HorseSensing Curriculum Instructor

In her own words...

I have my bachelor's degree in agricultural education with a minor in equine science and my C-2 rating in the United States Pony Club. I'm a third generation horsewoman who has been around horses since I was born. I grew up going fox chasing. I've competed in gymkhana, hunter, jumper, hunter paces, polo, polo cross, eventing, dressage, pony club quiz bowl, and FFA equine science competitions. I have mainly worked with off the track thoroughbreds, Welsh, Shetlands, and quarter horses. I currently have an off the track thoroughbred who I trail ride and am bringing along as a low level eventing horse and fox hunter. I've happily taught all ages of school children as a substitute teacher and taught high school AG for a year before my health declined. I have three rare diseases that keep me from working a regular job, so I'm extremely happy to find horse sensing where I can volunteer as I'm feeling able.

ERIN MACLACHLAN

Rick Cicero, Jr.

Veteran Liason

Rick Cicero was raised in the show horse industry with Hackney Ponies and later American Saddlebred Horses. He began showing at a young age and was training ponies professionally as a teen. Having some of the best influences in the business created an amazing group of mentors including his father, Dr. Raun, Gib Marcucci, Jan Lukens, Denny Lang, Skip Shenker, Woody and Louise Henry, Linda Weber, Abbot Wilson, and so many more. The First Gulf War called him to military service as an Army Paratrooper. After returning home he stayed active with show horses until his police career and police dogs consumed his time. After retiring from police work he returned to military service as a contractor returning to combat. Following multiple deployments an IED Blast took his right arm and leg while hunting such devices with a Canine. True to his horseman roots he rose up with the greatest medical science could offer. Using this technology to the fullest Rick returned to the show ring again in 2018, working and showing a Harness Pony throughout the southeast.
Now Rick is a member of our team, as the direct link to the veteran community he is working to use our efforts to bolster to support the industry with fantastic employees from the pools of veterans who have returned to civilian life.

Karen Mink

Assistant to the Executive Director

I moved to Shelbyville from Dallas TX in 2014 with my husband, my Corgi and my parents. In my working life, I was a retirement plan consultant and I volunteered at an equine therapy center for children with autism and downs syndrome. I spent the first four years in KY caring for my parents and in the last three years (except for that Covid time-out thing) I have been on a quest to find a new purpose. I saw an Open House announcement in the paper for HorseSensing and knew this could be what I was looking for.

I have been Dr. Broder’s assistant since July 2021 and never dreamed how good this gig would be. I have met so many great people and have attended events I had only read about before. I’m at all HorseSensing events, I write letters to community businesses and put our newsletter together. Dr. Broder didn’t know back then what a good match we would be --- but I did.

C. REID MCLELLAN, PH.D.

Education Consultant, Groom Elite, The Elite Program

C. Reid McLellan, PhD is the Executive Director of Groom Elite. Dr. McLellan received a B.S. degree in Animal Science from Louisiana State University and a M.S. and PhD from Oklahoma State University. During his 14.5 years as professor and Head of Animal Industries at Louisiana Tech University, McLellan founded and directed a national award winning B.S. degree granting Equine Specialty program in which senior students were licensed as trainers by the Louisiana Racing Commission and trained racehorses on the University's half-mile training track.
Dr. Mac left the University in 1988 and trained a small public stable while teaching his youngest son, Brett, now a popular and accomplished assistant trainer based out of Churchill Downs. From 1995 to 2005, McLellan was Racing Education Manager at Sam Houston Race Park where he conducted nightly fan education seminars, taught employees about the racing business, taught regular Trainers' Exam Prep Classes to aspiring trainers and wrote a popular tip sheet. In 2006 McLellan was hired by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to write the curriculum for the North American Racing Academy that includes Chris McCarron's Jockey School. HorseSensing is fortunate to have Dr. Mac and his Groom Elite certification program on our team.

PHILLIP CRITTENDON-The one and only paid employee of HorseSensing!

Education Director

American Saddlebred/Hackney Pony Show Horse Industry

Phillip started his career with show horses with the famed Charles and Helen Crabtree. His lifelong experience caring for these Peacocks of the Show Ring along with his gentle manner and great teaching skills as well as past experience helping disadvantaged youth make Phillip one of HorseSensing's greatest assets. Saddlebred trainers are willing to fly Philiip him out of state for horse shows rather than hire someone local because they know what a great horse caretaker he is. He is meticulous and kind with the horses and doesn’t miss a thing. He also has the nickname of "Mayor of Shelbyville." This is because Phillip knows everyone and everyone knows him. He is warm and outgoing which makes him a pleasure to be around in addition to be very best ASB Caretaker around.

BILLY BOB TAYLOR

Education Director-Thoroughbred and Harness Racing Industry

Billy Bob was raised with Standardbreds, Thoroughbreds, Saddlebreds, draft horses, mixed breed horses and mules. He became a great trainer of both Standardbred and Thoroughbred race horses. He also trained horses for the Pennsylvania Dept of Corrections. His brother, Joe Taylor went on to found the famous Taylor Made Farm where California Chrome now stands stud. He is a gifted horseman from foaling to The Red Mile and Keeneland.

OUR TEAM

HorseSensing is lucky enough to have an enthusiastic group of people wanting to pass the knowledge of their lifetime on to others.

DAVID BRODER

Addiction Treatment Specialist

With years behind him working in addiction treatment, David is an expert in facilitating process groups and mentoring people onto a better life path. His quiet and powerful presence have helped many to overcome their addictions. He loves horses and dogs and working on the farm. David is an avid fisherman and regularly goes on long range fishing trips. He welcomes info on secret fishing spots in Kentucky.

SALLY BRODER, PSY.D.

Executive Director

Sally Broder, Psy.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with offices in San Francisco and Los Altos, California as well as Bagdad, Kentucky. She is also a lifelong horsewoman. Sally began her professional equine career at the age of 15. She went to work for a horse trainer in Rancho Sante Fe, California and spent the next several years working with beautiful show horses. Even back then, she felt the healing power in horses and was developing ideas about how to pass this to others. Several years later she embarked on her career in the fields of, first, substance abuse treatment then more broadly clinical psychology and the treatment of trauma. She brings together her knowledge and skill of both psychology and horses with HorseSensing.

"There are three things people need to change their lives, walk a new healthy path and stick with it-hope, purpose and a sense of belonging. Working with horses gives a person all three. Horses are magic!"

--Sally Broder, Psy.D.