Hi Gay! Just looking at your great website. Onyxx is doing great and living in luxury. He is boarded at my friend's property now and is the "big boss" of her two horses (so he thinks). ;o)  He has a barn specially built for him with lots of room to move.  My dear friend, Rickie, provides this "Eden" for him, and I wish he knew how lucky he is. I wish I had more time for him, but I honestly only get to see him once a week or so. We've been on a few trail rides and had a good time this summer. I do butte him before trail rides, and he enjoys himself so much more. We actually loped on the grass at Ancil Hoffman a few weeks ago. What a joy that was. Our first time loping together. I only went a few strides on the grass, as I know he can be "owie" on his front feet. My farrier thinks he just had poor shoeing for a long time with other owners and is hesitant to believe it's navicular. He also thinks "Onyxx has my number" and is just lazy, but knowing he has that, I do pamper him and only trot on grass or very soft arena dirt for a few strides. Anyway, he is so loved, and I wanted to thank you again for him. I do feel guilty that I got him at such a low price. He is worth more than I paid for sure. He is a jewel, and we are perfect for each other.  He has just enough "mischief" in him. I love watching him try to pull stuff with other folks, but I quickly have them correct him. He is a good boy.

Just know that I will always recommend you highly to anyone looking for a good horse from an honest trainer.

Here is a recent photo of us. Call me if you are ever over this way.
Best,

Gaye

the lesson was great, came home and tried to take notes of everything so i can practice. Thank you for the saddle help too. 

Gaye, you are just to awesome for words! 

Gaye, what an awesome email you sent packed with so much info! I will save it, I don't delete really any emails because they come in handy to go back to. I am so happy you mentioned lessons, we were going to ask you about that. I think when we come down with Shiloh to pick up Cash we should do like a 3-4 hour lesson with you. ......and I also talked last night about doing some overnights as well and having lessons on two days. You really should do two day clinics in small groups on occasions because you are an amazing trainer and I know you help a lot of people. Or screw the other people you could just do small group clinics for...like 2...like .....and I :) 

 Hi Gaye :

The trouble has been only on the trail.  Arena work has been fine.  Doing nice work in there, training level dressage stuff. I do work her pretty good so she is getting more fit and sometimes I think that is part of the problem . Usually I round pen her before but I did not this last time we went on trail. ... always round pens her.

I have been trail riding in small groups using a regular snaffle bit/ dressage bridle.  Usually one day trail one day arena work. We go on leisurely walking rides, I do not ask her to do any "work" as trail rides are the break from the arena work. But from your message I can tell work is probably what we need to be doing. HMMM.

 I don't  allow her to decide what to do on trail, though she tries.   If she does something I didn't ask for on trail ( like pick up a trot) I stop her and have her go back to the gait I want, same as the arena. Another thing she has been more "alert" lately.  Not full blown spooky just more aware, wanting to look so I don't allow her to look. I think i need to make her work to keep her mind focused.

I never ask for the trot in the same place and frankly I usually don't canter out on trail. I personally think the ground is too hard. We walk and trot.  When she started cantering when I asked for trot I had to stop her hard as she tried to ignore my request and then she bucked! I asked the group to stop as they were ahead of us  and and made her walk up the hill,  to catch up. She settled own again real soon and everything was great until we again went to trot up another hill, this time with us in the lead. Same thing she wanted to canter and bucked again to show her displeasure!  I backed her down the hill (work) and she settled down fast. We finished the ride as calm as could be. She tried to jig at one point when we were close to home but I shut that down fast using your techniques.  Jigging I know how to stop!

Are these "young" horse issues?  Should I ride her in the arena, after longing, before taking her on the trail? From your questions I am getting;

1. Always round pen. I longe her on the longe line asking for walk -trot -canter transitions, up and down.  Very controlled work.  She is very obedient on the longe line. Should I let her free longe?

2.  Have her work on the trail, circles, serpentines, etc.  Keep her mind active so she doesn't have time to look/ get into trouble.

