About:
My journey started with a mustang named Stonewall in 2010. Since that day, I have spent years studying horse behavior, positive reinforcement training, relationship-based training, liberty work, and as a result have discovered a connection with horses that I cherish and love sharing. This foundation of putting the relationship first with horses has resulted in incredible moments of behavior changes and joy for both me, and the horse. I have had lots of support along my journey from patient teachers, many different horses and of course my family. We have been lucky enough to expand our herd to four incredible geldings that help teach us something everyday.
Background:
A Texas cowboy started me on horses, in the Heber Valley in Utah. I took natural horsemanship style lessons from him, every chance I could. Eventually I relocated to Texas, and learned about riding colts, round-pen work, and moving hind-quarters. It was with him that I met my horse Stonewall, and for that I am forever grateful.
But, what I learned, did not ultimately work for Stonewall and I. For years my mustang did not like to be caught, would buck at the slightest provocation, and strike-out. Things got worse, the harder I tried. So, I took lessons, went to clinics, read books, and became more and more lost. I didn’t see the in-road to my horse with what I was learning. Instead, I just created more issues with Stonewall, and more fear within me. I suppose the adage: “when the student is ready, the teacher will come,” rings true in my life, as it wasn’t long after rock bottom, that I came across Robin Gates. Robin Gates is a liberty horse trainer, who has been sculpting horse and human relationships for decades. She has developed ways to find the “heart” in a horse, and help them through their trauma, fear, aggression, despondence, and just about every other issue a horse may have developed. But before I left for California to attend a clinic, all I knew she had something different to offer the horse world, and I wanted to find out what it was.
At the clinic in Sebastopol, I witnessed horses retrieving dog toys, jumping over jumps for the fun of it, walking next to people without halters, and coming when their name was called. There was joy! This was a startling contrast to the daily grind I had become habituated to with Stonewall. Instead of running to me he was often running away, and instead of feeling joy when I was with him, there was frustration. I had no idea horses could have eyes that were bright, engaged, and connected to their people. I did not know that there was a way to be with horses that included their opinion as well. This made sense to me. I remember having a feeling of longing, while watching the horses in the clinic. I needed to know more about this way with horses.
So I took more of her clinics, and eventually moved to California with Stonewall to study with her. It was clear to me, this was the way I wanted to be with him. Stonewall and I changed under her teachings into a connected team, capable of just about anything, and continue along that journey to this day.
Now, I have my own set of clients and teach clinics based on what Robin and Stonewall have taught me. I continue to expand my knowledge of animal relationship by studying Susan Garrett, James French, and many others. I have taught groups up to 25 students, and had relationships with clients and their horses for years. I am constantly learning, and helping others who are interested in the connection I cherish with horses. I center horses in all of my work, and ultimately want the world to be a better more patient place for them. My horses and the people I am close to have helped my understanding of love, connection and relationship. For these gems I am grateful.
Contact information for the amazing people I continue to learn from:
Robin Gates: http://libertyhorsetraining.com/
Susan Garret: https://susangarrettdogagility.com/
James French: https://trust-technique.com/
Best,
Nicole
“Nicole has shown me how to interact with my horse with no expectations, allowing her the choice to engage or not. You feel something magical when your horse chooses you or allows that connection. It feels like a gift.”
/ Mariah /
Experience:
I have created curriculum for the University of Utah Continuing Education program that has taught 30+ students about horses and relationship over 4 years.
I have trained dozens of horses with clients and maintained many of those relationships for years.
I have taught clinics for those curious in relationship-based training using my own horses for demonstrations.
I have taught everything from primitive survival skills, fly-fishing, to liberty horsemanship and love it!
I have a herd of four horses that I use in my clinics and demonstrations.