Susan Castel

I was introduced to Parelli Natural Horsemanship in 1992 whilst studying at Adelaide University (Horse Husbandry) It took until 1999 to see Pat Parelli in person at Mallala Equestrian Centre for me to become a dedicated student. I gave up competing in Eventing (Dressage, Cross Country Jumping and Show Jumping) and studied the program. I was still working full time in the horse industry at that point, so I was able to put in a lot of hours as a student. I had 3 horses of my own, and another 4 ponies that I taught kids with. What I did back then was very similar to the Pony Share Scheme I have just read about in the Savvy Times. I used to set it up so the kids had as much responsibilitiy as if they owned a pony. It was great and I loved every minute of it.

Mon-ami was my main Levels horse, and studying with Ken Faulkner and Shane and Meredith Ransely(who were Parelli at the time) I passed the old Level 2 in 2002 and took my Level 3 assesment with Ken in 2003. We were one task short of passing, but unfortunately Moni cut her hind leg badly, and I was unable to finish, my levels with her.

 At the time I already had Ari, whom I had purchased from a client at work where we did colt starting and re-education. He was 3 yrs old at the time, and had come to our work as the "last stop before the dogger's". I fell in love with him instantly, of course, and purchased him in 2001. By 2002 we had passed  to L2 so I continued on with him. He became really sick in 2006 with a muscle wasting disease, but I used all my knowledge learned in the health industry to bring him back to health, he gets better all the time, and he is my Levels horse now. We have passed online L4 and am currently studying L4 in Freestyle, Liberty and Finesse. Ari is my best teacher, and constantly shows where I need to be.

In 2002 an insurance crisis hit the horse industry, so at that point I re-trained to become a Remedial Massage Therapist, for horses first, and then completing my Diploma in Remedial Therapy for people. This business has given me the opportunity to interact with people in a close environment, and allowed me to learn all about the subtleties of human body language. This has been a fascinating journey in itself. I work with a group of dedicated professionals at Mount Barker Terapeutic Massage Centre.

Ari and I participated in 2009 Celebration in Sydney, Australia in the "Savvy Spotlight". It was this wonderful week that cemented my desire to go to America and do the Externship. Ari was my perfect partner all the way, including the 4 day journey over central Australia. We took out time, and I rode him along the highway on the Hay Plain, it was amazing! At night time sleeping next to Ari in the swag, I could hear him stop breathing and his anxiety go up(we were in the middle of nowhere and not another soul for miles around) and all I had to do was rub him and breathe and he would blow out and go on eating. I will never forget it! That confidence carried right on through the whole weekend, there were a few shaky moments, but I prooved to myself that even under pressure I could be "natural" and keep our partnership alive. I was ready for the next part of our journey....FLORIDA ISC!

In Florida I completed the externship in February 2011 with a 2* Rating. It was one of the most challenging times in my life, and the lessons I have taken away with me have prepared me for the next part of the journey....sharing my experiences to empower YOU.

I would love to help you on your journey. All the best and KEEP IT NATURAL!