Testimonials | Almost Heaven Horse Source!

Riding Instruction/ Horse Training Testimonial From Theresa Johnson, Shepherdstown, WV

Posted by admin on January 9th, 2010 in General, Testimonials

Riding After Fifty

I came to riding later in life than most. I had always wanted to ride but never had the opportunity. As my children left home, I found that I had the time to explore riding. My first experience with lessons locally was not what I what I had hoped for as I was riding with young children under the age of ten; after a few months I decided to try another riding center. Along the way, I found a nice little horse, a Quarter horse and bought him. And where I was learning to ride him, I found that I wanted more-I wanted to know him, what motivates him and how to better communicate with him.

I was introduced to Kirsten and felt that she had the personality that would work well with me. She has provided me with riding instruction along with information on the personality of my horse, With that information, I can better work with him as a teammate. I found that riding is not controlling a horse but working together. Kirsten has provided me with professional instruction. To begin with, she has encouraged me in all my lessons, and rather than feeling that I will never “get it” when it comes to riding because of my age, Kirsten acknowledges all improvements in my quest. Any one who is older or who rode as a child and is a little nervous about returning to riding, I encourage you to work with Kirsten as she is positive and patient. As an educator, I find that Kirsten possess the skills of great teachers.

Kirsten’s knowledge of horses, horse care, and training is amazing. I also like that Kirsten is experienced in different areas of riding; jumping, dressage and trail riding, just to name a few. You won’t find yourself preparing for jumping if your interest is in dressage. She knows both the English and Western disciplines. She has me riding in open fields with confidence. When riding with Kirsten, you feel energized, confident and pleased with your work. For those of us who are new to riding or are returning to it after a number of years, I think you will find that Kirsten is the perfect instructor. I hope you have the opportunity to work with Kirsten Lee as she will take you and your horse to a level of riding that I found no where else. Good luck to you and enjoy the ride.

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From Pam Hughes, Hagerstown, MD

Posted by admin on January 9th, 2010 in Testimonials

I bought my gaited horse Flash in the fall of 2006 and he was a handful for me a novice rider. He would not stand still for mounting, he did not lunge on a line and my gosh if he saw a squirrel or cat he jumped a yard. Even though he was a mature horse at the age of seven he had not been taught to do any of the smooth gaited walks or rocking horse canters gaited horsed excel at and are bread to do. I even had one trainer I tried tell me, “I should find another horse”.

How lucky I was to have met Kirsten! What a difference Kirsten made in his training, her ability to see outside the box and see all the great things Flash was capable of really encouraged both of us to do better. She picked up on our bond immediately and figured out ways we could better work together as a single unit rather then just a horse and owner. Flash and I had an immediate improvement in communication after only one lesson with Kirsten.

Kirsten is an invaluable resource for any horse and owner, her patience knowledge and kindness would work well for any one with a desire to listen and succeed in any equestrian activity. She has a special way with horses and they respond to her almost immediately. She does not use force or any harsh training methods but rather relies on the unique bond between the horse and rider in a gentle yet disciplined way.

I am happy to say because of the training my horse Flash and I received from Kirsten, we now are winning blue’s in the show ring, doing running walk, canter, trotting, and racking. We ride on trails fearlessly just for the fun of it, and the trainer who said I should pick another horse, well lets just say the last time she saw us in the arena I thing I saw her jaw drop to the ground!

Thank you so much Kirsten,

Pam and Flash

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Testimonial From Jennifer Jones, Shepherdstown, WV

Posted by Kirsten on November 26th, 2009 in Testimonials

First, let me say that Kirsten Lee is magical with horses. I am in my fifties and returning to being with horses and riding after a 30 year break. I met Kirsten through her website and knew that her philosophy about the ways people and horses can be together was very aligned with mine.

I thought that I had some basic skills after having ridden for much of my youth, but quickly learned that I knew nothing about training completely green horses. From the beginning Kirsten grounded our time with the horses around respect, safety, and fun for both me and the horses. My two horses had been worked with for a few 30 minute sessions over a two year period before being introduced to Kirsten. In about an hour Kirsten loaded them both onto the trailer masterfully and, most importantly, without the horses feeling trauma or force.

