Our story starts 6 months ago. I found a horse for my daughter Ashlynn, 12yrs old. Clyde is a 13 year old Clyde Dale Standard Bred x horse from a riding school. He has never really been loved or taken care of. He was just what we wanted though. Until it all went wrong. He started pig rooting, ran off, bolting with my daughter on him.

I watched as Ashlynn lost her confidence and her love for her new horse. I arranged for riding lessons which went well for a couple of weeks and then I noticed Ashlynn was making excuses not to ride and eventually the teacher told us she could not help. As a mother I was devastated, “what had I done”. Ashlynn didn’t ride Clyde for five weeks. It was so upsetting for all. Clyde looked lost.

At the point, I was considering selling Clyde even though we really didn’t want too.

My very good neighbour told me about a lady called Karen White, and suggested we might ring her and see if she could help.

I rang six weeks ago and explained our story to Karen. Karen said she would love to meet Ashlynn and Clyde, she said “come next Saturday”. Here I go again, have I done the right thing. Ashlynn said she would go and meet Karen, but with very little enthusiasm. Off we all set, Ashlynn, Clyde, Nick (Ashlynn’s Dad) and myself. We arrived at Karen’s place; walked towards the arena where we could see a few people with horses. Ashlynn walked behind me looking very nervous. Suddenly a voice shouted “Is that you Wendy go grab your horse and come and join us” I didn’t know how Ashlynn was going to react, so we unloaded Clyde, took a deep breath and walked over.

Karen asked Ashlynn questions about Clyde, I had pre warned Karen if Clyde was a danger to Ashlynn, we wouldn’t keep him. Karen kindly took him in the round yard and worked her magic then back to the arena to ride him and school him. We waited;

I have got to say I felt sick. Karen came over to us and said the magic words “Isn’t he lovely, what a great horse”, Ashlynn’s face light up and we all laughed. After an hour of Karen assessing Clyde in every nook and cranny, Ashlynn was back on Clyde walking around under Karen’s instruction.

I cried. It was as if someone had taken a great weigh off our shoulders.

To cut a long story short. Clyde stayed three weeks at Karen’s to establish solid foundations for his future training and Ashlynn now has weekly lessons with Karen and rides Clyde at home every day she can after school. Karen gave Ashlynn back her confidence by schooling Clyde first, the unruly riding school horse out of his bad habits of napping, bolting to the gate and none responsiveness through peoples bad habits which Clyde had become most resentful towards. She gave Clyde discipline, love and understanding and he understood her language immediately. AMAZING!

Karen has made a huge difference in our lives and we have one very happy daughter and one very happy horse. Karen, you are now stuck with us!!!

I would be only too happy to recommend Karen to anyone. Karen is one in a million; she has a magic way with horses, kids and adults. Hey, I am even thinking of taking up riding again so look out!!…