About Us
Training and communication with understanding
- I attended every clinic I could: Monty Roberts, Buck Brenneman, Clinton Anderson, Karen Rolhl, Robert McVitty, etc. I ended up in a program at the Parelli Ranch in Ocala for several years. I hosted clinics quite a bit after that, including a remarkable time in Puerto Rico.
- While I was having amazing success; starting horses (five to seven a year for the next ten years, Mustangs being our specialty); riding; training; solving behavioral issues… I just wanted… well, I didn’t know what, but I knew I didn’t have it.
- I founded Horse Crossing/Rescue and Sanctuary, a non-profit organization focused on abused, abandoned, neglected and “untamable' horses”, almost exclusively Mustangs. These Mustangs came to our ranch as “three strikers”, in this case meaning often on their way to slaughter, having had at least four owners, two trainers, and being labeled “untamable and untrainable”. Soon others were sending their Mustangs and horses to us for training and behavioral issues. We had incredible volunteers who simple spent time with the horses, teaching them humans could be kind and trusted. Hours were spend matching steps, grazing and ever so slowly starting them under saddle. We didn't start them until their knees were fully formed, between four and five years old, usually, and then there was eight to twelve months of groundwork before doing a first ride. We had a playground with bridges, tarps, labrinths, honeycombs, 'car wash', balls and other items to pique their curiosity, and be interested in us.
- Fast forward a few years. We moved our operation to a farm in Connecticut. More clinics with Geoff Goodman, Julie Goodnight, Buck Brenneman (again), and others. I had a three year training program with Piet Nieberlink from the Netherlands with Heidi Potter (Holistic Horsemanship). During that time, Heidi presented at the Equine Affair, where she saw Sharon Wilsie (HorseSpeak), and introduced me. I attended a HorseSpeak clinic in Vermont. After that, we met in small groups of 4-6 for a couple of years.
- FINALLY, I found what I was looking for! I found someone who knew the why and HOW of connection with horses, and she knew how to teach it! It was duplicable! Sharon had developed a system of language that we, as humans, could imitate closely enough so our horses’ could clearly understand us…. AND they could answer back! A Horse Language. Reminded me of speaking with someone without hearing. Gestures, postures and signals. A code in! To really understand what a horse’s head toss, foot stomp, facial expression, body movement, means! More than that, this all started on the OUTSIDE of a fence or stall, not after a horse is haltered and on a lead rope.
- This HorseSpeak worked on every horse, every time, with all disciplines; dressage, western, English, trail riding, etc. I wanted to know why. Sharon works with the Spanish Riding School in Austria. They think her information adds to their training. I liked that it was not another training method. I entered into the HorseSpeak pilot program in 2019 and became a Certified Practioner/Specialist in Horse Speak in October 2021. I have been working with Sharon and HorseSpeak for over five years now.
- For me, it was what I had been searching for in my work with horses: REAL connection, communication and acknowledgment, both under saddle and on the ground with horses.
Horse Speak®
How would you like to truly have a conversation with your horse?
AND IT ALL COULD START FROM OUTSIDE A FENCE!
- How many times have things started with a horse already being haltered and on a lead rope?
- How many times have you heard your interaction with a horse starts from the moment your horse sees you.?
- Did you know longeing (or lungeing) was first used as a high level method of connection with a horse?
- Did you know to train a bucking horse they use the longeing technique most people use to "Get the Buck out"?
- What does it mean??
WHAT IF
- the horse, through gestures, postures and signals expressed their thoughts and intentions.....
WHAT IF
- you knew what it meant and you could respond
- using gestures, postures and signals, the horse could understand.
That's HORSE SPEAK ....
Trail Rides and Raindrop Therapy
- Read more below about the Raindrop Therapy Technique
Emaill to schedule:
Raindrop Therapy
Private or group clinic
Instruction
Guided trail rides with your own horse
Horse Playground
Overnight
Enjoy the restaurants, music, golf and disc golf, too
Explore the Quiet Corner
Raindrop Technique
The Raindrop technique uses high quality, high frequency essential oils and can help with respiratory distress, colic, lameness and other conditions, including behavorial issuesl.
- Valor, the first oil used, is known for holding adjustments, helping self-correct balance and alignment, working with the electrical energies in the body. This is nothing new. Think of how electrical energies are measured in EEG's and EKG's.
- In today’s world where more horses than ever are faced with toxicity and stress, hectic training schedules and less turnout, modalities that bring the horse back into equilibrium physically and emotionally are not only recommended but required.
WHAT IS THE EQUINE RAINDROP TECHNIQUE (ERT)?
