"If there really is such a thing as a horse whisperer Sean Quirk is it!

  Before I met Sean I was ready to stop riding and give my horse, Dazzle, to anyone who would take her. She bolted, spooked, kicked - any bad vices, she had them! The last straw was a violent rear that sent me to the ground.

  I had been through three different dressage trainers and by this point I was wondering if anyone could help us! Sean began in the round pen gaining respect and teaching my horse how to let someone move her body without tension. He then taught me how to do the same. Next came the saddlework. My horse had strong issues with contact and moving forward (sound familiar?). Sean taught me how to work through all the barriers to rebuild the trust between us.

  I never thought that I would be able to walk, trot, and canter my horse, but now, not only can I walk, trot, and canter with contact but I can do it all on a loose rein without the fear of hitting the ground.

Sean has taught me how to ride with my seat and legs and not my hands. But most of all I've been given the confidence to work through my horse's issues. I now have a very strong bond (connection) with her.

  Sean is a true horseman who has the depth of understanding and knowledge to make him a true horse whisperer!"

Tracy Caruana

 

"After coming off my horse, with a serious injury, I lost all my confidence and realized I could not handle my mare on my own.  She was becoming unpredictable and dangerous.  I was nervous just walking her into the arena, and was ready to retire her even though she had a lot of life left in her.  

  As a manager of a local saddlery, I have access to much information and many trainers. Sean's name kept coming up.  He was my last chance for my 18 year old, 17 hand "dressage queen" with a lifetime of spooking in her.  I took a leap of faith.

  It is a rare quality in a trainer who knows horse and rider equally well.  Sean's knowledge, patience, intuition, kindness and devotion has transformed my horse  into a fun, soft and giving partner and me into better rider.  I am indebted to him for not only bringing back my confidence, more importantly a bringing back my beautifully balanced horse in her body and mind."

Karen Stone - manager Brightstar saddlery

 

"A recommendation to be taken seriously. I am somewhat of a fanatic about the things that I do, which includes taking care of my 12YO Quarter Horse, Player, and training with him. We have had Player 2 1/2 years and have worked with several trainers and observed a lot more. Just boarding at a Pony Club barn, there are literally close to 2 dozen trainers that come and go.
  In the last 6 months I was having so much trouble with Player's behavior (pushy, bucking, kicking etc) that 2 vets recommended he be checked for an ulcer. I worked with Dr. Meryl Dervartanian, of Conejo Valley Veterinary, along with Dr. Sullivan at West Coast Animal Hospital in Somis. Player was tested for everything and all was negative. He was just taking advantage of "my lack of horse ability."
  My original trainer, who owned my horse for 6 1/2 years became fearful of being bucked off. I started working with a local trainer, a good rider but not so good at explaining how to become my horse's leader, gain his trust, and be a better rider.
  I was not looking for a "cowboy trainer" who was going to whip him into shape.
  While I was trying to decide what to do I met Sean Quirk.  Sean was training a Mustang who was a new boarder at our barn. He has been a polo horse trainer among a long list of other credentials. My first lessons were mainly on the ground. We started with desensitizing him, teaching me to earn his respect, work around him without him moving (including mounting).
  On the ground, I am learning to move his forehand and hind quarters independently and together. We now walk together and he keeps his attention on me instead of pulling me around. This was just the beginning.
  Now we are in the saddle, practicing all the gaits and the beginnings of lateral moves. The reins are to control the horse's head, his body with my seat and legs. The horse has never kicked and reins are loose. Sometimes we train with 2 other riders and their horses.
  Player is becoming more socialized. Bucking and kicking have stopped. I am a college graduate and have never had a trainer that was so methodical, organized and gentle. We work with the horse through body language. Everything we do is explained to me clearly so I can understand. The only words spoken to Player are "good boy" along with a rub when he gets it right."
Jim Mulne

 

