Mervi Pakola
Horse trainer, riding coach, horse masseur, animal trainer
My name is Mervi Pakola. I’m a Finnish horse lady who loves horses and wants to spread knowledge to help you and your horse to understand and communicate better. I have learned natural horsemanship, learning theory of horses, Centered Riding, horse biomechanics and horse wellness to name a few things from a wide variety of studies about horses. I am a horse trainer, horse masseur and Centered Riding instructor (level1). I have also competed both in western riding and dressage.
Mostly I help people with problems with horses. What makes my way unique is, that I have combined best parts of natural horsemanship and science behind horse training to a effective way to teach horses. I have also studied and learned from horses a lot about reading horses pain which I think is the most common reason for bigger behavioral problems with horses.
My biggest passion is to help horse people to understand their horses and to help with different kind of problems with horses. I know nothing better than to hear how horse has changed his behavior for a much better one and how life with that horse has become so much easier or how I’ve managed to help to find pain that was causing problem behavior. I like to help both, you and your horse. Another wonderful thing is seeing horse change his behavior and starting to trust me and relax with me.
My goal with ground work exercises is to teach good manners and create a good relationship with horses. Trust, respect and communication are really important things to me when I’m with horses. I want them to know what I ask them and to be able to do things relaxed and easy with me. These things are very useful for all persons who deal with horses and they might change your ordinary life with horses a lot! It should get safer, easier, unstressed and more problem-free. When some problems arise, you will know what to do, so they won’t grow bigger and you can teach them to go away again. You should learn these things as a part of your ordinary life with horses.
Speak Horse with Mervi is an online course to every horse person who wants to understand their horses better, teach them good behavior and avoid unwanted behavior. It’s your help to your everyday life with horses. You will find that from our online store.
Chronic diseases of the digestive system of horses (Jonna Jokisalo 2022)
Basic horse gymnastic exercises (Miisa Wikman 2022)
Myofascial connections of horse and rider (Tuulia Luomala 2022)
Treatment of animal pain (Fennovet, Ann-Helena Hokkanen 2022)
Professional qualification of animal trainer (Kpedu 2022)
Webinar series for horse professionals (Minna Tallberg 2021)
Learning foal webinar (Anna Kilpeläinen 2021)
Animal pain (Fennovet, Ann-Helena Hokkanen 2021)
Animal control information for horse owners (2021)
Exploring the horse (Markku Pätsi 2021)
Horse sand disease (Ell Kati Niinistö 2021)
Joint problems in sports horses – causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention (Ell Laura Muilu 2021)
Long-lasting pain in a horse (Ell Ann-Helena Hokkanen 2021)
Horse laser treatment lectures, (Theralux 2021)
Racehorse oral health and the latest results of bit research (Ell Kati Tuomola 2021)
Horse shiatsu 1 and 2 levels (Susanna Tuisku, Liz Eddy 2021)
Horse feeding lecture series (Elena Autio, FT, St. Hippolyt Finland 2021)
The pain of a horse (Ell Ann-Helena Hokkanen 2020)
How to recognize 24 behaviors that indicate pain in a ridden horse (Sue Dyson 2020)
Tiina Kataja’s lectures on horse biomechanics (Tiina Kataja 2020)
Motor control of the horse (Heli Hyytiäinen 2020)
Beyond horse massage (Jim Masterson, Masterson method study online 2020)
Problems and solutions for the most common training issues (Gerd Heuschmann, webinars autumn 2020)
Webinars about the horse’s fascia network (Tuulia Luomala 2020)
The basics of in hand work in classical dressage (Laura Osborne online course 2020)
Compassionate Training for Today’s Sport Horse (Karin Leibbrant DVM 2019)
Horse&Rider in Motion (Lecurers Prof. Hillary Clayton, Susanne von Dietze, Dr. Sarah Jane Hobbs and Tuulia Luomala 2019)
Lectures on horse biomechanics (Niina Kirjorinne 2019)
Reducing horses tension with training (Tuire Kaimio, Kaustinen 2019)
Licensed Practitioner of NLP™ (NLP Academy, Espoo, 2019)
The function of a horse’s back, the effect of the rider and equipment (Heli Hyytiäinen 2018)
O.T.E. faskia treatment advanced course (Nivala 2018)
Centered Riding® instructor training level 1 (Sue Leffler, Suonenjoki 2018)
O.T.E. faskia treatment basic course (Nivala 2018)
Trotter in Motion (Heli Hyytiäinen + other lecturers Kaustinen 2018)
Science Behind Horse Training Course. (Andrew McLean 2017, Harju)
Horse rehabilitation. (Jaana Tainio, Kaustinen 2017)
Biomechanics of the horse. (Jaana Tainio, Kaustinen 2017)
Two Day Applied Anatomy and Biomechanics Course. (Gillian Higgins, Biomechanics training Ypäjä 2017)
What is a horse made of? (Jaana Tainio, Kaustinen 2017)
Horse trainer’s professional qualification, horse massage (Kaustinen 2017)
Centered Riding Open Clinic (Eerika Häkkinen 2017)
Pillars of health lectures (Paula Heinonen, Helsinki 2016)
Fighter Physical Training Instructor (Spartan Gear 2015)
Body Weight Instructor (Spartan Gear 2015)
Personal Trainer (Trainer4You/EHFA 2013)
Gym trainer (Trainer4You 2013)
Well-being trainer (Trainer4You 2013)
Kickboxing instructor (Finnish Kickboxing Association 2013)
Mark Shaffer Mechanics N Motion training since approx. 2011-2017
SRL coach training level II western riding part (SRL)
SRL Riding coach training I level ( SRL 2011)
Fundamentals of Educational Sciences (University of Jyväskylä 2011)
Various courses and lectures on horse behavior sciences, natural horsemanship and training (2005-2017, among others Tuire Kaimio, Jenni Hakosalo, Piet Nibbelink, Ed Dabney, Katja Vanhatalo, Kari Vepsä, Leena Kurikka, Meeri Simula, Mia Jurvala)
Bachelor of Engineering (AMK 2008)
