We have visited Fran through an international exchange program and stayed with her, her family and the horses for almost 2 months. Fran is an excellent person and teacher, professional and patient with both horses and people. While learning about Natural Horsemanship (groundwork, riding and just being around the horses), we have gained a lot deeper understanding of horse communication, and this way we have become incomparably more aware and confident horsemen than what we were before. Fran’s selfless way of sharing all her knowledge with us revealed her sincere vocation and devotion for horses. We feel that we have been very lucky to have had this opportunity, and we are very grateful to Fran, her wonderful family, and the horses for all those unforgettable moments.Date: 09 July 2009
Testimonial By: Otto
My story with Fran is literally the „from zero to hero” one. I have visited Fran with my wife through a working holiday programme as a beginner rider, with hardly any previous horse riding experience. At the beginnig I didn’t even dream about having so much fun and adventure in the following weeks, because I knew that people usually spend quite a few months practicing on longe and in the arena before going to a relaxing trail ride. Thanks to Fran’s proffessionalism, her assertive and always positive attitude and methods, and of course the lovely, calm horses, at the end of our 4th week I went for my first trail ride ever in the Columbey National Park. The progress I made with natural horsemanship is just amazing, horse riding has become a relaxing activity, sport and partnership for me in such a short time. I have also learnt to understand the communication of the horses, and this way maintain a harmonious relationship with them in their own language, so as to be able to do effectively and safely the various excercises from the ground and the saddle. I am extremely grateful to Fran and the horses for being my teachers in these last weeks. Being so supportive, patient and encouraging all the time at the beginning stage of my horse carreer will define all my future experiences with horses! Date: 19 July 2009
Testimonial By: Rebecca Wevers
My daughter, Courtney, and I first met Fran about 18 months ago. We were having some problems floating our pony. Whilst trying to work on this, we discovered that our pony could be quiet explosive when she was put under pressure. She was also very excitable in high energy situations like pony club
A friend recommended I talk to Fran, and we soon had our first lesson set up. Initially Fran worked solely with me and we spent several lessons together on groundwork. I immediately felt reassured that our problems were not insurmountable. Fran has a remarkable knack at calming her human clients as well as her equine ones.
After a couple of months, Fran began working with Courtney as well. Fran’s manner and humour gave Courtney a sense of fun that she had never experienced in more formal riding lessons.
Courtney has worked hard with her pony, and under Fran’s lovely calm guidance, is now an extremely confident little rider who enjoys a very special partnership with her pony. We have learnt that there is no long term “quick fix”. It was us that needed to learn to understand our horse, and support her to gain confidence. “Pru” is now a dream to float, a beautiful friendly pet at home, and a really fun horse at pony club and out on trails. We now have the tools we need to deal with issues as they come up.
First and foremost though, our association with Fran has allowed Courtney and I to enjoy horses together without any stress. This is something I never thought would be possible. Every time we load up the horses we pat ourselves on the back for how easy we find things now, and laugh about the times when we thought the world was about to end.
Thank you so much, Fran.
Date: 16 December 2009
Testimonial By: Kerry
My name is Kerry and I am 52yrs old.I started with horses late in life. It took me a few years of "heels down, don't hang on, get him on the bit ", before I found a better solution.A path opened that allowed me, a nervous mum,to find a connection with my horse and confidence in a system that gives me the tools I require to ride.
Fran introduced me to the world of natural horsemanship.There have been trials and tribulations, however I have perservered and have had tremendous support from other riders going through their journey.
My journey with Sugar ( my horse) is now in it's 6th year.Sugar has taught me to ride.My confidence has dropped, but somehow with Fran's help and group support I have risen again.The more I grow in confidence I see it reflected in Sugar and in his confidence in me.I find I am on an amazing journey which is very rewarding. I am keen to continue on my journey and find new and exciting challenges.So I call this my beginning, because if you think about it you are always at the beginning of your future.Date: 20 December 2009
Testimonial By: Evelyn
At Hunter Natural Horsemanship I am learning to release many of the
horsemanship techniques and ideas which I learned as a horse- mad kid
growing up without any real tuition or any growth promoting examples .
Deep inside I knew that, what I now see as the enforcement principles
of animal training ,did not satisfy my core need to intuitvely feel
and flow with the horse.
Our learning with Fran is NON COMPETETIVE thereby defusing that human killer instinct that horses fear so much.
It is HORSE CENTRED-we learn to ask our horses rather than telling
them --interestingly they start to ask us too.
We form SUPPORTIVE FRIENDSHIPS which enhance the learning and our
enjoyment of our horsemanship.
The learning is PROGRESSIVE with a defined structure and plan that brings positive results to all horses and all riders.
The key to satisfaction in this field of horsemanship is greater SELF
AWARENESS and what follows is greater SELF DEVELOPMENT but it all happens at
each person's own pace .
NETWORKING and EDUCATION with the frontline practitioners in modern
horsemanship occurs because Fran is always seeking the best for her students
and their horses.
And finally THE STUFF OF DREAMS-- cantering on a loose rein over a grassy slope with friends cantering alongside, splashing through a creek on an interested horse ,feeling the horse beneath me become collected and alert with the mere breath of an aid. And most of all for me feeling the recognition and trust growing between myself and the horses that are my especial friends who in my heart I know are not mine to own, but give themselves to me, as I learn to respect them .
Date: 05 January 2010
Testimonial By: Leoni
" Hi my name is Leoni and I'm from the Netherlands. In february 2010 I spend 1 month at HNHC as a helpx-er. I came to Australia to explore the beautiful country but also to work with horses and improve my Natural Horsemanship-skills. And Fran certainly helped me a lot with that! Back at home I used to have an Irish cob mare and practiced NH a lot with her. But at the centre I learned so many new things about horses, NH and myself. This gave me a brighter view on NH and convinced me even more that NH for me is the way to go with any horsework I'm going to do in the future. I find Fran a really good and patient NH teacher and I enjoyed every minute we spend together with her lovely horses and all the other well motivated students I met at HNHC. 1 month was just too short. There's always more to learn. I said it before when I just left, but now we can say for sure: I'll be back! Soon!"
Date: 14 June 2010
