CLINIC REFLECTION:

The whole weekend was both incredibly enjoyable and educational, however I really appreciated watching you work with the girthy horse in the round yard. For me it was nice to reinforce that its ok not to have huge expectations from the start. Even though the horse you were working with had already been broken, you started at the basics and re conditioned the horse to feel safe with a girth. While I know in myself that this is the way I want to work my own horses, I sometimes find myself feeling frustrated when Grace isnt working the way I am assuming she knows how. It was reassuring to know that it is ok for me to start at the basics and it is not a failure on either her nor my part. But merely a miscommunication that going back to basics will help to make clear.

I really enjoy working with you and the horses and I find myself gaining a burst of confidence in myself and Grace that I struggle to find on my own. Thank you once again for an amazing clinic!

Cheers, Jessie

Bridgetown EFL:

Hi Elaine, Sally and Franklin,

Wow. What an awesome four days, it was a pleasure and an honour.

As a team you guys are dynamic and a wealth of knowledge, skills and compassion. Each with your own style, you were very aware and respectful of each individual in our group and guided and encouraged our unique strengths with an inclusiveness regardless of background.

The highlight for me was playing with the horses and I am very grateful to all of you (and the horses - how cool were they!) for opening up a whole new world of adventure for me with my own. Your style and rapport made even the mundane (read boring bits about legals and forms) entertaining, thank you.

I have grown on so many levels already and feel its just the beginning of another new journey. I am so excited to be part of this wonderful AEFL program and in joining a team that can offer this same opportunity of growth to many others. Bring it on!!

Namaste and reiki be with you. Xx

Sue

Hi Franklin,

Thanks for the clinic and helping me understand my horses more and have them respect me. I've been doing alot of the liberty and lunging with my thoroughbreds and its working wonders. Thank you so much and I can't wait for your next visit :)

Chelsea Gerring

G'day Mate,

Thanks so much for a great weekend filled with knowledge and assurance. The way that you kept it so simple was of great benefit to me. Actions can speak a thousand words. Through our actions we build trust and through trust we will ultimately gain respect, whether that be Horse or Human. Isn't that simple, but we make it so hard.

Thank you for showing me a softer approach and more than anything a very different result. Unfortunately, I can't make Jindabyne, but just might be in Melbourne early Feb. Keep your eyes in the crowd.

Tiny

The DVDs arrived yesterday. I just moved house and have not set up my DVD player yet, but trust me they will be the first thing I watch - I am very excited!

Thank you so much for coming to Pegasus and sharing your stories and experiences. The last 5 years that I have been volunteering at Pegasus, and also the last year that I have finally been learning to ride myself, have been the most rewarding and amazing years for me. I had sensed that spending so much time with the horses (and the children at Pegasus also) was having a strong impact on my personal growth and general welbeing, so hearing you speak really resonates with me.

You have such a wonderful way of seeing the world - thank you for sharing that.

Kind regards, Sarah

Thank you so much for coming to Pegasus and sharing your stories and experiences. The last 5 years that I have been volunteering at Pegasus, and also the last year that I have finally been learning to ride myself, have been the most rewarding and amazing years for me.

I had sensed that spending so much time with the horses (and the children at Pegasus also) was having a strong impact on my personal growth and general welbeing, so hearing you speak really resonates with me.

You have such a wonderful way of seeing the world - thank you for sharing that. Sarah

Equine Learning Victoria Tasmania, March 2011

I just wanted to say thanks for the great course held at Tooradin, Mark and I learned a lot and although challenging at times, we had a fantastic time. Mark and I are getting our property ready so we are able to open an EFL center, we have been talking to Cathy and are well on our way. Mark has been into see some of the Employment places the ones that help people find jobs and youth centers, they are really excited by this type of learning, there is nothing in our area that facilitate for problem youth and or people with other issues. We are really passionate about EFL and believe it is so beneficial for people who may have lost there way and need a little boost to get back on a path that will help them personally grow.
Diane & Mark

"I learned SOOOO much last week, best clinic I've ever been to!! Franklin when you showed us that video about the guy who dreamed about the interview with a horse, it really made me realize how much our horses really feel. I learned to understand my horses more and how to achieve results I want without having to get angry at them (which I do a lot lol)...and I especially liked learning how to put sunscreen on Vinnie's nose, because normally it takes me about an hour to do!

