Dear Franklin,

It was wonderful to put a face to a name and wonderful website by viewing your DVD "Training Through Trust". Your first few comments by letting me know to be 'asking' and not 'demanding' to my horse was nice to hear! I've only had my first horses for a couple years, and I've got lots of 'demanding' advice from some horse folk so far that has always made me feel uncomfortable!! I have never felt comfortable trying to dominate an 1200lb animal, and love the realization that 'partnership' is how to have the best relationship with my horses which you show again and again during this wonderful DVD!

At the beginning of the DVD when you say: "I'm not looking for obedience (with horses), I look for a partnership.....This is not a discipline course." I immediately felt comfortable and knew I could take alot away from this wonderful learning tool! When you discuss 'Bending', made me realize how I can correct alot of problems with my young 2 year old horse. As well, your advice covered has proved beneficial for even the older trained horse I've recently purchased. She is 11, gentle, quiet and is already very trusting with humans, but using these basic methods allows me to develop a 'partnership' that is essential for me and my 'new partner' to ride happily together!  

From first basics, to trailering, to common problems, you allow horse folks of all disciplines a straight forward loving approach to natural horsemanship. The 'Bucking' section made me question my own tack, regarding the comfort of my own saddle with horses. I understand and love when you state: "There are no bad horses, only fearful horses". I knew it!!!!! I felt this from day one!!!!  This is an example of what one of my 'trainers' tried to teach me with my young, green 2 year old mare with a 'fear of fly spray'. My trainers advice was to put a 'lead shank' over her nose and each time I sprayed her (standing right in front of her like a predator I might add too) if she reared (which was every time) I was to pull down hard on her nose and head and yell 'WHOA'. I did this again and again, after my trainer had already done it to her probably 5 or more times. My young horse reared, freaked, flared her nostils each time!!!!!  I was scared and every instinct in my gut told me so was my horse!! I told my trainer: "She's scared, I don't like doing this to her!!!" My trainer told me very harshly that the 'horse was mad' and made me feel that I was weak and unable to 'control' my animal. My horse broke away from my lead rope with rope burn to my hands and started running about in the pasture. My trainer said this was a 'good lesson for both of us', and instructed me to run after her, chase her (like an idiot) and that is was good that she stepped on her 'lead shank and hurt her nose', because that would 'teach her to be submissive'. ???????? The trainer left. I'm out of breath, my horse is at the other side of the pasture, and I'm not happy, nor is my horse.  I'm left with being scared and feeling empty like I'm failing, and I've got a poor young horse that is scared of me! I now lothe the word SUBMISSIVE. I won't tolerate that crap on my farm again. It's funny, all the crazy steps and people you meet when you first get involved within the horse world for the first time!!

This horse is happy now, as I am not interested in making her 'submit' to me, rather feel comfortable and happy she is with me on my farm! After all, what do I want from her? I want to ride around my farm with her, I want to use her droppings as compost on my fields, I want her to be a member of our family.....I don't make my employee's 'submit' to demands for food on my farm, it's about respect and trust, so why should I think these great animals would do or think any different??

This DVD taught me this level of understanding, when most folks just view horses as some creature to be 'dominated to be your submissive ride'. Within the section entitled: 'Bucking', seeing you ride around on the 11 y/o thoughoughbred, BITTLESS (just a halter and leadrope), on this difficult horse was just beautiful in itself! You truly know the animal!

The part of the DVD entitled 'Equine Facilitated Learning" was wonderful!  You state:  "If it (the horse) finds a sense of safety, it finds a sense of peace"......."the same is with a human".  That just says it all with my family experiences with our own horses!! It just shows me once again how important horses can be for troubled children. Then you further say:''So when you put horses and children together, what you get is a much more authentic and immeidiately appropriate interaction"......and "the child is just happy to be with the horse". This is what I have experienced first hand with children and horses and why I will always support any and all equine facilitated learning programs and plan on utiliizing what I have learned from your DVD to enrich my life and the life of my family and those struggling with family difficulties! The way you assisted the troubled kids within this section was just beautiul!

Purchasing this DVD as a newer horse owner (2 years), was some of the best money spent so far for my animals! I love how my own horses seem to see right through me, and help me become a better person! God bless YOU Franklin! I would recommend this DVD to any horse owner interested in truly understanding and gaining a better relationship and bond with that beautiful creature(s) out in their barn!!

Most Sincerely,
Jessie Sosnicki
Ontario, Canada.