Haneefa, Brax and Jasper

I just wanted to say thank you to Dr Shelley Appleton for getting me through the light.

I look back on things which was not long ago ... Probably around this time last year when I first met Shelley.

I was petrified and scared of my horse's after a fall on each of them.

My Appy scared me the most... till this day I could not understand why, especially now how he has blossomed and changed into such a willing partner.

It's been a long journey and somewhat of a relief, still a long way to go but to overcome most of the basics, and feeling like I was laughed at or inadequate among peers, makes me happy to know I came out of it for myself!

May of been all in my mind, but peers were forever helping me with the most basics of things... that is how low my confidence got.

I only wish people from last year could see me now!!

I had also worked with acouple of other trainer's prior to Shelley, but I never got what I wanted in terms of knowledge.

It's hard coming from a training and working with animals background, your mind needs to understand how "A" connects to "B" to make the end result of "Z" ... Simplified answers just don't cut it for me, I need to understand "why" and "how"

But... working with Shelley I was open minded and I think you have to be when working with animals, my thoughts ...

Not one trainer's technique is an answer for all.

Shelley was different, she really understood my mental state and was able to work with "me", "myself" first, in order for me to understand the horse, it's mind and the way this big animal operates.

I think that's a very special gift for a teacher to understand the client's mental thought process, not many trainer's can do this from what I have come across.

Shelley has a way to inline her core values with my core values when working with animals.

A lot of our sessions Shelley used words or phrases that I could understand and relate to in a "training" sense.

This is what I felt was important for my knowledge and understanding to grow as an individual and as a handler/rider.

Again, other trainer's could not connect with me like this, nice people, but did not have that way to connect and empathise with the client...

And then when I ask questions, well I can't help myself, it's the idea, thought and hunger to understand and broaden my knowledge.

The need to "know why".

Shelley has been able to educate and answer my vast array of random questions, whereas in the past I gave up asking questions because I felt other trainer's just didn't have adequate answers to fulfil my need for knowledge.

Fast forward today, my management skills and capabilities have turned a complete 180°.

My enjoyment with my two big babies is indescribable, I know you all can relate.

I never thought I'd come through the other end and just be confident around them, interact with them comfortably without negative thoughts and my boys love the new me.

Well, I feel that they do, especially my Appy.

He's very legit in "his thoughts" of someone and he's very blunt about letting you know if he wants to hang out and quite the pushy dude if he feels he can take advantage.

He would use this to frighten me and for a while and we just didn't have a relationship.

Shelley's persistance to make things work between us was relentless and yes there were many occasions I broke and wanted to give up infront of the teacher.

I can remember fondly after a session we had towards of the end of last year, I "had enough" of my Appy and that was it, I'm selling him.

Shelley calmed me down and said "be patient" "give him time" "I promise you he will change".

Bloody glad I never did sell him and kept trying because he's such a wonderful horse and the joy of him is just beyond words.

My pics just says it all and yes, there was a stage where I'd go into the yard and that's the greeting I would get from my Appy.

We have now moved onto riding activities with the help of Shelley, thank goodness because I thought I'd be groundwork and roundpenning for years to come.

My self confidence as a handler/rider was so small I never thought I'd ride again.

It has been a long journey and still yet to accomplish more, but my gratitude to Shelley is beyond words!!!!

The accomplishments my horse's and I have made could not have been possible without the help of Shelley.

I am FOREVER GREATFUL and words cannot describe the gratitude!!!

If you haven't yet, or contemplating to utilise Shelley's service's, well don't hold yourself back!

I absolutely recommend Shelley's expertise and training, you will not regret it if you are open to searching and wanting a deeper connection with your horse.