Heres what the Examiner says about the newest DVD release from Imagine A Horse:

“Sue and Allen will relate how a particular trick can be transferred to the trail. They also share with you some very helpful tips. For instance, Allen gives you his ingenious secret to prevent mugging (horses demanding treats) which would also be effective for horses that nip or bite. But I wont spoil the surprise for you. Get the DVD and you'll be delighted with his humane and effective technique.

You see how much they genuinely love their horses, and you just cant help but like them.
Not a one trick pony act, at least five different horses appear in the video.  

The film quality is excellent, much better than the majority of horse training DVDs sold on the market. And since 'content is king' this DVD rules!"
 

 

Your Imagination is your only boundary!

Allen Pogue and Sue De Laurentis

 

go to Examiner.com

 

Dear Sue and Allen,

 

 

Before too much time passed, I wanted to send along a message to say how delightful it was to meet you and learn from you over the past few days.  I have been around this planet enough to know how rare it is to encounter truly remarkable individuals.  You two are truly remarkable.

 

Your understanding of animal behavior - equine in particular - is nothing like I have ever observed previously.   It is deductive and complex and indicates such a deep understanding of equine behavior both generally (i.e., at the level of species patterns) and specifically (i.e., at the level of individual differences). Using this deductive knowledge in a way to engage your horses in behaviors ("tricks") is remarkable to observe.  Your understanding comes from all sources:  extremely acute perception, intelligence, empathy, and deep compassion for the animals you are working with.  You have tapped into a communication channel (a "lingua franca" in its truest sense) that few will ever experience and I think it is brilliant.  I can tell you that I have been working with animal scientists/academicians for decades and have never observed this previously…  i.e., the translation of deep understanding into a hands-on practicum of interaction between human and another species.

 

I thus want to thank you (!) for sharing your gifts with me and the rest of the clinic participants.

I want to continue to learn from you, and learn how to speak the lingua franca between horse and human

Warm best wishes,

 

Joanna ("Jo")

 

 

__________________________

Joanna E. Lambert, PhD

Professor 

The University of Texas at San Antonio

 

Fellow, American Academy for the Advancement of Science

Senior Ecologist, Ecological Society of America

Handling Editor, Oecologia (Terrestrial Ecology Section)

Academic Editor, PLoS ONE

Associate Editor, Integrative Zoology

Former Director, National Science Foundation Biological Anthropology Program

 

210.458.6661

www.colfa.utsa.edu/lambert

joanna.lambert@utsa.edu  

 

 

 

Just a quick note here to say thank you to Allen the fact that you actually host this list has just proved to be priceless to me. I have a VERY long way to go, however, just the few things I seem to have caught on to due to this list have helped myself and my horses immeasurably. At times I am in awe at what my animals will do just because I ask it of them. On the rare occasions that I thought about the tricks horses preformed in the circus and such I thought you had to be at least 60 years old, male and a long time cowboy before your horse would do any of that for you. Also, I thought the horses had to be chosen speciallyfor those things, and that they would take YEARS to teach (dressage background here) We have all learned soo much from one another on this list, and all because Allen you chose to be KIND and Generous enough to share your knowledge with whomever chose to learn from you. WHAT a BIG deal .. NO one does that:) I may have already shared this with the list...but just in case I haven't.. a woman came to look at my stallion the other day for breeding purposes (very first person ever.) Solely because of this list, I was able to take him at liberty and have him step on the pedestal, salute, do obeisance, and of -course the classic Arab halter pose.... and generally behave like a wonderful gentleman. She couldn’t believe he wasn't fixed. She plans on breeding to her mare in the spring, she has spent a lot of time this winter looking and she stopped looking at MY stud. I'm only too sure it is because of the things I taught him due to this list. You know the norm that you do with stud is not nearly as impressive, (he trots like this, he canters like this, here are hisbloodlines, now pick me!) I have a distinct advantage over others..... Well, anyway I just was contemplating it and wanted to say thank you to all, and say how happy I am to be here.

Melissa

Before I post this note let me say that Jim has a few years on me, a LOT more practical experience raising and training real 'usin' horses.

I just want to add to this pertinent post. I reported to the group aboutfour months ago, that I brought a severely abused spotted walking horse outof Tennessee. The horse didn't want to be handled or have any interactionwith humans whatsoever. The road to recovery has been slow but steady(advance two steps and slip back one). Physically the horse is nowabsolutely gorgeous. His feet have been corrected and all medical remediescompleted. Most of his handling has been viewing his brain like an onion.You peel back one layer at a time and let the ghost out and so on. Whilethat is remedial (correcting what he was), but now necessarily addressingwhat he can become. Trick training is just refined communication orcommunication with a purpose. This horse just came alive when we beganworking on tricks. He has become an over achiever. His eyes are bright withanticipation and he nuzzles, bumps with his nose and initiates interaction.Also, he is a true head shaking, four-beat walking horse. We're not finishedyet, but we have turned the corner. He will be awesome under the lights.Don't underestimate the power of trick training.

