HORSE COURSE TESTIMONIALS

Please note,  All of the accounts listed below are true stories of how Sumerel Training has changed the lives of these people and their horses forever. Some are long, some are short, but please read them all, and discover what this incredible Horse Course* can do for you and your horses!

Carol B., MI. Sept., 2007

Dan, I am writing to thank you again. I attended one of your clinics about 5 years ago. I had purchased my first  horse,
a Holsteiner mare. She was 18 months old and had never been handled. I used your techniques with her and YES IT WORKS!
I show her and I trail ride her. Trainers comment on how hard she tries to work with me.

Recently, we acquired a 6 year old TB. He was bred to race, but never did. He had never really bonded with anyone. So,
the problem I had was catching him in the pasture! It sometimes took 2 hours! Then, I decided to try what I had learned
from you. After two weeks of your round pen and lead line work, I now have HIM coming to ME in the pasture. So,
thanks again!

Carol, we are so very happy for you and for your horses. Your email proves that every horse wants a strong yet benevolent
leader, and both of your horses are very lucky that they have found one in YOU! Keep up the great work! D & J

Laura D., CT. August, 2007

Hi Dan and Jocelyn!

I just came home from the barn, and came straight to the computer to send you both a note.
I have been working with my Hercules using Dan's methods for over a year now, and the progress I've made with my horse
is MORE than I had ever dreamed of!

Today, I was out playing with him in a a large arena that has a little area off to the side with a trail cut in around a pond.
We had not been out there in awhile, and neither of us was aware that the back side of the trail had become overgrown.
Hercules trotted off down the path around the back side of the pond, and when he did not come out the other side, I went
to investigate....

There I found him standing withers high in the brambles. I picked my way in along the trail, for I could not even see
the path anymore. I got myself about 6 feet away from him to find we were surrounded on all sides by nasty sticker bushes.
Hercules stood calmly looking at me. I signaled him to back up. He backed two steps and stopped and looked at me again.
I saw that was a try, and knew that he was telling me that he was not comfortable to back any further.
At this point, I worked myself in, until I was standing in front of him. The brambles closed in behind me and when I stroked
his neck, I could see several stickers sticking from his neck and his ears. At that moment, I KNEW I was in a situation
where I'd have to rely on our training and the bond we had established. TRUST ME, a year ago, if I had been standing amid the brambles in front of this 1400 lb. Belgian cross, I would have been kissing my arse good-bye! He would not have thought twice about running me over, or panicking. He would have been making all kinds of choices all over the place, INSTEAD OF RELYING ON ME!

I remembered what Dan said in our last clinic about how each time you have success helping your horse get past the
"Scary Things", the more trust you would build with your horse. I knew that it was MY responsibility to get him out of there calmly and safely. I USED to be so afraid of my horse! But, now, I pulled each branch aside and asked him to move forward one step at a time. Sometimes he gave me a try and sometimes he'd take a step. Bear in mind that this path was so small and we were so hemmed in, that Hercules had little choice than to be right on top of me. He NEVER ONCE TOUCHED ME! I only felt his breath! We picked our way out slowly and when we came out on the other side, he lowered his head and gave a shake.
DID I MENTION THAT WE HAD NO LEAD LINE OR HALTER?

When we got back to the arena, he stood like a gentleman as I put the lead line on him. As we started to move forward, he started to get loose in the legs, like he wanted to roll. He folded down and laid with his feet tucked under him, and waited patiently for me to unclip him. I stepped back and then he rolled for all he was worth! When he finished, he stood, shook, and walked right over to be clipped up again!

After all that, guess what we did? We played with a ball and a hula-hoop for the first time ever! We ended the session with the hula-hoop draped around his neck while he licked and chewed! I LOVE MY HORSE!!!

When you guys go to bed tonight after a long day's work, or whatever frustrations you may have~ Please know that people out there ARE LISTENING  to what you teach and it's CHANGING LIVES! I realized today that I now truly trust my horse and my horse now trusts ME! I guess it was one of those magical moments for me~ and I know that this is only the tip of the iceberg, for there is so much more for us to learn and do. There are people at my barn who have years and years of riding experience on me, but I am the ONLY ONE WHO HAS A HORSE THAT COMES BACK WHEN I LET HIM LOOSE!

Did I tell you that I love my horse?

Thanks, again. Any time you are in the area; I will be back for more!

