Dr. Tish Starr, D.V.M.

Dear Friends, I am writing this letter as a whole hearted endorsement of Susan Wirgler, the best horse trainer I and my buckskin quarter horse, Scout, have ever had the pleasure of working with.. She is by far the most competent and enthusiastic horsewoman I have ever been lucky enough to get know. I have been riding since I was 12 years old and it is so much a part of my identity that I couldn’t imagine ever being without a horse. I bought Scout shortly after the sudden and unexpected death of my twenty three year old Arab mare. I hadn't had a new horse in over 13 years and really wanted to start this partnership with Scout off right, so I decided to leave him boarded with the trainer who sold him to me and take lessons from her while I got to know him. I left there with what I thought was a finished trail horse, and a little more horse sense under my belt as well. A few months later I was out riding with a friend. It was a beautiful day and I was glorying in the wonder of nature all around us. Scout was following my friend’s horse in his meandering mellow way, and I was riding in my usual relaxed manner, sort of like I was lounging on my living room couch watching a good movie as the scenery passed by. Suddenly, (and out of nowhere I thought at the time) Scout levitated sideways about ten feet. I was not balanced or ready at all, the saddle slipped sideways and I found myself trying to crawl up his side using the reins. That didn't work too well!!! I wound up in the ER with a broken finger that had gotten caught in the reins. I ended up needing a plate in my finger, so that meant no riding for many months. I think the hardest thing about the whole experience was that I didn't understand how this could have happened to me. My Arab mare had been so tricky and had tested my riding skills constantly, but in thirteen years I had never come off her! How could this mellow, laid-back new horse have unseated me so easily? I was even wondering if my horse riding days might be over. Nevertheless, after I recovered I started to ride again, but for the first time since I was a kid, I wasn't sure of myself or my horse. I just didn't feel that I understood him , and nothing that I had learned from the first trainer had either prepared me for or explained his unexpected behavior. I knew I had to learn more about Scout if I was going to continue riding. I had heard about Susan from many different sources. I am a small animal veterinarian and many of my colleagues ride. Many of them knew of Susan and I had heard good things about her from each of them. I have a few friends in Search and Rescue that have taken lessons from her and all of them said she knew horses. Even my Ferrier’s son was taking lessons from her. There were just too many good things being said about her to not give her a try. I found her brochure at a local equine store and I liked that she recognized what a partnership it was to ride your horse. I gave her a ring and the next week I went for my first lesson. What a lesson it was!! She explained that even though my last horse and my new horse were polar opposites in personality they both needed leadership from the ground and the saddle. That was why I had felt that my Arab had always been testing me, and also why I had been so easily and unexpectedly unseated by the mellower Scout. Neither one of them had been consistently receiving the clear direction from me that they both needed. After that first lesson I realized that I needed training as much or more than Scout did, despite my years of riding experience. With Susan’s help and instruction I have learned to become my horse's leader. He looks to me now to ask, "what and where?", I let him know gently but clearly what I expect, and he responds enthusiastically. It is truly amazing to watch Susan work with a horse. She is so calm and decisive. She is never unkind, instead she gives the horse true leadership, with clear commands and follow though. Best of all she has helped me cement my relationship with my new lifetime riding partner, Scout. Because of her mentoring I understand him so much better and can "talk" to him more clearly. Susan is truly a cut above all the other horse trainers I have met in my life. I admire Susan not only because of her horsemanship, but because of her effervescent and positive personality. She is never negative and always professional. She understands and admires all sorts of equine disciplines. As a matter of fact she has learned from all of them and incorporated them into her own unique program. I can say with great certainty that I will be taking lessons from her and learning so much more from her about my friend, Scout, for many years to come. Sincerely, - Dr. Tish Starr , D.V.M.