Andrea McElwrath
Tracy, CA
I am the lessons instructor and barn manager for Double D Stables in Tracy, CA. I have owned, ridden, and competed with horses since I was five. I rescued a six-month-old QH/TB Appendix colt from a slaughterhouse. I have started colts and fillies before, but Roman at the age of two was no ordinary colt. Susan said it best when she described Roman as the closest thing to a wild mustang she had ever worked with. He was wild, unpredictable at times, reactive, dangerous, stubborn, and scared of everything. Susan, in sixty days, not only made Roman a rideable horse, but also sent him home with impeccable ground manners (better ground manners than my sixteen-year-old Morgan has). Roman is now riding around the arena and on the trails with more maturity than any other two-year-old horse I have ever seen. Susan's work ethic, her personal approach with the horses and people she works with, and her advanced knowledge of natural horsemanship skills is amazing, and I have yet to see any other trainer produce so much progress in such little time. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have been referred to Susan. I never believed that Roman and I would have the relationship with each other that we have today, and I credit that to Susan's amazing work and her wonderful training program.

Ann Jarrett
San Ramon, CA
A young untrained horse and an older person, who lacks confidence, may not be a good match... and even after years of being around horses, I found I truly didn't know much. I met Susan at an opportune time, and we started with the most basic of basics. She had her hands full dealing with a skittish two-year-old filly and a person who had to unlearn years of bad habits and incorrect ways of working around horses. With Susan's knowledge, patience, understanding, and some prodding, "our" training (which I needed more than my horse) clicked. I now feel as if I am working with my horse rather than against her, and all this builds my own confidence. Without Susan's abilities with both horses and people, I wouldn't still own one of the sweetest horses around. I always look forward to going to clinics to expand my horsemanship skills, because one is never too old to learn.

Ellis Arnold
Oakland, CA
I cannot recommend Susan more highly--she is not only a superb horseman and teacher, but she also runs a solid business and you will get tremendous value out of what you spend on training with her. I have been riding for more than twenty years and have ridden and competed with many well-regarded trainers, but none of them is as good as Susan. I now keep my horses at home and have all sorts of strong feelings about how they are fed and cared for, so I thought it would be impossible to find someone I would trust enough to take over their care, but Susan is that kind of person. She also works out of a safe and very well run facility that is a pleasure to ride at.

I have two very different horses--an impatient seven-year-old Tennessee Walker mare and a recently gentled five-year-old mustang. From the first time Susan interacted with my horses, she had both of their respect and attention. After our first lesson together, I turned my horses out in a large pasture at the facility Susan trains out of in Livermore. My horses live full-time in a 50 x 90-foot paddock, so this was heaven for them. When it was time to go, my mare was going to let me catch her but my gelding would go charging off every time I got very close and both of them would be off. Susan saw I was having trouble and came to the rescue--she simply walked up to my gelding and haltered him. It was as though he was thinking "Oh, the leader is here. Time to come in." This was the rapport she had after less than an hour with each horse--they chose her over a huge pasture of grass and play time.

When I sent my horses for training, however, I really got to see the benefits of Susan's program. My gelding had been well started and just needed more bringing along--he came along wonderfully, as expected. At the end of sixty days Susan was working other horses off of him and he was going great. My mare, however, was almost entirely trained by me and had some holes in her foundation on top of being way too forward when nervous--which was fairly often when away from home. Being a gaited horse, she also had trouble cantering and would do all sorts of cross-firing and four-beating. Susan was more guarded in her expectations for my mare (another one of Susan's qualities--she will tell you what she truly thinks). Boy was my mare's transformation incredible! The ride I had at the end of the sixty days was perhaps the most responsive, relaxed, fluid ride I have ever had on a horse. I thought something and my mare did it. Her canter was an absolute delight--round and balanced and cadenced. I was blown away! 

I have studied several varieties of natural horsemanship and I believe Susan's program is natural horsemanship distilled. The groundwork is the kind of thing that a person can have some success with right away but can also spend forever refining and improving. The under-saddle work teaches correct movement regardless of the horse's breed or discipline. The concepts are universal--as shown by her success with both trotting and gaited horses. If you have a gaited horse and someone tells you that you need a certain bit, special shoeing, a stiff back, to haul on their mouths, etc., please decline their help and come talk to Susan. I cannot think of a horseperson I know who would not benefit from her methods.

