My Training Philosophy

There are many different ways to achieve an end result, but all training is not equal. Working with multiple mustangs has dramatically increased my awareness of a horse’s emotional state and my desire to respect it. While I am still working on developing my own training philosophy, I do have some guiding values(which I’m continuing to add).

  1. Horses are emotional beings that should be respected. Training can often ignore the horses’ emotional state and force them past their fears or mislabel the horse’s communication as “bad behavior”. I strive to understand what the horse is communicating and empathetically respond in a way that builds trust and confidence.

  2. “Bad” behavior does not exist. Behaviors CAN be unsafe or problematic. But instead of labeling a horse’s actions as “bad,” I view problematic or unsafe behaviors as forms of communication. These behaviors often arise when a horse feels unheard, misunderstood, overwhelmed, or in pain. My goal is to identify the root cause of the behavior and address it with empathy, patience, and thoughtful action.

  3. Trust is the Foundation of Training
    True progress comes from creating an environment where the horse feels safe, respected, and willing to learn. By focusing on building trust, I aim to set up the horse for long-term success—both emotionally and physically.

This journey is constantly evolving, and so is my philosophy. I’m learning as much from the mustangs as they are from me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Why Mustangs?
Mustangs hold a special place in my heart. I learned about the American Mustang as a little girl. Inspired by my love of horses and stories of influencial individuals like Velma Johnston (“Wild Horse Annie”), I dreamed of one day adopting, gentling and finding homes for mustangs. Every mustang has a story worth telling, and through my work, I hope to be a voice for them and promote kind, empathetic training practices. I aspire to make a meaningful impact in their lives and encourage others to do the same.

Stay Connected
If you share my passion for mustangs and compassionate horsemanship, I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Whether you’re curious about adopting a mustang, looking for training insights, or simply want to learn more about these incredible horses, you’ll find stories, resources, and inspiration here.