Happy clinic participant
from Queensland, Australia

“I was aware of the need to breathe deeply and regularly when riding and the effect of exhaling in downward transitions but it was a revelation to see how effective the group’s breathing was in slowing Misty down from a distance.  It showed just how very attuned to the environment the horse is and how much more aware of ourselves we should be around horses. Thank you Franklin." Dressage Instructor
and Attendee of Australian Clinic 2011

I would like to sincerely thank you for the skills that you taught at the Ballarat clinic. As a nervous rider, I learnt so many ways to communicate with my horse. The ground work enabled me to develop confidence in asking my horse to folow my lead in the dance, the ridden work taught me that I must learn to trust my horse. Unless I trust, I cannot enjoy the beauty of the dance. Most importantly, I learnt to breathe - to breathe and relax, to breathe and hear my horse, to breathe and begin the dance. For this, I thank you. Lynne Koene and Big Syd & Wayne's Blade

Franklin Levinson is a quiet American who dislikes the term 'Horse Whisperer' because of all the hype that lately has come to be associated with it- but still...it suits him.

I had the great pleasure of organizing some clinics at the Hartley Farm with him recently, which proved he is that rare combination of both gifted horseman and teacher-as well as a warm, compassionate man.

We had an all day clinic on Saturday for 16 adults that started in the morning session with ground skills (something many of us sorely need at Hartley) and included the basics on establishing boundaries, so the horse respects your space, to backing up, correct leading & picking up all 4 feet confidently- amongst many others!

We moved to riding in the afternoon session learning more finesse and control of brakes and steering, including that important intermittent 'bumping' or tugging upwards of the inside rein when turning a tight circle, if the horse has started to run away with you! A further improvement on the 1 rein stop).

On Sunday morning Franklin conducted a clinic for 10 children, that ranged from a complete beginners to more experienced older kids. It was amazing to see the courage of some of the youngsters on the lunge line as they trotted and cantered -for some on their very first ride on a horse! To watch their confidence grow, as they also learned to handle the horse more competently on the ground, was terrific. A wonderful lesson in being 'safe' around a large animal!

Franklin also managed to fit in some private riding lessons with a few lucky people- and if the big grins that were on Guy Mckanna's, Denise Boyd's (and my own) face are any indication, they were a huge success!! We were all on the lunge with no reins, hands on our legs- trotting and cantering! Woo Hooo!

Maggie Holley

I attended your 4 day clinic at Tooradin Estate earlier this year. I just wanted to let you know that i learnt so much that week that will change my life with horses forever. At Rideability I have been teaching a young 15 year old girl with cerebral palsy for a few years now. She has no intellectual impairment but cannot use any leg on the horse. She loves horses but always found it incredibly frustrating to ride and most of our lessons were spent with her becoming disappointed with herself. No amount of encouragement could get through to her and I was starting to wonder If horse riding was really benefiting her or not. The weekend after your clinic I got her to watch the interview with a horse video before her lesson and told her about the relationship we need to develop with our horses. I taught her to lunge her pony and the techniques you showed us and I tell you she is a totally different girl now. She has an understanding now of the nature of a horse and how often its us confusing them when they do something we don’t ask for. She hasn’t been frustrated in her lessons since then and she is finally proud of herself. The difference is amazing to me with such a simple thing. Horse riding is one of the only positive things in her life and now she can be free to enjoy it. I have just brought a 6 month old QH filly, she has only been weaned a month ago and she is backing up, lungeing and picking up her feet. The principles you taught were so simple its easy for anyone to put them into practice. If you are down in Victoria again I will be sure to come and say hello, I would love you to meet this girl to. Hope you are well and enjoying your tour.
 
Kind regards,

Kate Irving. J

I wanted to thank you sooooo much for coming out to my place last Friday to work with Jamiesun and I. It was a fantastic experience, and we both learnt so much. I did some work with Jamiesun the next day, and was really pleased with how we went. I couldn't get him to slow down at liberty quite as well as you could, but he long-reined really nicely and I then got on and even cantered!
 
I am working hard at "dancing" around him, and being really precise with my aids.
I have ordered your 'Savannah' DVD, to study, and can't wait for a lesson when you next come back to Australia. 
I hope you enjoyed working with a Waler (a very special horse here in Australia).

Chase

G'day Franklin,
 
Thank you for the great weekend clinic at Ballarat!
I found the clinic very informative on how to deal with different horses, their habits and more the riders habits. I now feel more confident and I am happy with the methods I have been using while working horses. 

The way that you work with the horses and their riders is both, informative and sensitive. No matter what the experience of the rider or their horse you make everyone feel at ease and comfortable.
Again many thanks for your expertise and assistance.We can't wait for next year.
 
