Deano was 6 years old and unbroken, the day we fetched him was the first day he had left his mum. We sent him away to be backed - broken in, and after a month the guy said he had done his best, we could take him home, and that he hoped he would settle in time !

Deano had a collection of little problems which he kept adding to .......

• Not standing still to get on or off
• Not standing still at road crossings or anywhere else really !
• Not loading - kicking out
• Not having his feet picked out or shoes put on - kicking out
• Not standing still got worse, he started to rear when asked to slow down or stand still

I fell off Deano in July 2005 and it hurt so much that I thought I would never ride him again. While we thought about what we were going to do  we turned him out (Hopefully thinking that -

a) He might get better on his own

b) He might just disappear)

Chris had started riding Deano in the school at home from February 2006 but was going nowhere with him.

Remedial starter turned Endurance horse Deano competing at Tugby

We debated whether to give him one last chance or put him down. By May 2006 we were at our wits end, while talking to a friend who mentioned how great her horse was going since returning from Carrie Adams..........

It was his last chance we decided - borstal or a bullet. We took the plunge and rang the number - we talked - Carrie listened never once being judgemental on how or what we had done. A date was booked

We took Deano to Centre Lines (his Borstal). I never thought a horse could change so much. Carrie never see's the horse as the problem, but the bigger picture of rider and horse. She has a unique ability to get the very best from the horse, then has the terrible task of making the rider/owner try and understand and teach us how to treat our horses, to communicate effectively, and form a partnership, which she does so patiently.

Since returning from Carrie's we have taken our time with Deano and started small competitive rides with company in March 2007, getting him used to the farriery and veterinary checks. After 6 rides we felt he was ready to take the plunge......

On 4th June 2007 Deano went to his first competition on his own. We were filled with trepidation, but we needn't have worried, he was an absolute star. He was so quiet at the farrier and vets they thought we had doped him !! I had to get off 8 times to open gates - he stood like a rock while I got on and off ! he just loves being out there doing stuff and is always ready at the gate to be picked ! He is such a sweet little horse thanks to Carrie, who without her help, care and understanding, Deano would still be a very troubled and misunderstood horse.

Thank you Carrie and Centre Lines

Maria & Chris Lamin - Bingham, Nottinghamshire.

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