Laura, we could not be happier for you and for Hercules! Everything you have recounted in this experience with your big and beautiful horse validates the fact that the relationship with your horse is very much like a marriage. It must constantly be worked on in order to grow and grow....and you are reaping the rewards of this process! Congratulations for sticking with all you have learned, for having an open mind and heart, and for what you have accomplished with Hercules! D & J
 

Karen Sebach, CT.

Dear Jocelyn, I just wanted you to know that I LOVE my new Courbette Magic Saddle, and Fantasy DOES TOO! We have had a two mile ride,  a four mile ride, and a seven mile ride over the past four days, mostly walking for experience and getting into shape! Things are great and putting the saddle on is NOT escalating ANY bad behaviors. ( Note: this horse could NOT be saddled less than a year ago...once her physical problems were taken care of, and then Dan's training methods were applied, Karen has seen NOTHING but awesome IMPROVEMENTS in her beloved Fantasy )  I LOVE the Bitless Bridle; especially when she gets a bit nervous and jumps a foot sideways! I KNOW that I would have torn her mouth out, not expecting the "jump" if I had used a  bit...any bit... I cannot believe that I am NOT even saddle sore! The sweat marks today confirmed all that you told me about how the Courbette saddle would fit..... and it does!

I cannot express my gratitude for your education and help with my dear horse, Fantasy, and the purchase of the Courbette Magic saddle. I am confident we will both be thrilled with it. Many, many thanks!!!  Karen and Fantasy, I just cannot tell you how happy it makes me to know that you are both having so much fun together! Keep it going! Jocelyn

Doris R., PA.

Dan: I just wanted you to know that I am reading and rereading your book on the " HOW TO" chapters and have been out
in the round pen with my three horses using the method you describe with each one, individually, and I am finding that I am making VERY good progress on the ground. I REALLY  "GET IT" that  it's horse psychology...getting the mental commitment. I LOVE the SLOW it all down and wait part....THAT'S THE PART THAT WAS MISSING! When you say that we are too Pro-Active with our horses, you HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD! I love this work so far, and hope that I can transfer what I am beginning to get on the ground, to the saddle. ( NOTE FROM DAN AND JOCELYN...YOU WILL, DORIS! ) The biggest surprise was what I thought was my most "submissive horse" ...he has turned out to have LAYERS of buried RESISTANCE that have amazed me. Tonight he had more HORSEY ATTITUDE than I had ever imagined. I am REALLY glad to be slowly working this out on the ground!  I love this work MORE as I use it each time...thus far and am looking forward to working with you at some point in the near future...

Karen T., in North Dakota

Dear Dan and Jocelyn: Thank you so much for all you are doing for "THE HORSES"! Your techniques and education will become mainstream in the horse world;  it JUST HAS TO! I sure do hope you can do more clinics around here, too. I will keep telling people about barefoot horses and the Bitless Bridles with A PASSION!



Nan, in Illinois

Hi Dan,
My horse, Oberon, and I attended your clinic in November, 2006 at Meadowsweet Ranch. I just wanted to thank you for your guidance. The BEST lesson you teach is patience, persistence and consistency, (especially Patience ), and it has certainly paid off for me and my horses. The other aspect of your approach that is so essential and one that is echoed by other greats in the art of horsemanship is that of Intent. Not only what you intend to do for that moment, but your intent in general. Somehow, horses get it!
  Oberon and I went to an indoor arena recently, and we did things together that neither of us had done before. He was a CHAMP and I was so grateful to him. I kept thinking about intent and made patience our guiding principal. It was fabulous!
  We have also adopted a wonderful pony who has been mishandled in his 5 short years on this planet. He is terrified of men and at the outset, any thought of caring for his feet was enough to make him just about die of fright; striking, rearing, running over people to get away! His eyes were WILD with terror. He has been with us now since the end of November and I am so thrilled to report that he allows me to pick his feet without much negotiation at all. He even just stands and lets me groom him!Plus, he allows me to touch him anywhere without batting an eye, and he is terrifically sweet and affectionate. I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP HIM GET TO THIS POINT WITHOUT INTENT, PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE AND CONSISTENCY! OBERON AND FRODO THANK YOU AND SO DO I!

Stacey Gallagher, CT.

This Horse Course* is worth it's weight in GOLD. Imagine being able to get anything you ask out of your horse.....NOT by FORCE, but because your horse WANTS to please you! Dan uses no special equipment or gimmicks. This is a class designed to learn HOW to think like a HORSE, and to learn to do the Best for your WHOLE HORSE!