Over the past few years the key things I have learned, and continue to learn from Kirsten are to give the relationship with your horses the time it requires, be fair and patient by allow horses to work through the things we are asking of them, be present every moment, and set appropriate boundaries in order to be a respected leader. I am still learning from Kirsten every time we have a horse interaction as she makes everything a teachable moment. Kirsten also taught me that every interaction is a learning opportunity for the horse. She brings wisdom, kindness, and an immense amount of knowledge into each training experience. Whether you are looking for natural horsemanship training methods, or riding lessons at any level, I would recommend Kirsten Lee as a master teacher, trainer, and mentor.

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From Jessie Doernberger, Globetrotter

Posted by Kirsten on November 21st, 2008 in Testimonials

In 2007, I left the country for half a year, forcing me to find a barn for my four-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Volly. As I’d owned this horse since he was a fetus, I was outstandingly picky: he needed tons of turnout; he needed a place where he would be cared for properly, and he needed correct, classical riding that would keep him progressing towards being a respectable dressage horse without pushing him too hard. Also, I needed to be able to afford board.
I had no idea where I would find such a place, until I had the idea of tracking down Kirsten. She had taught me from when I was eight until I was eighteen, from when I couldn’t canter until I could comfortably perform in eventing, dressage, and showjumping. I had always respected and enjoyed her methods of teaching both horses and riders, and I knew she was someone I could trust to provide superb care for my horse and to train him excellently.

I managed to find Kirsten, and I shipped Volly from Connecticut to West Virginia so that he could stay there for the half-year I was away. (In the end, he stayed closer to a year). The first time I visited him, I was thrilled: he was soft, responsive, and full of impulsion; he was receiving correct, balanced training; he wasn’t being asked to do more than a four-year-old should. Most importantly to me, Volly was obviously incredibly happy: he was calm, composed, and confident.

I’ve recently had to move Volly so that I can ride him more than occasionally. Because of his time with Kirsten, he is now a pleasure to ride: light, responsive, impulsive, correct, and, most importantly, happy to do his job every day.

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My Favorite West Virginia Horse Trainer

Posted by WebWhisperer on September 20th, 2008 in Farm Updates, Fun Horse Games, General, Testimonials

It never ceases to amaze me the twists and turns life takes when you least expect it. Who would have thought that I would be where I am now? If you had told me two years ago that I’d be living in the West Virginia Panhandle, married to the best natural dressage, natural hunter-jumper, natural horsemanship trainer, and all around incredibly talented wife Kirsten, I’d have laughed at you and gone about my business.

But then, here I am. Now, I’m getting valuable hands-on experience as a natural horseman and learning to ride while learning to teach my horse curiosity, friendliness, and courage. Dolly Madison and I are taking every opportunity to ride in our large grass arena, and are frequent visitors to the pole bending/Saracen head game row where we weave in and out of the poles like champs. That is an amazing feat of horsemanship for a guy with such a late start.

I’m also really blessed to be a part of the turnout board operation. Daily walks amongst the pastures are relaxing and fun, and watching the play of horse politics at feeding time is the source of endless hours of amusement and discussion. I’ve had the opportunity to turn an open field into structured pastures, creating order out of emptiness.

I’ve been gifted with watching new horses arrive unsure and uncertain of themselves and their surroundings, and be completely transformed by the open fields, good grazing, and natural environment we have here in the wv panhandle. And I’ve been blessed by seeing horses riding through farm lanes and trails that have existed since the Civil War, on land granted before the founding of our Country. Our horses graze on the very same grass grazed on by Stuart’s, Jackson’s, and Lee’s horses. How cool is that?

But best of all, is the time I get to spend with Kirsten working with the Horses. They’re a part of our daily lives. So many major operations, the people you speak to are not the person who manages the barn, who stays up all night with the sick horses, or shovels out the barn after the horses. Here, on this farm, we’re it. We’re as close to the animals on a daily basis as possible and horsemanship and horse care is integrated fully into our daily lives. I’ve learned so much in so little time, and she is the best horsemanship teacher I’ve ever met. It’s an honor to board my own horse here, and a privilege to learn from her teaching.

And it’s a privilege to be 15 days older than she is :=) Happy Birthday, my Love!

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