| Student of The Horse |
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"There is no secret so close as that
between a rider and her horse"
'Horses are Spiritual, Adbundant, Powerful and Free...this is how I feel when I am with them'...
"You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you
can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will
continue the learning process as long as he lives."
Karen Jones
Natural Horsemanship Coach
Karen has been around horses and in and out of the show ring for
45+ years and is comfortable in the world of natural horsemanship, having been influenced by trainer and educator, Pat Parelli, along with many other natural horsemanship clinicians, horsewomen and horsemen. Being a true "student of the horse" has had a huge influence on her horsemanship skills and ultimately, on the development of her own unique program of true and natural horsemanship, "Student of The Horse".
As a natural evolution of her beliefs and principles, Karen's "Student of The Horse" encompasses the whole horse, not just her education, behavior and psychology. Karen is a dedicated advocate of bare hooves and natural horse keeping. Karen utilizes natural and complementary therapies for her family and her animals.
"My wish for any true horse lover is that they continue to gain knowledge about the majestic horse. Understanding, working with and developing a better partnership with your horse is a peaceful, yet exhilarating emotion that is unexplainable."
"I enjoy teaching because what takes place with my students and myself is a simultaneous learning experience....when you teach a thing you think you understand to someone else, you are apt to gleen a far deeper understanding of the value of the information when it's played back to you through someone elses experience."
Karen has been described as having outstanding knowledge and ability, dedication, passion, belief, contagious enthusiasm, sensitivity and understanding - and it is all this that makes her an outstanding horsewoman and - as an instructor - an enduring influence!!
What some of her students have to say:
Karen,
An overdue communication.
I am still Randall Washington from Marshallville, Georgia. I was at Charlie’s Farm and your play days maybe six or seven years ago. I am still “messing around” with horses (even several mules and donkeys). I am still fascinated with the ground work that should go along with training young and older horses. I now ride my neighbors John mule that I trained from about 2 months to 4 years. Dudley has become a fairly good trail mule that almost anyone with some experience can ride. A few local owners have even begun to asked me to help out with some of their horse problems. You know the problems: Won’t lift their rear legs. Won’t tolerate a spray bottle. Won’t stand still for saddling. I could tell you a hundred storied, but I am sure that you have heard to same stories from your former students. Just a thank you for being the first person to really open up my eyes as to how a horse/human relations is supposed to work. I remember after the first play day; I drove home thinking that I will have to become an actor.After the second play day; I understood that I must become a good actor. After the third play day; I discovered that I would have to become a mime.And after the fourth play day; I wondered if I could become a very good French mime! I wouldn’t want to work with horses day in and day out. But for a few hours each week being around horses is one of the best “temporary amnesias” that I know of. It was you that introduced me to a method, theory, technique that allows me to enter into another world for a few hours each week. It’s a very good place to go.
Randall
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Karen, I wanted to just write a quick note to thank you for your help with Elvis. Breeding and starting a colt has been my dream for several years now, and it's so much fun to see that relationship starting to blossom. I don't think I really knew what I was getting myself into, so it's great to have a guardian angel to help us stay out of trouble.
He's very playful and curious and bold, and those things combine with his natural athleticism to present quite a challenge for me! I really enjoyed playing the "Tangents" game with him at our last clinic. For the first time, I really felt like I had a great strategy for building communication with him. It was amazing to see how strongly he began to draw to me, and to watch me for leadership. Being able to play at liberty in a wide open space with a yearling colt, with all the farm activity and distractions going on, and to be able to establish such a clear and obvious connection and communication with him was simply amazing to me. And this wasn't me watching some clinician do some gee-whiz thing with my horse that I could never duplicate later: I DID A GEE-WHIZ THING WITH MY HORSE! I haven't been able to stop grinning ever since. It was so cool seeing him respond to the suggestions, and to feel like we had succeeded in establishing a "herd of two."
I really owe you a debt of gratitude for the help and strategies you've given us in playing with him. I love the way you explain the concepts, and when you demonstrate your ideas I can see the response in the horse, and most importantly, the strategies work for me, and they work after you've gone home.
I can't wait for our next clinic: please send me some homework!
Bob
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Dear Karen,
I cannot thank you enough for the monumental positive differences you have made to my relationship with my horse. I’m not sure where to start, the improvements have come on so many layers and so many new doors have been opened. As you know we came to you emotionally and physically damaged as my horse had mechanically foundered. Manners and rules had long ago fallen by the wayside during the struggle. We both were struggling with how to deal with the actual recovery – I did not have the foundation of knowledge or the courage to reestablish a proper respectful relationship. Rap expected, and I complied, to be surrendered to in most aspects of our life together.
Our first clinic with you was a huge step in the right direction. You were very insightful, supportive and full of positive instructions. I was scared to take those steps; I just knew he would become lame again. Somehow you were able to help us through that quagmire! I do not know how you were able to make anything functional out of the mess we were. At subsequent clinics you were able to further our journey into the world of natural horsemanship. Knowing you were only a phone call or email away negated much mental and emotional confusion.
You also were able to guide us at an entirely different level with your psychic abilities. Rap and I have used about 6 different psychics now, with varying degrees of success. You have been the most astute by far. We both have needed that higher level of support during these transitions, at times I felt lost and I’m sure Rap did too!
At the beginning I mentioned you had opened new doors….we have met many new wondrous friends through you, as well as the world’s best farrier and equine dentist. You have allowed me to take care of my lifelong companion on so many different levels – we are working with his entire body and soul. Thank you from the bottom of both of our hearts. Cheryl Bixel & Rap
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Hi Karen,
I was thinking about you this morning on my way to work. I was relistening to the 6 Keys of Success CD from the red Level 1 Parelli program.
I was thinking about how I appreciate you. I really appreciate how you study other trainers theories as well as Parelli's. I really respect your teaching because I know you aren't just doing what the Parelli program says, but you have carefully thought through it and aren't afraid to seemingly go against it if a particular horse/circumstance/scenario require it. I suppose you wouldn't have that same freedom if you were a certified Parelli professional (nothing against them). I REALLY appreciate the time an energy you put into studying the horse and your willingness to share what your learning!!!
Thanks for all your thinking!!
Molly
Karen's philosphies:
"Be as kind as possible, be forgiving as necessary."
"Be looking for the success or slightest try.
"Horses never do anything wrong, they just do what is easiest for them."
"Get the horse to enjoy working with you instead of working for you.
"Always be training for tomorrow"
Helping you create relationships, understanding and connect to your dreams with our teacher, the horse!
For Lessons/workshops....contact Karen
Email: horseaholic1220@gmail.com
678-877-4817 cell 770-251-1799 home