Betsy Burdett

The best money I ever spent! Some clinics are worth the money; some are not. Some clinics are designed to teach riders how to ride better, or teach a specific discipline. Some are training clinics for the horse. Rarely can you participate in a clinic from which you can take home the tools to continue learning and training, for BOTH you and your horse. Without any reservation, I can say that the best money that I ever spent for a clinic was the Sumerel Horse Course* last January. Dan is such a good teacher that I now understand all the things that the cowboys do, why they do it, and why only some of it is necessary. I understand the process and the ultimate goal, which means that I have been able to successfully begin training one of the most headstrong two year old Welsh ponies ever born! I am now a believer after watching the change that came over Pelli as we went through the coached process that Dan provided. Pelli's attitude changed from "See if you can make me do this" to "What would you like me to do next?" Coming from a young pony, that is a BIG change. Pelli is NOT an isolated incident. I have worked with three other horses, at home, using the same methods, with similar results! I am not a "horse whisperer". But, I AM Alpha Mare for my horses now, and that is a wonderful position to have when I am asking one of my horses to do something they are not so sure about, or would rather not do. Dan teaches you how to communicate effectively with your horse; how to be the Alpha. After that, everything else in the training process becomes so much easier...it all falls into line. Going to his clinic was the best money I have spent in many, many years. Thanks, Dan!
 

Susan Smith and Brian Craig, IA.

Dan, we sure enjoyed the clinic in Iowa, and we are looking forward to more books and videos by YOU. You take natural horsemanship to another level, that's for sure. It was a great learning experience, and we loved watching the other participants and their horses come to a new understanding. We found your philosophy and techniques very refreshing. Thank you so much for all of the information and help!
                          

                        
                          

Mandy Ives, CT. Mandy is 9 years old. Her mother is a founding member of Curly Horse Rescue: http://www.CurlyRescue.com

Throughout all the clinics I've gone to, Dan Sumerel's is my favorite. Most clinicians make the horses do many, many laps in circles. I tend to get dizzy watching! I have always liked to look the horse in the eye, as Dan says to do. I made up a little statement about that: " The darkness in the horse's eye is the truth in the heart of the horse". My North American Curly Horse, Lakota, seemed to think the clinic was fun. I sure did! Your horse will learn to respect you, and treat you as an Alpha. You can teach your horse tricks! It will make you a better trail rider, too!

                         
  Dan helps Mandy with body                           Lakota turns to Mandy very softly.               Lakota made the Right Choice!
  position to influence Lakota.                                                                                                                                                            
 

Emily Mackenzie, Oregon

Dear Dan and Jocelyn, I am so thankful to have learned of you and your training system. I just had to write and tell you how you have helped me! First of all, your teaching is excellent! The demos you gave at the Expo and your lectures on saddle fitting and bare hooves made everything extremely easy for me to understand. Secondly, YOU were the FIRST trainer to ever tell me two things I have NEVER heard before: a) Working with my horse is as much about relationship as it is teaching him disciplines, if not more so, and b) I don't HAVE to ride my horse if I don't feel ready to, that I can just enjoy his horsey-ness by simply hanging out with him if I want to. THAT PIECE OF WISDOM ALONE REVOLUTIONIZED MY THINKING AND UNDERSTANDING OF HORSEMANSHIP, NOT TO MENTION MY ENJOYMENT OF IT ALL! Your clinic, as well as your wonderful book and tapes, completely transformed my experiencing the principles of communicating with my equine friend. I no longer fear him and he has learned to trust me. WE are on our way to being partners, as we have learned together, and now it is a JOY and NOT A STRUGGLE! Please come back to the West one day soon. I tell everyone about you!
 

Susan Robinson, Ohio

I took your Horse Course* early this spring. I had the Appy mare who would NOT move her feet. After watching me in the round pen, with my newest horse today, Debra ( the host ) suggested that I write to you and let you know of my progress. Even though it may not have appeared, at the time, that I learned from your training, I want you to know that I did learn a lot and consequently am starting off SO right with my new horse. I now have a 9 yr. old black Arabian gelding, who was previously trained as an endurance horse. What I learned from YOU will keep us partners working happily together! Thank you so much!
 

Karen Sebach, CT.

