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First Ride
I sent my Andalusian stallion,
Saben to Cathie to start him under-saddle. I had worked with
her a few times prior to that and was very impressed. I have
started my own horses in the past-but Cathie starts them all
the time. I knew that she would be able to introduce him to
a saddle/rider without any drama and that if he did anything
silly she would handle it perfectly without him being
scared, or learning bad habits. She is firm with
discipline-but only as firm as she needs to be to get
results. Saben could be a little timid at times, often slow
to warm up to new people, but he LOVED working with Cathie.
You could see that each day that he spent with her he became
more and more confident. In fact she had the dog jumping up
on his back within the 1st week (with my permission of
course:) She also had him going through/over scary obstacles
like a pro. She also did exactly what I asked her to do
(unlike some trainers that have their own agenda). As he was
young, I did not want him pressured so she just worked on
helping him gain confidence under saddle and complete
respect for his handler. She also worked on specific
"issues" that we were having-teaching me a few techniques
that worked beautifully. I just can't say enough positive
things about her. I have been riding and raising foals for
almost 40 years, and I am very picky about who handles my
horses. I had complete confidence that Cathie would give him
the absolute best start under saddle without him being
pressured or scared. He came back an absolute dream. Thanks
Cathie!
Jenna Howard from NH Jenna was 13 years old here in “06”
pictured is Jenna ground driving her horse then her first
ride on Coyote. Truly a talented young lady! I just did pre
flight checks on the filly, and Jenna did the rest! (With
her mother’s approval)
Update Jun-09
This is how I met Cathie Hatrick Anderson. Our first
three horses were two seven month olds, Yote and Wolf, and a
5 year old appy, who was appropriately named Kazz the Spazz.
Since these were our first horses, we really had no clue
what we were doing. My horse, Yote was hard to catch, and
tried to kick every time I brought the halter out. Kazz,
spooked at everything under the sun, and we could not handle
him. Wolf had no vices or problems, he was just young and
needed starting. My neighbor, who also was looking for a
horse trainer at that time, found Cathie’s website and gave
the link to my mom. She looked up the site, called Cathie,
and arranged a time for her to come and help us with our
horses. When Cathie came, and introductions were made, she
started to work with Yote and I. During our hour she taught
me how to catch her without her running away. Cathie also
taught me how to do the basic ground work with Yote. At the
end of the hour Yote knew how to lunge, move her front end,
move her hindquarters, when asked, and also to stand quietly
while I was haltering her. Because we were new to being
horse owners , Cathie not only showed me how to work with my
horse, she also showed me how to tie a rope halter, pick up
Yote’s feet, and to gently rasp them with the fine side of
the rasp to help her behave for our trimmer. Next it was my
sister’s turn with Wolf. Cathie taught her the same things
as she did with Yote and I. She also accomplished the same
things with my sister’s horse, as she did with mine, all in
a two hour session. After the two babies, Kazz’s turn was
next. Cathie taught him so many things. First, she taught
him how to join up. We also had a hard time catching him, so
Cathie taught us how to deal with that. The next thing she
taught us is lunging. Kazz had a hard time understanding
this new concept, but Cathie was very patient. With a lot of
persuasion, Kazz finally did get lunging. Cathie also wanted
to desensitize him. She did a lot of advance and retreat
with a plastic bag tied to the end of a whip.(Cathie rarely
uses a bag on the end of a stick, she explained that most
horses would jump out of their skin, Kazz would not back
down but instead preferred to run you over or just over
react) but at the end of the session, she could wave the bag
and whip all over him. He just stood there with a “whatever”
look on his face. Three years, and eight horses, later, Yote
can now ride under saddle at a walk, trot, and canter. She
can also ride bridleless at a walk, trot, and does her
ground work beautifully in just a neck rope with voice
commands. Cathie has inspired me to be a horse trainer, and
she is also an amazing teacher, with horses and humans.
