Comments from Readers
using Franklin's Online Help Center
Dear Franklin,
Thank you so much for your quick response. Wow!! what an eye opener. I always go to the internet to learn everything I can about horses. From you, I definitely learned that ground work was the key. When I asked my trainer to show me (some ground moves) she pretty much ignored me, verifying what you said about riding instructors only wanting to teach riding and nothing about horses. But with your tips on buying videos (for education) and the little things I should do, like leading backing, turning, then immediate reward (I just never thought of doing that), I know things will improve. I would love to have you come here for a clinic I will talk to my partner to see what he thinks. Any way thank you so much for really opening my eyes on some things I need to work on!! What you are doing, with answering question people have, is a blessing and your knowledge is definitely something I envy.
Thank you again so much,
Jo AnnHi Franklin,
...After I sent my question to you I spent about two hours going through the Q&A archives (staying up way past my bedtime). I can see how you would want to avoid repeating yourself, as so many of the solutions to the various issues are dealt with in similar ways. So, while I did not find specifics about my mounting block scenario, I did walk away realizing that Fez and I should spend some time on the ground with each other.
For the last couple of days I have spent 20 minutes on the ground with Fez, doing some of the walking "games" you mention in a few of your replies (I will buy the DVD so I can get more details on this). Fez already has good ground manners, so he easily complied with our stop-start, turn around, back up treks through the indoor ring, but I realized the importance of the exercise for us wasn't to teach Fez good ground manners, rather for Fez and I to be doing these activities together so that he relates to ME as the leader of our daily "dances," whether they be on the ground or in the saddle. I thank you for this insight. I do believe this will make a difference in how he reacts to my imposing requests to mount him, sit on his back and noodge his sides for a half hour every day in the future.
Yesterday was a rainy fall day here in Minnesota, but I was still looking forward to my time with Fez. During the 1/2 hour drive up to the barn I was contemplating what sort of things we could do on the ground and whether or not I would even ride him (I knew he was going to be soaked), and for the first time since I've leased him I wasn't that worried about my time in the saddle, I was just really looking forward to spending some time bonding with my horse, building another span in our bridge of trust.
I ended up drying Fez off a bit inside the ring (not in the cross ties) and not saddling him up or spending a lot of time grooming. We did a few of the ground "games" and he really seemed to enjoy it. I don't mean to anthropomorphise, but he seemed relaxed and happy. I then just lead him outside in the light rain and let him graze for a little while, then turned him back out into his paddock. Thanks to the insights you've shared so generously with your readers, I never once felt like I was "wasting time" because I wasn't in the saddle.
All this to say, thank you again for being so generous with your time and ideas. Please keep the website going, and happy trails to you.
Sincerely,
Dear Mr. Horse Whisperer,
As a long time horse whisperer (few know) and devoted horse lover, since I was about 12 and now am 54, I thank you from my heart for bringing forth your way of kindness to horses and teaching the world how to care for them with love and gentleness, the only true path of being with them.
Sincerely,
Melissa
Hi, Mr. Levinson,
I wrote to you quite a long time ago, early in 2006, then sent you a follow up a few months later. You printed my story of Desi in your testimonial page. There's a picture of her before and after.
Well, that was some time ago and I wanted to show you an even bigger difference in her. It's now 2 years later and I have a horse that "snuggles" with her mom!
Considering she was called the Psycho Mare and I was told by numerous people (including trainers) to put her down, this is how far we've come.
If it wasn't for you and your positive words, this horse would have been put down long ago. Instead she's my little Snuggle Bum!
Thanks, again, 2 years later!!
Lisa
HELP CENTER:
Read Lisa's Original Letters and Franklin's Responses
I just wanted to write to you and say thanks. I've been riding since I was 11 years old, I am now 27. I've done hunter/jumpers, eventing and even dabbled a little in the western world. So, as you might guess the majority of my time was on school horses. There were usually older and some of them knew more than I did!
I've taken up trail riding and almost 8 months ago bought a 6 year old quarter/belgian draft cross mare. She was wonderful when I tried her out and wonderful for the first couple of months at home. Then she started to test me...on the trail she would balk and spin me around towards home even with horses riding with us. She refused to go on trails she's been on many times. And when leading her on the property, she would stop and plant her feet and say no. I thought I had bought the most stubborn and opinionated horse ever until I came to your website. Through a lot of time and patience, I can now say I have a really good horse. She definetly trusts me more now and a lot of times when I groom her and I'm standing next to her shoulder, she turns her head to me and puts in on my shoulder and just sits there breathing in my ear. She now comes to her stall door when she sees me, unless she's eating dinner or breakfast of course, but will still say hello and pick up her head for the halter when I come over. What a good girl!
