Testimonials

You know when you have a gut instinct that the Warmblood you have might be a bit too much to start on your own? Well, Donny (Donnerhall/Weltmeyer/TB) has this cheeky streak that I thought, hmmm, some professional, gentle help would really give me more confidence to start his Grand Prix career properly. So when I came up to Bakers Hill to watch Fred train and get the feel of his work, I just knew Donny would excel with Fred in this environment. Somewhere he could be a ‘real horse’… so important.
I LOVE the fact that the horses are able to watch the next training session from their room, like you say Rach, Horse TV whereby they observe and learn while they’re not being handled which is something I think confirms thinking on another level. And I like that Fred gets the horses out to ride in the open as soon as possible with Roy, the super dependable lead horse – he provides such a good safety net. So when I went up to ride Don for the first time, I was really impressed to be able to trot and canter him out on the hills in the open country which for me was the boost I needed to continue his positive training at home. And he was really happy and impressed with himself too.
Fred showed me easy, sensible techniques to keep us both safe and solid at home. Donny is more respectful, easy going and happy in his own skin from the start he had with Watkins Horse Handlers and I would recommend everyone ‘start once, start well’ with Fred and give yourself and your horse the best beginning and sound foundation. My next horse coming to Fred will by my Depardieu foal due November ’08, so keep some time aside for me Fred, we’re coming back!
Cheers! And thanks for being the quietest, gentlest, fairest leader for my horses – they appreciate you and I do too - wouldn’t use anyone else! Keep the honesty!
Love from Pip Easton, Donny and Grace :o))

Testimonial of SOQ MY ONLY TOMCAT (Pilgrim) and Colbolt. I sent my 18 month old palomino quarter horse gelding (pilgrim) to Fred as I had heard so many good outcomes of horses going to him, never a bad one and this horse sport can be very harsh at times to even our best horseman (horsewomen). Pilgrim was too young for a full break in but he needed some serous work on the ground as I had given him SSS (spoilt show horse syndrome) and his temperament was becoming dangerous, testing me every time I was with him. Fred did a wonderful job with my boy. I was contacted by email all the time on his progress as well as photo updates. As for Cobalt my pony he was booked in for 4 weeks but was sent home in the third week as Fred had done all he could do with the pony and he was broken in. Colbolt is now a leasing to a young rider . Fred always treats his horses individually So many breakers book your horses in for a standard 6 weeks and you end up having to pay for more work than is sometimes done. Overall I find Fred and Rachel very honest and kind and when Pilgrim or any of my other future horses need work I know who I will be sending him too. Happy horsing J

" Thanks Fred and Rachel for all of your work on Ky. He was no doubt a challenge given his start to life. Not living in WA but residing in Sydney myself, it was a comfort to know that Ky was in good hands and it was great to see his progress when I visited W.A. Thanks again and all the best with your Business in Perth, Arron Hinks."

'Fred and Rachel took the greatest care to make sure my mare was happy and looked after the way I wanted her to be, and then, wow, what a change in her! Fred did a wonderful job teaching her the things he did, and an even better job being able to give me the tools to carry on with so I can continue working on her. She is a pleasure to ride now and I am looking forward to competing on her soon. Thanks guys, you are the best!' Melody

Fred and Rachel did a fantastic job with my horses and have always been available to provide support and advice whenever I have needed it. They completed the work on my horse very quickly and totally understood what I had wanted to achieve, Fred is an amazing horseman and has a brilliant way with horses, his methods have cemented some great foundations in my horse that I was then able to carry on with myself. I will most definitely be using Watkins services again!

We have nothing but admiration for the way Watkins Horse Handlers handled our foal, who, due to a fractured pelvis, had been confined at the Vets for many months. Fred would not even start her training until he felt she was 100% and when she was ready, he was so kind with her. She came back home a lovely horse with beautiful manners. We have recommended them to all our friends and should the situation arise, would not hesitate to use them again

After meeting Fred and watching him work at the John O'Leary
Horseproblems Clinic in 2007 I approached Fred to assist me with doing
the initial leg rope and hobble work with my horse that had a tying up
problem. Fred spent about an hour working with Bond putting hobbles
and leg ropes on and then did some tie up work on the pole in the round
yard. Since then I have followed up consolidating the work with
hobbles and now have solved the problems. Fred was very gentle but firm
and was very kind to the horse. I would be happy to recommend him as a horse
breaker and educator.
Cheers
Jacky