Melissa Boehm, North Dakota

Dan and Jocelyn, thank you both for ALL that you are doing and have done, to change the world for the horses. What an awesome experience the Minot clinic was, and I will see you next weekend in Ray. That's right, I am going two weekends in a row! I brought my horse, Max, to the clinic. He is 4 yrs. old. I started him as a 2 yr. old. He bucked me off. At three, he fell on top of me and my husband had to pull me out from under him! At 4, he reared up and gave me a black eye with his front feet. That was the weekend before your class, and Max had just come home from a month at a trainer's! I thought the trainer would Cure Him. NOT! This horse was FOR SALE. So, I thought, well, I will take him to the Dan Sumerel Clinic and see what Dan can do with him. All the time I was thinking that Dan would see how dangerous this horse is and that he would have to step in and take over for me, in the round pen. The class begins, and Dan says,
"If you want to know what is wrong with your horse, go in the bathroom, turn on the light and look in the mirror! There is your problem!" I am thinking, "WHAT!?" This cannot be. However, I had just sold another horse because I saw him as an airhead, uncontrollable nutcase. Now, I have Max for sale, because at 16 1/2 hands tall, he can be very dangerous. I just wanted a horse to ride!
 Last fall, we found some tapes of a well known trainer. We bought all his gadgets, the tapes, halters, lead lines and sticks. We worked the horses just like he said to. Nothing changed! I still could not control these horses. So, all the gadgets were getting me nowhere. Now, I have ridden horses all of my life. So, getting Bucked Off was the Cowboy Way, right? Duh! Not when you are 40! I received Dan's book from a friend a few months before the clinic. When I read the book, it gave me a very different outlook on horses and I LIKED IT! You need to become the Alpha Horse. So, I think that I know how to do this. NOT. My black eye showed me that. So, off we go to Dan's clinic. Dan starts talking. TALKING? Don't you realize it is going to take all weekend to work with this horse? Let's get these guys out there and START! Well, let me tell you what happens when Dan takes away all those gadgets and gizmos and makes you STOP and LISTEN and WATCH your horse. It's a whole new experience in the horse world! What Dan shared with us this weekend, first made me sick, and then opened my eyes. First, was all the unnatural things we do to our horses, from shoeing to bits and poor fitting saddles. Second, Dan showed me how forgiving my horse really was, for not understanding HIS language. He showed me how we really need to listen and watch how we are communicating with or are not communicating with our horses. I can only tell you, that after working with my horse today, I STOPPED, LISTENED WITH MY HEART AND I WATCHED MAX. For the first time in 40 years I communicated with a horse, on his level. I started to become his Alpha. I had tried this on my own, and I had thought that I was close to getting there. But, today was so different after attending Dan's clinic. I gave Max something back! He was horse, and I was starting to become his herd leader.
O.K., fast forward a few weeks... We are now really developing that Alpha and herd relationship. I work with Max a few times a day ( about 1/2 hr. each time) and at the end of the day when I go to feed him, instead of running over me ( that was his regular pattern pre: Dan's clinic) he stops and looks at me until I walk away before he even begins to eat! This is a HUGE STEP! In the past he would come over the fence and start grabbing the hay while I was trying to pitch it! This is the most incredible feeling in the world!
I will never be able to thank Dan and Jocelyn ( who is his side by side partner ), enough, for all the studying and research they have done in order to share all of this information with us. But, I will ALWAYS be grateful for it. Thank you, Dan and Jocelyn, for learning, translating, and sharing "Horse Language".
Love, Mel.... A special P.S. for my mom. This clinic was my 40th birthday present from her. Thanks, Mom.
 

Lestra Waldrop, VA.

Just a short note to let you both know how much I enjoyed your clinic at Hunter's Run. Of course, I am now eating, sleeping and thinking horses all of the time! I learned so very much!  Things have sure changed in the horse world in the past 40 years! Please let us know when you can come back for a clinic!
 

Joan Arthur, IA.

I just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for the great clinic you held in March. I was the one with the golden Palomino named Sunny. Sunny reared when led and lipped me a lot. I came home from that weekend with a TON of new hope and optimism. I applied your liberty training in the round pen for about two weeks before I tried to ride Sunny again. What a difference! Now, after two months of hard work, I have a horse who RESPECTS ME and rides off the farm by himself without rearing or bucking. The Bitless Bridle* is a wonder! I feel better riding him with it and not worrying about what the bit is doing to his mouth. Thanks again for such an informative and easy to apply clinic.
 

Donna Snowden, CT.

