Testimonials

I had wasted a small fortune on horse training until I met Stan Kruml. I wish I had met him sooner!
- Ila Hoover, Bozeman, MT

I spent a week with Stan, and years later, whenever I have a horse problem, I can still hear his voice way in the back of my mind. Thank you fal all your help, Stan, year after year.
- Gary Ver Hagen, Pioneer, CA

Before I met Stan I couldn't even ride my horse. Stan was the answer for my horses as well as myself. Thank you Stan.
- Debbie Gibson, LaMoore, CA

I have been around horses all my life. Few men impress me. Stan Kruml impressed me. Keep up the good work, Stan.
- The late Jim Cavanagh, Stony Creek, NY

To Who It May Concern:

We recently had the pleasure of having Stan Kruml, "The Horses Friend" give us professional help with our two horses.

Stan is a valuable source of information. He has a gentle way with horses yet a straight forward, no nonsense approach to explaining how horses think and react to training techniques.

In addition to being a wealth of information, Stan entertained us with his book of Cowboy Poems and many interest stories about his background with horses.

If we can only retain fifty percent of what we learned from Stan, it will have been well worth his visit. We hope to do it again next year.

We would highly recommend Stan to anyone who wants to become a "Horses Friend", thank you, Stan.

Sincerely,
Garry & Lynn Verhagen
Pioneer, Ca

To Whom It May Concern:

I have had three of my horses (my only three) helped by Stan over the years. Two are Arabs and one is a Missouri Fox Trotter. I didn't bring them to Stan for Show or Gait Training, but I wanted them to receive a true foundation type of schooling that they never had when they were first started. As a matter of fact, all three were in their teens when I took them to Stan.

I lived in Tucson for many years and had them to different trainers several times over the years. My Arab mare received show training and won several classes in the local Arab Shows. After spending all of this money and many years, there was still something very basic missing in my relationship with all of my horses. I was not able to communicate anything to them that we (the horse and I) had not been specifically taught. I did not understand the horse's mind.

I can't even remember how I found out about Stan after moving to California, but am so glad I did. The schooling my horses and I received from him was invaluable and has lasted for the approximately 10 years since we have had Stan as a teacher. I have never had to take them to a "trainer" (I wouldn't take them anywhere else anyway), and they have not even had to return to Stan for a refresher course.

As a side note, I had not ridden any of them for three years because I was starting a new business, and then decided to take the Fox Trotter Mare to Tucson for a Week-long Group ride. I had no idea what to expect - I assumed I would need a great deal of moral support from my fellow riders. What a shocker. I put her in a round pen for about 15-20 minutes (you will find out the significance of the round pen after you work with Stan) and I could tell she had returned to the demeanor demonstrated when she was ridden routinely. When I climbed aboard (that was the hardest part of the entire trip) she was a dream; fell right into the flow and was a perfect (almost) ride the entire week.

WHEN STAN TEACHES YOUR HORSE, IT LASTS FOREVER! I hope you are lucky enough to benefit from his many years of work around horses and most of all, his extraordinary patience and insight when working with you and your animal.

Best of Luck,
Linda Van Gundy
Three Rivers, Ca.

To Whom It May Concern:

Ten years ago, my employer and I parted company two days before Christmas. The next day, I bought my first horse. My filly's three years had been a rapid succession of "owners", with a history of mishandling and abuse (the full story came down through the years in bits and pieces). My utter ignorance of horsemanship was a mixed blessing: too dumb to do further insult to this fine animal, but wanting to "possess" something beyond papers and horse flesh.

A few months into the horse community and several books later, we had progressed to a simple snaffle, much to the horror of magic bit collectors. I met several "trainers". I watched their "finished" horses to the same things as mine. It was always the horse's fault.

By chance, I saw this seminar ad for "The Horses Friend". The logo looked like the yellowed Buffalo Bill flyer in my grandfather's work shed. But the listed questions were my questions. I attended the demonstration and shortly thereafter, booked a private seminar. I was encouraged to video the session, which still horrifies people! I asked questions, not all the right ones, but answers came. By the end of the day, my horse and I had a direction. And most importantly, we were going together.

Ten years later, I still have my mare (and her filly). Most of the trainers are gone; the magic bits are on consignment at the feed store. I still see folks struggle: The simple pleasure, the joy, of riding replaced by trivial pursuits of breed histories, massive tack collections and chasing ribbons. This can be worthwhile, but if you want to go down the trail with a smile on both your faces, check out Stan Kruml,"The Horses Friend".

Chris Kavanaugh

To Whom It May Concern:

The first time I met Stan Kruml was on a ranch he was managing in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains. My friends had brought me along to ride with them on a day's wild pig hunt. At that time, I knew very little about horses and my equipment. We unloaded and began to saddle up, when Stan rode up on a big Bay horse.

I immediately noticed that his horse never took his eyes off Stan. As he moved from each one of us checking our equipment and making sure it was safe, his horse calmly followed him. When the inspections were completed, he mounted his horse again, and the horse just stood there quietly again and never moved until Stan asked him to move out. I'll never forget our first meeting.

At that time, the possibility of me going out along and enjoying a ride was out of the question. A few years have passed now and so has my level of horsemanship. I ride with confidence today and in fact, I sometimes take the part of wrangler and guide on many of our out of state hunting trips.

I now raise and buy horses on a limited basis. Stan is sent every one of our horses for their foundation. I also still go to Stan for the valuable information he willingly gives me.

My friends and I can't say enough about what Stan has given to our lives through horses. He is truly "The Horses Friend".

By the way, we have two colts that will soon be going to him for their foundation work. This will make about ten horses he has handled for us, and my children can ride them all.

Sincerely,
George Verdegaal
Hanford, Ca.

Dearest Stan,

Rarely in this world of "plastic people" in "plastic hurries" does one touch another human soul as deep and full of beauty as you and your soul. It is a perfect miracle that people like you (and I believe there is no one quite like you), rise above the layer of normalcy and light some new passages for those of us who tire of the senselessness around us (especially as it relates to the animal world and our interface with them).

As I languished in the tranquility you had brought to me and our beloved Mr. Feathersham, I began to see how it all fits together to make a complete and sensible package with which to base an everyday relationship with a horse on. Methinks you are training the horse owners almost more than the horse, to respond differently to the most reasonable stimulus of all - love. Whatever your message, it came in loud and clear for me, and I'm sure for everyone there. There was a different reaction (as we are all unique) but the common denominator is the same and your LWL* philosophy is a wonderful tool to use when dealing with people too! We must LWL* as well as the horse.

It's obvious to me that you were an equine in another life. We would be honored to have you here anytime and if you're just in the area, please stop by - the coffee's always hot and we'd love to keep in touch.

Again, as we travel life's highway, certain key people touch our inner sanctions and help mold us, help us to grow into better people. You have done that for me and for the lovely horse we love so much. I cannot speak for Clark, but I am very sure his feelings are similar. Thank you from my heart for your "extra mile" and help you give us.

We are always your friends,
Mari Christopher, Vista, Ca
*Look, Watch, Listen