Jim

Allen, I had to tell you this: I ran into my vet today and she had just been out to the breeding farm where my foal (now almost 7 months) is boarded, to give a round of shots, worming, etc. The first thing she said to me was "That little filly of yours is far and away the best behaved foal on the farm. Your handling is really paying off." As this is a first-class breeding farm with lots of very nice horses and this is the first foal I've ever had anything to do with, I was very pleased. But I have to give all the credit to you (and the others on this group who've offered advice and encouragement). Even though I don't get near enough time with her and we aren't really doing any "tricks" yet, your methods do make a big difference.

Thanks again,

Kathleen

Allen,

I am absolutely astounded at the change in my colt! I now have a puppy dog where there used to be a suicidal maniac. It only took 3 days of tapping sessions! He is now out with the other foals and comes running to greet me. I can halter him, lead him, tie him, pick up his feet, introduce him to other people without a blow up. I can even lead him around with just a hand under his chin. In fact, he's the sweetest, friendliest foal on the place. Allen, I am in awe and I can't thank you enough for this. This foal wand is the most incredible aide I've ever seen. Every horse on the place gets this! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!!!

PS>

Allen, Get that book published - in 30 years I have not seen anything work this well, this fast. In fact, I'm disgusted with all the new fads and idiotic devices people come up with to avoid putting the time and effort in it takes to have a good horse. It was from reading your posts over time, and seeing your pictures, which led me to contact you and ask for help. Publish it, and I want to buy the first copy.

Cindy

Allen,

Hello again, I'm tempted to say, "who needs a ‘clicker’ when you can do things properly!" But maybe that would be unfair since I have no experience or understanding of such things, or the new breed of ‘animal behaviourists.’

Yeah, I know, I’m old-fashioned, and proud of it,,,

but hopefully still open minded!On a more personal and serious note, I was so very touched by your kind and generous introduction to what I had written. It is that sort of encouragement, and similar from others, that has made me all the more determined to break out from walls that life seems to have built around me.Until yesterday I had only really scanned the message board on your site, and was baffled by some of what went on. After reading what you said, yesterday afternoon, I set out to explore more fully. I was amazed, I couldn't drag myself away until gone four o'clock this morning! What you're doing is unique! Tearing down the barriers between "Classical Equitation," "stunt riding," " Dressage," "Haute Ecole," "trick riding," "Circus" and the pet pony, etc., truly amazing!

Kicking out all the …. manure, and reuniting, re-inventing almost, the world of horsemanship!It's just so exciting !I want to learn it all, NOW !I want to see in the next 4 or 5 years of Gator’s photo-history…..NOW! What a cracker he’s going to be, judging by his mum and dad. What a book that’s going to make! "Evolution of a Star!" Move over Belasik and all the others! (Yeah, I’m just reading ‘21st. cent.’) You've got me thinking. Around here there are loads of little mountain ponies that barely fetch the price of a couple of pints of beer. Maybe I could find a patch of grass, and enough of a building to house a pair of tinies. They only make 10-12 hands, but they still have a brain and are awful cute, and pennies would still be a problem but…We’ll just have to see…

Mike S. (oldnagsman)

Allen,

You are a jewel to have on our lists. So much friendly teasing, incredible knowledge and generous sharing of it .... AND thank you for the great pic's.Your pictures and posts are so inspiring. My dream horseclinic would be: You, JP and Marv Walker all together, here in the NorthEast!!!! you never know, maybe someday...

Regina

CABALLOS DE SOPHIA

Allen,

You are an absolute genius with horses. I really appreciate your sharing your horse training knowledge with us. I don't really know of any other site where I can access to this much training information.

It is really a blessing.

Thank you. God Bless.

Lois

Allen,

tsk tsk....you think WE would be bored with YOUR pictures!!?? You're wrong about that! My favorite thing is when I come and take a look at the day's messages and there are pictures posted. I learn so much more from pictures. I guess I am a much more visual learner than anything else (besides hand's on, that is). We are all so lucky to have someone like you who gives us free information and willingly shares their horse experiences.

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas everyone!

Lindsey

Hi Sue,

I Robert and I had a wonderful time at the clinic but had no idea how long-lasting the effects of attending would end up being.

Sky learned to bow and smile the week after attending the clinic while I waited for my pedestals to be built which took forever! ( the man we hired was not the speediest)

Since then he has learned to fetch the Frisbee like a pro , stand on a small pedestal and yield the hindquarters all the way around, is starting to salute, and will kick a large ball that I have.

He has been a wonderful role model for my paint mare Raney who has learned to step up, salute, and Frisbee fetch by watching him. They actually fight over the Frisbee and pedestal at times!

I just wanted to let you know what fun we are having and what a difference it has made in Sky, he loves our playtime and now has that exuberance I was hoping for my guy to have.

Thank you so much for deciding to have your wonderful clinic and for both you and Alan sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. Because of you both Sky has that spark I so wanted him to have and is the talk of the stables that I have him at.