Thank you so much for what you have done for me, Cathie! -
Jenna Howard (age 14)
1st ride on Kelly’s gelding
"Ricky" Aug” 08”
look at the tongue!
He is as opinionated as his dam
Angie
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Flexing to a halt.
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I finally got my act together! It's hard to believe
that it's been over two years since I first hired you to
work with Angie and I. At that time she was very much the
bully, lacking confidence but very willing to grump at
anyone who crossed her path. I had done tons of ground work
with the mare but had not been successful in convincing her
to accept a rider with any degree of confidence I felt that
she was much too quick for me to mount for the first time so
enlisted a former jockey to sit on her. That plan didn’t go
so well as he allowed himself to be ejected off the mare and
looking back I can’t blame the mare for being nervous about
the whole situation. I was back to square one and quite
frustrated and discouraged when I discovered you through the
Equine site yellow board. I will never forget our first
session and the benefits that surfaced. Angie started to
take an interest in humans for something other than food and
began to be more social around the barn. Your skill and
consistency when working a horse is second to none and
something this mare needed to experience. Angie and I
learned a whole lot in that first session of groundwork...I
actually learned how ask my horse to stand still! The most
memorable moments for me were watching you work on mounting
Angie. You allowed her to stand beside the mounting block
and wait patiently while you did what appeared to be a
ballet! Up and down from both sides and I do believe you
actually sat on her in the process.
I do not and never will possess that much grace and
dignity when mounting a horse! It is amazing to have been
witness to the transformation this mare has made since we
met you. Her attitude began improving after your first visit
and an even bigger improvement after your second visit which
gave Angie her first real ride under saddle. Since those
first few awesome sessions it remains exciting to watch as
you guide Angie through several new adventures including her
first rides along side other horses and outside the ring. I
truly value your patience involving me in each step in the
process. I am trying to make her a priority this summer with
the hope of having enough confidence and miles to trailer
her to your place for a ride before snow flies this year.
Since that first session, you have been a life saver Angie
and I. I appreciate the time you spent with us. We both
learn something from every session we have with you. As an
instructor, trainer and farrier, I spend so much time with
other people’s horses I forget to make time and save energy
for my own! This mare turned out to be a bigger project than
I was looking for but one that immense value. She is so
smart and sensitive. I don’t need to make any more mistakes
with her and am excited to have you as a resource to help
guide her development. I have watched you work quite a few
horses now. Some I have experience with and others I’ve
never met. You are fair and consistent with every horse you
meet. I have a great deal of respect for your skill and for
the work that you do! Following the example you have set, I
strive to improve my horsemanship skills and incorporate the
skills I learn from you into my pre-existing skill and
knowledge base. You are definitely a “trainer’s trainer” in
addition to being a horse trainer. Thank you for all that
you do to promote skilled horsemanship in humans and to
demonstrate to our horses that humans can be fair and
patient leaders. Kelly Parliman, Mont Vernon, NH.
I heard of Cathie when a friend of mine contacted her to
work with her 17.3 hand Holsteiner gelding. I watched Cathie
work with him for several sessions and was impressed by her
horsemanship while helping my friend's gelding. She had a
very clear and understandable process that it was obvious
the horse understood and which made sense to me too. I am
not easily impressed having seen 100's of trainers,
clinicians and supposedly accomplished horsemen/women
working with horses over the past 20+ years and find I'm
very disappointed in their methods and outcome. Not the case
with Cathie, she was so refreshing to see and watch. She
combines her experience with horses with some old principles
of horsemanship, and they work. I have a 6yrs old Arabian
mare, Buffy, who I had been working with and was ready to
start under saddle. I knew that Cathie was the right person
to take Buffy on her "first ride". The whole process was
what I call a "non-event", meaning she took the time to
teach the horse what the mare would need to know and be
confident about before she got on so when the time came and
she got on the mare was quiet, relaxed and totally working
with Cathie to try and do what she asked. I would recommend
Cathie to anyone, whether your horse has a "problem" or not
because the benefit of learning how she communicates with
the horse would help anyone improve their daily interaction
with their horse! Tracy Antonelli Many Springs Arabians
Rehoboth, Ma
I was nervous about putting the first ride on my
sometimes "moody" filly. However, Cathie came out for her
second time and made it seem like this was something I could
possibly do without getting killed. Cathie put me at ease
and my filly responded beautifully. I know that I would
never have gotten this far with this particular horse had it
not been for Cathie's help. Thanks Cathie! Aimee-Middleton,
Ma.
