In my years as an equine professional, I’ve come across scores of horses that, for many reasons, have been labeled by riders or trainers as “lost causes” and “problem horses.” I’ve never personally believed that such a thing actually existed. All these horses needed to regain their health and soundness, and their trust in humans, was patience and a second chance. I resolved to help give them that second chance, and have dedicated myself to this end.

For the past 5 years I have been working with horses like this, horses that, far from being irredeemable, simply suffered from unrecognized physical or emotional problems that prevented them from realizing their potential. These problems often manifested as behavior patterns that, having little to do with the horse’s actual training, couldn’t be resolved in that way. In each case I have found a way to achieve healing for that individual when the outside consensus was that this was impossible.

Each new success has been achieved by keeping an open mind, treating each horse with compassion and respect, and having a willingness to work as a team with the attending veterinarian, farrier, other alternative practitioners, owner and trainer. I believe this holistic approach is the best way to restore and maintain lasting soundness.

I approach each horse as an individual, and try to avoid a dogmatic attitude in addressing their particular needs and problems. Ultimately, I think that whatever serves the horse’s healing should be included in the program - the point is, after all, not to reinforce our own particular ideologies at the expense of the animal, but rather to respect their needs, desires, and rights in the service of ensuring their physical and emotional well-being.