3.  Always be the leader. Don't let her decide what to do. 

I want to be as safe as possible out on the trail.  I want .... to be safe as possible too.  If you have time on Sunday I would love to either ride out with you so you can coach me or have you ride Glory and show me what you are doing to correct her.   I'll can ask .... if I can borrow Cookie.  What do you think would be most effective?  We could even swap horses out on the trail too ...  I can afford about 2 hours and can have both  horses tacked up and ready to go if you like (after longing Glory first that is).  I would put the horses away too. Just let me know if you are available and which plan would be better.

Thanks for your time Gaye,

(email after the trail lesson)

 Gaye

Thanks again for the great day.  I think we'll have smooth sailing from now on!

 
thanks...., how did glory go? gaye

Hi Gaye

PERFECT!!!!!

Whinny

Merlin

Hi Gaye,

Well it’s been 4 months since I bought Winston from you and wow am I having a blast. You have helped me to understand the methods of natural horsemanship and have opened my eyes to a whole new world of riding.  I really feel you know exactly how to match people with horses so they can excel in their horsemanship goals. You have been very supportive and have helped me learn how horses “think” and how to exploit that knowledge. You have also introduced me to the amazing world of gaited horses. Winston’s flat walk, running walk and rack are surreal. Oh and I can’t forget, his foxtrot. I am still learning how to differentiate between all of his gaits, but it’s been a lot of fun. Although Winston’s canter is a work in progress with your help he has slowed down and is getting more collected everyday.   He is also a blast on the trail. He just gets into his cruise controlled flat walk and goes.  I was unsure about getting such a young horse at first, however, he’s a keeper. He is such a calm, willing and intelligent guy and he picks up on new tasks everyday.  I wanted a challenge so I could push myself and learn to become a better rider and you have found that for me. Between your coaching and Winston’s willingness to learn life couldn’t be better.

You have now found me not just one, but two perfect horses.  Four years ago when I wanted to get back into riding, which I hadn’t done for 30 years, you found me my first walking horse, Merlin. You also taught me all the basics about caring, riding and owning a horse in my adult life.  Merlin was the best horse to get reintroduced to horses and riding again.  He was a great trail horse and taught me so much.  I look forward to, with your guidance, becoming a better rider every day.

Yours Truly,

 Traveler (striking fire)

 Cash

Gaye

we loved seeing you today and meeting Cash, what a great horse, thank you for finding him for me! I can't wait to ride him again! I might have to sneak away sometime soon to do so...:) In the meantime I will work on listing Dusty , ...... and I talked on the way home and I think it will be an easier transition for all of them if we dont plan on bringing Cash home and have them go thru the "who's in charge game" and then change the dynamic again when Dusty moves. 

Scotty in training

Gaye,

Thanx for the update!  Sounds great.  I will get out there as soon as I can.
 

Hi Gaye,

 We're leaving the Middle East in a few hours, arriving in SFO around 10 on Friday. Will check our e-mail, but still want to visit you on Saturday, even if Fire has been sold.

Thanks,

Hi Gaye,

Thanks for the update.  It makes me feel very secure that you are so organized and professional.  We're looking forward to seeing both of them in a few weeks.

Do you have a favored horse transport service?

Thanks a lot,

Good Morning Gaye,

I just had back surgery and am down for about 4 weeks, I will be in touch
when I am up and around. Thanks for staying in touch.

Very Respectfully,

By the way, LOVE that little spotted horse you let ...... ride recently.  That horse has a NICE shaky tail rack on him.  Bet he's a blast to ride.  LOVE all the videos on your site too!  Great site & presentation.

Hi Gaye,

Thanks for the information.  Not ready to part ways with lil' ol' Chance, though some days he can try a person's patience.  Overall, he continues to be a good guy.  Would I buy him "out of the gate" knowing what I know now?   I don't know for sure.  I do appreciate any updates you have though.  Never know when I might find that "perfect horse" and fall in love...not sure I could keep up with three.

Hi Gaye

Sweet looking mare....looks like you've done a great job with her. 

 Gaye,

Do u have any specifics about ....?  She is offering to give me references. 

My plan is still to bring Sam to you for your awesome ability to train them..  

Hi Gaye

Hey Gaye, thanks we will be looking forward to it, do you have him yet?