Testimonials

Ebony and his owner

I was in the market for my third Rocky Mountain mare, to complete a dream of breeding Rocky Mountain Horses here in Northern California. So of course I was looking in Kentucky, where the breed originates. But thank god after doing an internet search for a red chocolate Rocky Mountain mare, I found Gaye's site, right here in my own back yard! As luck would have it she was selling one. Red Chocolate's are hard to find so I was excited but cautious. After all, I planned to breed her, so this horse had to be outstanding, and by Gaye's description, she was. Being extremely selective, I looked up Shasta's lines. Impressive, a horse worthy of breeding. So I went out to ride her. She was a dream, no more than a dream, she was and continues to be the perfect horse. I can't wait to breed her next year, except for one reason ... I won't be able to ride her! Thanks Gaye, for being true to your word and delivering the horse who was not only everything you said she was, but so much more.

I wanted to send you both the holiday picture of my Rocky's and my MFT and
give you an update on Shasta. She has become my favorite horse. She stole
my heart within months with her personality. I can't believe I almost
didn't get her.
She is the alpha mare on property and rules the roost with charm and
panache.

Gaye, Please let the previous owner know she's very happy. I know she was
sorry to let her go. Her wound healed nicely. She gaits better than any
horse I have and is just a fun, fun horse to ride and own. Her personality
is just so mischievous but sweet. I trailer her all over and love her to
pieces.

And Ellyn, thank YOU! for breeding such a perfect horse. I love her! I'll
be breeding Shasta next May so any recommendations on studs is welcome! ;)

Happy holidays!

Hi Gaye,

Tess has been so good, that I'm not sure we're going to need the tuneup. Let me see how things work out this winter in Reno.

Daphne bought a quarter horse.

Hope things are going great for you!

Jesse aka snowball with his new owner at day of the horse and her friend on her beautiful arab

Gaye,

I will everyone here loves her. One of the girls had her daughter visiting from wash d.c. told her if you want to go on a mother daughter ride before she goes back take Emmie. Came back after 3 hours. Said dont ever get rid of her she is fabulous. Everyone loves her. Thank you so much. She is so much fun. My granddaughters rode her today in our big arena . They really enjoyed her.

Gaye,, Rode with my english instructor yesterday and am no longer afraid of cantering!! You fixed me in one lesson. Thank you so much.

Gaye,

... Came this morning and took Emmie, she was great for them! I think all of them will be very happy- it is a great fit. Thanks so much for everything! I really appreciate it, You are the best! I wish I could of kept her, but I know she will be happier with them. They are so nice, thanks again.

Hi Gaye

....loves the mare and still can’t believe she was free. She’s got a rider working with her to put miles on her and she’ll have a great home. Thanks for letting us know about her!

Riot and I are doing great! My fear is mostly gone and I don’t chicken out anymore. Have gone on tons of trail rides and he’s always fabulous. Going out again tonight and trying to get out as much as possible before the rains come. I’m so happy to have found him and wanted to thank you for helping me with him. I would have given up without your help. So, thanks!

Gaye,

That’s awesome! Thanks so much for checking her out for us. I’ll billpay a check to you.

We’re all excited to see her in person!

Hi Gaye, he got home just fine, thanx. He looks great.

Gaye

You make a lot of good points, Gaye, and I am paying attention! Things are a little up in the air for me right now.

I'm thrilled that she is in training with you this week and want to take advantage of that, but if it is important that she be picked up on Friday, then I better get her on Tuesday since I just don't know my schedule.

Gaye.

If you have a chance this weekend to work with Dusty at all on the trail, I would love it if you could teach her to open gates while mounted. I hope you enjoy her. I'm thrilled to have found someone who knows enough about gaited horses to help me. I sure need it!

U R welcome – it was our opportunity to thank you and acknowledge you as a great friend, horse trainer and a great rider trainer – it is a privilege to have you as a friend. Thank you for everything you do and have done. I’ve learned more from you since knowing you than I did in all the years I rode horses before I met you and you have made it all fun.

Gaye,

I worked with Ebony Chance in the round pen yesterday, and he did really well for me. Was even thinking about riding him, but wasn't sure if there would be anyone around to hold him while I "climbed" aboard, so skipped it - turns out there wasn't anyone I knew around, so it was good I didn't plan on it.

I can get him started tonight and then if Alex or someone can help me up, I can just ride him in the arena - it's raining right now, and probably will get wetter as the afternoon goes on, so wouldn't be riding outside anywhere anyway. Am getting more and more comfortable with him, thanks to you, so things are getting much easier - it's just getting up that takes a while for me

Gaye,

Thanx for the update. I am worried about the goofieness, if he has that much in him he will be impossible at the start of an endurance ride. Or, do you think you could sell him or would you even want to?

I have asked the ranch for a trade, but want your opinion. I am too old to mess around with a horse like this and this sounds like it will be a constant issue with him.

