring to know I can get help. I tend to over think things and can confuse myself sometimes ha ha! But, I donāt want to confuse my horse:)"
"Thank you so much for the 100 days emails. Its been really interesting and nudged me to reflect on what I am actually doing with my horse. My horse came to me with DJD (a started too young Dutch warmblood competition show jumper) at 9 yrs old for an easier lifeā¦which we happily had for a few years until 6 months ago when he presented as lame as when I first got him so I have had to completely rethink what I am doing. Your daily emails helped a lot sometimes very pertinent and other times in a broader way. The most important point is that I am my horsesā trainer now!"
Qualifications
Kate has experience training and competing and judging in Dressage, Show Jumping, Western, Working Equitation, Hacking, Polo and much more.
PhD (horse behaviour and training)
Hon. Lecturer (equine science)
B Equine Science (Hons)
Accredited Trainer
Pony Club Board Member
BHS Introductory Coach
100 Days - 100 Emails
Learn much more about Kate and the Kandoo Equine Online Training System by getting these emails delivered to your inbox for the next 100 days. They contain tips, chat and fun!
Selected Publications
Restrictive Nosebands
The Effect of Noseband Tightening on Horses’ Behavior, Eye Temperature, and Cardiac Responses
Fenner, Yoon, White, Starling & McGreevy
Read the paper here
PLoS, 2016
Review of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram
Public acceptance of future use of horses for elite sports likely depends on whether the international and national riding federations can provide credible, objective evidence that horse welfare is truly paramount at all times.
Ladewig, McLean, Wilkins, Fenner, Christensen, McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
Journal of Veterinary Behaviour,Ā 2022
The Validation of E-BARQ
Validation of the Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ): A New Survey Instrument for Exploring and Monitoring the Domestic Equine Triad Ā
Fenner, Matlock, Williams, Wilson, McLean, Serpell and McGreevy
Read theĀ paperĀ here
Animals, 2020
The Development of E-BARQ
The Development of a Novel Questionnaire Approach to the Investigation of Horse Training, Management, and Behaviour
Fenner, Dashper, Serpell, McLean, Wilkins, Klinck, Wilson and McGreevy
Read theĀ paperĀ here
Animals, 2020
Identifying Bias in Surveys
Identifying Sources of Potential Bias When Using Online Survey Data to Explore Horse Training, Management, and Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review
Fenner, Hyde, Crean and McGreevy
Read theĀ paperĀ here
Veterinary Sciences, 2020
Building Bridges
Building Bridges between Theory and Practice: How Citizen Science Can Bring Equine Researchers and Practitioners Together
Fenner, Dashper, Wilkins, Serpell, McLean, Wilson and McGreevy
Read theĀ paperĀ here
Animals, 2020
The Round Pen Review
Cutting to the chase: How round-pen, lunging, and high-speed liberty work may compromise horse welfare
Fenner, McLean & McGreevy
Read the paper here
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2019
E-BARQ Pilot Study
Behavioral, demographic and management influences on equine responses to negative reinforcement
Fenner, Freire, McLean & McGreevy
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2018
Read the abstract here.
The Engagement Zone
Effects of pre-conditioning on behavior and physiology of horses during a standardised learning task
Fenner, Webb, Starling, Freire, Buckley & McGreevy
Read the paper here
PLoS, 2017
Sex and Gender
The Anthropomorphic Application of Gender Stereotypes to Horses
Dashper, Fenner, Hyde, Probyn-Rapsey, Caspar, Henshall and McGreevy
Read theĀ abstractĀ here
Anthrozoƶs, 2018
Fibre Requirements
The Fibre Requirements of Horses and the Consequences and Causes of Failure to Meet Them
Ermers, MGilchrist, Fenner, Wilson & McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
Animals, 2023
Accident Analysis
Development of a Human Factors Approach to Equine-Related Human Accident Analysis, and Preliminarily Evaluation with Simulated Incidents
Chapman, Fenner, Thomas
Read the paperĀ here
Safety, 2022
The Sex of the Handler
The Impact of the Sex of Handlers and Riders on the Reported Social Confidence, Compliance and Touch Sensitivity of Horses in Their Care
Anzulewicz, Fenner, Hyde, Heald, Burattini, Romness, McKenzie, Wilson & McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
Animals, 2021
Impact of Multiple Riders
Equine Responses to Acceleration and Deceleration Cues May Reflect Their Exposure to Multiple Riders.
McKenzie, Fenner, Hyde, Anzulewicz, Burattini, Romness, Wilson & McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
Animals, 2021
Tongue-Ties and Nosebands
Reported Use of Tongue-Ties and Nosebands in Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horse Racing-A Pilot Study
Weller, Franklin, White, Shea, Fenner, Wilson, Wilkins & McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
animals, 2021
Ageing Horse Behaviour
AgeāRelated Changes in the Behaviour of Domestic Horses as Reported by Owners
Burattini, Fenner, Anzuleqicz, Romness, McKenzie, Wilson & McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
Animals, 2020
Unwanted Behaviours
Associations between Ownersā Reports of Unwanted Ridden Behaviour and InāHand Behaviour in Horses
Romness, Fenner, McKenzie, Anzulewicz, Burattini, Wilson & McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
Animals, 2020
Mares Vs Geldings
Reported behavioural differences between geldings and mares challenge sexādriven stereotypes in ridden equine behaviour
Aune, Fenner, Wilson, Cameron, McLeanĀ & McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
Animals, 2020
The Use of Nosebands
The reported use of nosebands in racing and equestrian pursuits
Weller,n Franklin, Shea, White, Fenner, Wilson, WilkinsĀ & McGreevy
Read the paperĀ here
Animals, 2020
Click on the image to see a full list of publications
Dressage Downer
Radio New Zealand interview with Kate about tight nosebands, 2016.