Diane Wishart
Livermore, CA
Susan Dockter has been training my 3-year-old Arabian gelding for the last three months, and in that short time she has made tremendous progress with a horse that, in the wrong hands, might have proven problematic. Susan quickly determined that the horse is extremely sensitive, intelligent and athletic--traits that can present real challenges, but which give great potential if handled correctly. I truly believe that in the hands of many other trainers my horse would have been mistreated or even abused, and that Susan's thorough understanding of natural horsemanship principals has benefited him for a lifetime. On meeting Susan it is immediately apparent how passionate she is about the work that she does; she is not only a trainer but a perpetual student as well, continuously learning new techniques and methodologies, and always concerning herself with understanding how a horse moves, thinks, and interacts with its rider. I am convinced that she provides horses with a strong foundation which lasts a lifetime, and I would recommend her to anyone without reservation.

Vicki Vermeer
Tuolumne, CA
I am so happy with Susan Dockter's training of my three-year-old Arabian gelding, Cole. I have had horses for years (I am 67), and have always trained my own horses and even have retrained spoiled horses. This time I decided to treat myself to professional training, and I am so glad.

Susan is kind, competent, and professional. She has taken a pushy colt and made him respectful. She has also given me lessons that have helped me to make my two other horses safer and easier to ride.

I just got Cole home and took him on a ride with a friend who rode my mare, Mariah. Cole was perfect, stood for mounting alongside rocks and hills (he's tall), and stood quietly at lunch. We rode over gullies, through streams, and up and down hills. He kind of stopped and looked when a bunch of bell-ringing cows ran in front of him, but didn't panic. All in all, a really nice, well-trained horse with only ninety days of training. 

Thank you Susan for returning a willing, nice, safe horse to me.

Dale Boehme
Pleasanton, CA
The art of horses and riding has been a later-in-life passion, much more so than just a hobby for myself in spare time. Susan's riding experience and her valued horsemanship knowledge, incorporated with the training of my two horses, has been instrumental to developing my skill and understanding as a horseman, rider, and for each of my horses to advance their talent. My newest horse addition, a very energetic five-year-old Quarter Horse, comes from Oregon with 120 days of initial training and was, in general, green broke when I acquired him. The desire to turn "Nic" into a working cow horse, trail horse, and general athlete has benefited from the dedication Susan puts forward to the working with her clients and the needs of their horses, regardless of discipline. With Susan's guidance, Nic is developing a fantastic foundation, and he and I are establishing a great partnership. Susan's background with colt starting, equine anatomy and movement, and sensitivity to the equine mind has aided Nic to advance very rapidly in only six months since I purchased him. I could never have accomplished Nic's development to date, in addition to my own, without her assistance. She has such an incredible eye to the little things!--when Nic drops or locks his shoulder and how I should correct it; how I incorporate too much rein pressure in my riding and the need to develop lightness; how my leg needs to be positioned for more proper communication; but also the positive remarks of where I am doing great!

... So my journey continues! Susan pushes me to get out of my comfort zone and advance my ability as a rider and a horseman, and to understand the continued importance of groundwork and advancing in the little steps to produce a solid foundation. And, I continually support Susan in communicating her talents outside of her comfort zone because more people need to benefit from her knowledge and techniques.

Jane Cloud
La Grange, CA
Susan Dockter is the exceptional horse trainer. I sent my very difficult three-year-old Arab/Trakehner mare for ninety days of training with Susan, and wow, what a difference! I now have a horse I can feel confident on, one that is responsive but not reactive. The last month of training, I participated in the groundwork and riding of my mare, to help further my understanding and bonding with my horse. Susan has taught me so much and opened my eyes to the importance of a solid foundation of trust with my mare. I look forward to many months of lessons with Susan to continue to build on the foundation she has begun. Thank you, Susan!

Jill Owens
Del Puerto Canyon, CA
Since 2005, Susan Dockter has been involved in virtually every aspect of my journey with my horses. She has been my primary mentor in teaching me groundwork and respect-training skills to establish a leadership position with my horses. She has taught me liberty work and trick-training methods. She has supported my work with other trainers specializing in dressage, jumping, and carriage driving--often achieving breakthroughs in training that were not accomplished with the specialists. She has schooled me in trail skills. She worked with me to bring my mustang mare to Second Level in dressage; guided me in rehabilitating a young mustang with a history of abuse; and helped me choose a warmblood colt for purchase, taught him his foundation groundwork, started him under saddle, and has overseen his preliminary dressage training.

