Franklin Levinson grew up with horses. His father was an avid polo player. At the age of thirteen Franklin was the youngest ‘registered’ polo player in the US. By the time he was 17 he was training polo ponies. His life with horses continued to expand as he began running the equestrian programs at summer camps while in his early twenties. Franklin not only taught horseback riding to those children, he also developed a passion for teaching ‘horse’ (the language, psychology, needs and nature of horses). Franklin discovered early on that knowledge about horses would enhance the experience that all his students had with their horses. This went for horse owners as well. Being a competent rider does not mean being an experienced horse person. Franklin began teaching about the nature of ‘trust’ as it relates to horses very early on in his professional equine career.

At 30 years of age Franklin moved to the island of Maui, Hawaii and began Adventures On Horseback, which was a daylong outing on horseback into Maui’s tropical rain forests with swimming in waterfalls. Franklin’s intention was always to inspire and uplift those who journeyed with him. During the 25 years AOH operated Franklin further honed his skills as an exceptionally gifted group leader, teacher and horseman. In the early 90’s Franklin created the Maui Horse Whisperer Experience to teach the language and psychology of horses to interested parties whether they were horse owners or not. He teaches the skills to be successful with horses as life enriching qualities that will enhance the lives of all involved (including the horses). Several years ago he was invited to Colorado to teach his methods and train horses. Colorado has been his ‘mainland’ base ever since. The first year he was there he began the Aspen Horse Whisperer Experience. These programs utilize Equine Facilitated Learning to help and improve the lives of adults and children. He also regularly provides therapeutic equine facilitated programs for disadvantaged and learning disabled individuals of any age. The last several years, through invitations to Canada, Greece and England, he has begun to travel internationally to teach his gentle, highly effective horse training techniques of ‘Training Thru Trust’ and demonstrate Equine Facilitated Learning. Franklin’s intention to inspire and uplift everyone he encounters and to enrich the lives of all horses and humans continues as his daily mission. Franklin’s philosophies, essays and commentaries on high-level, gentle and effective horsemanship have been featured internationally in numerous publications, television programs (Discovery Channel, ESPN, Public Television, American Adventurer and more) as well as other media.

Some of what sets Franklin apart from other trainers is that, first and foremost, Franklin’s goal and agenda with any horse is the development of ‘trust.’ No relationship can flourish and develop without mutual trust and respect at its very core. Franklin teaches the skills and attitudes necessary to have this sort of successful relationship with horses and humans as well. His concept of  ‘success with horses as a life enriching process’ is so well received wherever he teaches that he has begun a book on that topic.

Visit, contact him and learn more about his philosophies and teachings, online at:  www.WayoftheHorse.org

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