"Training with Sean Quirk has brought our family one blessing after another.  He is professional and punctual; gentle and a gentleman; quiet and patient; honorable and humorous. He has a wealth of knowledge and yet lacks arrogance.  He actually LISTENS.  How rare that is in a teacher and what an excellent quality to have in a horse trainer.
  Sean teaches you to earn the respect of the horse ---- as a trainer he needed to earn our respect as a man. He did.  
  Our daughter, Fiona, has been taking lessons from him three times a week now for almost one year.  Both horse and rider have learned lasting life lessons.  Fiona has learned to be fearless instead of fearful.  Cowboy has learned that he can trust Fiona with his life.  Fiona has learned that that the best things are worth working hard at. Cowboy has learned that the safest place to be is with Fiona.  Fiona has learned the value of patience, perseverance, consistency, diligence, tenacity. Cowboy has learned to be the safest trail horse around. Fiona has also learned to laugh at herself, to live in the moment and that tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities. Cowboy has learned that when he does what he is asked he is rewarded with lots of love and petting.  It is a joy to watch his brain working and when he licks and chews you can see how proud of himself he is. Sean has taught both horse and rider to be one with each other.
  Our daughter turned fourteen when she started her lessons and in two months she will be fifteen. We have seen her blossom right before our eyes and go from being tentative about going down a hill to galloping with joy and abandon. As a parent it is a beautiful thing to watch.
Horses are magnificent animals and a gift from God. Sean is a rare find and worth his weight in gold.  Oh, and did we tell you how much FUN we have and how much LAUGHTER there is in each lesson?  
  What are you waiting for?  Book a lesson and never turn back.  Happy trails!"
Mary Ellen and Dale Robinette

 

 

"For Christmas 2 years ago my husband gave me a beautiful thoroughbred mare she was 11 years old and her name is Flame.  She had been in a small pen with 2 other horses for 6 to 7 years. The only human contact was at feeding time.  When I got her she did not like to be taken out of her comfort zone and  would become very excited and hard to control and she would not respond to ho. I was afraid to ride her. 

  I had one trainer that worked with her for several months and it seemed that we were getting somewhere, but then when she was to be taken on a trail ride she started going crazy and had to be brought back to her pen.  On several occasions she would back up so fast that she would sit down and roll over. I am told that this is very dangerous.  After this she would not let anyone put the bridle on her and would not stand at the hitching post.

  It was recommended by several trainers and other horse owners that I had three choices, 1. give her to a horse rescue 2. give her to someone for a companion for their horse or 3. put her down.  This was breaking my heart, I love this horse.  Then a friend named Kym, suggested that I give it one more shot and try Sean. What was amazing is that Sean had a bridle on her in 5 to 10 minutes of working with her.  He explained each step that he was going to do and why.

  Sean has been training Flame now for 2 and half months, what a difference in her, she is calm, gentle and a very sweet girl.She response so well to the slightest touch. Sean has taught her how to balance herself, lateral moves, how stop on a dime, etc.   Sean has a special touch, he does not use force but kindness and a gentle touch.  I can not say enough good things about Sean, I just wish I had met him sooner."  

Susan Gehring

 

"I could not speak more highly of Sean’s skills at natural horsemanship.  In six months, he has taken my mustang mare Kiva, from a once fearful, untrusting horse, to one I can now ride with the confidence of knowing she has been started correctly.   He has helped me, personally, to overcome my fear of riding her by first, getting her under control and accepting of a rider, then by coaching me and teaching me the methods I need to keep her in control and keep me safe. 

  I’ve just been “riding” all my life, but now, with Sean’s lessons and training, I’m learning to use my body more to communicate what I need from my mare, and she is listening and responding.  It has been an amazing experience  to watch Kiva come out of her shell and become the rideable mount  I knew she could be, thanks to Sean!"  
Kym Langley

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"Sean's understanding of the horse and rider is excellent.  Even though we have been riding a while, Sean's instruction has given the horses more confidence in us - and us more confidence in horses."
Robert & Gail Hutcherson
 

"Sean has brought my riding skills to new heights. My horses are more respectful and willing than ever before and really seem to be having fun."
Marti Anderson
 

"My husband and I planned a trip to a dude ranch several years ago.  I was terrified of horses so I decided that I needed to overcome that fear by taking riding lessons.
  I began my lessons with Sean 6 months prior to our trip.  Sensing and knowing my fear, Sean started from the very beginning, teaching me how a horse thinks, works, and behaves.  His patience, knowledge, understanding
and gentle horsemanship have helped me overcome my fears, which have allowed me to enjoy horseback riding.
  Since I began the lessons I have gone back to the dude ranch 3 times, riding twice a day for a week.  I have also enjoyed riding on other vacations.  All thanks to Sean who is an incredible instructor!"
Ilsa Watters