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Testimony 04/02/2008
I am 53 years old and have rheumatoid and osteoporosis arthritis. In dealing with so much pain for so many years from
the arthritis, I was afraid to reach out to try and fulfill a dream I have had all my life, which was to own my own horses.
Two years ago I decided to get two miniature horses (Mare, Sylvie and her filly, Misty). I figured that miniature horses
would not effect my arthritis in a negative way.
True, having the minis did not make my arthritis worse, in fact my health became better because I now had to take care
of two horses. But Sylvie and Misty had never been trained and it would take me an hour each day just to clean out their
hoofs. In fact the filly was not even trained to wear a halter; she would kick, bite and throw tantrums. There were days
I would end in tears. I was in a pickle. What to do? A friend of mine who knew of my situation found Amy's web page on
the internet. And as they say, the rest is history. Amy has had so much patience with Sylvie and Misty but also with me.
Amy's horse training knowledge is immeasurable. Since the beginning of the training that started in April of 2007, both
mini's will now stand still for a complete grooming, lounging, the Farrier, the Vet, will take a bit, give to pressure and
I can ground drive them in a harness. Misty no longer kicks, bites and she gives me the respect of the alpha.
October 21st of 2007 I was given a 10 year old "trained" registered Quarter horse Mare named Dandy. Previous
Owner had fallen into hard financial times and wanted to make sure her mare got a good safe home. I was feeling so good about
the training of the minis (Sylvie and Misty), I thought, "I should be able to handle a full size 'trained' horse".
I had read in magazines, and also saw on RFD TV, that it was good exercise for people who had some physical disability
to ride horses at a walking pace. It will work the same muscle groups in the body of the rider as if the person is doing
the walking themselves. But there is no pressure and pain on the human leg/knee joints. Some people's idea of a trained horse
is different than others. Oh Dandy is a nice horse, until I tried to lunge or ride her. She expertly knows how to run toward
you and shove you with her shoulder. Knows how to turn around and kick out at you when she does not want to do something
you are asking of her. Amy to the rescue again. Dandy just completed 30 days of training at Amy's farm. Now Dandy gives to
the slightest pressure of the reins, drives with just my leg pressure, stops with just my body cues. Now, if only I (the
Human) would learn as fast as Dandy did.
Amy, thank you for being the major reason in my life of being able to achieve my life long dream of owning horses. Its
a dream come true. Thank you for doing such a great job of training my horses. Now that I can ride again it has greatly improved
my muscle tone. God Bless you for being you, because though you God has given me the freedom once again of exploring a trail
and being out in the woods pain free.
Lynn
"I had a blast at the last lesson!!!...You're a great teacher!!"
Debbie
Olympia, WA
"I was very impressed by the way you handled my horses."
-student who owns two drafts rescued from a feedlot
"Thanks so much for last week's lesson, you are awesome! I've been working on leading and having him respect my
space. It works really well!"
-student who owns a horse who was destined for the slaughter house
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| Jan and her horse Patch- Ready for the parade |
Amy is that "little voice" in your head.
I first noticed Amy in the covered arena at the ranch where I board. She was walking along while a gal was riding circles
around her. Amy was coaching the gal in her riding position, making specific suggestions and corrections for the riders posture
and balance. Her voice was calm, reassuring, and persistent. "Elbows in, hands down, sit up, look up . . ." like
a broken record. I wasnt looking for a riding instructor, but had been thinking I'd like to improve my equitation. I ride
trails and admire folks who can ride really well, thus actively pursue improving in my horse hobby.
I've owned horses for eight years and rode occasionally as a kid. Had a few lessons over the years and once I owned a
horse, I attended a lot of clinics, seeking to improve my horsemanship. Discovered natural horsemanship about six years ago
and learned a lot about groundwork, releasing the try, and communicating with the horse, and my riding was adequate, but not
very elegant. Not that I needed to be an elegant rider, since I ride trails on my Paint horse, don't compete, and have no
intention of showing. But watching Amy coach the gal and seeing Amy ride, I thought, "Id like to look like "that"
while riding". More in balance and harmony on the horse. So I asked Amy if I could be her newest student.
My goal was to be able to ride well enough that if I wanted to enter competition, we could win Western Pleasure classes.
That entailed getting my horse, Patch, and me "collected". He was all strung out, with nose and head pointing out
and up, and didn't have his back rounded to give optimum impulsion. I was flopping along with my hands in an unnatural position
in the "box" in front of the saddle horn, elbows akimbo.
We started with walking circles, asking for Patchs head to come down, moving my hands to a better position, sitting taller,
supporting my body with my arms and keeping those elbows DOWN. I already had the heels down-toes up part of my legs and seat.
Amy walked miles as I rode the circles. The walk got better and we started trotting, repeating the same lessons at the faster
gait. Then Amy had me canter the circles. Well, everything went down the drain at that speed.
Patch wasn't balanced, I wasnt comfortable. His canter was all strung out and very fast, considering he has a very slow
walk more like an amble. Amy rode him for a while, asking for compression, where the rear drives the front and the horse learns
to carry himself from behind, rather than the front pulling the rest of the horse along. Thats an important part of Amys ability
as an instructor: she can tell you and she can show you exactly what she means. If the horse needs an education, too, she
can provide training.
Over the few months that I worked with Amy, she was determined to get married and move to Washington, Patch and I both
improved an incredible amount. I miss our weekly lessons and may never find another riding instructor that I feel as connected
with as Amy. Like the old proverb, she was the teacher I needed when I was ready . . . I can still hear her like a little
voice in my head, "elbows in, hands down, don't lean, drive him!"
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