Susan's teaching is informed by a deep understanding of the horse's movement, mentality, and how he learns. She uses a combination of pressure-release and positive reinforcement that rewards the horse and lets him know he's done the right thing. Her feel and timing are flawless, and my horses respond wonderfully to her methods. Susan has a tremendous care and respect for the horse, and the horses love her: mine want to be close to her all the time. Every decision she makes is motivated first and foremost by love for the horse.

Susan is also a gifted teacher of humans as well as horses, a rare combination indeed in the equestrian world. In her riding lessons she teaches her students to help their horses by riding with the proper bend and engagement, to time the aids with the footfall of the horse, and to ride primarily from the seat and legs rather than the reins. She has taught me such important principles as riding from back to front, making the last step the best step, teaching the horse to seek relaxation, and always ending on lightness. She has a fun-loving spirit and a sense of humor: lessons with her are always joyful. She is deeply committed to her students, both horse and human--the kind of trainer who loses sleep over their struggles and rejoices in their triumphs.

I cannot recommend Susan enough! Other trainers may come and go, but Susan is my "keeper."

Dawn Radtke
Concord, CA
I started working with Susan around 2008. I had just lost my long-term mount which I had been primarily riding in dressage and Mounted Patrol work. I brought Susan my new mare, who, to say it nicely, was hyper-sensitive and had some aggression issues that were severe enough to make others wonder why I would even attempt to ride her. Actually, I had my doubts as well. After working with Susan for a few months of consistent lessons, I was not only able to certify my mare with Search & Rescue/Mounted Patrol, I was able to understanding and apply techniques that have made this horse more of a joy to ride and will forever now be a set of tools and skills I can use. After such a success with my new mare, I sent my three-year-old (never started) Thoroughbred filly to Susan for full training. This filly was extremely set on doing things her own way--not unlike my teenage daughter! Susan has done a wonderful job with the filly. While my work and family issues have slowed her progress, I fully expect to certify her next year for Patrol. I was originally somewhat skeptical of Susan's methods as they were not how I had been trained in the past. I became a believer, as the proof is (as it should be) in the two very different horses I own and the progress we have ALL made.

Jeanine Ethridge, Oakdale Equine Rescue
Oakdale, CA
I met Susan Dockter in early 2010 through a horse rescue acquaintance. At that time, the rescue was in need of direction on how to work with one of the horses in the program. Susan was very helpful in explaining to us how to effectively work with this particular horse. I remember her walking out to our trailer and demonstrating what you can get out of these animals by simply asking. I was amazed to see how a horse could be so out of control one minute and then be so relaxed and following direction the next. Susan has this ability to effectively train these beautiful animals and instruct her clients on following through with those directions. I have been around several people to see how horses react to the energy that person projects. All of the knowledge I have gained from Susan has made my position at the rescue much easier. We are able to work with all of the horses using the proper training.

Susan, I want to thank you for all you have done for Nicole. She now has respect for these animals and total respect for you. She may only be eleven years old with big dreams of being a veterinarian some day, but getting the proper training and working from the ground up gives her direction on how to achieve her dreams and be successful at it.

Andi Schreibman
Byron, CA
I have found Susan to be a gifted horsewoman, trainer, and riding coach. She has studied under several of the finest horsemen/clinicians in our country and has taken pieces of what she has learned from each of them and put them into her own program, adding to her own style and techniques. She's intuitive and very knowledgeable about reading a horse and understanding causes of behavior. She starts colts in a very natural way, always putting in place a strong foundation to build upon. She works through the issues of problem horses and helps them find a better behavioral solution. She then works with the owner so that they can continue the work with their horse in a consistent manner and to build their skills. Safety is always foremost in her program, and Susan is always in it for the horse above all.

Many things make Susan special and unique. Besides her skills, she has a sense of humility; just as she does with the horses she trains, she has an ability to assess, understand, and respect our human issues--including fear--and isolate and work on those issues until they dissolve. Susan has the innate sense of a good teacher; she always provides positive feedback and encouragement, with honesty and frankness, and demonstrates her ultimate belief in her students and horses. She never loses her temper or raises her voice, and she always strives to build confidence in the horses she works with and with the riders she coaches. Willie and I are truly blessed to have her live in our part of the country, and to be able to learn from such a superb teacher and coach. Whenever I have someone who has a problem with their horse, an issue with their riding, or a colt that needs starting, I proudly refer them to Susan, confident that they'll be as delighted with the results as I have been!