This is a long e-mail to say thanks, I read and read and read your website and even purchased your training through trust dvd. We're both still a work in progress but I owe you a huge thanks for all the valuable information your provide.
Sincerly,
Danielle
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the service you provide to the "Horse World." ...After a quick Google search, I was on your site, and valuable information is gushing forth as fast as I can read! The dedication you exhibit will keep many of us (horses and humans) out here happier, healthier, saner and safer.
Keep up your wonderful and vital work!
With Sincerest Appreciation,
Kevin, West Virginia
Hi. This is the first time I have looked at your website and I love it. I have always loved horses and always seemed to be one of those "naturals" around horses. My cousin's had them growing up, and in my teens my own family owned them. I always felt different with horses than any other animal--hard to explain to those who aren't "horse people" . It has been about 12 years now since my quarter horse/arabian gelding died and a few months ago I got a very malnourished 25 year old arabian gelding given to me. I have learned so much while I've been caring for him and he continues to gain weight weekly. A couple months after that, we were given a paint and a chincoteauge pony by someone who was unable to care for them anymore. These are the first horses I have had with my husband and kids. All three were in need of a good home I know need time to adjust, trust and learn. I have picked up so much from you site that I know will help me with them--just wanted to say thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us who need it! :)
Stefanie
Sparta, Michigan
Thank you for your insightful website!
Too many "horse experts" out there just do what they can to make a fast buck... leaving horses behind that might be great for the "trainer" but still have issues at home because their owners haven't learned anything. I looked up your site trying to find some answers to why my young horse is cold backed and will buck occasionally, and what I found was so much more! After having a bad wreck coming off a horse as a novice owner, I ended up phobic of riding. I took lessons, bought all the WRONG horses, and didn't make any progress for almost 4 years until I bought the mare I still have today.
She didn't like people, but she was honest and well trained under saddle. Her previous owners were willing to part with her because they had to use trained dogs and a squeeze chute, or run her down and rope her to catch her. She would refuse food and water, if she had to, to avoid being caught, even. Turns out we were perfect for each other... she didn't trust people, and I was afraid to ride. I will have had her for 10 years this coming spring and in all that time she's never let me down, and has taught me a lot about friendship. Over the years, she's saved me from being trampled once (stood over me when I got knocked down by a herd of rowdy horses at a place we were boarding), been stung by hornets and kept her cool on a trail ride, saved me from an attacking mammoth jack (that was serious... he meant to do me some major harm, and she had to come through a fence to get to us and drive him off!). She's taken care of me after a horrible car wreck when I was battling vertigo, and could just cling to the saddle and cry. She took care of me a few months later when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and was dealing with locked up, spasming muscles every day. She killed a fearsome garden hose to protect me, once. (Just about hurt myself laughing from that one!)
This fall, though we ran into the first glitch in our relationship during a weekend camping trip, and I'm not too proud to admit it. I've had a great summer as far as riding goes... we've been gone somewhere almost every weekend. I've been riding my green 5 year old gelding some, and letting less able relatives ride my mare. Well, that day at the campground, my brother in law rode her, and she was just awful to him... chargy, herd bound and generally as obnoxious as a horse can be without hurting anyone. I got on her when he got back, and she gave me a bunch of attitude, too. She'd been getting grumpy when I let other people ride, and mad at me when I come to catch her... making horrible mare faces and standing with her back to me, or circling just out of my reach. Anyway, I suspected she was jealous, so I went out to her pen that night during the campout, sat down on a bucket and apologised for my rude, inconsiderate behavior. I told her that the next day, noone was going to ride her but me, and she could even lead the ride if she wanted. It's funny, but when I started talking, her back was to me, but by the time I was done, she had come over and had lowered her head down to my level and was looking me in the eye. The next morning, she was perfect. Met me at the gate, left the herd willingly and came back at a reasonable speed, happily led the group (that's her favorite position, but we usually ride drag behind our other mare that kicks at strangers.
