I started WickedGood Horsemanship for the Backyard Horse Owner and their horse(s). Why the Backyard Horse Owner? I apprenticed with big name trainers over the years and learned what many of them say about the Backyard Horse (and their owners) when the cameras are off. These trainers and clinicians (with few exceptions) had little respect for their clients because their horse's would never become nationally ranked reiners/jumpers/dressage horses.

These trainers and clinicians also make snide remarks regarding the Backyard Horse Owner, especially regarding their age, weight, and fears that they may have (such as cantering).

Perhaps the trainer/clinicians's biggest pet peeve was the fact that these owners spoke for their horses and anthropomorphized them. (By the way, Marsden has a Blog).

To me this treatment wasn't fair and it wasn't right. Beyond the fact that talking about people behind their back and taking their money when you dislike them is wrong- treating their horses like trash (and calling them worse) is infuriating. A Backyard Horse is every bit as valuable as an NRHA Champion or USDF Grand Prix sport horse. Why? Because they make their owner happy.

My techniques for training, lessons, and mini-clinics are geared towards having realistic goals for Backyard Horses and their riders. I understand that it takes more than 8 weeks to produce a great trail horse and that trying to force a horse into an 8 week time frame is detrimental to the horse's well being.

The foundation of my training program is that when teaching a horse a new concept the rider must first be the leader. Once the horse masters the new concept, the horse and rider become partners. The end result of my training and lesson program is that the horse and rider both have fun together.