"Hello Tara...... I don't know if words can truly express how much joy Miss Philly has brought to our lives. My husband doesn't even ride, but I believe he loves her every bit as much as I do. I have had horses for many years and this is the first time he has ever been so attached to one.

     I took Philly out to a nearby Army base a couple of weeks ago, and did we ever have a good time. There were totally cool obstacle courses set up for ROTC training.....miniature mock cities where we could ride the horses inside buildings and trenches about 10 ft deep. The trenches were very steep, but Philly is so accepting of guidance that she made climbing them seem effortless! That wasn't the case with many of the older seasoned trail horses that worked hard to scramble up, and ultimately slid back down. This fearless, trusting, precious young horse simply placed one foot in front of the other and did her job.

I simply never cease to be amazed at her unwaivering peaceful attitude toward people and other horses as well as totally unfamiliar situations. I am convinced that your patient, gentle training and understanding of the building blocks that are required to put a strong foundation on young horses is what pays off in the end.

I believe that Philly is a "one in a million" horse but in the hands of someone who would have decided to "break" her , rather than guide her and teach her, she would not be the trusting horse I know and love."

                                                                    -Anne M. from WA

"Hey Tara,

Don't know if you remember me, but I bought a KMSH Cremello gelding
from you back in 2005. You called him Sinatra then, but Dar (short for
Dartanian) has been SOOOOOOO wonderful for me. I'm the only one who

trusts their horse enough to ride out on long rides bareback. I've always

said that he knows the difference and is more careful with me because all I have to hold onto is him. My whole family loves him, and I'm really looking forward to the spring when my workload eases up some and we can get out in the roundpen and arena and work together. We just rode in the state Dixie National Parade last weekend, and if I do say so myself, he was the prettiest horse there :-), and he knows how to put on a show. SOOO proud of him, then the next day we took off into the woods, and some unknown dogs unexpectedly showed up to keep us company, but he was great! Life has definitely sent me on some twists and turns over the past few years, but I can't tell you how much that horse has helped me through a difficult time."

                                                                          -Lynette from MS

I was just heading out the door, yesterday, and glanced at the horse yard as always.  There lay Shady, in trouble.  He had taken a "snow"bath and in rolling, rolled into the fence by the garden.   He had rolled into the fence and was stuck on his back with his hind leg into the woven wire, the electric had broken and I am sure he was getting a shock. 

I ran to unplug the electric and then jumped into the horse yard to see what I could do.

This wonderful little horse just laid there and looked at me as if to say "I've done it now!"

I rubbed his head all over and worked my way up his body to the leg caught in the wire, he just laid there and waited for me to  unhook him. I lay across his mid section and he could have very easily kicked the living daylights out of me, but he just waited. I pulled his leg back thru the fence and pushed the wire away from him. He did not struggle or panic, he just waited for me to "fix it." I pushed his front end out away from the post and that gave him enough room to stand up. Not a scratch or cut on him.  I am so impressed with his trusting personality. I believe this has a great deal to do with what you and Chris do on a daily basis with these horses.  Thank you again for such a wonderful horse!

                                                        -Terry from MN

Dear Tara,

I have never dealt with anyone like you before in the horse selling business.  You were very professional and patient with all my questions and concerns.  I was worried that we were doing the right thing, and I can honestly tell you that if it weren't for your great attitude, I would have decided not to come.  And we are glad we did come, because Betsy was just what we wanted.  She is completely adorable, and has the calm temperament that we love in a horse.  She let us brush her and pet her for a long time this afternoon.   We kept going by her stall and just looking at her, and if we stayed long, she would get up from her nap and come over to us.  She just looks so content.  Everyone said how adorable she was.  Thank you again for your patience and professionalism.

                                                  -Kay from NC

     Special Horses             and Clients...

Sometimes we are lucky enough to strike gold and find the perfect owner for one of our horses. It's such a fabulous feeling to know that you helped someone find the perfect horse for them! We want to thank all of our clients who have been so positive and so complimentary of what we are trying to accomplish in our program.

While we at times have several horses for sale that have been trained before they came to us, we really like to take our time with our own young horses. Time is on our side! We believe that each horse is an individual and should be trained as such. Our methods aren't a set in a  concrete 30,60, or 90 day program.

We always encourage our "babies" to succeed in their own time. First and foremost, they need to be willing and happy about their work. We always try to set them up for success with every ride. Success can be as small as a baby step backwards or as big as crossing a creek or gaiting consistently for the first time.

Everything comes when the horse is mentally and physically ready....not according to anyone else's schedule or expectations.  Trail manners and sensibility under saddle always come first before gait! In this way, our "kids" grow up to become confident upstanding citizens.