Our Mission
Santiago Equestrian Horse Sense Academy is a jointly sponsored effort between Santiago Equestrian teachers / trainers and Equine Empowered Therapy, a Platinum-rated 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 10 years of successful programs with veterans. Together, we’re committed to making meaningful horse experiences accessible and affordable for working families.
What is the purpose of the SEHSA program?
The purpose of the SEHSA program is to teach students about horse sense, which is a gentle, trust-based approach to working with horses that emphasizes communication, respect, and partnership. It teaches students to understand how horses think and behave as prey and herd animals, and to guide them through calm leadership instead of dominance. This is achieved through working with horses on the ground and learning all about their anatomy and behaviors.
Groundwork with horses is not only vital for building trust and communication between rider and horse, but it also provides us with powerful lessons in leadership and confidence. Since horses are prey animals, they are naturally cautious and responsive to the energy and guidance of those around them. As herd animals, they look for clear, calm leadership to feel secure.
When students practice groundwork, they learn how to establish boundaries, give direction, and earn trust through consistency and respect. These experiences teach students that true leadership is not about force, but about clarity, patience, and empathy. As students see a thousand-pound animal respond positively to their guidance, their confidence grows, reinforcing the belief that they can handle challenges with composure.
The knowledge that SEHSA teaches becomes a life lesson in responsibility, communication, and self-assurance that extends far beyond the stables. Whether you are new to horses, or an experienced rider, the SEHSA program helps you develop a partnership with horses that will compliment your skills under the saddle and help create a safer environment for you and the horse.
What Parents and Prospective Students Should Know About HorseSense
Rooted in horse behavior: Horse sense is based on how horses naturally interact in the wild and uses their natural instincts to build trust rather than fear.
Gentle methods: It relies on light cues, gentle pressure-and-release, body language, and consistency to build trust with a horse that can transfer into the saddle.
Groundwork focus: Much of horse sense begins on the ground, so students learn to communicate clearly before ever riding.
Life lessons for kids: By practicing horse sense, students develop patience, empathy, and confidence. They see that leadership is about calm guidance, not control.
What Skills Will the SEHSA Program Help develop?
Confidence: Guiding a large animal with trust-based methods shows students they can handle responsibility and reinforces self-assurance.
Leadership: Horses respond to clear, calm, and consistent cues, teaching students effective leadership.
Empathy: Respecting the horse’s perspective fosters compassion and patience. A horses’ prey animal instinct makes them naturally cautious, teaching students patience and empathy.
Communication skills: Reading body language and responding appropriately teaches non-verbal awareness. The SEHSA program also includes an opportunity for students to reflect and share lessons and feelings in their own words by creating printed books to add to the SEHSA library.
Balance and posture: Groundwork builds body awareness before riding.
Safety: Understanding horse instincts and body language reduces risk and builds a safe environment both on the ground and in the saddle.
Responsibility: Caring for a horse instills accountability and respect. SEHSA also has a mentorship program that allows students to take on additional responsibility through teaching others.
Life Skills: Lessons in teamwork, empathy, and resilience that extend beyond the barn to school, sports, friendships, and future careers.
In short, horse sense teaches partnership and mutual respect, and it becomes a powerful way to learn confidence, responsibility, and leadership while learning to form a bond with a horse.
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Instructor
Dr. Ceri Dodd has a lifelong passion for nature, animals, and science. Her career reflects this dedication, spanning educational programs at nature centers and over 12 years in Environmental Consulting, where she served as a Senior Biologist and Senior Project Manager. Her love for the natural world has also shaped her personal life—she has traveled extensively, combining science and exploration through experiences such as dolphin research in Moray Firth, Scotland, and visits to wildlife sanctuaries including an orangutan rehabilitation center in Borneo, and an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.
Dr. Ceri rode horses as a teenager and has enjoyed trail rides throughout the years, but it wasn’t until later in life that she became a first-time horse owner, an experience she now shares with her youngest daughter. This journey has deepened her appreciation for the transformative power of groundwork and the value of building authentic connections with horses. She is excited to continue growing in this space and to share her insights through the Santiago Equestrian Horse Sense Academy.
Dr. Ceri holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (with an emphasis in Ecology and Environmental Management), a master’s degree in environmental monitoring, modeling, and management, and a Ph.D. in Biology (Stream Ecology and Conservation Genetics), with several published scientific papers to her name. In addition to her scientific work, she has over a decade of experience in homeschool education, having taught her own daughters—one of whom has successfully graduated—as well as leading science camps and classes for students from kindergarten through high school.
She is also the founder of Science Inside Out, a program offering outdoor, hands-on science classes for small groups of homeschoolers. Through this initiative, Dr. Ceri fosters children’s natural curiosity and nurtures a deep, well-rounded understanding of scientific concepts across a variety of disciplines, including equine science.
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Equine Practitioner
Michael Dunne is a veteran, global businessman, entrepreneur, and the founder of Equine Empowered Therapy (EET), a California 501(c)(3) established in 2016.
Raised in Southern California but “reared” in Utah, Mike grew up spending every summer and holiday on ranches, farms, and at rodeos. As he likes to say, “I’ve been on a horse since before I can remember.” That lifelong bond shaped his values, leadership style, and the natural horsemanship approach he carries into every part of his life. A cowboy through and through, he brings deep expertise in equine communication and “gentling” to both his business ventures and his service to others—including 16 years with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Volunteer Mounted Posse, where he supported at-risk youth programs alongside LASD teams.
As a veteran himself, Mike understands the trauma many service members face when they return home. Combining that insight with his lifelong horsemanship, he founded EET on a simple truth the science now confirms: horses heal. Using his own horses and his Hole in the Sky Ranch in the Tehachapi Mountains, he launched a program that has already delivered life-changing outcomes for nearly 200 veterans.
When asked why gentle horsemanship guides him and why he’s so passionate about it, Mike’s answer is always the same:
“Because it works.” -
Instructor / Mule & Horse Trainer
A true pioneer and innovator in a broad spectrum of equine activities for more than 40 years. Certified Mule Skinner, teacher, trainer and active participant in competitions with mules and burros.
Teacher, tutor, educator for students of all ages and equine experiences.
Certified practitioner by the Mustang Heritage Foundation and programs of training, adoption and teaching.
Expert advisor for all matters relating to tack, rigging and equipment.
Expert in equine first aid, nutrition, and care of the animals.
Meet the Horses & Donkeys
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Charley Horse
Top Horse Teacher
Charley Horse was rescued by EET from a rough life, but has a gentle heart of gold. He is a certified LA County Sheriffs Department Volunteer Mounted Posse horse, is the primary horse to work with EET’s Blind Veterans programs, and is excited to be everyone’s best friend.
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Indio
Horsey Helper
Indio (or “Indy”) was a roping horse and competed in the rodeo, but was raised by some pretty rough handlers in his youth. Now he is allowed to be himself, surrounded by gentle people who care about and respect him. He is sweet, kind and affectionate while still being very quick and coordinated. He LOVES kids.
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Dolly
The Pink Burro
When Dolly was adopted, she was barely a year old and just weened from her mother in the wild. She was so tiny, and had an injured back leg so she may not have survived the wild. But she was introduced to Willie, who was over the moon to have another burro with him. He quickly showed her the ropes, and she started leading the herd.
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Willie
Comfort Donkey
Willy grew up in the wild, and was nervous at first to be in a different place with new horses… but came to love his new safe home. And one of the things he has really grown to love is all the people! When humans are feeling overwhelmed, they come and hang out with him… which coined him the name “Comfort Donkey”, and he couldn’t be happier about it.