 "AJ
is my second horse, but my first baby. I had a session with
Cathy at my house when AJ was just about 7 months old. I
learned from her how to handle him to gain my respect and
trust . She went thru the steps of what NOT to allow him to
get away with and what to expect from the stages he would go
thru! She not only showed me but had me work with him while
she was there to make sure I got it! I absorbed everything
she had to offer and used it throughout the next 2 years. At
two and a half years old, I felt he was ready to start
lightly under saddle. I contacted Cathy once again and she
came out to work with us Even though I was confident in my
horse, I wanted her professional opinion to be sure that he
was ready to accept a rider.
 When Cathy arrived, she had me work with AJ a bit to see
how we were together; she then proceeded to work with him herself, since
she would be the one to get on his back, he needed to respect her too!
NOT! He wanted no part of this stranger telling him
what to do! BUT, that didn't last long.
In no time she had his total attention and respect; saddled him,
and hopped on! It was so wonderful to see. He was so TOTALLY
relaxed he looked like he had been ridden all his life. She clucked at
him, told him to walk-on and off they went at that ever-so-slow draft
horse pace, head and neck low and relaxed! In fact he was so relaxed
that she took him out on to the street for a short ride. I also
got to hop on that day for a short pony ride.
We have ridden once a week for the past
few weeks and it has been great! One more perk was that the
join-up session that she worked on with him he TOTALLY got
it, now when I work him in the arena, I have his attention
on me at all times! ITS SO GREAT! Cathy will be back to put
the first trot on him in a few months, then its on to
trailer-loading 101!" Nancy Perry - Berkley, MA
This is Willow, our 17.2H Belgian mare.
She is 4 years old and we are just starting her. Cathie put
the first ride on her on 9/15/04. Already a nice, low
headset!
Lisa Benoit Cumberland, RI
When Cathie first rode Mirror there were
no problems. She accepted having a rider just fine, without
any nervousness or aggression. I think she was so well
introduced to all the ground work and aids that she
responded just as willingly having someone on her back. She
continues to progress each time she is worked. I would
recommend Cathie Anderson to anyone needing training or
retraining help.
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Hi everyone My 2 year old filly was a
nightmare to handle until Cathie came over and spent an hour with her.
Thank you so much - she now has respect for humans, and has not reared
or thrown her head once since our session. Cathie knows what she's doing
and it works. I'm so glad she came over, and I can't wait to have her do
the first ride with Lilly. I also attended the bitless bridle clinic,
which was very informative and really opened my eyes. THANKS!! Sincerely
Tracy B.
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Unfortunately we have no picture of her second ride,
but below is what Lily's owner had to say about how
it went.
Hi - Cathie came out to see LILLY, my 2 year old TB/Appy
cross three times and last time was amazing - she
got on, walked, halted, turned and circled - all
calmly and confidently. Cathie spent 2 hours working
with her and had her full attention and respect
after about 10 minutes. I highly recommend using
Cathie to "start" your young horse. Can't wait to
have her back soon. Tracy
Thank you Tracy. The first visit was to show Tracy
all the things that needed to be in place before I
would even consider getting on Lily; we did lunging,
hand walking, and ground driving around simple
obstacles. She was a handful the first visit. When
Tracy called me to say Lilly was ready, I thought
SURE she is. Well Tracy impressed me, She followed
through with the homework I gave her, and the first
ride was uneventful. A few months later the second
ride went fine too, I think Lily was 2 1/2 when I
put the actual first ride, now in when spring
arrives she will be ready to ride
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