An astonishing fact: my horse Lukas receives over one hundred e-mails a day! How can that be, you might ask, what could anyone possibly write to a horse about? Let me give you a few examples: "Lukas makes my autistic son smile, thank you from the bottom of my heart." "Lukas is a beacon to the world - showing how truly remarkable and wonderful our animal friends are. I always knew they had intelligence and emotions, now I can prove it to the skeptics I know." And one of my favorites, "Thank you, Karen and Lukas, for changing people's perception of animals - I own a horse rescue and we've been getting more calls than ever from prospective adopters. Lukas is helping to bring greater understanding and vast improvement into the lives of animals world-wide."

As glowing as all this sounds, this wasn't always the case. Lukas (race name, Just Ask Mike) had three unmemorable race finishes as a two-year-old and injured both front legs. After leaving the racetrack, he changed hands several times during the next six years and ended up emaciated and neglected in a yard. He was rescued by a neighbor, who took pity on the then eight-year-old chestnut gelding - "You could see every rib and his tail was a solid bat of dried mud." The neighbor, a local trainer, had hoped to recondition Lukas and include him in her amateur jumping program. After two years though, he still wasn't fitting in, and I purchased him after seeing his photo in a sale advertisement.

Working full-time as a psychiatric nurse, I had our (then) barn trainer begin some basic lessons on him with the plan to compete him in beginner classes. This proved to be the last straw for Lukas and in a very short time he became sullen and resistant to the point of becoming extremely dangerous - bucking, bolting and spooking even in his own stall. "He's a throwaway, Karen, what do you expect? Quit wasting your time on him," I was told by more than a few well-meaning observers. I discontinued the trainer, but I was having serious doubts about being able to turn Lukas around at this point. After 30 years of training horses, I had just about met my match with Lukas and we had some very discouraging times.

Before giving up, I decided to draw from my behavioral background and also try to find out what Lukas would enjoy doing. My system uses a broad base of shaping techniques, clicker training and lots of positive reinforcement. So, I set about un-training by replacing unwanted behaviors with desirable outcomes. The responses that I substitute are tricks - fun and play being at the core of my system. I use games as a way to create a connection and build mutual confidence, respect and trust.

In addition, I use liberty work (free/loose and without any equipment; I don't even own a whip) to demonstrate the potential for non-force training. It must also be said that I employ patience and kindness, affection and appreciation - without which none of this would have been possible.

Finding something that Lukas would enjoy doing was certainly the case! We started with the smile and are still going strong. To date, his liberty repertoire includes the yes, no, yawn, kiss, fetch, pose, being blindfolded, catch, wave, pedestal work, Spanish Walk (high step), stay and come, sit, jambette (3 legged pivot), curtsey, bow, crossing his front legs, lay down, feet together (front and back), hide and seek, acting lame, pushing a cart, passage (similar to skipping) and the rear. Most of his acclaim, however, comes from his abilities to identify letters, numbers and shapes, discriminate colors and his understanding of proportion, object permanence, spatial relationships, same/different and absentness. Above all though, I prize our bond which has attracted the most attention from animal lovers world-wide.

This once-upon-a-time "throwaway" - now a "million hit" horse - has appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, HLN, Inside Edition and the Associated Press and America On Line released feature stories about him. Lukas' journey - which has become a message of hope and kindness for all creatures - has been heard on Pet Talk Radio, Pet Place Radio, Pet Talk Live Radio, Animal Talk Radio and RFD-Radio. Also, he's appeared in magazines, forums, newsletters, blogs and newspapers world-wide and he was nominated for the 2010 Equine Vision Award sponsored by Pfizer and American Horse Publications. Lukas has been recognized by the World Records Academy as The World's Smartest Horse and Guinness has approved his record "Most numbers correctly identified by a horse in one minute: 19." All to show the happy results of gentle training and how wonderful and intelligent animals are for their improved treatment.

Children especially are a part of Lukas' mission - his appearances are geared toward involving families with an emphasis on responsible pet ownership. He's also the official Spokeshorse for After The Finish Line, an organization dedicated to finding homes for ex-racehorses. Many equine therapy groups have befriended him and he's associated with HEAL (Human-Equine Alliances for Learning) - a therapy practice that aids trauma victims (Lukas' services are donated to help others).

For a horse once called a "throwaway," Lukas has made amazing strides. He's a living testament to the power of love, patience, and kindness, and he continues to be an inspiration to everyone he meets.