Student of The Horse
""There is no secret so close as that between a rider and her horse"
Karen Jones
Natural Horsemanship Coach
Karen has been around horses and in and out of the show ring for
40+ 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:
For the past few months a group of Georgia and Alabama girls have had the privilege and pleasure of working with Karen on natural horsemanship skills, and boy have we LEARNED A LOT!!!! Karen is an excellent horseman and can work successfully with all levels of people as well as horseflesh. It has been very interesting to me to see how succesfully Karen gets to the root of difficulties and has many different solutions in her savvy bag. We have a very "mixed bag" clinic (no pun intended) and I think we would be challenging for any instructor! Among the participants are active and AVID foxhunters, beginner natural horsemanship students, and three confirmed dressage riders. We have two huge green imported warmbloods and I mean just off the ship. They are making great strides!!! All problems seem to have an appropriate and successful strategy. We also have a very bouncy (and beautiful Arabian) (he's mine) who is doing great and learning some skills his rider (me) never thought she would attempt ie the "carrotstick ride"!!! Our beginner people can't get to the barn fast enough to practice their new skills, tangle themselves up in ropes, trip over sticks etc. Karen is very patient and FUN!!!! I can't say enough good things about the clarity of Karen's teaching. We are all working hard to accomplish our goals - some of us are aiming for passing parelli levels and others are just looking for new strategies to add to our horsey experience. I have been personally amazed to see the progress and also the enthusiasm of the participants. Coming from so many disciplines it has been so much fun to see how we've all embraced this new and "different" way of naturallness. ~~Peggy Heard
For awhile now I have wanted to send you a note about how much I have appreciated the coaching and knowledge you have given me. Today my dreams started to become reality. My natural horsemanship journey started 8+ years ago. I have gained skills, knowledge, ability, and savvy through the years from top Parelli Instructors in the clinic environment. The coaching I have received from you within the last 2 years has propelled me forward with confidence, improved ground skills, much improved riding skills, and adding Lightness.
The successes I have recorded from our coaching sessions are amazing to go back and review. October of 2008 my unspoken goal was to learn to canter. The fear of not knowing what it would be like to canter, and cantering a go-aholic horse that had no reference of cantering with a rider had me paralyzed. Somehow you knew I was ready. During a coaching session in Oct. 2008 you saw the opportunity and encouraged me. It is just shy of a year now and we are cantering and working towards flying lead changes. Wow! My other horse can be a challenge to get him to go forward. June 2009 I could barely get him to walk forward and by the end of the session we were CANTERING around the arena. These have been huge milestones for me and my relationship with my horses. There have been way too many small successes to even write about.
The success I achieved in my riding sessions this morning I would like to attribute to you and you’re coaching. This morning I rode both of my horses bareback and brideless at the walk and trot. I am still glowing with excitement and the possibilities that lay ahead. Thank you so very much. ~~Lisa LaNeve
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 kjpuzzles@mindspring.com
678-877-4817 cell 770-251-1799 home