The definition of the word "Serenity" is: the state or quality of being serene, calm, or tranquil; sereneness. This word is the goal in the "Serenity Horsemanship" program offered by Jessie Godwin at Barr W Stables. A calm, assertive state of mind is the key to working with horses. This program is first and formost directed at gaining respect and trust with a horse so that he or she will willingly do anything his rider asks. Jessie has spent years developing this program, and will admit that while she has gathered information and techniques from other trainers, the horse's have ultimately been her greatest teachers.
Although, she comes in a youthful and humble package, Jessie has devoted her life to developing her skills as a trainer and comunicator both with horses and people. She has studied many methods, and takes bits and pieces from them all, incorporating them into a program that is easy to understand for both the horse and rider.
Her program is "respect based" meaning that she believes before anything can be accomplished you must first have the horse's complete respect on the ground. Once this is established and trust has been built, your imagination is the only limit to what you can do with your horse.
"When you gain the respect of your horse, partnered with trust. You can achieve anything you have ever imagined and sometimes more. I started out 10 years ago just like everyone else, with a pushy dis-respectful horse, and became so frustrated that I nearly thought about quitting. That's when I began to study the methods of other trainers, and worked with HORSES who have been my greatest teachers. I found my gift, and now I want to share it with as many horse owners as I possibly can." - Jessie
Jessie has helped many owners overcome fear, whether it be from a recent or past accident or just jumping into horse ownership blind and not knowing where to go next. Her calm and quiet nature are very non-intimidating for many owners, who are often overwhelmed by other trainers. She has also "re-habilitated" many problem horses who have been deemed un-fixable and/or dangerous.
"One of my favorite success stories is one of a client of mine who came to me with tears in her eyes. She explained to me how once she had been so young and confident on a horse, and after a recent back injury and multiple surgeries, would now tremble when on her horse even at the walk. Her confidence had been shot, in fear that she didn't have control over her horse and one wrong move or fall and she could be paralized for the rest of her life. It had been years since she had even felt safe enough to tack up her own horse, let alone ride it without being overwhelmed with fear and end up getting off in tears of frustration. After agreeing to help her, she sent me her mare to train for 30 days, in which time I also invited her over to watch me, and gave her some hands-on lessons with her mare. Once the two of them developed that respectful bond, she felt she was in control and the mare was happy to do her job safely and quietly. Only a week after she took her mare home with her new found confidence, I received an emotional phone call from the client. Since her experience with my methods, she had taken her mare home, tacked and rode out alone, cantered for the first time in years, and had even hauled the mare off-site for a trail ride with friends which she had been so afraid to do in years. She was literally so happy she was in tears. THAT is my goal for my clients! I want to see a difference so big in the relationship that you have with your horse that it brings tears to your eyes." -Jessie
In an effort to promote Serenity Horsemanship and her training methods, Jessie is now offering small mini clinics at Barr W Stables as well as traveling to other facilities to host 2-3 day clinics for larger groups of participants. If you are interested in hosting a clinic at your facility or hauling your horse and one or two interested friends to Barr W Stables for a private clinic here please contact us for more information. This program is just in the beginning stages of development so this is the best opportunity to get quality instruction at low rates and personalized to your needs. Also, if you are hosting any sort of equine event and would be interested in having Jessie do a demo of how to correct a particular training issue or demonstrate advanced horsemanship with her own horses please let us know and we would love to help! Jessie's last appearance was at Triple Play Farm benefiting a fund raiser for Hind's Feet Farm, which is a therapeutic riding center in Huntersville, NC.
Although, she comes in a youthful and humble package, Jessie has devoted her life to developing her skills as a trainer and comunicator both with horses and people. She has studied many methods, and takes bits and pieces from them all, incorporating them into a program that is easy to understand for both the horse and rider. 
Her program is "respect based" meaning that she believes before anything can be accomplished you must first have the horse's complete respect on the ground. Once this is established and trust has been built, your imagination is the only limit to what you can do with your horse. 
"When you gain the respect of your horse, partnered with trust. You can achieve anything you have ever imagined and sometimes more. I started out 10 years ago just like everyone else, with a pushy dis-respectful horse, and became so frustrated that I nearly thought about quitting. That's when I began to study the methods of other trainers, and worked with HORSES who have been my greatest teachers. I found my gift, and now I want to share it with as many horse owners as I possibly can." - Jessie
Jessie has helped many owners overcome fear, whether it be from a recent or past accident or just jumping into horse ownership blind and not knowing where to go next. Her calm and quiet nature are very non-intimidating for many owners, who are often overwhelmed by other trainers. She has also "re-habilitated" many problem horses who have been deemed un-fixable and/or dangerous.
"One of my favorite success stories is one of a client of mine who came to me with tears in her eyes. She explained to me how once she had been so young and confident on a horse, and after a recent back injury and multiple surgeries, would now tremble when on her horse even at the walk. Her confidence had been shot, in fear that she didn't have control over her horse and one wrong move or fall and she could be paralized for the rest of her life. It had been years since she had even felt safe enough to tack up her own horse, let alone ride it without being overwhelmed with fear and end up getting off in tears of frustration. After agreeing to help her, she sent me her mare to train for 30 days, in which time I also invited her over to watch me, and gave her some hands-on lessons with her mare. Once the two of them developed that respectful bond, she felt she was in control and the mare was happy to do her job safely and quietly. Only a week after she took her mare home with her new found confidence, I received an emotional phone call from the client. Since her experience with my methods, she had taken her mare home, tacked and rode out alone, cantered for the first time in years, and had even hauled the mare off-site for a trail ride with friends which she had been so afraid to do in years. She was literally so happy she was in tears. THAT is my goal for my clients! I want to see a difference so big in the relationship that you have with your horse that it brings tears to your eyes." -Jessie
