"Our Experiences," inspired horsemanship journeys

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“I came to Jean in the spring of 2021. My journey as a horseman changed from the moment I began working with her. I came from a traditional western background and virtually no professional training. Although I was raised around horses and was always enamored with their grace, beauty and power- I don’t think I ever really sought to understand the horse and the powerful herd dynamics which are always at play. 

Jean taught me that true horsemanship begins on the ground. It is about partnership, patience and communication. Listening to them and understanding the subtle cues, body language and energy became such a pivotal part of my own transformation into this ‘new and improved’ horseman I’ve become today. She taught me to adjust my own presence and energy before asking my horse to adjust theirs. Building trust before asking for performance is a key foundation to real partnership. This deeper connection has not only made me a better rider, but a more empathic and aware human inside and outside of the arena. 

She has emphasized consistency, respect and patience and the importance of small progress. Reminding me that confidence in the saddle comes from understanding the basic psychology of these animals and building from there. Not control. Jean’s influence has reshaped my goals and my relationship with horses entirely. She has shown me that the best horseman and riders are the forever students- consistently learning from the horse and those who teach them.“

“When I first came to The Natural Connection, I was essentially a blank slate. I had three trail rides in my entire life, no groundwork, no sense of equine behavior, and absolutely no idea how to “read” a horse. Ms. Jean became the foundation of my entire horse journey.

What set her apart from the very beginning was her commitment to the whole horse. She doesn’t treat horses like equipment or problems to fix. She approaches them as sentient mammals with emotional, cognitive, and physical needs shaped by herd dynamics, environment, and history. That perspective alone changed everything for me. I’ve watched plenty of professionals focus on technique without context; Jean teaches the full picture, and she teaches it with the clarity of someone who truly understands how learning works. Her master’s degree in education shows.

In a real sense, Jean was my foreign-language teacher. She taught me how to “speak horse”—how to notice, listen, and respond in a way that makes sense to the animal in front of me. That skill has been priceless. Under her guidance, I went from not knowing how to safely approach a horse to becoming someone who now trains horses myself.

What I appreciate most is the relationship she helped me build with this incredible species: a partnership grounded in trust, clear communication, and a willingness to face the hard stuff instead of avoiding it. She’s a hard worker, a thoughtful horsewoman, and an excellent instructor who fuses the best of English and Western traditions into a safe, repeatable, humane process.

Jean was the balm my soul needed at the start of this journey—and the reason I stand on a solid foundation today. Not everyone can take a total newcomer from the city and shape her into a horsewoman. Jean did. And I’m deeply grateful she was my first teacher.”

“I can't say enough good things about Jean.  I met her this past summer of 2025 while we were both working at the same ranch in Colorado.  At first, I just noticed how quietly confident she was around the horses, no big show, no drama, just calm and steady.  But the more I watched her, the more I realized there was something different about the way she worked.  Every movement she made had a purpose and the horses seemed to understand her without a single word.  

Eventually, I got up the nerve to ask her what she was doing and why.  Jean never brushed me off or made me feel like my questions were dumb.  She took the time to explain things step by step, always putting the horse first.  "It's about keeping both of you safe..." she'd say, "...and helping the horse understand you."

Since meeting Jean, I've started to look at my own horsemanship differently.  I'm not just trying to control the horse anymore.  I am learning to communicate.  To listen.  To build trust.  And that shift has changed everything about the way I ride."

“When I first met Jean French, my trainer, I was a complete novice at horsemanship. Taking me under her wing with patience and expertise, we starting from the basics like proper grooming and saddling, gradually building my confidence through hands-on lessons in the round pen. Her methodical approach demystified the art of riding, teaching me both balance and cues in addition to the importance of building trust with the different personalities of horses I came across over the years. 

Under Jean’s guidance, what began were the steps of a rewarding journey, where I learned to communicate, anticipate movements and properly respond. She created the necessary space for me to fail, a key step in my moving forward. Jean’s encouragement during those early stumbles—a failed trot or a moment of hesitation—instilled in me a resilience that extended beyond the stables, transforming my initial curiosity about horses into a lifelong pursuit.

Beyond the technical skills, Jean opened my eyes to the spiritual and therapeutic dimensions of horses and how they serve as mirrors to ourselves. Her insights drew from ancient history and modern equine therapy, showing me how horses can offer unconditional companionship that nurtures the spirit. This holistic perspective not only deepened my connection to horsemanship but also brought a sense of peace and self-discovery, making every ride a therapeutic ritual. For that I owe Jean a great debt of respect and gratitude.”

“I had the good fortune to join Jean’s lesson program after taking a long hiatus from riding. She introduced me to all the fundamental concepts (both on the ground and under saddle) that I needed to get back into riding confidently and skillfully. Jean has a very proven process that enforces healthy boundaries and leadership with the horses while still listening intently to what that horse needs and how best to partner with them.

Jean inspires her students to ask questions and explore what the horse world has to offer. She has always been very supportive in working towards whatever goal I have. I would tell anyone no matter their level of experience to work with her. Jean has a lot to offer for all skill levels and can really help reach your goals safely and in a way that is fun for both you and your horse.”

“Jean French was instrumental in helping me make my childhood dream of owning my very own horse! come true.  I met Jean by chance. I walked across the street from where I was taking lessons to another barn and saw Jean teaching and working with horses and instantly knew I had found my coach.  I took lessons with her and realized I wanted my OWN horse, but knew zero, zilch about horses or buying them or taking care of them. Jean said no worries, I’ll support you every step of the way and we’ll go horse shopping. And we did! and she found me Ben, the perfect QH partner for me.  Jean gave me the BEST foundation in horse ownership and management and horse care and riding. She gave me CONFIDENCE that I could actually own my own horse and be able to make decisions for him. She is a skilled teacher, communicates clearly, one of the few people who “says what she means and means what she says”. 

