About
I train horses to connect with their riders. I train riders to connect with their horses to achieve a perfectly balanced relationship.
Christy Jemail, Trainer and creator of the Ultimate Hoof Pick
All animals, but especially horses, were my greatest love from as long as I can remember. I grew up playing with Breyer horses (no dolls in my life), running through the woods with our yellow lab and riding at a hunter jumper barn in Cincinnati. Galloping the beautiful bridle paths and cooling off in the creeks and ponds was exhilarating. But, we weren’t shown to consider the horses side of things. We would pressure them to do what we wanted. me.
We didn’t listen to our horses. I had never seen it done any other way. I didn’t question it. Hence, when the pony or horse you were riding dumped you, they were gone and you had a loooong walk home -alone.
I remember a mentor saying to me 25 years later… it would be nice if I was ever separated from my horse that he cared enough about me to stick around so we could go back to the barn together. Hmmm… this was the beginning of thinking of my relationship with my horse as a partnership. A wonderful feeling stirred inside.
Just out of college, while working as a camp counselor, I found my first horse (I wasn’t looking) Desiree arrived and paced frantically day in day out. No one would ride her and she was of no use, in her state of mind, to the camp or the man who owned and leased his hundreds of horses out to camps. I had seen several horses with a few relatively minor issues already pulled from the program to be sold to slaughter and I heard she was scheduled to leave on the next trailer out. I HAD TO HAVE HER! I couldn’t afford a horse at the time but I would find a way. – an nervous Arab with a lot of spirit. My lifelong dream come true! Little did I know that Desiree was to be the catalyst to show me a new
way of working with horses and ultimately living a dream – working with horses for a living.
I wasn’t afraid to ride any horse at the time, but I had never learned how to help a horse – to work through problems. In 1990 I went to my first Buck Brannaman Clinic. I was so inspired by what I saw. It was a different way – effective and supportive to the horse. I wanted to learn all I could from those who trained with these methods. I will forever be passionate about continuing my education and studying these gifted masters of horsemanship. It is a humbling lifelong journey of personal growth.
Fast forward… With relaxation, trust and confidence as my highest priority, I help fellow horse lovers build a trusting, soft and safe connection with their horses I look ahead with great joy to share what I’ve learned. One thing I do know – Be the best person you can be for your horse and your horse will give all they have to you.
Training is a combination of ground work and riding.
When I am asked why I train horses the answer is simple… The joy I feel when a horse connects with their rider or a rider connects with their horse is a feeling that is unexplainable. At that moment, I know they have learned to listen to each other.
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