About

Classical dressage~Natural Horsemanship Instructor / Trainer


I LOVE Horses. I cannot remember a day in my life that I didn’t. I feel a great sense of pride and joy when I help a horse become more trusting or I help students succeed with their equine partners. I do not have a fancy equine resume in the show ring, as I am just not someone interested in competing due to my social anxiety. Though I dabble here and there. My equine resume is in the practical world of hard work and just being able to enjoy the good and special moments with my horses.

I started out riding Arabians in Western Pleasure and Gymkhana from age 2-10. Then I saw the alternate Olympics when we boycotted back in 1980. I wanted to ride English from then on. I rode Hunter - Jumpers for the next 8yrs. I started working at a TB breeding farm when I was 16 where I halter broke, imprinted, foal watched, sales prepped and fed. Then I worked a short stint at the local race track as a groom. I bought Snookie in 1988 but she couldn't jump competitively due to an injury from the track and that is how I got into Dressage. It was love at first ride! I started teaching beginners, kids and Hunters over fences and eventually I started teaching Dressage. I quit when I had my son, and moved away from civilization to buy my own ranch. That is when I got into NH and rescue. I worked at a TB breeding farm down the road where I had over a 100 head of horses to hone my NH skills on.

For those not familiar with Natural Horsemanship (NH), it is simply a logical way to work and play within the nature of the horse. Using body language, and the games horses play with each other. Many of today's programs use a systematic approach to learn how to be good around horses. I'm currently working on officially completing Level 4 in the Parelli program. I have been teaching and training for 18ys.

I have 39yrs experience with many breeds, disciplines and ages. I have a deep, deep passion for Classical Dressage and was able to bring my mare into 3rd level Dressage by myself with little instruction, and was very disappointed to have it cut short due to severe laminitis. I have an extreme thirst for knowledge, so I buy a lot of books & dvd's, and audit a lot of clinics. I am crazy funny that way, I watch or read anything I can get my hands on. So when I come across the good stuff… I know it!

The Parelli System is the best money I have ever spent. I still study different systems, such as Anderson & Reis to gain a different perspective on techniques on systematic programs, but I follow the Original Parelli System. I deeply and passionately agree with their philosophy, and love how they are very progressive and how they are very focused on the relationship.

Once I started to really understand Natural Horsemanship, I noticed that my Dressage hero's, were quite natural too. Their information was not presented in the manner that NH presents it though. NH puts it together in a way that you can do ANYTHING with your horse not just make your riding better. It also takes the mystery out of training a horse. So if you are asking "What is Natural Horsemanship?" The answer: NH is Dressage, Reining, Cutting, Jumping, Halter...you name it...the list goes on and on.

My favorite teachers, who have molded me into the horsewoman I am today are:

Mary Wanless, Michael J Stevens, Charles De Kunffy, Reiner Klimke, Pat & Linda Parelli, Sally Swift, Jane Savoie, Kyra Kyrklund, Clinton Anderson, Pete Ramey, Tom Dorrance...I know I am leaving someone out.

If you are new to horses or have a challenging situation, I can definitely help. If you are already studying a program but have hit a road block or need to get to the next level, I am here for you as a coach.

Until then,

Savvy ON
Michelle

For more information about the Parelli’s visit:
http://www.parelli.com/