Real Life Horsemanship

"Dennis Brouse worked with my horse Howdy during the summer of 2009, and changed him completely.

Howdy was 4 years old when I got him, and I was the 5^th person who owned him in those 4 years. When I went riding with him, he would get very nervous and afraid— jumping at mailboxes, hay bales and anything that didn't move. I couldn't do anything without tying him up first, and he was also hard to catch. The biggest problem, however, was that Howdy didn't really connect with me. He never sniffed me or made eye contact. It felt like he didn't trust me at all.

Since Dennis has worked with him in the round pen, Howdy is like a completely different horse. I can pretty much ride anywhere now and he hasn't reared or put me in any ditches at all. In the pasture he just comes right up to me and sometimes all I have to do is call his name. It's a great feeling. I can just go out to the pasture and just love on him and not have to worry about him running away from me every time I just want to say "hi." I also don't have to tie him up anymore when I want to brush him or pick his feet.

Today Howdy got his hooves trimmed and he did something that he has never done before— he started licking me. I almost started to cry. I think he trusts me a lot more now than he ever has.

Throughout this process I have learned that the round pen is where it all starts. I also still carry the saddle bag that Dennis gave me and always have oats in it when I go for a ride just in case we come up on something that Howdy doesn't like. I know that I couldn't have done this without Dennis' help. I think Howdy and I grow closer and closer every day. Thank you so much, Dennis, from the bottom of my heart. I don't know if you realize how much you've changed Howdy's life."

Dee Nesselroad
Pleasantville, Iowa

If you've got a story about how Dennis' training techniques helped you, we'd love to hear from you. If selected, we'll publish it in on the Web site and in an upcoming newsletter. Contact us today!