By Tim Edes
Clinton, my wife and I have followed you for many years now through Horse & Rider, RFD-TV and your DVDs. We have the Fundamentals, Intermediate and Advanced kits, and we have been to your exhibitions when you have been close to us here in Morgan Hill, California. We are both 66 years old, and my horse, who I have had since her birth, is 19 years old. She had some professional training when she was 3 years old, and about six years ago, when my wife had to put her mare down and was horseless, she worked the Method on her.
Four years ago, my wife purchased another horse and focused her efforts on training her new partner. That meant that for the past four years my horse was just being ridden by me once a week. We primarily trail ride. I retired a year ago, and after getting caught up with things and shutting my business down, I decided to use the Method myself. Because of this, I have been able to really devote the required time it takes to train a horse well. I started from the VERY beginning of the Fundamentals and religiously followed your instructions on the DVDs. I have spent the recommended time and days per exercise. Right now, I am on my second day of Diagonals.
I have to tell you, your method has turned my very reactive Arab cross mare into something I could have never dreamed of. In a little less than four months, I have the horse that most people dream about having. There are many people at the barn who have taken notice of this “old” horse, and initially whispered, “You know, you can’t teach an old horse those things …”
Thank you for what you do. You have built up my confidence and my horse’s confidence. I think she is actually as proud as I am about our progress so far. And, it appears neither horse nor man is too old to learn.