I'm going to start with the most obvious words: Thank you. Thank you for helping me find the most fabulous horse that anyone could have hoped for. Tiwa's so perfect that even another one of your clients wanted to buy her off me the very same day I got her.

My grandparents came to see me ride today, and Tiwa behaved very well. She posed for pictures, gaited nicely around the arena, picked up a lovely canter. All of that while a tractor was destroying one of the turnouts near the arena. Tiwa didn't care too much.

She's also awesome on the trails. Bikes, cows, hikers, scary logs/rocks shaped like various carnivorous animals, even some motorcycles drove past us today and it didn't phase her. She's also got a fantastic personality to boot. Very sweet, loving, willing, and she's getting more bold as well.

Thanks for everything Gaye!

Gaye

Hey - good to hear from you... we were just talking about you this weekend, wondering if you would ever be able to get over to ride...

I wanted to tell you that Shilo (Shane renamed) is doing great and we love him...

Maybe we'll talk soon... hope all is well...take care.

gaye -

thx again! felt compelled to tell you, i absolutely love my horsey, enzo. today i took him out alone on a 2 hour trail ride, came back to the barn for water, and took him right back out again...in 80 degree heat. that horse didn't put up a fuss, slow down going out, or swish his tail. he just did his job, and did it well. all this a day after packing around 6 kids (yes 6, between the ages of 4-12!!), riding double, for an hour and a half yesterday! don't know how he tolerated it...i couldn't even tolerate it! but he was amazing with them. you definitely know how to pick 'em. and for the rest of you horse owners that haven't had the opportunity (brains) to ride, buy or get your horse trained by gaye...I'm sorry. Sorry that you are missing out on a phenomenal experience you could be having.

Hi Gaye

Had a great lesson yesterday, and spent sometime working again on backing Star up and it was a lot easier! Thanks. We rode for three hours today and had a great time.

Love the horse-Shasta

She is absolutely lovely. I am so happy I purchased her. What a perfect horse.

Best,

(follow up after arena lesson)

Got the fax thanks. Doing well - tommorrow more ground work and despooking. He has remembered stufff so far. Mellow even after getting to stay with the herd.I found a hinged snaffle with a shank for him that I had lying around. Might try to make it out to your barn to watch this week. Thx

Thanks again Gaye - I worked with him today and he remembered! Got on over him on the mounting block, and did plastic bag and whip work. Which he gets bored with.Also Frankie can back up now. I will continue to work with him and am trying to get a surcingle. Perhaps in 2 weeks we can do another lesson day? Also what is your training schedule at the barn if I get a chance to get out there?

Thanks

(Follow up after trail lesson)

It was awesome! Again, he's was great! Saw deer and he was fine. He walked nice and kept abreast with the other rider without out-walking the tiny thing. LOL.

She said she would take me a couple times a week if I wanted. It's nice to have a trail system without bikes! Though he seemed fine with them anyway.

Thanks again for all your help!

Hi Gaye, just a quick note to say thank you for babysitting again! I feel so ridiculous sometimes!

It was much easier riding yesterday and have a trail ride set up with a friend on Wednesday at Calero which doesn't allow bicyclists on the trails. I should be a bit calmer because of it. LOL.

Anyhow, thanks so much!

I think we should just bite the bullet and go for a trail ride. If I die, I die. LOL. I want to go out so bad I can't stand it! Immersion therapy. LOL.

So yes, please bring a horse! It'll be fun. It'll be fun. It'll be fun.

12 Sunday works fine. Is it still $75 an hour for trail rides?

Thanks so much!

Thanks so much, Gaye. I thought he might be turned out so went looking for him to say hello, and came across you in the round pen. He looked as though he was really doing well, so am excited to hear that he was behaving and learning so quickly. Didn't want him to see me and distract him (he associates me with food!), so didn't stay very long, but it was exciting to watch.

I am so happy that ...... put me in touch with you, everyone was trying to get me to ship him off to a place in Stevinson some 100+ miles away - I would never have been able to see him or work with anyone once he was broken to ride.

Thanks so much, Gaye.

We both miss you, Gaye. That's Tess & me!

She's like my best friend now. She seems happy to see me, is calm now, and even lets me completely tack her up while being ground tied. I have to climb into my trailer to get her saddle, and she knows to stay still. Incredible.

The only problem we have is when on the trail in the late afternoon when the bugs come out, she gets antsy when we stop. I think I need to get a better bug deterrent system for her.

... & I will connect with you the next time we're in the Bay Area.

Come up to Tahoe!

Steph and enzo showing off again.Notice she never moves. Thats what you call smooth!!

Gaye,

Thanks for helping me get Jackson (retired police horse). Best horse EVER!!!! cute, adorable, smart, calm, sweet, can't wait for you to meet him. Let me know when you have time.

(update on tess- 10 year old mft)

Gaye

You are the best!

Let me tell you what I did today, my day off.

