I’ve been riding and working with horses for 38 years. I’ve been working with the horses at The Gentle Barn for the last 7+ years.
I’ve been fortunate to work with most of the horses at GB, at one time or another. It’s a joy to learn each horse’s or donkey’s story in his or her own words and to help him/her find the courage and trust to use his/her voice.
The philosophy of GB taught me that sometimes animals just need someone to spend time with them, like you would do with a frightened or sad friend. Sometimes there’s nothing to “accomplish” or “fix,” you just need to listen and be compassionate.
My years of experience with horses enable me to often quickly understand what they are saying or for what they are asking. At the Gentle Barn, that information is implemented into the relationship between the people and the horses. A horse is never told to “shut up and do what you’re told,” like is the common human/equine relationship.
I’ve enjoyed being part of the GB and the wonderful miracles that happen here, for both animals and people. Knowing Jay and Ellie and their family has been such an inspiration. They earnestly want to make the world a better place one horse, one chicken, one cow, one child at a time.