TESTIMONIALS:
U.K.

"...Horses who are moving gently with their handler on the end of loose lead rope or rein, which is Franklin's basic aim, are taking part in a slow, subtle dance which requires both parties to think and communicate with one another. Once you have your horse in this state, you can move on and do the most wonderfully productive training and work, without any force or coercion. Your horse is working with you because he WANTS to; he understands your requests and feels calm in your presence. Fantastic before a competition..."


Read Jenny's full testimonial
of the 2007 clinic at Waterstock Equestrian Center

I attended my third Franklin experience at Waterstock, UK, in May this year and I am happy to announce my "coming out" as a convert.

The first time I saw Franklin, I was towed along by a friend. I expected to see just another American horse whisperer, this one with a schmaltzy line of patter and some rather alternative fans.  I expected the usual stuff which is inspiring at the time, but which once you get back home, you never seem to have the skill, persistence or access to the magic round pen to get any lasting benefit from. How wrong I was!

What I actually experienced was essentially so simple and so obvious it almost defies description. With a bit of thought, a shift in attitude and no necessity for a round pen, we could all do much of what Franklin does, to the enormous benefit of ourselves and our horses. I avoid being effusive, but I am tempted to use that much over utilized phrase, " life enhancing". I have most certainly experienced the beginning of learning process which is ongoing but which has already enormously changed and improved my attitude to my riding and my horses.

In the UK, we still seem to have a deeply held suspicion that our horses have an unwritten agenda to make their humans look foolish by being naughty or "taking the mickey". Franklin demolishes that myth. We also seem to be willing to spend vast amounts of money on equipment to make them go straighter, faster, slower, in a better outline or whatever, when actually, a small investment in a bit of human education from someone like Franklin would be so much more worthwhile.

Written testimonials and even the DVD of Franklin at work do not really do not do him justice. Anyone with an interest in improving their relationship with horses or their riding, should go out and see him in person. Even better, take your horse to one of his clinics as I did with Donald. You don't have to have any specific problem, in fact you'll probably learn more if you don't. Just go for the experience, its likely to be very moving.

Franklin's clinics are totally informal and relaxed, anyone can do the things he suggests, no one need ever worry about looking foolish and everyone will have enormous fun while learning things they will certainly use for ever.

Thank you Franklin.
Donald and I are both happier through having met you.

”A visit to one of Franklin's clinics is always worthwhile. It is not entertainment, it's a learning experience, demonstrating really useful practical exercises as well as some thought provoking lateral thinking for anyone with an interest in horses.”

Sarah Hawkins,
British National Dressage Trainer, BHS Int.

I took my young horse Sam, to see Franklin in October. We were suffering from his really bad experience with an impatient trainer pushing him too hard too fast and very effectively teaching him how to resist by rearing. Franklin was cool, kind and gentle. He very quickly had Sam's complete confidence. Before long they were calmly riding round with no sign of any resistance and then it was my turn. WOW! We rode round that arena as though he'd been doing it all his life. If you didn't know, you would never have guessed that it was his first time ever in an indoor school and with a clapping cheering audience as well! As most people in the audience knew mine and Sam's story, it was a hugely emotional and satisfying experience. There were tears and grins in equal numbers.

Thank you Franklin, you have restored my confidence in my horse and in my own ability to deal with him. Not only that, you have given us the tools to cope with the rest of the ups and downs we may meet as Sam develops from a very green youngster to a fully fledged competition horse.

On Franklin's return to the UK in May, I decided that as he had done such a good job with Sam, I would let him loose on my two daughters who are 5 and 7, very hyper- active and quite difficult to manage at times. Within minutes they were totally engaged, you could feel their concentration as Franklin showed Abbie (their pony) how to get and keep the pony's attention. It was lovely to watch. I'm sure they will remember their experience with a real live cowboy for years to come and if I ever want Abbie to follow an instruction I simply have to start it with "Franklin said". Works like a dream!

Very best wishes, Kath, Abbie and Millie Wogan, UK

Aloha Franklin,

Thank you SO much for creating the Training through Trust DVD. I received it on Monday and have watched it several times...

...I got teary eyed several times while watching…and goose-bumps, or what I call ‘truth-bumps’ many times!  J Thank you for doing what you do!

Peaceful Paths, Debra (Hawaii)

Dear Franklin,

Just a quick note to express my thanks for a lovely day watching your clinic in Warwickshire.

Both my daughter and I really enjoyed watching your work and it was wonderful to get the chance to see the children working with the horses. I would love the autistic children that I work with to have the same opportunity one day.

...I took a lot from the day in general and also on a personal level. The advice you gave me for improving my own confidence really helped. When I thought more about what you said, it really made me realise that it was not confidence in the horse that was lacking, but confidence in my own riding skills. ...