Used my Clinton Anderson halter, ground tied her in front of my trailer's tack room for me to pick up some odds & ends. Needed to discipline her a bit to stay ground tied, but she did it.

Round pen was fabulous. Having a problem getting her to change directions while facing me, but able to do a hell of a lot more than ever before.

Saddled & bridled without a hitch.

Arena work, stayed put at mounting block for about 1 minute before I decided to move out. Walk, foxtrot, and canter easily. Gets a bit confused in the canter, but doing so much better now.

Then took her out on the trail alone for the first time. She was relaxed. Got spooky around water, but stayed in place.

All in all, a 10 day!

Thanks,

Date: May 29, 2011

I have a 10-year-old Missouri Foxtrotter mare that had been ridden progressively infrequently over the past few years. While the horse had obtained numerous blue ribbons as a 2-year-old, my lazy riding skills plus inconsistent and infrequent training resulted in a horse without matters, that wouldn’t load, couldn’t canter, was frightened all the time, and frightened me.

I brought her to Gaye for one month of training. At the end of that time, she is a completely different horse. She has ground matters, can hold all of her gaits including canter with minimal verbal and body queues, responds with respect, and can load without any difficulty at all. Everything I asked Gaye to accomplish was done, plus so much more.

Gaye’s job was to not only train the horse, but to train me. I can say with absolute security that the horse has been perfectly trained. As far as myself is concerned though, I expect to be e-mailing her regularly for advice and guidance, as we live 200 miles from her. Otherwise, we would be boarding her wherever Gaye was.

I can recommend Gaye deRusso with complete confidence for any horse issue one might ever encounter.

Gaye,

Eeks. My apologies! It's been a crazy week. Sorry for not getting back to you. Let's put on hold. You've been doing great with him and I am feeling great about him in the ring. Once we actually get a few days of sun under our belts I will check in with you to see when you are available to babysit on a couple of trail rides.

6/4/11

Hi Gaye,
Everything is great! All horses have been Quarantened here-no horses on or off the ranch, until this virus is under control. Scotty is terrific. he does everything and anything I want him to. We have built a trust with each other. I couldn't be happier!

5/10/11

Thanks Gaye,

I have been in contact with ..... I have been watching your videos and instructions. I have put the chin strap on and I have tightened up on the reins. I was lunging him the way my other trainer showed me how to do with my other big Brute(who lunges perfectly). But Scotty is a different horse and he is used to the way you trained him. After I started really watching you and trying to use the same techniques, I saw a huge difference in Scotty's confidence. I have been going out there about 4 times a week. Scotty hasn't bolted on me in over a week. He is not as anxious. When I am alone, I do ground work in the arena. Figure eights, backing up, lunging, going around cones, his gaits---he has been perfect. Since he had bolted on me, I'm working on him stopping just with the command Whoa, and not much pressure. He has been stopping on a dime, because I give him a cookie when he does. I am not as worried as I was, because he is responding so well. The stable hand has now made friends also. When he sees me, he comes running to the gate and calls for me! Such a great feeling!

Thanks for all your advice and help. It really has helped a lot!

Hello Gaye...Yes, August should work well...as I mentioned to you, I still hope to find someone who could come to my current barn but that is unlikely from what I have found so far....I really liked your training style and knowledge of the gaited breeds and think you would be great for Sir Isaac...I'll be in touch

Gaye,

Shane is doing so well, and we like him so much... he will be her new "Cal" I believe. I am so happy to finally have found her a new horse. We may still be looking for one other perfect one at some point...

Gaye

had a couple more rides on Shane and he continues to be really good. We need to see how you want to finalize the purchase.

I also want to chat with you some more on this gelding we have... want to get rid of him since it appears we've finally found a good one to keep..

Gaye,

That was great today - thank you - you are so observant about both rider and
horse. I'm very pleased about the way Gulliver is going now and it will
only get better. You really do bring out the best in both the rider and the
horse. I am very proud of Gulliver and want him to be able to be his best.

Hi Gaye,

I just wanted you to know that I am absolutely falling in love with Scotty! He was scared and a little bit of a wreck for about 48 hours. He knows now that I am the cookie lady, and he comes to me immediately. I feel so much more comfortable with him, than my other big brute! I can't thank you enough for what you have given me. The people at the barn think he is the sweetest horse. I am looking for a brow headstall and a bit to fit him. Does the bit that you used on him have a specific name? Is it a standard 5 inch? I tried to describe it to the tack shop, but they were confused--of course, it could have been me!

PS. I want you to know that you may very well have made my lifetime dream come true!

Gaye,

just a pause, I know I have said this before.....but I do thank you for the time/effort/training you put into Chance while he was in Walnut Creek. Without your guidance I am confident that we would have parted ways. I am really enjoying this guy who has now turned seven years old. He is till a clown.......should have been named Rascal Flats, but honestly his joie de vivre is what I love about him. There are still some times I want to "club him" (and do), but he is a joy and an important part of my life. For this, I thank you.