Well, I was encouraged by her immediate attitude change... turns out she just needed a change of pace, and so we're probably going to go learn how to sort cattle together. It's funny too... she's gotten back to her old habit of untying herself and loading herself into the trailer again!
A few days after the camping trip I ran across your website. It was just fantastic! Lots of people have made fun of me over the years for talking to Indy (my mare) as though she were a person, but I always KNEW it was appropriate, somehow. And yes, I think she was jealous. And it does turn out that my manners had been appaulingly bad. I was rushing through my time with Indy to hurry up and get with the young horse. And when I DID drag her out of her pen, it was always to do what I wanted to do (ride) or have her babysit beginners with no gratitude shown for it. I had completely taken her for granted. After I found your site, I went out to her pen, sat down on my mounting block and told her again what I had figured out. Today, I went out to get her, and groomed her slowly and carefully, then we played some games in the yard like we used to when I was getting over my fear of riding. I also sprung the hindquarter yield technique you described on her, and she was trying so hard to figure out what I wanted... it was really great to see her so mentally engaged! I really look forward to more groundwork this winter when it's too cold for me to ride. I have also realized that the younger gelding wasn't being "bad"... he was just reacting to the fact that we've never really "started" him. He's good natured, so we just tacked him up and rode. Poor guy. No wonder we're finding holes in his training now... he never HAD any!
So, sorry for the rambling... but I thought it was important to say how much I learned from and enjoyed your website, and how grateful I am for the reminder to appreciate those special horses in my life. I hope I can get enough interest together to have you out for a clinic sometime next year! I feel like I'm on the threshold to start learning more and improving my own skills, and can't wait to see how the next few months with horses unfolds.
Sincerely yours,
Chellie in Iowa
and "Indy" a grade foxtrotter mare
(and a real miracle horse!)
...After reading your writings on your website, I have already approached my horse in a different way today. I walked up to him with my hands by my side and he put his head down and it was like we were exchanging breathing or sniffing. Before, I was one of those who reached up to pet him and he would put his head up or he would put his head down when I was feeding him a carrot and I thought he only was loving me for my treats. I also read your writeup about licking of the hands so won‚t be doing that anymore. Then when I was riding I was much more conscious of releasing when he gave me what I wanted and scratching him on his withers and saying "good boy". So I think we have the beginnings of a better relationship. I really wanted to discover how to better bond with my horse.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Nancy
I just found your website and I'm very grateful for your beautiful expression of kindness, rich understanding and respect for horses. "Bringing peace to horses", an expression that I will always remember. Thank you for your inspiration.
Carol
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada
This is an email to share my gratitude for your kindness towards horses and wonderful guidance for everyone. I have workshops for human personal growth with horses, working with the Epona Approach by Linda Kohanov, author Tao of Equus and Riding Between the Worlds. I was drawn to this path because for me it was a study in heart centered connection to horses and to life with respect instead of dominance. I found that same resonance with your writing as well.
Many times I have felt this deep spiritual connection with my horses that touches the part of me that knows we are all on this journey together and that they, in fact, have great information to share with us. I have been blessed to witness many people open to this kind of connection and are profoundly changed. The 'play' with these magnificant creatures opens our hearts to a way of being in life like no other! I am so glad I have found your special work and look forward to reading more from you!
Warmest regards,
Barbara
www.EponaRidge.com
Dear Franklin,
No question, and no need for you to answer, I understand how busy you are. But I want you to know I speak of you and your site. I love reading your information. We bought ponies and vist your site often. Because of you we have done these things, a gift to us it's been. Wish I started with horses sooner in life. But I Love it. Keep your site available always and wishing you the best.
Again, Thanks.
Ginger W.
Just a note to say hello, have spoken in email w/you before, about 1 month ago. Well bought 2 ponies, love them. Am learning to work with them on the ground, I can't tell you of the terrific feeling I have discovered within myself doing this. It the most wonderful feeling Ive ever had, its like the first time I held a wild baby deer, and heard him call for mom. Its so great I cant put in words. Its all because of you, and your wonderful emails and your website. Thank you so very much. Its 900 pm Indiana time, and got finished about 630 pm with the ponies. I am still hiped.... it was the greatest feeling. Will keep you posted.
You go guy!!
Ginger, In Indiana
I'd just like to say what a wonderful site you have. I have spent a long time reading the articles and am putting them into practice with my horse. Keep them coming. The articles you write are truly wonderful.
