Hi Lauren. How I enjoyed being at the clinic on Saturday. I felt like a sponge...trying to absorb every word. You are indeed a gifted teacher as well as horsewoman.

I am now trying to consistently expect exactly what I ask from my horses thanks to you. That is, of course, assuming I have taught them what I want.!! But standstill, does not mean to step anywhere.

It took me a while to get my horse to break into a canter in the round pen at liberty. She went from easy trot to fast and faster trot. She has learned now to canter but still rushes. Since your clinic I ask for the canter on my 12 foot line, where I can reach her to give the cue. Now she breaks into the canter from a walk on that line. Will keep working.

Do hope we can connect up with you again at a clinic or class. God Bless.       Freda

 

You are the best! I just wanted to THANK YOU for teaching Magic Curbside Service. Almost 3 years and this was the first time I have ever sat on my horse. Literally, tears of joy! Truly the best gift I could ask for. Your training is exactly what I have needed and I can't wait for the next lesson! Where have you been for the past couple of years?

Outside of Magic, you have started to give me back my confidence after my injury. This in and of itself is a big victory! You are enabling me to get past my set backs and for this I am extremely grateful and look forward to many more lesson with you! You are an angel! Teri

(After our 4th session. However, the horse had been in training with someone else for 8 months.)

 

Ever since The Horse Whisperer I have been afraid of crossing or riding down a road on horseback. I focus on the infinite possibilities of what idiot may come racing down the road, hurtling out of a driveway or what obstacles we might encounter that would terrify my horse. Of course, she would spook, I would panic and it would end up really ugly!
Sooo.... last week found Lauren, Sassafras and I working on this. I don't remember how she got us on the road (sly as she is) but there we were, Sassy and I trotting down the road with Lauren driving her truck beside us. Just as I was starting to breathe and thinking this isn't so bad, she starts to squeeze us towards the fence and there is the FOR SALE sign coming up and the guy with the leaf blower who she tells to turn up full bore and the neighbor with the garbage can she asks if he can bang the lid louder.  Then, in her usual tactful way she says to me, "just ignore it and trot on."  Sassy must have been listening because I was focused solely on breathing, and we continued on without breaking stride - what a horse!
Next, Lauren wants us to follow her with Sassy's nose on the tailgate. I am more than nervous but Sassy doesn't seem to care - what a horse!
Now she wants to tailgate us down the road (it's illegal, woman). OMG, my jaw is dropping, she's not kidding. But Sassy isn't having any trouble with Lauren driving up our a@5** so I'm feeling pretty pleased at this point and ready to call it a day. But, as we are heading home Lauren reaches out and grabs Sassy's bridle rein, pulling her up alongside the truck  - so close I could have reached in and smacked her!  My blood pressure starts to rise as Lauren starts to go faster and Sassy is going down the road perpendicular to the truck. Finally Sassy relaxes. I relax and all is well. My horse is awesome!
Lauren - what an awesome lesson and what I learned in such a short time: the road wasn't a barrier and Sassy never had a problem with it - I did. Okay, maybe she wasn't fond of cozying up to the side of a moving pickup truck but she did it. She never lost her cool - that was the greatest moment of awareness for me. I realize I can trust her more and quit projecting my 'issues' of what could happen. I have a great horse in Sassy and a great trainer in you. So, I can't fail if I just listen and work with the knowledge you share with me.
Sassy and I thank you for all the good times to come!   --Phyllis

Thank you, I feel like I learned a lot today. It is always so nice when your brain and your body connect. I think that you do such a wonderful job, you always seem to know what will work, and you know how to explain it. You’re a great teacher. I can’t thank you enough for all your help. I know I pay you, but your expert eyes and wonderful personality sure are making this FUN!!!! – Sue G, Peoria AZ

 

I had a blast… Never a dull moment with you! I’m always intrigued and amazed with you. You have such profound and thought-provoking perspective! Have you thought about being a counselor?? It’s like learning horse-ABC’s, and then putting the letters together to make “See horse run.” – J

 

Hi Lauren,
I was just saying the other day to a fellow rider how you helped me over come my riding fears. I started with Parelli, but you are my true hero. Thank you so much. S

 

Thanks for your patience with me and all you're teaching me and Bridge. – Chris, Peoria AZ

 

You have a talent and such a unique way of getting through to people. You go girl! – Teri, Scottsdale AZ

bev-curb-border-180x238

Bev & Kitchee exhibiting their Curbside Service.

Doc and I had a wonderful day. Obviously, because I have a terrific trainer who tells me what to do and when I follow the directions, it works! Thanks a lot and have a wonderful day. – Bev, Phoenix AZ

 

You are indeed a gifted teacher as well as horsewoman. I’ve read your book three times. – Freda

 

Lauren:  I am sitting here tearing up as I try to find the appropriate words to tell you thank you for the break through that Kit and I had yesterday. I don’t have the words but I certainly have the feelings. It was such a wonderful day – the lessons that you keep hoping willl come together for me finally did at a competition.  Thursday’s lesson really did it… when I told Kit to get back over there at the well, it was your voice and I was finally thinking like Lauren. It is finally coming together – It has been worth the journey and your guidance has been invaluable. Even though the words sound ordinary my appreciation is gigantic. – Bev

 

Lauren, I have not been able to think of how to put into words how much you helped me at the clinic. I have loads of work to do with Annie, but it was Izzy you helped me thru her temper fits. I would not have known how to keep pushing her thru it to a good result.  She is going to be a great horse, and I will keep up teaching her what you taught us.  Thanks so much for an amazing clinic- all your clinics and lessons are the best I have ever been to.  Lauren you are an exceptional teacher of humans and horses, we love you girl! – Sue S.