After a few years Jean moved out of the area and I had to move on.

Fast forward 9 years. Ben got arthritis and retired and I was looking for another horse. Contrary to all advice, I bought a GREEN 6 yo mare, Star. Her owner had put her at a training barn where I was horrified to see how she was being handled. Nothing like what I had been taught by Ms. Jean. So out of the blue I called Jean and asked her if she could take Star into her program and she said tell me where and when. She came and got her the next day. Jean put Star through the horse training fundamentals and advised me that yes, she would make a great horse partner … in a couple years after lots of training and miles. The light bulb clicked in my head. I realized how much work and training and consistency and TIME it takes to make a great horse. I kinda knew before but now I KNEW. We found Star a wonderful human partner. But, I still needed a riding horse. So I took one of Jean’s, Willie, and he turns out to be Ben 2.0 and the perfect horse for me now.  He has a wonderful temperament, smooth gaits, and loves the trails.  I now understand all the work and training and consistency and patience that went into him on a daily basis to make him into a horse that is perfect for me.

Serendipity brought Jean into my life twice when I needed an experienced professional to help with my horse journey. I am forever grateful.”

“Jean French is one of the most talented horse persons I know! After a couple of trail rides with her, I knew I wanted to keep learning from her. Jean’s understanding of the equine mind and deep desire to be attuned to their emotions, thoughts, and needs, without rushing or forcing results, drives her work.

Jean started working with my herd of two mules and a rescue donkey a few years ago. While I had previously owned a horse for many years, I quickly realized approaching “long ears” seems to require more patience and a deeper understanding of their psyche. Jean has effectively helped me to slow down, to watch and listen to their body language, waiting for them to provide an answer. I began to understand their natural tendencies, seeing things from their vantage point. As a result, I have a much better bond with them and they are better equine citizens who are happy, content, and playful yet obedient.

Jean has taught the herd so many ground skills, improving their minds and helping their bodies be more flexible and supple. My rescue donkey learned to: not fear being haltered, be led without leaning into me, go into the (scary to him) barn aisleway, be calmly tied, go over the (scary to him) concrete entryway to the barn, and even lunge well! Now I am able to enjoy pleasant strolls with him around my property and feel confident I could safely take him on adventures off property.

My older mule had been ridden for many years before her body would no longer comfortably allow it, but she had no concept of ground work or lunging. Once Jean taught her these things, she enjoys lunging and the ground work which have greatly improved her body awareness and suppleness. Jean has aided my younger, spunky mule to work using the thinking side of his brain. His being less reactive makes him safer and more pleasant to be around.

All of Jean's work with my herd to date and the lessons I've had with her on horseback have made me a better, more confident horse person. I am much more patient and understanding of their psyche, and I cannot wait to apply these skills to my next riding horse.”

“I love all that I have gained by taking horse riding lessons, trail riding, learning ground work with the horses, keeping company with Ms Jean in the beautiful rolling hills of Virginia. 

I rode a few times as a young person without any training, no helmet, just riding trails. I think back and wonder how I survived! 

I always loved horses, how beautiful, magnificent they are! I was afraid of them though, so huge and powerful. 

I came across the western trail riding sign at Ms Jean’s previous barn while doing bike riding tours in the Hume area in the early 2000s (I wonder now how I ever rode those Virginia hills on a bike too!) I thought immediately I should check it out. But life gets away, coupled with a lack of chutzpah and never made it. Until 2021, midst of Covid, masked all day long at work, after another busted relationship and thought THIS is my time to start horseback riding… at 58 years of age! 

Never athletic with just a love of the outdoors on a beautiful day my motivation and the fact that no mask, obviously socially distanced by the length of the horse, I thought perfect!! I started with one public trail ride at Ms Jean’s barn. I loved it, a fabulous day in May riding Ms Junebug! Then I inquired as to lessons and from that point on went all my weekends, as much riding as I could get in, lessons followed by trail rides or vice versa, as much as Ms Jean had availability! Cody was my lesson horse and Ms Junebug my main trail horse. Whichever, arena or trail, there was instruction, always safety and care of your horse at the forefront, subtle lessons in aligning yourself with the horse, gaining on leadership and confidence, building a mutual trust, always reiterating it’s a process and everyone’s journey is as it should be. I had three years there under saddle and then the news Ms Jean to leave this barn for another and then to leave area altogether, all her horses being sold! It was an uncertain time not knowing where, how I would continue with what now is a passion. But thats how I ended leasing my lesson horse Cody, moving him up to another barn to board, taking responsibility for his care, continuing my riding. Fortunately I had the company of Maryann with Willie and Lizzie with Seven at the new barn and thankfully Ms Jean just a text away! These past ten months with Cody has been an experience… in horrible rain rot, white line, lameness… all while building our connection through ground work, arena and on trails. We pressed on and Cody survived!!!  And there’s barely a weekend that you don’t find me at the barn!!! 

Lastly, lest I forget, the other real bonus, in addition to the process of horsemanship, is all the wonderful people I have come to know through Ms Jean and this horse world! I got my sister into horseback riding too. She’s hooked! We call it our therapy!  And we take our therapy to dude ranch vacations, enjoying our beautiful country out west by horseback… then sitting by the pool sharing bottle wine after day’s ride! You just have to ride and no better than under the instruction and company of Jean French! “