I grew up around horses. From the time I could sit up my dad had me in a backpack working horses. By the time I could sneak out and go sit with the horses I would. I rode early and spent most of my time on the back of a horse growing up. My family owned a working dude ranch which meant we needed outstanding, all around horses. I helped refresh the dude horses and by the time I was 12 I was taking on my own training projects. 

There was to much work to be done and no webinars back then so I didn't follow anyone elses training program. I had heard plenty of the old cowboy tricks but I didn't like them. I was convinced that there had to be a better way to communicate with a horse. Then Monty Roberts came around and my dad took me to a seminar he held. I had the picture of my little 10 year old self and Monty framed for a long time. It was the first time that I had affirmation that the way I was working with the horses, without the harsh cowboy techniques, was ok. I trained hundreds of horses at our ranch until it was sold. Since I got back into horse in 2019 I have been rescuing rehabbing and finding new homes for any horse I think I can help. 

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I also adopted my first mustang in 2020. She has taught me so much about horses and how to listen to a horse. She has also sparked a passion for mustangs and led me to tip training, making the historic American Mustang available to more people. 

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Getting back into horses I have noticed that all these new people and phrases have popped up. Positive reinforcement/ negative reinforcement/ R+/ Parelli/ Clinton Anderson/ Liberty/ Clicker.......... Its overwhelming how many there are. I cannot speak to anyone person or way of training. I think that each trainer and each horse is different. Because of that it is hard to subscribe to only training method. 

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I use gentle techniques with all the horses I get to partner with. I spend the first couple of days just hanging out and learning them. Are the introverted or extroverted, are they scared or curious, do they like people or have they been beat and are scared of people. After a few days on the ground interacting with them I do a saddle assessment too. From both of those assessments I make a training plan to help them heal and excel around people. This is done with mostly positive reinforcement and a whole lot of patience. 

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Then once I know the horse and I feel like the horse is ready to find its own people we start looking for a partner for the horse. This means I may turn people away. Sometimes horses and riders just don't get along for whatever reason and it doesn't benefit the horse for me to allow it to go to someone who doesn't get along with the horse. 

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My goal is to help make more people happy and in love with horses and more horses find loving homes. 

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Gentle horse training is an approach to equine education that prioritizes the emotional and physical well-being of the horse while fostering a cooperative and trusting partnership between the horse and its handler. This method seeks to replace coercive and forceful tactics with patient, empathetic, and respectful techniques that promote understanding and communication. Central to gentle horse training is the recognition that horses are sentient beings with individual personalities and sensitivities, deserving of patience and kindness in their learning process.

In gentle horse training, positive reinforcement is a cornerstone. Rather than relying on punishment or dominance-based methods, trainers employ rewards such as treats, praise, and tactile contact to encourage desired behaviors. This approach not only enhances the horse's willingness to learn but also cultivates a sense of security and collaboration. Additionally, gentle horse training emphasizes clear and consistent communication through body language and cues, allowing the horse to comprehend and respond to commands without fear or confusion. By fostering a partnership rooted in trust and mutual respect, gentle horse training promotes a harmonious relationship that benefits both horse and handler alike.

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I seek to create and enrich mutually beneficial and emotionally enriching relationship between horses and their humans. A relationship built on trust, respect, and effective communication. Through dedicated time, patience, and empathy, the horse-human bond can evolve into a harmonious partnership that transcends conventional boundaries and showcases the remarkable depth of interspecies connections.