pets
FROM DUMPED
TO DESIRED Written and photographed by Judy DouBrava
above: Jennifer Douglass not only teaches riders proper treatment of horses and the land they inhabit, but also instills a sense of resource conservation.
56 – SILVER CITYLIFE
Once racehorses finish their racing careers,
of horsemanship. She conveys her beliefs on
their demise is often not as glamorous as some
the training and the treatment of horses with her
would expect. Many non-racehorses also face a
students, who come from long distances just to
gruesome end. Jennifer Douglass finds a fulfill-
train with Jennifer. Instead of dealing with
ing challenge to take in these throw-away hors-
wealthy families with expensive horses, she res-
es and "create beauty out of it," as she aptly
cues these throw away horses and pairs them
says. "They love being active with people as well
with a not-so-wealthy child or adult who is as
as in a herd." She pointed out that horses enjoy
serious about the sport of Jumping or
having a job and a purpose. Jennifer believes
Dressage.
that horses have the same ranges of emotion
Jennifer has trained many horses and riders in
that humans do: they have the same fears and
Show Jumping, also called 'Jumpers'. This event
frustrations. But much of the time they are con-
involves an obstacle course with various types of
sidered only livestock, a vehicle to get from
jumps that the horse must maneuver. The other
point A to point B, or just a status symbol.
training she does is called Dressage, also known
With over 30 years experience working with
as 'horse ballet.' The goal of Dressage is to train
horses, Jennifer believes she can make a differ-
the horse to respond to the rider's subtle com-
ence in the horse industry by bolstering the level
mands while appearing relaxed and effortless.