I'll keep you posted on our continued progress,

Take care,

Lorrie

The infamous problem child of Atlantic Canada has faired incredibly well over the past year. I posted on him a year ago..after he had out and out attacked on regrettably more than one occasion by, rearing and walking on hind end..whilst hammering the air inches from the noses of human foe. Looking back -hind sight-..a smarter me realizes that he never wanted to maime anyone, no, no, his need was far greater, his need seemed to scream, Ima gonna kill ya, I'm pretty sure of that. Well, that first year with Regalo pretty much erased any naiveness and all fear of horses that might have been lurking inside. I got to tell you, a horse nowadays, would pretty much have to clean, oil, load, and pull the trigger of a biggg gun before I'd blink. Now don't get me wrong, I did not engage this horse in combat, did not get tough and de-program him down to nothing.I will tell you I have one heck of a great horse on my hands. Smartest, most independent, level minded animal, brave horse I've ever had the pleasure of 'thinking' with.If you visit Allen's website you will see whom it is, that I owe my enlightenment to.Now I also give some credit to a few good books penned by some well learned trainers (horse gentlers I call them). And of course I give myself a good ole pat on the behind.But Allen was in my opinion and said, without hesitation 'the great motivator'. He was no nonsense, stop playing around, grab the steed by the hooves or the bull by the horns and get in there.Now this colt was 17 months old, part draft (so big), but I ordered the 'Enhanced Foal Training' video. Sounds strange maybe, since this guy weighed 1000 lbs...some foal eh? But I thought I could pick up Allens demeanor (body language) on tape. And I did. And I applied it to my 1000 lb beast. Then of course Allen helped me out in emails with tips on how to tame the beast. And off course it would all start with me. I was learning a new way to think.Now you might be wondering...well why come to Allen's web boards .. he's better known as a trick trainer, a cirensic dressage man, not a horse whisperer...not a wild animal trainer. Why not visit one of my local trainers who could take this colt in hand.Not going to tell you why, because it doesn't matter any more. I learned more from this website and Allen over that one winter than I had learned all my life. Actually, I could say that once I got help from Allen, all the rest of the pieces of the puzzle, all the other information learned over the past years, fell in to place, plunk, plunk, plunk.I kind of chuckle to myself thinking back. Allen suggested I make little room for Regalo to evade me. But where the heck was I going to run to? The situation was dangerous, I basically went in the barn, closed the door behind me and released the horse to a very small area. The bull had horns, I had to grow mine! And finally, one night we locked horns, came to an agreement. 1000 lbs versus 100 lbs..there are some horses out there, that demand you know more than them, demand you prove your leadership skills at a very high level...and if you cant deliver, you get their horns in the behind. Some horses will accept less, always nice..but some like Regalo demand more, much more.Regalo would just as soon fire you up on the pedestal...well actually he did set me there nicely a couple times...at least till I got wise.I have begun to ride him...ever so lightly...I dont even pick up the reins...but guide him only with legs and seat...now its just at a walk..but hey not bad...and he did that the first time out.Now I was thankful to Allen for offering me guidance, not to trick train but to tame, to gentle, an animal that was hell bent. And I ended up with a horse so sure of himself, so good in his own skin, and so willing to do whatever I ask..without feeling fear and intimidation. When I decided it was time to get on his back...I thought, how well will this transfer from ground to saddle. I must admit, when it was time to take that step..I was kind of scared. But I recalled the same horse sense that Allen had given when things were all amuck in the beginning, and just got on...and oh my..I had a horse under me that was probably better than a lot of the young ones, that had commenced their saddle training months before us.It's like this folks, I am quite sure, that had I not found Allen, I am certain, that there would be no El Regalo. Maybe another trainer could have stilled the beast, but what of that magnificent animal within..would have been lost...Allen helped me tame the beast, but perserve the horse...HOW GREAT IS THAT?Okay, this got long, but hey, its an update, and shucks, yes its off topic..but then again...its not.

Sheila

Hi Allen,

I was on my way to teaching Daz tricks before I found this group but finding this group has raised my standards and opened up a whole world of possibilities that I never knew existed. I have found a group of people who continually motivate and inspire me. I have a training manual that's over 3 inches thick from the material I've found here. (Yup, you're in it!) I don't know where I'm going specifically with this trick training but I do know I will have a heck of a horse in 6 or 7 years. The pure FUN I'm having amazes me! And do you know something? I have been using the knowledge I've learned in training Daz to helping some of the "difficult" children in school with wonderful results! Working with Daz has taught me so much. Observation, timing, motivation, patience. So you see, Allen you have not only helped a lot of people and their horses on this group but also a boy in the 5th grade who doesn't have a dad. How's that for a compliment?!!! LaDora

Note from Allen, Ladora entered Daz in a national contest sponsored by Purina called "People and Their Amazing Animals" and won 2nd place ..which was a substantial cash prize and a year's supply of feed...

Ladora