05/10/2026
For the past few years, I had been asked more than once to come work for WHOAS, but the timing never seemed right.
It took losing everything — living out of my truck through -20 nights — before I finally made the decision to come north.
For a long time, I kept asking myself, “Why me?”
There are far more qualified trainers out there. Truthfully, I have never really considered myself a trainer.
I simply listen.
And through listening, I build connection. Through connection, trust.
I’ve been working with Legolas, a mature stallion who arrived at our facility less than two months ago. Big transitions take time for horses, so I allowed him the space to decompress and settle into his new environment before asking anything of him.
About a week ago, I began working with him consistently.
Yesterday, I was able to put a halter on him.
Legolas is the first stallion I’ve ever haltered without pushing him through a chute or using a lariat
Moments like this remind me that force may gain compliance, but trust is what truly changes a horse.
