“Star” was one of the first horses I worked with as a new self-employed trainer. After working a horse at “Silver Ranch,” I was sent to Thomas T. to help with his Paint horse Star, which he had raised since she was a foal.

Wanting the best for her, Thomas sent the mare for training and visited often to check on her progress. Sometimes, he was even able to ride her. One day, during a lesson, the trainer suggested riding in the round pen instead of the arena. Thomas agreed without hesitation, thinking nothing of it. But as soon as he mounted, the mare became tense and suddenly spooked, turning sharply near the pen's high walls. Thomas lost his balance, fell hard on the saddle horn, and broke his coccyx.

Thomas was very shaken by this event, as he has never seen his calm and collected Star act out in that way and decided to bring her home. For a while she resided nearly untouched, until I was given a chance to “talk” to her.

The mare clearly lost trust. Since that day, quick moves and noises scared her. I spent months doing desensitization and groundwork, visiting once or twice a week. After she got used to movements, I started riding her again. One day, on a trail ride with Thomas and his calm Haflinger, we finally made a big breakthrough.

Before that ride, quick arm swings would startle the mare, likely due to how her previous trainer sped up certain moves. It was a late summer afternoon, and horse flies were annoying along the trail. I saw two flies on Star’s face and, forgetting for a moment which horse I was riding, I tried to swat them away. She jumped forward, confused, then stopped suddenly, as if trying to understand what happened. It felt like something clicked in her mind, and from then on, unusual movements from me were finally okay.

Thomas took some time to trust his mare again. Then one day, he called me, excited to say he felt like his gentle, calm “Star” was back. After returning from training at the place where the accident happened, Star didn’t trust anyone. She would lie down but quickly jump up if someone came near. This wasn’t always true. Thomas shared stories from when she was a foal, happily being petted and rolling around, relaxed and enjoying company. So one afternoon, when Thomas saw her lying down in her stall, he panicked for a moment, thinking the worst, maybe a colic for example and encouraged her to stand.

The mare gave him an annoyed glare, got up, shook herself off and starred in his direction. Clearly she didn’t understand the fuss. Since she didn’t run away, like on any other occasion since the accident, and didn’t show any signs of illness, it suddenly clicked for Thomas, that she had learned to simply trust and feel at home again.

Years have passed and to this day, Star is still the most trustworthy and easygoing horse in the barn.

Thanks, Thomas T., for letting me share Star’s story.