Sue Plotkin
Livermore, CA
Susan Dockter has been teaching at my facility for five years. In that time, I have watched her start young horses and retrain horses with bad habits. Susan's strength lies in her ability to communicate with both horse and rider. Most importantly, she is able to train the rider so that they are able to help and understand their horse.

Patty Davis
Tracy, CA
Susan's ProActive Horsemanship is a complete program for the horse and rider. It is just what we needed. She reads and understands the horse and intuitively brings them along step-by-step, building a strong foundation for the language and tools that she empowers the rider with. The horsemanship level of our family has progressed by leaps and bounds with the guidance of Susan. She has given us behavior markers and the keys to the equine language, which together have given us valuable tools to keep the relationship with our horses fun, exciting, and, best of all, safe. This now confident partnership between horse and rider is what makes equine ownership dynamically rewarding.

I genuinely thank Susan for taking us and our horses to the next level and beyond. She is always positive and encouraging. She recognizes what level you and your horse are at and builds both up together with the language and tools to make for a positive lifetime partnership experience between you and your horse.

Mel Headrick
Gilroy, CA
When I unexpectedly acquired a yearling filly in 2008, I KNEW I had better get in gear and improve my horsemanship rapidly!!! Several of my friends were taking lessons from Susan Dockter and highly recommended her to help me acquire the skills I would need to ride and train a young horse. Not only did Susan help me come up to speed, she put a lasting foundation on my filly. It has been an intense, wonderful process that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. "Blue" and I continue to take lessons from Susan, and I have become a bit obsessive (in a good way!!) about improving my horsemanship. I feel extremely fortunate that I have had Susan's instruction and friendship. I look forward to more horse adventures with her! By the way, this amazing journey with Susan and Blue started with a winning $30 raffle ticket! I am extremely lucky!!!

Jean Schreiber
Livermore, CA
I have been training with Susan since her training career began. I recognized her talent and devotion to excellence that would propel both myself and my horses to our full potential. Her program and presentation are very clear and make a lot of good sense, and with committed practice is very successful. My horse Whiskey was four years old when I started with Susan. His natural curiosity and playfulness, with youthful high emotional and physical athleticism, have fully challenged both Susan and myself. After a serious injury and two years of therapy, between Susan's many talents and my commitment to re-establishing my own partnership with him, we have brought him fully back to both physical and mental soundness--an achievement that has blown us away. He now is ten years old, and besides doing all the trail riding I can do including riding in the Sierras, we hopefully are starting our own showing career.

Susan is very aware of all the intricacies of the horse's mind, the emotions that arise, and the physical manifestations that surface. Another good example was my horse Phoebe. I worked with Susan to help her to mentally and physically relax, especially on the trail where she was very herd-bound. Susan's ground work program set up the necessary foundation, and her trail clinics were a very valuable tool necessary for success. Phoebe had very strong instincts and had been a challenge for me, but I have also learned so much as a result. Susan's program is a very successful program, as I can attest. Having been an equestrian for fifty-three years, with experience in Drill Team, NATRC, Three-day Eventing, Endurance, High Sierra Riding, and a riding instructor myself for fourteen years, I recognize programs and instruction that works (or does not work). Her program works over and over again! Thank you, Susan.

Jeanne Jenkins
La Grange, CA
Susan rode my colt for sixty days and did an excellent job. I was able to go on with him, and he is willing, able, and gentle. I highly recommend Susan for any discipline of riding. She is wonderful!

Lorissa Rutledge
Oakdale, CA
I have been riding with Susan since I was fourteen, about three years now. When I first went to ride with her, I thought she was completely crazy. She was trying to teach me groundwork, which I thought was quite odd considering that I had never seen anything like it. Her methods were different from anything that I had ever learned. I've been riding my whole life, but I never truly understood what I was doing. Susan worked me through most of my bad habits and helped me through the days I thought I couldn't get through. She never gave up on me, or made me feel like I wasn't going to get it. She's taught me patience, respect for the horse, and how to help a horse move further in its training. I'm very proud to say that Susan is the one to thank for the improvements I've made in my riding. Susan was there to help me progress and get through rough concepts.