We are just a couple of people who are trying to make sense of the horse world. Yours is the most rational and practical approach that we have encountered...thank you and please keep us on your mailing list!
 

Mike Dulinawka, VA.

I just had to write and thank you once again for the wonderful two day workshop I completed with you in Lynchburg. I have read your book, "Finding the Magic" and just could not put it down, so when I had the opportunity to attend your Horse Course*, I was extremely excited about the opportunity! I truly believe in your methodology, and your approach to building a relationship with a horse. Although I have read and reread your book, this Course provided my wife and myself with the real-time knowledge to go forward with my correct approach to dealing with and training my horses. I will admit that I am not new to the horse world, and have recently returned to my love of horses a little over three years ago, after my adventures in the Navy. All of my years of schooling and training in other fields never did as much for my horse training as just one weekend under your STS training. Thank you. Now, I have a quick follow-up story for you.
I have a 6 year old, 2,000 pound Clydesdale who I had planned on bringing to the workshop. She is wonderful and loving, but still needs some basic training. We had her on trail rides last summer and just to enjoy. However, when it came time to haul her to your Horse Course*, this did not materialize as she refused to get into the trailer when it was time to go. She has had trailer loading issues in the past, and obviously this is one thing WE need to master for the future! I had SIX other people enthusiastically try to help me load her for about FOUR hours ( ouch! ) that Friday, but she would NOT get in that trailer. Some of these people had many years of expertise and experience, but no one could get her on the trailer. Not even close. I was so disappointed that she would not be able to attend the clinic with my wife and I. However, I learned SO MUCH from attending your class. So, to prove it, I returned to the trailer with my horse. It was just amazing how I learned NEW communication skills and was able to get her to RELAX. In less than 30 minutes, she was happily on the trailer. Well, I thought maybe I had just been lucky, so I unloaded her and walked her around a little and repeated the process. She once again loaded with ease. I DID NOT EVEN TOUCH HER...IT WAS ALL IN HER MIND AND HER WILLINGNESS TO FOLLOW ME, AS YOU TEACH. I simply changed my way of thinking and we began to communicate better. There were a lot of people around the pasture who had observed the prior Friday's attempt to load her. They were just amazed at what I had just accomplished. This is just one example of how your process DOES work and I have already solved a few other minor concerns with my new skills! You made the process easy to understand and actually use.
 

Linda Hathaway, Illinois

I want to thank you two again for such an AWESOME workshop that you put on this weekend; I have learned so much. It just all makes a whole lot of sense to me! I have already started to share it with people, and have been recommending your book and DVD's like crazy! Anyways, great job, YOU TWO ARE AWESOME!
 

Karen Denbigh, W. VA.

Dan and Jocelyn, had I never found your method, I would probably never have found the courage to try my hand at working my horses LOOSE in a round pen. I could never, ever see myself running a horse around a pen hundreds of times. Dan, you have done the Horse World a real service by sharing your methods. There are so many people like me who probably would never have felt confident enough to do what some of those other "guys" do. There are no words that would be powerful enough to express my gratitude to you for giving me the skills and the confidence to do what Grace and I accomplished last night. There is no doubt that there will be lots of room for improvement on my part, but at least I did get enough right for her to respond to me as I had hoped she would. I will not live long enough or ride enough to ever become a great horseperson, but I can get great satisfaction out of knowing I can get the correct response from my horses in a round pen, and soon out in the arena. Now my horses and I have something we can work on together to increase the bond of our life long partnership. Thank you!
 

Kristi Megil, MN.

I just attended your weekend clinic in Albert Lea. It was wonderful to hear someone put ALL the basics into one clinic. You have brought so many philosophies together and done it in such a way that is so clear. Since our round pen is frozen over, I put my horse at liberty in the arena. I was able to change her direction, keep her attention, and all was CALM! When she approached me, she was confident in her approach, but respectful. I am so proud to say that I got her to that point on my own, as I had never really heard of such a thing before! Because of your ideas I will now be able to build a stronger bond with this mare. In a matter of 15 minutes, she yawned, rolled her eyes, did a full body shake, and approached me several times. She did not linger but that's O.K. I know it is coming...like you say, it is all a process. Keep telling people all that you shared. It seems that people are more concerned about how the saddle fits their back , rather than the horse's back. At present, my family is going to natural hoof trimming! The horse riding Public needs to hear the truth! Thank you for your boldness to do so. The Bitless Bridle* is a godsend to my little Dolly. She usually tosses her head to distraction. Now, I know it was the bit that bothered her so. On Monday, I rode her with the Bitless Bridle* and bareback, for the first time. It was such fun! She responded so well. I sincerely hope that with the information I gained at your clinic, I will be able to forge ahead in the horse care industry, and share this precious knowledge with others.
 

