Equestrian's tumble creates a business to help others

Equinophobia, or fear of horses, may sound funny in an automotive society. But it's not funny to a horse owner who takes a fall and then becomes all too aware of the risks of riding the big beasts.

It happened to Denise De Davis, a pleasure trail rider, who fell and became afraid only after the third thud.

"The third time was the negative charm," says De Davis. "When I got back on the horse, I just froze."

So she asked her friend Donna Artz, who had studied self-hypnosis under Elaine Stephens, author of "Whispers of the Mind," to create a self-hypnosis tape with a keyword to focus upon.

"It worked so well," she says, "I said, 'We have to produce this for others.'"

The two riders formed a partnership to produce and sell a CD to help others with that fear of falling. Titled "Path to Partnership: Gain the Winning Edge" it's sold online for about $20. It's also marketed at feed and tack stores locally and through the Made In Nevada catalog, published by the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

The company, Talking Hooves LLC, combines a knowledge of horse and human.

"The CD is meant to help riders overcome anxiety and redirect nervous energy into positive awareness so they can go back to having fun with their horses," says De Davis. "It helps them be aware of the horses' perspective; how a horse thinks."

Getting the word out is next, and for that Talking Hooves is tapping horse trainers, booking at the Western States horse show in Sacramento, and talking with Stateline Tack, producers of a national equestrian catalog.

Horses are a livelihood for Artz, who owns a small ranch in Washoe Valley where she owns and boards horses, and also gives riding lessons. Sir William Stanger's Ranch Inc. is named for two of her steeds, the Arabian Sir William and the mustang Stangers. The De Davis horses are the wild mustang Shasta, the pinto Cheyenne, and the Arabian Butch Cassidy.

Talking Hooves also presents workshops to help people overcome a fear of horses. About a dozen respond to an ad then pay $10 to $15 a head, which covers the cost of the room. More show up when the workshop is offered at horse clubs, free of charge.

Artz had up close and personal experience with what some would term a dangerous horse. The Web site www.talkinghooves.net tells how an adopted wild mustang was headed for the glue factory until she took charge. Ultimately, she guided the horse through Police Mounted Unit Academy, which she likens to an extreme sports event for horses. She's a retired peace officer with the mounted unit of the Carson City Sheriff's Department.

Talking Hooves pressed 500 CDs to start. But next it plans to make more CDs for other disciplines such as endurance or show, says DeDavis.