Cheers Alex Chandler.
P.s The attached photo is what we do with our nags!!!!

Alex Chandler

VIEW PHOTO

Hi Franklin, I would like to sincerely thank you for the skills that you taught at the Ballarat clinic. As a nervous rider, I learnt so many ways to communicate with my horse. The ground work enabled me to develop confidence in asking my horse to folow my lead in the dance, the ridden work taught me that I must learn to trust my horse. Unless I trust, I cannot enjoy the beauty of the dance. Most importantly, I learnt to breathe - to breathe and relax, to breathe and hear my horse, to breathe and begin the dance. For this, I thank you.

Lynne Koene and Big Syd & Wayne's Blade

"Completed the Equine Faciliatated Learning Clinic today at the Mounties with USA trainer Franklin Levison. This truly genuine & inspirational man has a lovely way with a horse and is doing great work round the world with kids at risk and/or with serious emotional challenges. Really impressive stuff, even got to old hard arse me.  Additionally, Franklin's no-hype" method and common sense approach to ..training horses..  (that's sadly isn't as "common" as it should be in this world as you well know! :-) resonated with me.

Allowing a horse to be a horse..cutting him some slack! :-)
Reminding riders of the need to "just breathe.."
So simple yet so critical for softening and thus effectiveness.

Loved it"

Jan in OZ

I was one of the fortunate people who went to your ‘Equine Facilitated Learning’ demonstration for Riding for the Disabled Victoria in January. This was the two hour one held at Clyde. It was inspiring and full of information that I was very glad to receive – especially as I had just got my first horse. (His name is Barry, 15yo TB, gorgeous.) You mightn’t remember but after your talk I asked you for some advice about leading him; I have legs that don’t work very well, and your suggestion was to take 3 steps and halt, 3 steps and halt…, thus maintaining good balance. This was excellent advice. We walk together very comfortably now, and I feel that I am able to lead him with confidence. I don’t need the pattern anymore, but use halting in advance of a problem and so maintain steadiness. I have also been trying some groundwork exercises with him and am learning more from these. To call what I do ‘dancing with my horse’ is a little optimistic perhaps, but I am beginning to grasp the concept.

I do hope that you enjoyed your time in Australia, and that we will see you here again.

And thanks again, Franklin.
Best Wishes, Jill

Jill

Franklin Levinson is a quiet American who dislikes the term 'Horse Whisperer' because of all the hype that lately has come to be associated with it- but still...it suits him.

I had the great pleasure of organising some clinics at Hartley Farm with him recently, which proved he is that rare combination of both gifted horseman and teacher-as well as a warm, compassionate man.

We had an all day clinic on Saturday for 16 adults that started in the morning session with ground skills (something many of us sorely need at Hartley) and included the basics on establishing boundaries, so the horse respects your space, to backing up, correct leading & picking up all 4 feet confidently- amongst many others!

Maggie Holley

"Day one - Incredible clinic at Lope Along.  The gods were against us weather wise and we all be exuding red dust for years to come...but sooo worth it.  Our horses are so happy we made the investment in ourselves and in them.  You only get what you give....thanks Franklin for helping us with so many valuable lessons ..LESS IS MORE.  What a great day!"

Kristen

The comments below are from the staff of an Australian Riding for the Disabled Center in VIctoria, Australia.

“It was wonderful to work with someone who follows the same philosophy as us – training based on kindness, compassion, respect and trust. It has helped us to re-focus our training on the individual needs of each horse – working on the issues that the horse presents with at each training session.

“The sensitivity and timing that Franklin demonstrated in his work with the horses and the children was amazing.  His calmness just spread across to the horses and the children alike.

“The consistency of his training meant that the horses learned very quickly what was expected of it – many of them actually breathed a sigh of relief that this new ‘leader’ was so clearly They then became totally willing partners in the ‘dance’ – a dance which had us all entranced watching the focus and connection of the partnerships. Reinforced the need to be in the ‘here and now’ every time that you are working with the horse.  Training needs to be ‘quality time’ that is based on the individual needs of the horse – not just something that fits neatly into your schedule.

“Has made us want to be able to structure our programs to allow for more individual lessons with riders (rather than groups) to allow us to explore Franklins methods of EFL.  So much more could be achieved in a one on one lesson with a coach, rider and horse.

“We will need to consider carefully how we can transfer some of Franklin’s ideas to our many volunteers who work with our horses each week...”