- The Raindrop Technique is a powerful technique developed by D. Gary Young, founder of Young Living Essential Oils. Raindrop Technique for horses is currently underutilized in the equestrian industry primarily due to the absence of knowledgeable practitioners and lack of understanding of using essential oils for horses. However, when done correctly, it can provide many benefits beyond the physical, including the release of buried traumas and behavioral patterning that affect training and ridability and ultimately the horse’s wellbeing. Essential oils not only work to facilitate balance and detox within the cells and organs, but also have the unique ability to influence the emotional brain where memories are stored. This is an important component to take into account particularly when we are not getting the expected results from other modalities.
- In addition to essential oils, Vita Flex, which pre-dates acupressure, is incorporated into ERT to facilitate transport of the oils throughout the body. Vita Flex utilizes the reflex system to release stress and blocks in energy in the neuroelectrical pathways in the body. RESTORING ATTITUDE, FLEXIBILITY AND MUSCLE COMFORT
- How it works: One horse that had a series of ERT sessions, had previously continued to have muscle spasms and discomfort in the saddle and sacroiliac joint areas despite chiropractic adjustments and massage sessions. He was not holding his adjustments, was sore to the touch and was becoming difficult to work around, which affected his training and also stressed his owner significantly. Because of the issues, he was on a limited training schedule which frustrated the trainer as well. Following the first ERT session, the horse’s movement and attitude improved significantly. Oils were left to apply on the spine in between sessions to anchor and integrate the work and to support the horse’s immunity. Additionally, two oils were chosen for the horse to smell several times a day to release emotional and physical discomfort and promote calmness and acceptance. Within three sessions, the horse was able to resume a normal training schedule and the muscle discomfort and spasms due to imbalance in the spine and nervous system were brought back into equilibrium. And more important the horse was happy and content once again. The technique and the oils were able to support the horse’s body to come back into equilibrium naturally.
- BENEFITS: To summarize, here are some of the benefits of ERT:
- Addresses the emotional wellbeing of the horse and assists in releasing negative traumas and training issues
- Prevents and combats occasional sore backs and muscles, and muscle spasms before and after riding or competition
- Supports healthy immunity which is critical during shipping and competition
- Assists with the release of toxins on a cellular level
- Can be used in conjunction with other modalities such as acupuncture, Reiki and chiropractor treatment
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- HorseSpeak
No matter what the discipline or training technique, improved communication between horse and human makes EVERY task easier. It is important to note that HorseSpeak does not challenge or replace "your way of doing things", nor does it take years of practice to begin to see real world benefits.
The ultimate “connection” with a horse requires the person to move in a similar rhythmic and balanced manner, in harmony with their needs, values and concerns. This can be learned. Horses have the ability to mimic your every move, thought and emotion. That is how the most brilliant horse people make it look effortless to perform maneuvers.
With the practice of motor skills and the clarity of the "ask" you to will be able to experience this high level connection with the horse. . The horse counts on us to be part of the whole herd, even if that herd is just two. When we are in the role of Head Horse we become the decision maker. The intent behind your actions to Move As One is immediately recognized by the horse as authentic. Moving as One will guide you toward a transformational experience and advance your knowledge and confidence with all horses.
A horse’s physical and mental make-up differs from ours in many ways. Their unique needs make up a world view, that is unlike our own. They are talking to us all the time, so it is up to us to learn their language and world view in order to respond and have success.
"Beneath every behavior there is a feeling. And beneath every feeling there is a need. And when we meet that need rather than focus on the behavior we begin to deal with the cause not the symptom".
This goes for the horse as well as the human.
Why is a horse bucking, biting, spooking, refusing to leave his friend, not walking over the tarp, won’t pick up a certain lead, ETC. Let’s not focus on the symptoms; let’s focus on what your horse needs, by learning what drives his behavior, based on his world view; through his mind and body.
I teach/coach based on the idea, you can learn better by actively doing a task. If you and the horse can do a task together, you will learn how to move yourself around the horse and the horse will learn how to move around you.
Once this is accomplished then learning anything new, going anywhere together or just enjoying each other’s company is all there for you.
Learning how a horse sees the world, helps us to understand why horses behave the way they do. This, along with a steady awareness of yourself, encourages long term trust and connection with the horse based on clarity, intent, and acknowledgement.
By using Horse Speak®, understanding their world view and how their central nervous system works, you will see them become engaged in a whole new way. Experience the thrill of having a horse speak to you and you understanding what they are saying.
Linking your own values, emotions and world-view to those of your horse, opens you up to an unforgettable transformational experience . Call me.