[Read entire testimonial]

A big 'Thank You'  to Karen, who worked so tirelessly to arrange such a wonderful visit, and to both of you for all your hard work and dedication! 

Personally I learnt so much from Franklin, simple, invaluable, clear messages, which I have been practicing, and will help me to help the horses in the future.

Franklin has such a special gift of communication, and so many people were moved by his work with the horses and children, and will remember that day for a long time to come.

The atmosphere was further enriched by the gathering of so many gentle, kind and compassionate people, and I hope that this 'magic' will continue to flow out and bring an abundance of love, well-being and resources to you both!

With many, many thanks and lots of love from Belinda, Benson, Bowler, Robin, Jenny, Sherry, Maddie and Sophie.

Hi Franklin,

We met a couple of years ago and recently I came to watch you again in Farnham at a private yard. I went away feeling filled with humility and a huge respect and appreciation for life, for ourselves and each other, and how wonderful it is to really communicate. I have been prone to overcomplicate matters and your 'demonstration' was a loving example of the beauty and efficacy of simplicity. So much of what you said was music to my ears - so from the depth of my heart

I thank you for helping me to remember (again).

Blessings (from a now sunny England),
and much love from Angela

....I wasn't at all nervous after the first 5 minutes. I tried canter and it was GREAT!!!! but Dutch was tense and really quick then you asked me to go again but this time breathe and Dutch was completely different; slow and in an outline. I was so shocked I was crying. I would like to say a massive THANK YOU !!!!!!!! if it wasn't for you I don't think I would have been able to canter him at such an early stage.....

I have felt more trust between me an Dutch since your course .
Thank you so much, Jodie
[read entire testimonial]

Dearest Franklin,

I wish to thank you with joy in my heart for the wonderful demonstration that I was blessed to see, last month in England. It really filled my soul with a new way of seeing how to be around horses. It has also enabled me to offer the new horse that's just come into my life a gentle space, as your words are still singing in my heart about 'not being attached to the outcome', which is really helping is both.

I wish to share that your approach to horse-being really touched me, and I was infinately inspired by your gentle, ego-less manner. My heart was also touched by the way you acknowledged all the people too, you really made everyone feel valid and empowered. Thank you for helping me on my blessed path with horses, and people (I too wish to do demos in the future).

I tried to book a private consultation after seeing you through Karen, but unfortunately you were all booked up with more training sessions, I hope that they went really well, and that you are going to come the the UK again real soon, and honest, the winters here are not that cold, in case this helps speed up your next visit (but don't bother packing any shorts!)!

With my heart filled with love and gratitude, and well-wishes for your beautiful path with horses,
Leanna (Joseph and Trudy, my 4 legged mentors, also thank you with love)

PS: Do you have a mailing list so that I can be informed of your future visits to England?

...Franklin, through your gentleness, kindness and true spirit of love, you and the horses helped us to learn how to be with our own horse. You showed us what he really needed from us and what he had to teach us if we were prepared to listen. The authenticity of the message you bring was never better demonstrated than when you did a session where you worked along side children with special needs and challenges. It was so amazing and moving to see the transformation in those children take place right before our very eyes. As you may recall, I personally underwent my own transformation during The "Communication through Trust", where I broke through a barrier of insecurity which I felt when around horses. Wow! The change in me was apparent to all those on the course and to others that already knew me....

...My life has been changed in the most wonderful way. Thank you Franklin, from the bottom of my heart.

With love and very best wishes

Ruth Cusack
[read entire testimonial]

I would like to say thank you so much for coming back to the UK and letting us have the benefit of your knowledge and experience. I have been on a lot of courses in my time but I have to say without hesitation that the seminars in Warwickshire and at Stow have given me more tools for my toolkit than all the others put together. It was a great privilege to meet you and am very much looking forward to seeing you again next year.

Love Naomi
[read entire testimonial]

I have heard nothing but praise for all of the events and everyone still wants more. Franklin you are truly an amazing man, you open hearts and people seem to willingly give more of themselves when you are around, a rare gift. I look forward to the next seminar and seeing you again. If ever there is anything I can do to help you and "The Way of the Horse" please don't hesitate to ask.

Love and best wishes, Susan.

I just wanted to send you my thanks for coming back to the UK on tour. I spectated at the Unicorn Equestrian Trust near Stow-on-the-Wold, 18th September and had the most wonderful day.

I have never been to a demo where the trainer gives as much of themselves as you do and with such amazing results. You open people's hearts and they willingly give more of themselves when you are around and that is no easy task, especially in England. Your expertise with horses speaks for itself and next time I would like my horse to meet you too.

I applaud your rare gift and thankyou for sharing it with us... hopefully it won't be too long before we see you again.