Valerie Kanavy, Champion Endurance Rider and member of the United States Olympic Equestrian Team, VA.

The simple and clear approach that Dan Sumerel uses, to teach proper round pen training, removes the mystery and opens the magic for all horse enthusiasts.
 

Gerry Anderson, N.J.

Thank you so much for all the knowledge that you shared with us this past weekend. I feel as though we have been given a gift! I am going to have to reprogram myself for parent-teacher conferences this afternoon so that I am not referring to my students in terms of the "herd"! I truly hope to we will get a chance to work with you again.
 

Marilyn Scelba, N.J.

Dan's understanding of the horse, it's behavior and instincts is a gift. His willingness to actually teach the horse owner his techniques with hands-on experience is totally different from other clinics I have attended. Those attending the clinic did not watch Dan connecting with horse after horse; they were actually in the round pen, with their horse, doing it themselves under Dan's supervision.  We were ALL re-awakened to the fact that it is impossible to
"man handle" or "bully" our horses into behaving the way we would like them to; AND that we do not have to be "bullied" or pushed around by our horses! Once taught to gain the horse's attention and respect, in such a kind way, we can ask for the behavior we expect, with very little effort. This is a clinic that EVERY horseperson should attend. If all of us who own or ride horses had started out with this knowledge and these techniques, imagine how much more enjoyable the experience would be for both horse and human! Thank you for allowing me to be part of this great weekend!
 

Jocelyn, VA.

I was almost 40 and my son was growing up. He had been the entire focus of my life for 15 years and I knew that I needed to find something to lavish my attention on... I had always loved horses, owning a few in my youth. So, I decided to go get myself another horse. The only criteria I had was that the horse HAD to be an Arabian.

 I have a bad back, so everyone told me to make sure I bought an older, well schooled gelding. RIGHT! ME? I love hot blooded horses who love to GO! I found a horse in the newspaper that sounded perfect for me. So, I made the trip to go and see her. Well, she had been advertised as having fantastic bloodlines, ones that I really knew about. What I saw was a very sad, and sorry horse...one that I would never have expected to see as a result of those bloodlines. I learned that she had just been rescued from a herd of purebred Arabian horses who were starving to death. The woman who rescued the herd kept this filly, and named her Eleanor de Padron. I never set out to find a mare, or a chestnut, or a horse that had no ground training so to speak. Yet, I looked into that filly's eyes and fell in love. That was 9 years ago.
 
I begged the owner to let me come up every day and work with this filly. She had a round pen, and she said "Sure". So, every day after work, I traveled 35 miles to go see Miss Ellie and play with her. She was so sweet, and she really wanted to please. She became used to me brushing her, and picking up her feet, catching her and letting me put the halter on and then lead her around. We made it to the round pen, eventually, and she was really good for me on the lunge line. Then, all of a sudden, things changed. She became stubborn. Whenever I asked her to continue at a trot around the pen, she would stop where she wanted to and PLANT HER HOOVES. That little filly was beginning to show me just who she thought the BOSS was. And, it was NOT me. I did not understand these dynamics at this time, for I had been raised in the way of trying to FORCE the horse. Most people have been raised this way. Well, we did get the saddle on, the bit on, and me on. The first time I rode her outside of the round pen, that smart little mare decided to dump me....right in the middle of the manure pile. I got up, brushed myself off, and prayed that no one had seen this happen. Little did I know, the owner's husband had been watching the entire scenario. He laughed to himself for years....until he finally told me he had seen! I bought her anyways... I was lost in those eyes.

I moved Miss Ellie to a barn close to my home, where I could ride the trails. I love trail riding...it renews my soul. I kept working with Miss Ellie in the round pen, and then we graduated to the arena. I got dumped a few more times, for that little mare can buck very hard and very high! People often assume that little horses are worthless, but those who really KNOW horses, know that very often the fastest and most agile horse is the smallest one. One minute I would be riding her, and the next, I would hit the ground. She was so quick that I never saw it coming. I could not figure out WHY she was doing this. I knew her saddle fit, and I was using a very mild bit and a soft hand on her, but she still dumped me. And, at 40, with a bad back and a bad neck, I could not afford to be dumped much more. It HURT!!!

