Quantum Savvy Natural Horsemanship and Horse Training

Quantum Savvy Group Organizer Interview- Aug 2007

Nicole Dean

Group - Challengers Practice Group
Area: Kilmore Vic Australia
Group Formed: March2007
Level: Working on Level 1
Horse: Dickie – a 13 year old crabbett Arab Gelding.
Quantum Savvy Student for: Since March 2007

Horsie Background:
I have always had horses in my system, although I come from a non-horsey home. I bought my first horse at 17; a Standardbred just out of racing who did not yet canter. I’d had him for 2 years and everything was going so well I got cocky and thought that I needed a ‘wilder’ horse so I traded him for a thoroughbred that was known for rearing and doing his jumping courses in reverse. I spent a lot of time out of the saddle with that horse and learned the power of groundwork and quiet persistence. After succeeding with that ‘spirited’ (in the wrong sense) horse, I decided to start my first horse - a 3yo Arab.Later, I learned to drive pair in the Melbourne CBD; wow that was a baptism by fire – 2 big clydie crosses, a stage coach and China Town with real live passengers. I don’t follow any particular discipline – I ride (pseudo westie on long high country trails) and I drive (cross-country style and commercially).

Why you started with Quantum Savvy:
In a nutshell Kids. Helping mine and other peoples. While I’m not a great rider, I was being asked to help with all kinds of horsey issues – as well as generally getting folks started with ground work. I couldn’t help everyone without reinventing the wheel and with so much still to learn myself, I didn’t feel that I was going to be able to do justice to the faith that was being put in me. Besides whenever I had a problem the answer from the traditional folks tended to involve a lot of submission (zero option style) on the horses part. The QS System has given me rails to run on and get so much better myself, as well as a great way of introducing people to a better way with their horses while still keeping everyone responsible for their own growth. Shane and Meredith have put together more than just a programme; it is a whole support network and the language they use is able to be understood by all disciplines and is not idiosyncratic to “natural horsemanship”

Goals:
To become a QS Professional and be able to lead more people into better relationships with their horses, for better outcomes in their chosen discipline. To be able to ride as well in the flesh as I can in my imagination. Think “Dancing” without rein or saddle.

Claim to fame:
Having a husband who loves it all as much as me. Three girls who are confident around horses despite the stuff-ups I made early on. And finally that to date I’ve “done it myself” and I‘ve still managed to have willing soft and safe horses who will go anywhere, anytime that I can share.

What drives you?
The desire to always do better myself and to be able to play with others who have fun with their horses.

Anything else you’d like to add:
With horses it seems to me that you get what you expect.