Julie's Students

These comments that Julie's students have made over the years speak much about her talents working with horses and with people.

My horse - Fred - and I attended the September 2006 WA clinic with Julie, and it was terrific!

I have seen other horsemanship demos and been impressed momentarily by those who can take an untrained horse and in a few hours be standing on the horse, cracking a whip. But afterward I always thought “So What? What do you really do with that?” And, I was a little uncomfortable with the feeling it gave me.

Enter Julie Carpenter. Julie focuses on creating a trust and connection so that by choice the horse’s thought is focused on you and the horse learns that you are the safest, clearest, kindest place to be. Julie teaches you how to be your horse’s “lead mare” ensuring your horse is focused on your every move but is working with you by choice instead of just submission. Julie teaches you how to create a willing partnership. She emphasizes the importance of letting your horse search to find the right answer. She also emphasizes the importance of saying “thank you” in a way that the horse understands.

The three days of liberty work, groundwork and saddle time focused on learning how to get my horse’s thought, attention and cooperation. I learned how to read the horses movement, to use just a little action, see if that works, if not use more; always focusing on using as little as possible and giving the horse the time to search and find the right answer. Julie also works on a rider’s seat, connecting the rein to the feet and disengaging the hind end when needed. By the end of the clinic we all had our horses working with us and for us in ways they never had before.

If you are saying “So What?” “What do you really do with that?” I can only tell you that I have seen a difference. My horse is more responsive to my seat, more willing to give me his effort, happier to go out and he seems more settled and relaxed in everything we do together. And I have changed. It has given me more confidence so I am clearer in my intent and actions. It has given me tools to work with to build a stronger, safer and sensitive partnership with my horse. I am looking forward to continuing to learn with Julie and I can’t wait until she returns next year. Jennifer D.

The 'dead broke' Quarterhorse that I thought I bought would take off at a dead run when I got on him at home.  Until Julie, I wasn't able to ride him safely. I am so relieved that Julie has given me the understanding and the tools to help Trouble stay quiet and relaxed.  I still have a lot to learn, but I am very happy to be able to feel safe riding my horse. Karla

The difference in my horse has been unbelievable.  She couldn't stand still and was always as stiff as a board before we came to Julie.  After our first day of our first clinic, Big Girl was much calmer and willing to listen to me. Tom

Julie is the most positive and supportive trainer I have ever worked with in over 30 years of riding. Kathy

Julie is without a doubt one of the most gentle people I’ve ever met. Training and learning from Julie is like becoming a part of the MMR family. Mary Ann

I am really happy with the positive changes in both of our horses since we started working with Julie this Summer.  And the safe and healing atmosphere that Julie creates for both horses and riders makes MMR a wonderful place to ride and learn. Joy

I learned more about communicating with and riding my horse in one week with Julie than I did in all my previous 14 years of owning horses. This makes so much sense!  Rich

One of Julie's greatest strengths is her ability to train the person as well as the horse. I have never personally experienced a trainer who is as patient and kind to the both halves of the equation, human and horse. She understands that riders can have as much (or more) fear as the horse. For both horse and rider, she encourages without pushing; she critiques without condescension or humiliation. Diane

I have trained and done clinics under another John Lyon’s trainer previously to riding with Julie. Her explanations on how to do things - and even doing them a bit differently - really helped me connect the dots on various exercises I had learned before (especially on moving the hindquarters!) I got a better understanding of why I was doing exercises, and why they got the desired results. Meg