All the best,
Aimee
...I can't thank you enough for helping me so much in understanding what goes on inside a horse's mind...I'm also working on a book with my husband (a first nation's specialist) on horses and their native counterparts in North America....You have really contributed immensely to our understanding of the psyche of the horse which is one of the main issues we are investigating. Thanks, Franklin.
Sincerely,
Laila (Dubai)
Dear Mr. Levinson,
I was doing a search for some help with my horses and found your web site. I read alot of the archives. I want to thank you for the caring way you relate to people. The world needs more people like you!
Thank You,
Laura, Oregon
Your comments helped me to understand better where she is coming from, what she expects of me, her need to feel safe with me, and the role she needs me to fill, in order for us to have that trust you speak of. I realized later that many of us only think about what we want or expect from a horse, whether we can trust them, our own insecurities, and so on. I'd like to think she loves me, as I love her, but if she's not there yet, I can promise you that I'm working on it, and trying to see myself from her point of view so that I can earn that unconditional love. I hope I'm going about this much as you tried to suggest."...
HELP CENTER:
Read Original Letter and Franklin's Response
Nancy
When you work with horses, especially those with special needs, there are moments that take you breath away and bring you to tears. Some of them are moments you thought might never happen, no matter how much you hung in there and hoped.
I would have probably never said it to anyone, or even to myself, but I guess I wondered if Rowdy would ever turn the corner. When Rowdy came to live with me, he had been a stallion for seven years, passed from owner to owner. Deprived of any contact with other horses and without proper training, he had earned his name and then some. Aggressive, even vicious, with people and animals, Rowdy had almost met the fate of too many stallions…total isolation and rejection.
After more than a year of training him at liberty and with a great deal of consistency, patience (and learning to avoid teeth and hooves), Rowdy and I had become friends. We had no fear of each other and he had learned the manners that needed to go along with his new found sense of safety. Yet…he still had been kept at a safe distance from the two geldings in a nearby pasture.
Something told me he was ready and I let him in with the herd. There was the usual "who's in charge" antics, but amazingly nothing serious. I ran him off a few times when he showed too much aggression, especially to the youngsters. But, I finally decided they were in no real danger and left them alone.
The next day, I looked out the window and what I saw was one of those "moments." The geldings were resting on the ground and there was Rowdy standing guard with his beautiful flaxen mane and tale blowing in the Oklahoma wind. He was what nature had meant him to be…proud, strong and protective without having to be a bully. They trusted him enough to sleep under his watchful eye.
Franklin, there is no doubt that without the lessons you taught me, that moment would never have happened. Perhaps in the large scheme of things it is not a major event, but it was a victory for trust, respect and love.
Thank you.
Me, Rowdy and his herd.
Dear Franklin,
I am Magaji Galadima 44 years old male from Nigeria. I love horses, the tradition has run in my family for more than 200 years in my native ancient city of Kano. I now leave in another city, Kaduna, 230 Kilometres from Kano and I am trying to teach my four children (2 boys, 2 girls) the art of keeping horses training and riding. I found your website quite useful and beneficial, thats why I decided to drop you these few lines just to thank you and wish you well.
Best regard, Magaji Galadima
"Rode 'Zillion' (my horse) today and gave him a break after every 5 minutes of learning session. The change in him was amazing, like day and night! He seemed really happy, didn't complain about anything, was very willing to do everything he was asked to do.... It was a really enjoyable experience. The interesting thing is that every time he got a break, he wasn't interested in standing in one place. I thought horses prefer this to anything else, but not my Zillion! Each break time, I stopped him and dropped the reins completely. Like you said, within 30 seconds he sighed and chewed on the bit and once he'd done that, he started to go for a walk around the arena! I made sure that my legs were not on him (so he didn't feel like I was asking him to move forward) and let him go where he wanted to go. He just wandered around the arena, checking out all the jumps, poles, stands, set up in the middle of it. After each break, he was happy and energetic and into continuing the session.
Thanks again so much for everything, Franklin. You are truly a god send
Laila
Earlier this year I had written to you about problems getting the horse I am leasing to stand still while mounting. Your small circles drill worked perfectly. It took two lessons, 30 minutes the first day and 10 minutes the next to reinforce. He now stands perfectly still for mounting even from the block and from both sides, slack rein, no rein, even with an English saddle. Thanks again for the timely advice and caring. Tons of small things to work on but the goal is the same. I want to leave this horse safer and happier for the next person to enjoy.