My husband Pete went to your clinic at Samaria recently and has told me that I have to go next time you are in Australia, he thought your program was fantastic and even though he has been around horses for the last twenty years he learned things he believes everyone should know before they ever hop on a horse.  I'm sure he told you that he works at the residence at the Mansfield Autistic Centre and as of next term they will be bringing four students down to our place one day a week to work with our horses which we are very excited about and I am sure that your 'Training Thru Trust/Intro to EFL' DVD will give us a few more tips.  Hope to see you back this way at the end of the year. 

Sara W.

Hi Franklin,

I did the 2nd week course at Judy’s place at beautiful Mansfield. I wanted to thank you for being such a great facilitator and for giving me the knowledge that what l have been doing with our horses and the ones we have rehabilitated by kind methods is really the way to go. Not too many people own stallions that will play ball with kids and allow a 3 year old to feed groom and handle them without thinking of what fillies are around.

I would love to be involved in an Association in Australia as the EFL is definitely the way to go. I am currently using a 4 – 5 year old brumby with kinder kids to introduce them to horses and large animals as well as three other horses at home. The Brumby is around 14 hands and has been born blind in one eye but this does not affect him in any way at all. His name is Circles and was found up in the high country near Omeo when he was a foal. I hope to bring him to the next clinic in Mansfield or one here in East Gippsland if it could be fitted into the schedule.

Hoping you are fit and well. Keep up the good work. I can’t wait till you are back in Aussie land.

Kindest regards,

Hi there Franklin,

or should i say "maaate ow goin"( i did promise you i'd right in Awztralin).

...Please let me start by saying "thank you from the bottom of my heart!" my life has changed significantly in three days and i know this is only the beginning. thanks to you i now know the horse carer i was always destined to be.

Dear Franklin,

Just an update on Mack, the pinto stallion you met in Melbourne, Australia this past winter (our summer).

Thank you again for your patience and understanding with him. He has been out and about to a couple of different places without turning a hair! Really very quiet and accepting of anything that I've thrown at him.

I really feel that your clinic was an excellent way of introducing him to the big wide world in a controlled fashion (Well, we were mostly under control!). I would love to join in any other clinics that you have organised for next year. The only problem would be that I would want to bring Mack, my dressage horse, my daughter's pony and anything else I can get my hands on!

Hope you are well and thank you again most of all for putting the horse before your own ego and teaching the rest of us to do the same. Best Wishes,

Hello Franklin,

Its Dominic from Guanaba Equestrian Center. I loved to watch everything you did with the horses and I also found it all very interesting. I learned so many things! Especially being patient and consistent. I really had fun this weekend with you and so did everyone else. Thanks for coming. Hope to see you again.

Best Regards,

Hi Franklin,

Thanks very much for giving me the opportunity to meet you and watch one of your clinics. I was impressed by your handling of both the horses and their human companions and how trust and respect grew between each other throughout the day.

I am keen on improving my horsemanship and see the appeal of combining it with a holiday on Colorado. So when you get home, or get a minute, I would like to get a better idea of the costs involved!

Thanks again.
Kind regards,

A testimony from an attendee at Franklin Levinson’s event at Waterstock

I have recently spent a day at Waterstock Training centre, watching the most gentle and moving demonstration of communication between humans and horses that anyone is ever likely to witness.

Hi Franklin,

Hope you have recovered from your trip down under. Just wanted to say how much we appreciated you coming to the Gold Coast and what an awesome time we had! I feel like there's a whole new world of communication I have been missing out on for years and and cant wait to learn more. I am so looking forward to "playing" with Jordan and Patchy and am eager to come and learn more about EFL with Jodie as soon as we can arrange something. I hope your ears have been burning, as I haven't stopped talking about your visit to all my friends and family. I am already starting to plan your next visit in 2009!

I look forward to hearing from you,

Just wanted to shoot you a quick email to tell you how much I enjoyed attending the [Yering Park] clinic [in Australia] over the weekend. I have to say, it was the best money I've ever spent. I have a different horse on my hands & feel so much more equipped to deal with my little Denise the menace! I was feeling so inadequate the weeks prior the clinic with this young horse I had bought & had started to feel out of my league, but thanks to Franklin I dont feel like that any more, rather a very lucky horse owner with a very smart & capable young horse, I just needed some guidence & tools to get me there, I really hope you have him come back again soon - we'll be there with bells on if you do!

Kind regards, Jessica

We attended your clinic at El Castillo in Victoria, Australia. I was a fence sitter as I didn't have a 'rideable horse' and my daughter came only on the Sunday (by accident and under sufference) as her baby sitter cancelled and I couldn't find a substitute at short notice.