Riding high on the success of such books as "You're My Mare Not My Mother" and "Denial Ain't What Keeps The Horseshoe On," Pamela Wilsby-Higgins is holding clinics across the country to promote her latest book and infomercials "From A Whisper To A Scream: When Your Horse Can't Hear You."

Pamela's symposiums cover a wide range of topics, such as: Reimprinting the Inner Foal, Obsessive/Compulsive Dressage, Andelusions of Grandeur, Bi-Polar Bending, A.D.D. in Arabians, Fear of Flying Lead Changes, and Feeling Suicidal? Consider Eventing.

The plucky blonde, so progressive in her methods of equine communication she's called "The Woman Who E-Mails Horses," is the first woman to receive national attention in the growing field of touchy-feely horse training. Pamela has been criticized for her unorthodox techniques and is the first to admit she's not a traditional horse trainer.

Training
“Training is such a worn out concept, even the word ‘train’ is archaic,” Pamela notes.  “It comes from the Old French trainer, to drag. And that's just what training is, a BIG DRAG! "What I'm interested in is communicating with problem horses, letting them know they're not alone.

"My goal is to facilitate people away from the 'Self-Centered' riding made popular in the 1980s to a more 'Co-Dependant' riding where the horse and rider work closely to deepen their relationship and become enmeshed in the riding experience."

In defense of reports that her clinics are among the most expensive in this new industry, Pamela is unapologetic. "You get what you pay for. Horses are individuals and it takes time to discover what form of communication works best for them. Whispering to horses is fine, but some respond better to murmuring or babbling, while still others prefer mime or slide shows.”

Pamela further points out that not all bad horse behavior is the result of a negative experience. “Horses are very sensitive and can have a variety of problems, both emotional and paranormal. They can suffer from depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, even repressed memories. Most people are unaware of the large number of horses who are survivors of alien abduction. I have found that repressed memories of such abductions are the primary cause of trailering difficulties. There are also horses unfairly labeled 'spooky,' when their behavior is actually an appropriate response to poltergeist activity"

Retreats
When not on tour, Pamela offers weekend retreats at Passing Wind, her Malibu, California ranch, that focus on specific breeds and riding disciplines. She will also customize sessions to meet a client's particular needs and budget.

"Once we re-birthed a Tennessee Walker to help her face her water issues. It was exhilarating and only 3 or 4 people were injured." Pamela is unable to comment further on this event as the matter is still in litigation.

Pamela began developing her techniques under the tutelage of GoWaan PoOLmiFynGer, the charismatic shaman of the Diamond-Phillips tribe and author of the ground breaking book, "Horse Buck Hard."

"The whole monosyllabism of ‘Horse Buck Hard’ overwhelmed me with its Zen. I knew instantly I had to study with him." GoWaan PoOLmiFynGer introduced Pamela to his tribe's ancient practices of Equine-Aromatherapy, Prance-Channeling, Stall Feng Shui, Public Relations and Marketing.

Pamela went on to become GoWaan PoOLmiFynGer's assistant when he toured to promote his calendar and video, Buckskin, Beads and Beefcake. "It was a great gig," she reflects, "but I knew it wouldn't last, when I noticed most of the women attending his sold-out clinics didn't have horses."

She next traveled to the Australian outback, where she studied with acclaimed Snowy River kanguru Bruce Fosters, whose masterwork, "The Principles Of Bonding From Brumbies to The Boardroom," has become an integral part of the executive training programs of many multinational corporations.

Since starting her own clinics, Pamela has emphasized the differences between her methods and those of her contemporaries, but she does admit to performing the crowd pleasing get-an-un-started-horse-to-accept-a saddle-bit-bridle-and-rider-without-breaking-its-spirit-in-under-an hour demonstration -

"Of course, since I'm using the techniques I've developed, my version is different from what people have come to expect after seeing other clinicians. For example, I find using a pyramid-shaped pen, instead of a round pen, brings more energy to the session. I also use indirect lighting, scented candles and soft music.”

Future goals for Pamela include developing a web site, and a 900 number. "I envision a network where for only 99 cents per minute, riders can speak to their own Psychic Tele-Trainer, one that I've personally educated. I also plan to explore the financial aspects of communicating with other animal species.  I’ve heard there’s money to be made in talking to vermin.”

I first found this at horsebuddies.com.  Several other versions are floating around the web.