I’ve seen many big name trainers working with horses and I don’t agree with much of what they do or what they say.
I don’t agree with harassing horses with ropes and flags, or letting them buck with the saddle, or chasing them until they’re distressed.
Every week I get emails from people whose horse has been terrified by someone, in the name of training.
Just recently, a lady wrote to say she sent her confident young horse away to be started under saddle and he came back a nervous wreck. Her beloved young horse is now nervous and frightened and doesn’t trust anyone.
She doubts she’ll ever be able to ride him.
“It breaks my heart to see him like this,” she wrote.
It also breaks my heart. I’ve seen far too many horses who’ve been frightened like this.
I know there’s a far better way to train every horse.
I sat down in 2011 to document once and for all, how every horse can be handled and started under saddle and trained without all the bucking and stress that’s accepted by so many horse people.
My only motivation was that I truly believe horses deserve a better deal and it’s high time someone spoke up for horses.
And the results have been spectacular.
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to sell so many books to all corners of the world. More than 30,000 people have now purchased my book.
From Canada to France, Australia to Austria, New Zealand to the United Kingdom, Ireland to the United States, South Africa to Germany, my book has been sent far and wide.
Your response has been overwhelming. Fear-free Horse Training has more than 70,000 followers on Facebook, and I’d like to thank each and every one of you.
My book isn’t magic. I can’t give you the skill and experience to start a horse under saddle or catch an unhandled foal.
However, every day I receive emails and feedback from people who’ve made vast improvements with their horses by applying what they’ve read in my book.
Often the simplest things give the best results. Every horse owner can take some feed, go to their horse and be nice to him.
Everyone can rub their horse’s head and teach him it’s good to be with you.
Thanks again. Maybe I can’t change the world but, together, I know we’re making a difference.