Barb Ketzel, Johanna & Doshka

Barb Ketzel has served the horse industry as an instructor, trainer, barn owner, barn manager, consultant and writer. A graduate of Penn State University with degrees in psychology/ learning theory and a minor in biology, Barb then applied her teaching, counseling and management skills in social service, the computer industry and the horse world.

Founder and former owner of a boarding, lesson and training barn for 18 years, well known for its high horse care standards, Barb now privately teaches teen and adult students balanced seat equitation, dressage, Western pleasure, trail skills, ground handling, lunging and ground driving, equine management, lesson program management and farm/stable management in the Pacific Northwest. She also assists her clients on local and national horse searches, vetting support, horse health maintenance programs, equine nursing, horse sales, and also enjoys setting up retirement and health management situations for unwanted, older or disabled horses.

Barb believes in developing mutual respect and trust between horse and rider by helping students to understand the horse’s motivations, comfort, humor and emotions. She believes that humans have stewardship responsibilities to all animals they encounter in their lifetime, and embracing these responsibilities is essential to every horseperson. Using lower level dressage basics for every horse and rider, regardless of their riding discipline, Barb strives to help students achieve balance and harmony in their riding relationship with their horse.

Barb lives in Fall City, WA with her husband Bill Wilson and assorted animal family. She can be contacted at beketzel@gmail.com, (425) 222-7676 or (425) 785-6494.