Raye Lochert

I was born and raised in Mill Valley, California and have loved horses forever.  Because of my mother’s fear of horses, my involvement with this awesome animal was limited to summers at my uncle’s farm in Connecticut where my cousins competed in 3-day eventing.  I loved to attend the competitions just to groom and be around the horses.  Back at home I would find any opportunity to be around animals.  This included volunteer work at Halleck Creek 4-H Riding Center, a therapeutic riding club that catered to children and adults with disabilities.

As I grew older I continued to find creative ways to be around horses and was exposed to many different methods of training.  Though I had been taught to show the horse who is boss, I always felt there had to be a better way.  I watched videos, read books, and listened to the tapes of many trainers.  When I used their methods the results were always better without abuse.

In 2001, with the persistent nudging of my wife and the incredible support of my entire family, I made the decision to attend the John Lyons Certification Program and change my profession.  In working closely with Josh and John Lyons I learned how to break down problems into attainable goals and use what a horse already knows to teach it something new .

In addition, I practiced communicating these techniques to others.  I worked very hard to graduate at the top of my class and earned the status of Select Trainer.  At the graduation address Josh Lyons said that I stood out because of my willingness, skill and drive to help others.  This was the greatest compliment I could have received.

Now that I am teaching and training full time, I am even more committed to continue my life-long quest for greater knowledge and understanding of the horse.  Thanks to my training with Josh and John and many other exceptional teachers, I am better equipped to find safer and easier ways to enhance the human–horse relationship.