With the coercion of a buddy I had made at the barn, we went on a trail ride. I was amazed at how sure footed this little horse was in the mountains. We had the best ride! We saw a mountain lion, and it did not bother Miss Ellie at all. We saw deer...she was fine! I arrived back at the barn, 2 hours later and absolutely elated, to get dumped right in front of the barn. That fall broke my tail bone. As soon as I was better, we were riding again. Many times we had awesome rides, this mare was a blast! Other times, she would twist her body so fast, or buck so hard I would come off. All the "cowboys" at the barn tried to ride her, but she dumped all of them, too! What was I doing wrong??? I bought tapes, I went to clinics, I read everyone's book on Natural Horsemanship....and we achieved so much of it. Yet, sometimes, Ellie just would just become full of fear, and would run over my leg ( breaking it ), or dump me and run over me ( broken thumb, and concussion ). I would cry to my friend who rode with me ( the only person who would ride with me ). I asked her if Ellie was too much horse for me. She did not know how to answer. So, since all the popular natural horsemanship things did not work for me, I went to harsher tack. A curb bit. A tie down. A martingale. What happened? I got dumped. Each time it was getting harder and harder for me to handle; both physically and emotionally. I adored this mare, and I knew she liked me. She was always happy to see me! But, here is the MAGIC QUESTION: DID SHE TRUST ME? I had no idea of what I was about to learn.
 
At a local horse fair, 3 well known clinicians had been brought in to educate the Horse Lovers of New Mexico. One of the clinicians I watched for about 5 minutes and then had to walk out. If I ever tried those brutal moves on my Ellie, she'd kill me! The next clinician was Curt Pate. I LOVED the way he worked with the horses. However, he rode Ranch Horses, and I had a little Arabian mare who I could never rope off of. Then, there was the third clinician....Dan Sumerel. I read his poem "The Way of the Horse" and fell in love with his philosophy before I ever met him...but I made sure I met him! What he taught me has changed my life forever. He taught me how to work with horses and to STOP being so PROACTIVE. He taught me that I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE for learning what the horse was telling me, and that it was NOT Ellie's responsibility to learn my language. He showed me how to be strong, yet soft, around her. How to be ASSERTIVE, BUT NEVER MEAN. He made it possible, in a 2 1/2 hour round pen session ( most of it was Ellie standing still, just staring at me ), for Ellie to begin to accept me as her Alpha. He made me understand how to watch a herd of horses and how each had a pecking order. Funny, everywhere we went, Ellie was the BOSS of ALL the HORSES! ALWAYS! I was beginning to get this! I read his book, "Finding the Magic" in one night. I read it again, and again. And again. It became my horse bible! If I was not sure of what I was doing, I went back to the book or the videos, and lo and behold, the answer was right in front of me.... Dan's and my relationship was a long distance one, for two years. I traveled to Expos and workshops with him whenever I could. I was soaking up what I was learning FROM THE HORSES, just as Dan had. I UNDERSTOOD, yet I never stopped learning, and have not to this day. I believe that we NEVER stop learning from the horses. I have been to hundreds of workshops with Dan, and I have NEVER come away from a workshop without learning something NEW, every time. I once told Dan that I kept waiting for his methods to not work; just that one time. However, that has never happened. It does not happen because Dan is WILLING and ABLE to change his methods to meet the needs of each horse. Each one is different, and has their own personality, just as people do. Dan is the most incredible communicator, and everyone always understands exactly what he is trying to explain. We get emails and letters of thanks every single day for the work that Dan does, to help people understand what it is that their horse is telling them. And, Dan is superb at helping people communicate with their horses...non-verbally. He teaches Patience, Persistence and Consistency. That is what works.

Now, Dan and I have been engaged for a little over four years. I did not realize this was happening, but as I would travel with Dan, he was watching me... to see if I REALLY GOT IT! Well, I started becoming Alpha to every single horse I came in contact with...and I could do it with my body language. No sticks. No ropes. No equipment, period. Just body language. No FORCE. You ask me about Miss Ellie? Well, thank you, she is just fine! She is still the horsey love of my life, and always will be. She is the most incredibly sure footed, agile horse I have ever had the pleasure of riding. I adore her, she adores me, but even better, she RESPECTS and TRUSTS ME! Does she test me? Of course she does! She HAS to KNOW, for sure, without a doubt, that I am WORTHY of being her leader. For, you see, she is the Alpha of her entire herd...and that includes Sunny. He tests her all the time!

