I met Megan through a physically and mentally difficult ex-racehorse. He had dumped me dirty into a wall doing ring work. It was a bit of an act of desperation to call her for help with him. She and this horse formed a unique relationship that had a lasting effect on my changed partnership with him. Her kindness and compassion with first the horse and then with me helped me reshape my training, my barn management, and our rides together. My “show" horse turned into my adventure trail buddy and we both loved our time together. I attribute the deep bond I had with him in large part to Megan and her ability to listen to the animal.

There was one ride in particular where we were alone, deep in the aspen woods in the late fall, galloping and jumping downed trees. We had had to turn around and backtrack because we ran into a bear. This meant sliding down an icy path on a horse that had only known race track footing. His ears were so pricked forward and he was so intent on his mission of staying up that when he got to good footing he pranced and puffed and jigged home. He was so pleased with himself. I pulled his tack off and the phone buzzed in my pocket. “What did you just do?” asked Megan. “He just told me that you had a breakthrough and that he had the best ride.” Honestly, she texted me from two time zones away within 5 minutes of me getting off. It was otherworldly because it was our breakthrough ride, the one that took away any residual fear I had. 
Megan’s compassion for difficult cases sometimes makes me worry for her. She feels the needs and back stories of animals very deeply. She has special skills with those nearing end of life. I sadly lost this special horse to colic and Megan had indicated that this might happen. My trust in her and my knowledge that she and this horse truly had a special relationship helped me survive this gutting loss.
My husband said we aren’t getting another horse “unless it talks to Megan”. That’s the highest stamp of approval I know, and, I won't.

-Tania Coffee Hendrick