I wanted you to know that your training videos have been a life line for me and my two recently purchased horses.

I purchased a 13yr old Arab mare and her filly in Sept 2007. I am the mares 3rd owner that I know of. She was thin/bony, unrideable and the last owner had great trouble catching her. I was told she was green broke by her first owner. The filly at the time of purchase was 3 1/2mths old and terrified of her owner and people in general.

At the time I knew nothing about horses, still don’t know how to ride a horse. I went to a Vet. who advised me not to get the mare. He said she may be to dangerous for me. He knew I was bent on getting the filly but, I could tell he thought I was being foolish.

I thought about it for 2wks. not wanting to be impulsive as I have always had great admiration for horses and really wanted to be around them. At the same time this would be a life long commitment which would change mine and my husbands life.
I couldn’t sleep thinking about the mare and filly being separated. Her filly is the only good thing she had. I knew I was going to get the filly out of there and I felt that separating them was going to destroy the mare. I felt no one would want the mare and she was not wanted where she was. She looked bad.

Foolish and dangerous but, I knew I had to bring them both home.

I went over there everyday to feed them and try to catch the filly. It took me 5 mths to get them in a trailer and on my place. The trailering was forced (but gently done) with the help of my husband holding a rope behind them.

Soon as I bought them, I started reading books on horse care. In the reading I learned that if they are going to live with people, they really must be trained to be at ease and live a happy life. These girls are extremely sensitive and over react to everything.

In my search for training information on the Internet I learned that there was the “standard way” and the “natural way”. I knew that above all these horses were to be repected and loved so the “natural way” was for me.

I knew the mare was being tolerant of me. I could halter her but, I was not allowed to touch most of her body. She even cow kicked my husband (he didn’t get hurt).

Every meal I gave was met with her ears pinned back. The filly was not coming around. She tryed charging me a couple of times. I would get the ears pinned back and rear turned to me everyday.

I told my husband I had to have a round pen so I could do the things you showed in your videos. I needed the mare to learn that she must repect me as her leader or this was going to get to dangerous for me.

Last week I waited until my husband was a work and I put the mare in the round pen for the first time. I did as you said, to the best that I could.

I don’t know how long we were in the pen but she was starting to lather up. I worked her around and around, turning over and over until she started facing me. The second time she faced me she was licking and chewing.

I just stood there in amazement.
I called her to me but she didn’t come so, I went to her. I had forgotten to give her the kiss kiss sound.

The next day, we went around in the pen a few times but, this time when I called her AND gave the kiss kiss she came right away.
I tryed to lead her without the halter or rope. She followed me turning both right and left and even backed up for me. She let me rub her neck, head, and back before she walked off. This still makes me cry happy tears.

Her filly had been outside the pen watching each time. Here is another amazing result. I have now been able to halter the filly without using a bambo pole to drape a rope over her neck to catch her. I can now touch her head, neck and back. They both greet me with a whinny now. (”Big Grin”)

I must suppose that the filly is learning this more desirable behavior from her mom. The whole look of their faces is softer.

The only time I get the ears back now is at feeding time and only from the mare. I don’t blame her as she had been starving and trying to feed her filly. They do not turn their rears to me any more. This just after two short sessions in the round pen. I know these girls are smart but this is amazing.

I had been trying to get them to trust me some for 7mths. I can’t tell you how greatful I am to have come across your web site. I know this is just the start of our growing relationship. We will be moving at a snails pace but, that is fine with me. Not in any rush as I want them to have happiness everyday.

Want them to gain a new being like you are doing with the wild Mustang in your article.
I’m glad you pointed out that it took 8 session to be able to touch her.
I don’t feel so bad about it taking me 7 months and still can’t touch the girth, breast or legs yet. Will work on that slowly.

I would like to beable to ride the mare in maybe a year if we are both ready. My goal to ride the filly, is on her 4th birthday.
We have a lot of ground work to do.

Hope to take them both trail riding someday. I think they will like that.

Thank you from all of us and best regards to you and yours.
Jane TenNapel