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| Steve out on the trail. |
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In August 2006 my horse came up lame on his right front about a month after removing
his shoes. My vet suggested x-rays; after viewing them he diagnosed my horse as possibly having a torn ligament. He flat out stated that he may never be rideable again. My horse never had any swelling or heat in that leg and I questioned
the prognosis. I decided to call Steve Shipley and consult with him. He was at my farm the next day, and we decided to
put shoes on my horse because he tested sore on his sole for a stone bruise. Within a few days I had a sound horse and shortly
thereafter I was ridding him on the trails at Van Buren. When it comes to my horse’s feet, I will only
use Steve. When I have an emergency I know I can count on him to try to fit me in the
next day. I also called on him to install a center divider in my horse
trailer. Within two days, I had a completely removable divider and at a reasonable price.
Jill
B.
McComb,
OH
For a
reference contact:
jillandnate@thewavz.com
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| Steve on Dixie. |
I sent a four year old
Quarter horse to Steve to handle some issues that needed addressing. Steve had Dixie for a month and she came back a happier
horse because she now knows that it is okay to walk through mud and water. She now knows it is not necessary to
take flying leaps. Logs were another object to conquer. It is pleasant to have a horse that now steps across logs
on the trail at a walk, rather than sailing through the air not being sure how the landing was going to end. The
slow movement of going up and down hills was included in the training that Steve gave Dixie. Dixie returned a well-mannered
horse thanks to Steve. I highly recommend Steve for horse training.
Thanks for a Job Well Done.
Clara P.
Findlay, OH
_____________________________________________________________ I can’t stop singing the praises of Steve. He has been absolutely
wonderful with my horses. I had a new mare that turned out to be handful
to trim. I had only had her trimmed once previously and she was not a problem. I think by the second time she figured out
what was going on. She was very unruly and tried every trick in the book. My
previous farrier would have walked away from her after five minutes if she had acted like that. Steve worked with her for
over an hour (and most of it was just her one last foot). He was wonderful with
her, very patient, very kind, didn’t force anything. He is extremely
knowledgeable and out-thinks a horse rather than out-muscles it. He did
not let her win, nor did he let her get to him.
It’s not just with a problem mare that Steve is patient; in general he takes his time, he is not just rushing through the job it get it done, it is very important
to him that angles are correct and feet are even. He really knows what he is talking about and truly understands these animals. He is always on-time, courteous, and thorough when it comes to appointments and I’m
very pleased to have found him. He is the only person I trust with my horse’s
feet and after seeing how he works with my animals if they needed training I would send them to him in a heartbeat.
Marisa G.
McComb, OH
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| Steve on trails with Ladd |
Steve is a natural horseman. My horse sensed it right away just
minutes after meeting Steve, who calmed him down just by a touch, in a tense situation.
I have a young Arabian and due to an accident I was unable to continue his trail training. I didn't want your run-of-the-mill
"training facility" where the owner’s helpers ride once a week. I needed
my horse, Ladd, to get exposed to new situations and have hands on experience on trails and horse camping life. There are some things you just can't teach yourself and Steve's methods of having a horse experience a
variety of situations, such as trailer loading in different types of trailers, mud, tarps, tents, wildlife, ATV's etc., stick
with a horse throughout his/her life. Flying lead changes will get you nowhere
if your horse is going to spook at the flag at that end of the arena.
Ladd is much more adjusted and adapts easier to different situations than he did before, because Steve introduced
him to so many different experiences. I found Steve at a time that I really needed
him, and Ladd and I benefited from Steve’s training immensely. Ladd is
still the same sweet and loving horse, just with a lot more miles and experience under his girth. I would, will and do recommend Steve to every horse person - even if they simply have a "show" horse that
needs to learn about trails and become more desensitized and easier to handle, and of course for any age horse that isn't
even started.
Steve has an innate sense of how to relate to each horse and that is what helps these "problem horses" and/or
“unbroken horses” relate to him and allows those horses to put complete trust in Steve. His methods are gentle and come from years of experience and from “listening” to the horses. He puts in the time and has miles of patience - both of which are appreciated by horses
and owners alike.
Holly S.
Columbus, OH
For a reference contact:
holly_justine@yahoo.com
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| Steve on Fancy. |
In September of 2005, I asked Steve to break
and train my young Arab mare, Fancy. She had never had any training of any kind, nor had she worn a saddle. Steve took his
time with her and gently introduced her to saddle and bridle. After getting her used to being ridden, Steve took her
on trails to futher her education and give her trail experience. I am so impressed with the job Steve did with
my young mare. She is one of the best trail horses I've ever owned. Steve taught her well and now she is like
a billy goat on hills. And she never refuses to go anywhere or through any type of difficult terrain. Steve excels at turning
out good trail horses.
Karen O.
Bradner, OH
For a reference contact:
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| Steve on Vakota |
My horse Vakota was a real handful!!
Steve had him for two months and what a difference it has made in him. I had him to two other trainers but was still
quiet hesitant about getting on him. I'm not that way now! I do competitive and endurance riding and am looking
forward to a great season next year!! I am very confident the Vakota has the confidence and ability to do what I need
of him.
Happy Trails, Jo
D. Risingsun, OH
For
a reference contact:
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| Steve on Sarah |
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| Steve on Peyton |
I would like to tell you
about my horses and how Steve trained them. I have an Arab mare, that at 7 years old, had never been ridden. Steve was over
trimming my horse’s feet and he said that he could train her. He took her
home in a trailer, and within 2 days had a saddle on her and was riding her. Amazing. Just when you think you have a useless
horse. Steve made her a great horse. Another mare, a paint mare, 11 years old, never necked-reined before. She does now. He
is a do it all guy. He takes such good care of my horses and never raises his voice. He is always so calm around them. Trust
me, these horses give him as a rough of a time as they can. I trust Steve for all my equine needs and would recommend him
highly.
Nan C.
Risingsun, Ohio.
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I took a chance
on Steve to help me with my young thoroughbred/appy and I
am VERY pleased. I did not want to ride Bailey at home, let
alone trail. He was a
bundle of nerves, scared of his own shadow. When you took him 50 feet away from the
barn
it was like riding a statue, every muscle tight ready to blow. I did not want
to sell him as I had him since the day
he was born, and Steve was our last chance.
Steve did an excellent job in working with Bailey. I had him out on trail
and he now
has confidence and is responsive to me. We went through puddles, which he would not
do before, came across
deer without issues,he lead and followed, was not "buddy"
sour, and kept his calm on a very windy day. I would
refer anyone who rides trail
and has any issue that needs addressing with their horse to let Steve work with
them.
Thank you Steve for the AWSOME job you did with my boy!
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