You have indeed worked a miracle on my horse.  I am soooooooooo happy!! Through your training, you have peeled back the layers of fear and uncovered my quiet Rocky Mountain horse!

Dear Sylvia:

Life with my Rocky Mountain horse, May Day, couldn't be better! He is such a together horse now. It’s curious how my initial search for a farrier led me to your web site, which led me to entrusting May Day to your skillful whispering ways. And in the end, it lead me to move from northern Virginia to Blacksburg to pursue my love for my horse and nature!

In April when I first brought May Day to you for two intensive days of natural horsemanship training (which was extended to 60 days), I wasn’t sure I would discover the horse I hoped for him to be. I had bought a Rocky Mountain because of their quiet reputation. The horse I brought home from the initial first trainer was fearful, completely lacking in self-confidence and very dangerous for me to ride. Most of my friends encouraged me to sell him. Despite all these issues, I felt deep down inside that he was capable of being quiet, confident and trusting. You were our last hope. Was I chasing the impossible dream?

From the moment you walked May Day through the round pen gate, I knew you were in his head. You immediately picked up on his fear of the gate bar overhead. Over the next several hours you so completely got into his head by reading accurately every subtle display of body language. At the end of day one I began to see him completely transforming before my eyes. It was like some spirit came over the two of you making May Day very proud of himself for the first time!

You also picked up on his eye-changing problem instantly. You understood what impact this had on his comfort level when under saddle. I erroneously had been told he had poor sight in one eye by the previous trainer. But you saw that wasn’t the case, but that he just had an eye-changing problem. You began to fix the problem as soon as you picked up on it. It meant deviating from the exercise you were doing at the moment, but you are so into the moment with the horse, you go with what you get. I couldn’t have been more impressed as I watched his comfort level using his “least preferred” eye increase as he got more accustomed to using it. And you did this all with such love and gentleness.

You gently worked all of the spook out of him. He didn’t think tarps and plastic bags were going to eat him up any longer. You stayed focused on his comfort level, gradually raising the bar until he felt no fear.

Just as importantly as transforming my horse for me, you opened my eyes to a gentler, more sensitive relationship with my horse. It was all about the giddy-up in my previous life. Now, when I am with my horse, I take my watch off and as suggested by you, stay focused on this being my horse for life and to let things develop naturally, slowly, easily. It is not all about the ride.

We are having a ball bonding to each other now as we go it alone after the 60 days training with you ended. May Day has adjusted to his new herd and new home well. He has gained his natural confidence with this acceptance into the herd. It was cute the other day. The herd moved way back by the pasture spring while I was grooming May Day and he couldn't see them when I put him back in the pasture later at the lower gate where he got a drink at the trough. I shooed him away when he finished drinking and he very calmly turned around to walk up the hill. He didn't race back to the herd, but carried himself with grace at a slow head-bobbing walk. He just exuded peace and harmony with his life. He didn't race away from me, and knew he'd find his herd and wasn't in a panic about joining up with them after being with me. YES, this is a horse that is now VERY comfortable and at peace in his skin, thanks to you!

Today I went out early to groom him. I had to get him way back by the pasture spring, and when I came over the hill and called his name, May Day started his slow, relaxed low-head walk over to join me. We were both so happy to be with each other. Now he lifts his tail slightly and moves it to the side trustingly so I can rub under it for him.

For the very first time I am not afraid of my horse. And I sense he is not afraid of me and has every confidence I will take care of him. You taught me to be his lead mare and I understand how important that is to him and his trust in me now.

Doing figure eights and one-rein stops and leg yields in the arena really gave me a feel for him as we started our journey alone. I am glad I went slowly, building up our confidence in each other and getting the feel of one another. I went from A to Z before with him (before I brought him to you) and it got us both feeling really badly. Now we have been building our foundation slowly for years of good riding.

Finally...it was truly a memorable day today: It was unplanned but felt right. May Day and I were in the outdoor arena just practicing our leg yields and one-rein stops. Two friends who board here came by and asked if we wanted to join them for a short trail ride. I felt it was a good time to see how May Day would do since he was so very relaxed and attentive in the arena. Off we went. He crossed a running brook twice without even a moment's hesitation; I didn't even have to give him any leg. He was the perfect trail horse. Nice and relaxed with his head low and one ear on me. He was so very proud of himself; it just oozed out of him. Barking dogs, strange farm equipment, nothing rattled him. I knew from the moment we rode out of the arena that I had the quiet horse I had always hoped for now. It was open space that spooked him earlier. Not now. No big deal. No snorting, jigging, backing up, not one iota of nervousness or fear.  With him now, it was like, "this is my job and I like it!" I am so happy to have crossed this milestone. It is the proof in the pudding!

Syl, you have indeed worked a miracle on my horse.  I am soooooooooo happy!! Through your training, you have peeled back the layers of fear and uncovered my quiet Rocky Mountain horse who is now a horse who is eager to join up with me in a 40 acre field, confident to drop his head low for love scratches, and happy to walk respectfully behind me, looking to me for the leadership he needs to feel safe.

Your instructional video “Round Pen Leadership,” too, is the greatest tool for me to continue improving my skills as my horse’s leader. The foundation of this leadership starts on the ground and only then, naturally, carries over to the saddle. I never realized how important this foundation was to having a “quiet” horse.  As you say, “control the feet and the mind follows.”

Sylvia, thank you so much for finding my perfect horse for life, despite all his previous issues. Life really doesn’t get much better than this!!!

Judy Ludwic
Blacksburg, Virginia
 

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