We sat down with MCR’s newest trainer, Sydney Hetterich to get to know her a little bit better while she’s here this summer!
What is your background with horses?
I first started riding horses when I was five years old. I began taking English riding lessons and did jumping for a couple of years, but quickly learned that my heart was in Western horsemanship. I found a fantastic mentor who helped to teach me about riding, training, and applying natural horsemanship with a light feel. I spent my teenage years competing in rodeos, doing ranch work, and training local quarter horses. After graduating high school I spent time traveling to work with horses and learned from new trainers in Germany, Ireland, and the American West.
Have you had much experience with mustangs?
I have been working with mustangs for about a year. Prior to joining the MCR team, I had the opportunity to work with a variety of horses at another mustang rescue. I learned a lot about the gentling process and developed a love for the sensitivity and curiosity of American Mustangs that keeps pulling me back to them.
Is there anything that differentiates mustangs from other horses in your experience when it comes to training?
In my opinion, training wild mustangs is completely unlike working with any domestic horses. The mustangs are so sensitive when they first come in. They are incredibly light and so attuned to every movement and feeling that I have. This can make them really reactive at first and it means that they need to be trained with a lot of patience and a very gentle hand. Mustangs are challenging, but so rewarding because when you understand each other, the connection is unlike any other.
What has been your favorite part of working at MCR so far? Any favorite horses?
I love having so many different horses to work with at such different stages in the training process. I get to work on everything from first touches with wild horses to advanced groundwork and under-saddle lessons with others. This keeps every day interesting and challenges me to expand all aspects of my horsemanship. My favorite horses right now are definitely Orion and Golden. Both of them are extremely smart and sensitive. In my experience, these types of horses can take a little while to get through but develop into fantastic partners once they trust you. I am enjoying the challenges they present and their charming personalities.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am currently getting a master’s degree in anthropology, specializing in bioarchaeology, and doing my thesis on the origins of horsemanship and horse domestication.