These words are so true, I promise you:
 If you continue to act in this fashion, my bond with you will grow stronger and stronger, with no ultimate limit.
 
One of the most blessed days of my life was when Miss Ellie walked across the entire round pen and gently touched me with her nose. She mirrored every movement I made, she shadowed me. She followed me, turned right with me, turned left with me and stopped when I stopped. And she just stood with me, for as long as I stood there. Never moved a hoof. This was accomplished with no lead rope or halter. That was the first day she let me climb on her bareback and ride her in a halter. This was something that I had always dreamed about........ Where does it go from here, you ask?

                               The Magic will go as far as you want it to take you!                           
 

Pam Biggi, MA.         WE FOUND THE MAGIC!

Thanks again to both of you! You came through with the support I so badly needed in that confusing and bleak time! I don't know what I would have done without you both!
I just had to write and tell you about Pnut. Remember that shut down, angry 4-year-old I brought to your clinic in CT in July? The one who would turn her butt when I opened the stall door, wanted nothing to do with people in the pasture? Well, I don't have her any more. What I have instead is a lovely, happy filly. Playing in the round pen 3 - 4 times a week has changed her completely. It really hit me this morning; she was in the pasture, with her head inside the upstairs part of the barn, fiddling in a pile of trash, pulling a bag out. I came out of the basement, (where their stalls are), and said, "What are you doing up there?" She looked at me and came right down the hill to me and just stood there with her head down and ears up. What could I do? I rubbed her face and ears. Then I went up to where she had been to put the bags out of her reach. She followed me back up. I started back down to finish my chores in the barn... who was at my shoulder? Pnut! The last couple of weeks she comes over to me almost any time I'm in the pasture for any reason. If I call to the horses to come to the upper paddock, it's Pnut that's leading Cindy when they come.
I've been interested in "Natural Horsemanship" methods for several years and taught Pnut to "give to pressure" when she was a baby. I  was always put off by round penning though; I don't like to see a horse going at speed in such small circles. It's not good for their joints. Your method is so much different, as it can be done in a couple of turns around the pen and it doesn't have to be at speed either. One day it was hot and humid, and I think it was Pnut's nap time, but we went in the round pen and when I  sent her off, she just kind of walked off. I changed her direction, she quietly turned and walked the other way. I stopped, she stopped  and put her ear on me but didn't move. After about 30 seconds or so, I noticed her bottom lip was hanging. Her ear was still on me, but she had fallen asleep. Well, I shook the bag, asked for one more change of direction, her circle came in off the fence. I took the hint and stopped again. This time she was only a few feet from me when I got quiet; she hardly even stopped, looked at and came right in to me!
I started ground driving her last week after she came to me in 30 seconds in the round pen, for I figured that was a huge signal that she's ready to go back to work/school. She's very happy to ground drive, nice and relaxed, walk, trot, halt, very light to the aids, steers beautifully.
I just want to jump up and down and yell, "Thank You Dan! Thank You Jocelyn!"
 

Pnut is facing Pam, but she is being quite Defiant in her stance, and it is obvious that she is challenging Pam.	Here, Pnut is also facing Pam, but she is not giving her attention to Pam. Rather, she is busy searching for an Escape Route. She wants OUT!
Now, this is a lot more like it! Pnut has decided that Pam is a good deal for her, and she is now showing a lot more respect for Pam and her space. Pam earned all of this AT LIBERTY, using NO FORCE at all. This was Pnut's choice, and the reality of this decision is that Pnut now feels that she will be much safer if she allows Pam to be the leader of her herd.	Less than 6 months after the clinic, Pam is now able to     pony Pnut anywhere, even on the beach! Pam is also beginning to ride Pnut in dressage! Notice how calm and relaxed Pnut is. What a changed horse! As Pam says,  "The Get-Quiet"Part of what Dan teaches has begun to seep into all areas of my life; and is enabling me to notice and experience so many details that I never would have seen before!" WAY TO GO, PAM!
Patience, Persistence and Consistency is the Key to Working With Horses!

Now that you have read all of these wonderful testimonials, isn't it time for you to join us in a Horse Course*?
Please contact us at sumereltraining@earthlink.net and we will be delighted to help you gain a forever bond
with your Equine Partner, Your Horse!

                            ~ Dan and Jocelyn