Behaviour Modification
Unwanted behaviours in horses can be dangerous for humans and the horses themselves. Most unwanted behaviours come from fear, pain, or management that doesn’t fit with the individual horse.
As veterinarians we are uniquely able to fully assess the horse for pain or internal imbalances that may be contributing to a behaviour. After we have ruled out or treated those potential causes then we can work with you and the horse to assess the horse’s lifestyle, the triggers and specific actions of the unwanted behaviour, and make a plan to work with the horse to modify their behaviours.
Dr Markey follows a least-aversive, minimally-invasive approach, with primarily positive reinforcement in counter-conditioning and systematic desensitization.
For too long we have fought against horses, instead of listening to and respecting their subtle cues.
Dr Markey primarily works with procedural based fear; such as needle-fear, vet- fear, and farrier-fear, as well as administering medications.
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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Marisa enjoys all aspects of equine medicine and has a special interest in horse behaviour and mental wellbeing, dentistry, veterinary spinal manipulation therapy, and field surgeries.
Marisa grew up in Burlington, Ontario and was hooked on horses from a young age. She started riding arabian show horses and her show career took her all over Ontario, the Northeastern USA, and out to Canadian Nationals in Saskatchewan. Looking back, she knows her love of ground work and horse behaviour science started with those arabian horses. She attended the University of Guelph gaining a Bachelor of Science, Animal Biology in 2008. Shortly after graduating she worked as a veterinary assistant at a busy equine practice and fell in love with equine veterinary medicine. Marisa then attended the Ontario Veterinary College, graduating in 2015. After graduation she completed a busy and incredible one year internship at Moore Equine in Calgary, Alberta, and stayed for another year as an associate veterinarian. Marisa then came home to practice in Ontario and be closer to family. That same year she married a wonderful man who has supported her through this entire crazy journey. Through her years of practice Marisa has grown to love all aspects of primary equine care, with special passion for veterinary spinal manipulation therapy, geriatric care, dentistry, field surgeries, and equine behaviour. In 2021 Marisa gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in the middle of the pandemic, completing their family. In 2023 Marisa started to apply her continuing education in fear-based behaviours in horses, as well as the fear free approach to equine veterinary medicine, to help her patients overcome phobias and fear responses.
When not working, Marisa can be found being Mom, spending time with her family and wonderful rescue dog, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
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Fear Free Certification - 2023
Fear Based Behaviours in Horses (IAABC) - 2020
Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre - 2019
Dental Extractions VetPD course - 2018
Moore Equine/University of Calgary combined internship - 2015-2016
Ontario Veterinary College - 2011-2015
