When I began listening in to Marv. Walker's horse page, I had been a horse owner most of my life. A frustrated one at that. I knew how I wanted to treat my animals but didn't know how to go about it. I was raised in West Texas, where there are lots of wonderful horsemen. To watch a true horseman work in synch with his horse is a beautiful sight. Unfortunately, I was schooled by a cowboy who believed in "showing them who's boss" and even though I knew that wasn't the way I wanted to train, I didn't know how to do the other. I was afraid of ruining a horse (as I've seen done so many times) so didn't want to push it. The result was that I bought already broke horses and only did what they were trained for...very little progress. In fact, I've done less and less as I've gotten older- until I was basically just looking at my horses!

What reading these posts, and especially the "bonder"- which I am in the middle of doing on all three of my horses- at varying speeds- has done for me is to break down the concept of working within a horse's mind set to get a desired result. This is exactly what I've wanted to be able to do for all of these years! To me, this is what having a relationship with a horse is all about. Mutual respect, trust and co-operation. It truly becomes a game then! For both. I love the practical, basic way in which Marv explains things. I can easily follow his ideas. My interest and confidence in my ability to treat my horses humanely and still control them has risen. My horses thank him and I thank him.

The only thing missing in my world is getting to go to a real life Marv Walker Clinic. I'm working on it!

Thanks and happy horsin' around,
Sarah D'Angelo Clearwater, Florida