I’ve been leasing Rooster for about 8months now, Rooster is a 4 year old American Saddlebred that is a very sweet and affectionate but has his naughty moments. The best way to describe Rooster is special. He has ADHD, anxiety and becomes paranoid over the smallest things like a for-sales sign so you could only imagine his reaction to a bicycle.

To be honest, with Rooster I’ve experienced every “bad” vices

• rearing
• bucking
• spooking
• bolting and some things I don’t even know what to call!!

Now, Rooster is not a nasty horse, there was just a lack of communication between the two of us and because Rooster spooked at anything, I was slowly becoming just like him, very anxious and paranoid. This did not help Rooster when working on the ground or under the saddle. This is where I came across Karen. We met through Wendy Noone, another one of Karen’s happy clients.

Our first lesson was a bit tough I’ll tell you that, Karen figured and pointed out our main problem that was preventing Roosters training from progressing, is that I giving him too much love when he didn’t deserve it. Due to this his discipline was falling short and Rooster would take advantage of me.

I struggled to keep him out of my personal space and to get him to listen to me whether it be on the ground and under the saddle. By using kind, but stern methods, Karen and I worked on keeping him out of my space as well as getting his head to stay down to keep him calm and relaxed. We’re now teaching him to have patience at the mounting block and calmness under the saddle along with much much more. Today I got a small taste of liberty with Rooster following me in a circle without any ropes, even when I changed directions. He was so in tune with me and attentive on every move it was truly heart-warming and the best of it all was he was enjoying himself. When we mounted he stood completely still, not even flitching whereas before he would move away making things more difficult. We then proceeded to work on my own anxiety levels and body language with Karen’s intuitive eye.

Out of the short time I’ve been with Karen, the change in Rooster and I has been certainly phenomenal. I can honestly say that Rooster and I have formed a loving relationship that holds respect and trust for one another. Karen has been outstanding, incredibly supportive and makes me feel safe when working with Rooster, my special boy. This is so important for the both of us J

It’s only been 3 lessons and the improvement is amazing. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes in the future with Karen’s help.

Thank you for going the extra mile Karen