To whom it may concern,
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Fred and Rachel, when they agreed at very short notice to accept my warm blood filly for some farrier retraining and anything else that cropped up.
They were extremely accommodating, extremely professional, and above all, did a superb job on my filly. I was present for most of the work that was done with her, and at no time was she stressed or unhappy. I also got to learn some new things, which have really helped.
I cannot recommend them highly enough to anyone, and have certainly told all my horsey friends about the wonderful job they have done.
All my future horse handling will be done exclusively by Fred and Rachel as I believe there is simply no one who can match them.
Your sincerely
Karla Stroud

I breed thoroughbred racehorses and have always been particularly choosy about who breaks my horses in. In my view education is vital to the way in which a horse approaches its work and will affect its outlook for the rest of its life. I also like to bear in mind that not all horses, however well bred and fed are cut out for the racetrack so I want to ensure that the basic education they receive will fit them for another career should they prove unsuccessful on the track. Fred Watkins has been breaking in my horses since he established himself in Bakers Hill and I have been very pleased with the results. I am always confident that Fred and Rachel will do their very best with each horse and they all return looking happy and contented, in excellent condition and the better for their experience there. Each horse is treated as an individual and I am also very pleased with the regular feedback I receive about progress and would be happy to recommend them to anyone. Mary Scott Namerik Thoroughbreds Serpentine.

A quick note to say a very special thanks to Fred for all his wonderful work and patience that he spent on my boy Murphy. When I got him Fred discovered he has experienced some horrific things with a previous owner, but with Fred’s love and help Murphy came through with flying colours. This little boy has got the most amazing personality and love for me and is keen to try anything with me now, whereas before he was petrified.
I would not hesitate to recommend Fred for his kind, gentle ways with the horses to anybody, and a big thanks to Rachel who makes you feel so welcome, and keeps you up to date with the progress either verbally, photos or DVD.
You guys are the best, and I hope to have another little one to bring to you next year. See you then, if not before.
Regards Leureen

"Fred and Rachel were great to deal with and most importantly, Juggeraut was fantastic to ride when I got him back. Even after my 7 year break from riding, I feel confident riding him and we both really enjoy the experience. I was very impressed by how forward he is and how light he was with rein and leg aids which is particularly important as Juggernaut is 18hh and a huge mover."

My experience with having my QH gelding, Stewie, started by Watkins Horse Handlers, was fantastic. Rachel and Fred are lovely, friendly people. It was super to be invited to watch Fred work with my horse. Fred is an incredibly talented and kind horseman with a thorough method to his horse starting. I am totally happy with the job he did of starting my horse and I would recommend him to anyone. Cathryn & Stu.

I bought Earaheedie Giselle (Ellie) on a whim, a poor orphaned foal that came down from the bush with a bunch of wild horses. Everyone fell in love with her but it was clear from the start that she had "special needs" (maybe froma trauma in her young life) and could be unpredictable when stressed. I knew I would need someone with plenty of patience and understanding to start this horse or we could end up in trouble. Fred and Rachel cared deeply for Ellie and gave her all the time she needed, they contacted me regularly to let me know her progress and were honest and upfront about any concerns. I now have a lovely sound riding horse and know that Imade the right decision in getting Fred to start her.

Just a quick note to say thanks to rachel and fred for doing such a wonderful breaking in job of my wayward 3 yr old standbred gelding to be ridden and re educated in the cart. as he had got a way with bolting in the jog cart and wasnt going to make it to the race track. after a few weeks with fred he came home a much nicer chappy and will with time as he matures become a race horse in the near future.also as he has been broken to saddle jesse will make a wonderful riding horse when he finishes his racing career and this is thanks to freds skill with him. once again fred turned a feral into a gentleman.thanks rach and fred who are the nicest of people to deal with and he came home in wonderful condition.didnt miss home at all. thanks again from jesse max and jan liddelow stoneville.


Fred has broken in two of our horses, both very different personalities. The filly was very precocious. Fred was very patient with her gaining her confidence and transmitting his educational techniques to her. She has responded so well and Fred can now even crack a whip on her. Rachel, Fred's wife kept us up to date with their progress which was fantastic. We had so much confidence in the whole combination of Fred and Rachel. The horses maintain a fresh mindset by Fred rotating them around their establishment. Fred is a true horseman who works with their individual personalities. We have no hesitation in recommending Watkins Horse Handlers to anyone who who wants their horses educated. We know when they go to the trainers they will be a pleasure to handle and ride.
Norman Dennis and Jane Webb Ware