“Discover how good your relationships with and how happy your horses can be. “It simply never occurred to me that a horse could reason, much like a dog can reason. Nor that the horse could develop a verbal vocabulary, like our movie superstar Benji. I don’t believe I have ever heard a trainer or clinician use the word reasoning in reference to a horse, nor encourage the use of verbal cues until I discovered Allen Pogue and his Imagine A Horse methods. Now I know: horses can have fun! They can grow to understand words. Even sentences! And they are fully capable of reasoning. All of which strengthens relationship, intelligence, and willingness. Thank you, Allen, for continuing my amazing journey of discovery. My horses owe you and so do I.”

Joe Camp Best-selling author of The Soul of a Horse* and film writer, producer, and director, author, passionate speaker and the man behind the canine superstar Benji,. http://thesoulofahorse.com/

“I was a senior vet student at A&M with Dr. Cliff Honnas when Allen brought a foal in to assess its feet. We were about to sedate the foal and Allen said, “No need. I’ll be right back.” He came back with a bean bag, and Cliff’s eyes about popped out of his head. Sure enough, Allen sat down in the bean bag, foal in his lap, and we proceeded to get everything done without sedation. It was mighty impressive.”

Dr. Damen O Gan DVM, Austin Equine Hospital

“I applaud the way Allen and Sue keep exploring the limits of what is possible in the horse-human relationship. Allen Pogue and Suzanne De Laurentis caught my attention several years ago in the unique ways they combine the spirit of natural horsemanship with the best of traditional trick horse training. The result is an equine that willingly performs complex maneuvers at liberty with no signs of worry or uncertainty.”

Rick Lamb Author of “Horse Smarts for the Busy Rider” and host of “The Horse Show”

“Allen is the best of the many trick trainers I have seen. “Key among several innovative concepts of horse training I fervently believe in, for the benefit of the horse that both Allen and I share is: Horses should not be started under saddle until mature (at 4 or 5 years of age). I know as a veterinarian that countless horses are prematurely crippled by excessive work before maturity. There are many things that can be taught from the ground before saddle training including trick training! Allen is dedicated to the training of the newborn foal, a method I conceived of more than half a century ago and which is now successfully being used all around the world, in all disciplines and in all breeds.””

Dr. Robert M. Miller, DVM Dr. Miller is, One of the best known horsemen and authors of our time is also an equine behaviorist and veterinarian, best recognized for his system of training newborn foals known as imprint training. http://www.robertmmiller.com/

“Sue and Allen’s understanding of animal behavior—equine in particular—is nothing like I have ever observed previously. It is deductive and complex and indicates such a deep understanding of equine behavior both generally (i.e., at the level of species patterns) and specifically (i.e., at the level of individual differences). Using this deductive knowledge in a way to engage horses in behaviors (“tricks”) is remarkable to observe. Their understanding comes from many sources: extremely acute perception, intelligence, empathy and deep compassion for the animals they are working with. They have tapped into a communication channel (a“lingua franca” in its truest sense) that few will ever experience and I think it is brilliant. I can tell you that I have been working with animal scientists/academicians for decades and have never observed this previously… i.e., the translation of deep understanding into a hands-on practicum of interaction between human and another species.”

Joanna E. Lambert, PhD Professor, The University of Texas at San Antonio Fellow, American Academy for the Advancement of Science

“Trick training” can be an important part of any horse training program. As a professor of animal science at Texas A&M University, I have been inviting Allen Pogueback to demonstrate his methods for training horses and to lead a discussion on the history of horse training with my classes every year for over a decade. All too often, horses are trained to the level needed for their primary use solely, and then are basically ignored as long as they perform at the expected level. Most additional or advanced training we might do with a horse falls into the “trick training” category. But such training represents a lot more than merely teaching a horse to do a simple trick. Advanced training increases the trust and communication between both the horse and rider. It can take both to a new level not otherwise possible. Allen Pogue is very well read and has mastered both the theory and implementation of advanced horse training.”

Dr. Ted Friend Professor and Texas AgriLife Research Fellow - Department of Animal ScienceTexas A & M University

“I have worked with Sue and Allen for many years and have filmed segments for my Speaking of Horses TV Show with them, too. They are very professional trainers. I highly recommend their work!”

Wayne Williams “Speaking of Horses” TV and Radio - www.speakingofhorses.com

“Their training methods and theories are all about concern for the horse. Sue and Alan are super talented folks and make learning fun for horse and handler You must attend one of their clinics; so magical!!”

Donna West