TERRI JORDAN, a native of Wisconsin and resident of Massachusetts for the past 21 years, is presenting her teachings for horse and rider based on Getting Back to Basics.  These teachings are designed to help owners understand their horses based on where the horse is at in his foundation development.  Through this the owner will learn how to progress with his or her own horsemanship skills and develop the horse they ride according to what the horse needs. 

For the past 15 years Terri’s desire to become a better horseman based on how the horse thinks, and how best to support him, has sent her all over the U.S. And, as far away as British Columbia Canada, searching for a way to communicate with horses in a way they understand.  This drive has had her studying John Lyons, Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman and spending several months at the Parelli Center.  Most recently she has spent time at the Bruce Logan Foundation Station in Loving, Texas absorbing Bruce’s teachings about Foundation “for” the horse.  She’s also learned how to make this understandable for both horse and rider. 

Terri’s development of horsemanship skills came largely from initial challenges she had with her own horse.  Now an 11 year old gelding named Journey.  “I didn’t understand him and it was a continual battle to be around him.  I had to make a decision to continue this anxiety and fear based relationship or to make a change!  My passion for horses had me dedicate and search for what I was missing in my horsemanship skills and my relationship with horses in general.  I’d spent 20 years learning WHAT NOT TO DO with horses.  I had made the decision 15 years ago to figure out HOW TO BE WITH them!”   

Today, Terri and Journey have a wonderful relationship.  Once a bucking, bolting, rearing 4 year old gelding is now a reliable mount.  Most recently placing top 10 in the 2008 Versatility Horse and Rider Competition at the Equine Affair, Springfield, MA   

Click the link below to view the competition  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f38Wq05vL0

Terri says “There are several ways to get a horse to do something.  But can we do it without forcing him.  Can we use horse psychology to prove to the horse we can be his leader without fear based tactics or mechanical devices".

 She believes we need to let the horse have a choice, but encourage him to pick the choice we have chosen for him, We need to teach the horse his responsibilities and allow him to up hold them.  Only when he doesn’t, do we need to step in.  When the horse is confused, we need to help him get through whatever his confusions are, not blame him.  When we can do that, we are creating a relationship built on trust, fairness, understanding and communication.  Thus building a solid foundation making any discipline you choose become an easier goal.  

Most people aren’t aware of what they are missing in their horsemanship and relationship with their horses.  They settle for mediocrity because they don’t know it can be better.  They misunderstand why their horse reacts or responds and aren’t sure how to correct it. All this results in frustration for the owner and confusion for the horse.  When Terri helps to figure all that out, the horse makes changes. Then horse and rider are happier together.   

These teachings apply to any and all disciplines, any age and any breed.  Essentially, horses are the same.  It is their innate characteristics that make them individuals.  When you learn how to handle your individual horse based on his needs in foundation development, the changes they will make are undeniably amazing.  

It is Terri’s dedication to her passion for horses that drives her to share the strategies needed for people to progress in their personal horsemanship within themselves and for their horses.

Terri says “Anyone who wants to be successful with horses, whether trail riding, show jumping, roping, reining, dressage, or just plain leading them to grass, should know certain things about horses that makes all the difference to both horse and rider”. 

Terri continues to improve her own learning by gathering information and applying it according to the principles that make sense to the horse. 

Terri resides in Grafton, MA and travels all over New England to help anyone interested in becoming better with horses.