Students Speak

I want to thank you for coming out to work with us all at UC Davis/Travis AFB. I learned a great deal and am quite amazed at the changes you were able to make in the horses, especially Petey. I checked him yesterday and the "parrot mouth" he previously had was gone after his CranioSacral appointment with you! His teeth align in a way they never have. The only word I can come up with to describe the changes you've made in the horses is WOW! Of all the modalities I have used to help horses from Feldenkrais, acupuncture, and massage..CranioSacral seems to yield the greatest results. It has changed the way I will approach my clients and their horses!

~Lori Kaeslin of Lori Kaeslin Dressage, California (via email)

Last fall I reached the low point of my horsemanship — after 8 years of riding lessons and 7 years of owning horses, I was dominated— paralyzed--by fear; and yet, I dearly loved horses and riding. I determined I would overcome my fear and reclaim my love for riding or give up horses all together.  It was a hard decision to come to, but I wasn’t being fair to my horses. Where another trainer had labeled my fear as irrational and admitted she’d given up on me, Shannon accepted me and my fear. Acceptance was what she taught me for myself and for my horses. She helped me work through and past my fear. With her encouragement, I tackled my fear of riding in groups and even entered local shows. She helped me to identify the walls both physical and psychological--I had in my body and helped me to release the braces and breathe. My riding improved, my horses improved, and I saw changes beyond horsemanship. When I started riding with Shannon, I had to take muscle relaxants for my back pain. I braced my body to protect it from the pain. Now, because she’s taught me how to relax my body, I no longer need medication to ride.

In addition to accepting me and my fear, Shannon showed compassion for my horses.  When I took my 8-year-old gelding to her for training, she quickly realized he was in physical pain and unable to benefit from her efforts.  Rather than take my money and just push him through the training, she told me she felt he was in pain. So, we consulted with an equine chiropractor and got him feeling better.  Even in the short time Shannon worked with him, she had a positive effect on him.  Her work with his bridling and softening bolstered my confidence enough so I could ride him.  I appreciate Shannon’s honesty and integrity; and she holds me to high standards of horsemanship—being consistent and considerate to my horses and doing what’s right for them.  Shannon has helped me develop into a better rider who can help my horses feel better, too. Yes, horsemanship is a journey; and I’m glad I stayed on this journey with Shannon because I can’t imagine my life without horses and their partnership.

~Margaret Zancanella, Colorado

If you asked me to describe Shannon in one word, it would be integrity, and I do not use that word lightly.  When I sent my horse to Shannon to start her under saddle, I had no doubt that the job would be done with as much care and consideration as I would use if I were training the horse myself.  One of the reasons I chose Shannon to train my horse is because she has that elusive quality of true feel, the kind that only comes with softness and practice.  She engages that ability to feel the horse to guide the horse on the appropriate training course. Of course there were a few bumps in the road as she got my mare started under saddle, but she took each bump in the road in due course and gently guided my mare along the journey.  When I sent my mare to Shannon, my hope was that when I picked her up, I would have a mare that I could just get on, and she would be a pleasure to ride. I was not disappointed. I met up with Shannon during a clinic with Mark Rashid. In the midst of a group of riders in a large field, I took the reins and went to step on for the first time.  Before my foot reached the stirrup, there was already a smile inside me. I could tell this mare had been prepared exactly how I had hoped...a soft, willing partner that was a pleasure to be around.

~Stephanie Roundy, California

For those of you, like me, that pursue excellent horsemanship through leadership, not force, Shannon is a true gift. She exemplifies harmony, not only with her equine friends, but also with her life and the world in general. Having Shannon in your life is kind of like having a living, breathing safety net. No matter where you are on the path she encourages you to accept where you are, even if it isn’t where you want to be! She is one of the few trainers I have met that will work at the pace set by the horse and rider, pushing when it is needed and letting things soak when that is needed. Instead of working on the horse’s problems she takes into account the relationship between horse and rider. Often times, the horse is either confused, or doing exactly what we have asked, even if we didn’t mean to. By helping us as riders soften on the inside, Shannon helps us achieve a whole new level of communication and understanding not only with horses but all beings we have a relationship with.

~Heather Davis, Colorado

There are so many people claiming to be horse trainers these days, and all you have to do is turn on the TV to get a variety of training methods and personalities...but you won't find another individual quite like Shannon. She accepted me, and my horses, for where we were at the time, and we were having some big issues. She did not push me, or my horses, out of our comfort zone just to get a task accomplished. She kept them in a state of mind where they readily accepted her leadership and guidance. Shannon has a calm, soft, and consistent nature that the horses appreciate.  Her concern for the horse is number one. I cannot say enough about her talent, honesty and integrity. It speaks for itself once you meet her and see what she can do for you and your horse.

~Donna Fleischer, Colorado

When Shannon connects with a horse, not only does she put her whole heart in to it, but she also integrates her passion and years of knowledge. She humbly teaches with grace and kindness. Ego is never part of the equation. I appreciate her willingness to make way for the root of an issue, and I trust her process. Shannon has given so much to my horse and as such, has given me the ability to make positive personal changes.

~Erin Eldredge, Colorado

I was lamenting to a friend one day about my two year old gelding and his ground manners. I commented that I wished I knew a trainer that I could trust, because I was afraid of what would happen if he was in the wrong hands. My friend told me she had been drawn to a picture, by the way the rider sat on the horse, and the obvious softness of the horse in response. When I met Shannon, the first thing I noticed about her was her confident, quiet nature. Horses simply relaxed in her presence. Watching her work different horses at different stages of training, I noticed she was patient, consistent, and always looking to reward the slightest try. I appreciate how Shannon has partnered with me in trying to figure out my gelding.  Many trainers would have written him off as unworkable, but Shannon has openly and patiently considered every possibility. While many trainers get a horse to perform through fear and intimidation, Shannon moves horses toward a goal of softness through patience, understanding, consistency, timing and feel.

~Cindy Franquemont, Colorado