My Quarter Horse Max and I were fortunate to meet Kirsten two years ago, through her affiliation with Balance Saddles. I was beginning to suspect that some of the issues I’d been having with him (anticipation and rushing upward transitions) were being caused by poor saddle fit. Kirsten came and took a look, and recommended 6 weeks of hand walking at a very slow pace to help him learn to use his hind end better. While it was a bit tedious, I did enjoy connecting with him without the pressure of riding. Shortly thereafter, I brought him home to live with me, and Kirsten began training both of us! We worked a lot on circles, lunging, slow walks, and have since worked up to Intro level dressage. Kirsten’s unfailing patience and expertise in all matters of horse and rider movement have taken us to a wonderful place – and I am very grateful to her for not only getting Max fit and healthy, but helping him to be happy to be ridden again! As for my riding – I feel the progress I’ve made in the last two years is immense. I am so much more confident riding Max, and although there are times I am not as patient and forgiving with him as I ought to be, with Kirsten’s help I am getting better and better each day!