Anonymous
Thank you very much for your response to my letter to you. It prompted me to spend some time on your sight reading many letters in your archive area. I am looking forward, as the round pen thaws out, to spending more time with Sirene on ground work as you suggest to further develop my horses trust in me.
You are very kind to offer so much sound advice, at length, to so many who are looking for help with their horses.
Thanks,
Carol
I just had to let you know how super your website is. I have a new 4 year old mare that I am working with who has a super disposition but is trying to assert herself a little bit as being the dominant partner in our relationship. I was able to find a lot of helpful advice from some of the other comments you had to other people. I will give it a try and if I have problems I would love to ask for your advice. It sounds like you have a wonderful way of working with horses and encourage real partnerships between horses and their people. It is nice to be able to have a resource such as this available. Thanks.
Heather
Thank you so very much for your response to my question. I am sure "Trust" is always a question you get from many. I did indeed go back to your site and read the articles you have on display. Even through your words online, I can feel that sense of calmness that I am sure you display to your horses. Calm is so good for them, and love.
Truly I love my horse so much, she is like a part of me. I have a long road ahead for her to learn to trust and love me. I believe in my heart I can conquer her fears by being calm and showing her that I am not going to hurt her. I have patience, I am not in a hurry to ride as you put it in one of your articles. I am actually riding her from the ground up. Its such ashame that there are people out there that abuse these wonderful animals and its people like me who love them so much that have to gain all the trust back as a human. For the first time last night, she got spooked about something, I couldn't even tell you what it was, but I remained calm talking even through her raising of her head and stepping back. I just talked her through it and reassured her that it was ok and I wasn't going to hurt her. She calmed down in a matter of seconds. That was so rewarding to me. You just don't know how much. I was a little scared but didn't project it at all. I had it in my mind that I am going to win her over and just remain calm no matter what she does. IT WORKED!!!
I know I am taking up time, and I apologize, but this is so important to me and I hope you don't mind. I would love to email you again and let you know how Miss Dolly and myself are doing. I appreciate you, your help and most of all your willingness to listen to such an amateur like me. God bless you...
Tracey
I emailed you a little while ago about a 7 year old QH gelding that was quite herd bound. You suggested we try some ground play and saddle work and teaching him to surrender his hindquarters.
Well, I just wanted to thank you for the great tips! The ground work was something we hadn't done much of and as soon as I started focusing on it as well as riding it began to show.
In the past month he has made HUGE improvements! We are now riding in the arena chasing cows and he is loving it. He has lost any headshy behaviours he had and is much easier to catch now. He follows me now without me holding a lead shank or his halter. Best of all -- he loves to rest his head on my shoulder, heave a big sigh, and stand with eyes half closed. We cuddle! Six months ago when I brought him home he wouldn't let me get within two feet of him.
In short, we are friends now, and the arguing has gone down dramatically. I can see this horse has lots to learn and so do I, so it makes me feel great when we both get a new concept right. It is great to look back and see how we have slowly come closer and I can't wait to learn more with him.
Anyways I attribute a big part of our improved relationship to your suggestion of ground work and surrendering the hindquarters. Getting off his back and just being around him has really turned his attention to me, and away from his buddies out in the pasture.
Thanks for your help.
Jill
Franklin easily conveys the spirit and mindset of the horse, even to a person like me who has had little contact with horses. I consulted with him as I developed my solo show, "The Truth about Women and Horses," and through his play-by-play description of what happens in an interaction with a horse--especially an intractable one--I learned the inside story of how a horse and human can connect. He knows the meaning of a twist of ear, or switch of tail, and can communicate his own thinking to the horse by angling his body and where he puts his eyes. The information I gleaned from him in one talk was good enough that when I got on stage and personified a "horse whisperer," the horse people in the audience actually commended my natural horsemanship and round pen work and figured that I was a horse expert like them! Thanks, Franklin, for being a great bridge between our species and the horse.
Nancy Conger
Playwright and Performer of
"The Truth About Women and Horses"
Thank you so much for your sugestions in what to do with Ginger. For an update, I have been working with him day and night. I have started all over with him. He is making VERY good progress and i cannot wait to ride him again. Yesterday, he let me pick up his feet and clean them up. He did not spook or feel uncomfortable. I will look into getting a round pen soon.
Once again, Thank you for everything!! I will keep you updated for sure.
Angie