Until then take care, love and best wishes, Susan Taylor.

(seminar at New Zealand Farm,UK)
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for a most informative and enjoyable afternoon.You gave out such warmth and compassion and John and I were both deeply moved by your work, and especially the most wonderful rapport that you developed with the children that you worked with.

We both feel that we learned a lot from the session and I now feel especially inspired and motivated to look towards using equine facilitated learning when we set up our centre.

Thank you again, kind regards Julie.

I saw him (Franklin) at Fi and Cavos's on Friday evening and was impressed enough to follow him to Herefordshire to watch him again on Sunday.

Yes, very good, clearly a hugely experienced and competent horseman with a high level of instinctive 'feel' and from what I could tell, a 'very nice man' as well.

None of the hype or showboating of Parelli (which is good or not depending on who you are, personally I quite enjoy the 'show' and don't get why some people have a problem with it) this was a very 'low key, intimate, human' approach (and certainly none the worse for it).

All the usual concepts, advance retreat, pressure release, desensitising, focusing etc but its always interesting to get another different slant on things and Franklin has obviously 'served his time' and is fully aware of most of the 'natural' techniques ( I think I even saw a carrot stick in his tool kit) and refined what he feels works best for him (which is I guess what we all do). He put a lot of emphasis on tight circling to obtain focus on the horseman and has the gentlest of gentle approaches, (doesn't like throwing things ( I assume lead ropes etc) at his horse and doesn't like touching the horses face (which I tend to agree with at least until I have built up at least a level of intimacy with the beast when I like to see the face, particularly the nostrils). Talking of which Franklin does not use smell, but does use plenty of vocal ques.

I was very interested to note that he seems to do a to of 'horse healing', (with kids etc.) and clearly has a strong interest in developing humans as well as animals.

In brief, all very good stuff, some points are always going to be more debatable than others but I didn't see anything that I would disagree with.

There is a very strong humanity about the man and he is hugely likeable. It was notable that he made great effort not to make any too negative comments about ... anyone, just that 'he didn't like to do it like that'.

He knows his stuff, ...and I liked him.

Jaime, UK

It was a pleasure to meet you and watch you work, it's nice to have confirmation that less is good. My mare is very complex and anything she does not understand or thinks of as pressure she grinds her teeth which is most distressing, I have been told to keep on till she stops but always felt this was wrong and have not gone down this path.

You may remember my story of getting my mare to walk into the water with me, and you also advised me on how to start riding her.

I come from a very spiritual background, and have been told that Phoebe and I are meant to be together, when I look at her sometimes I want to cry as she has been through so much in her short life. It really nice to know that other people also walk this path, and that although you need respect you can also be gentle.

Thank you once again for such a wonderful evening and I look forward to your return to the UK.

May God and your guides watch over you
Pat

Hi Ros
I just wanted to say thanks so much for arranging for Franklin to visit Vowley Farm, he was everything you said he would be and more. I found his quiet manner and inner peace truly refreshing after seeing so many demonstrations that seemed to be mainly about entertainment. I had a lovely chat with him after the demo and felt like I was talking to an old friend who instinctively knew what I was trying to say.

Please do let me know if Franklin is doing further demos as I would very much like to see and speak to him again.
Best wishes, Susan.

Dear Ros

Thank you for a wonderful experience - Franklin helped me to belief in myself again and trust my equine instinct.    

Many Thanks, Susan X

...I gained so much not just from Franklin’s work with the horses but the spiritual healing that surrounded the two days. The joy of this work is that we meet such lovely people with the same aims; mind you there are exceptions!

I loved meeting all of you and feel the richer for it.
Much love and blessings,

Pam Gale

Hi Ros,

Just to say we thoroughly enjoyed your evening on Friday. Very easy to understand, a lovely man.
luv Gail

Dear Ros,

Thank you so much for sharing Franklin around to us all - what a wonderful man. Do let me know when he's over next (tho' I'm emailing him about the video so praps I'll get to know directly). This is just a reminder that I would really appreciate a receipt - could you just say £25 for attendance at Franklin’s clinic - and emailing it to me as a Word document is fine. In my Equine Bowen Therapy work we have to do Continuous Professional Development and such days are counted towards the number of days we have to do in a year. Many thanks.
Best wishes,
Fran

...WELL DONE.. i really enjoyed listening to [Franklin] and i especially liked his way with horses....once again many thanks.
take care norman..

I was so impressed by Franklin that I cancelled my long hack (with pub lunch) on Sunday and followed him to Bromyard and yes he was brilliant. A hugely compentant horseman and a nice guy too from what I could tell (they dont always go together in my experience).
I have a special interest in mongolian horseman ship (long story).
thanks again...
jaime

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