Letter of Recommendation
Horse Training - Bruce Christie
I would so like to share my experience to anyone considering Bruce as a potential trainer for their horse(s). I would recommend Bruce in a heartbeat but I will let the training experience speak for itself.
This past winter I had purchased a 5 year old gelding (Cash) that had a good foundation but needed "miles". Within a couple months it became apparent with my riding style and his foundation the more miles I was putting on him the more uncertain he and I were becoming. I knew I needed to get his body moving in the right direction if he was going to be the horse he has the potential to be. I started looking for a trainer who would help my gelding regain trust in his rider and himself. I contacted Bruce after reading an advertisement for training and a reference letter this past spring. The letter spoke of Bruce's "quiet presence around horses that instills trust, confidence and willingness in a horse". this was exactly what showed thru when I spoke with and met Bruce.
Bruce took my gelding for one month and brought him along wonderfully in that short amount of time. The horse I dropped off was easy going but uncertain and quietly worried and either hurried through or froze when he faced a new circumstance and he was also starting to question me. He was moving toward challenging my leadership in these circumstances. I walked Bruce through all of "things" I would like to see come along with the gelding (in a word bombproof), from standing still when getting on, a postive attitude around other horses and willingness and mindfulness when working cattle. In watching Bruce working, I could see that his approach is to watch and listen to where your animal is truly starting from, setting up for and building on successes, and working your horse and allowing your horse to work thru a wide range of experience and challenges with quiet confident support and direction. I knew my horse was going to the right place from the very beginning.
The horse I brought home is an easy going, willing, lets give it a go gelding that is confortable in his own skin. Every little "thing" that I had asked to be inproved was. He stands nice for me to get on, he gladly will sort and push cattle as asked and is mindful of the skill level of his rider. As well he is willing to take the lead, ride beside or follow behind in any of the many trail rides I have taken him on, even though he prefers to walk out. This had made it easy for me to trust this gelding in our journeys and rides. Bruce has taught my gelding to trust his rider and brought out a willingness too try new things while still thinking his way through. Most importantly though, Bruce has taught him to be a true partner.
Many of my riding friends, as well as my riding instructor, have expressed genuine relief as they were concerned with the direction my riding partnership was going this spring. They are so pleased to see how well we are working together now. I have waited to write this letter to see if any of our old issues would reappear and can gladly say that our summer continues to be one wondreful experience after another. I have come though a 5 year effort of horses, clincs, lessons and trainers to find my "lifer" horse and thanks to Bruce's ability, approach and time with my gelding that dream is now a reality.
Ginger and Cash.
Horse Training - Bruce Christie
I would so like to share my experience to anyone considering Bruce as a potential trainer for their horse(s). I would recommend Bruce in a heartbeat but I will let the training experience speak for itself.
This past winter I had purchased a 5 year old gelding (Cash) that had a good foundation but needed "miles". Within a couple months it became apparent with my riding style and his foundation the more miles I was putting on him the more uncertain he and I were becoming. I knew I needed to get his body moving in the right direction if he was going to be the horse he has the potential to be. I started looking for a trainer who would help my gelding regain trust in his rider and himself. I contacted Bruce after reading an advertisement for training and a reference letter this past spring. The letter spoke of Bruce's "quiet presence around horses that instills trust, confidence and willingness in a horse". this was exactly what showed thru when I spoke with and met Bruce.
Bruce took my gelding for one month and brought him along wonderfully in that short amount of time. The horse I dropped off was easy going but uncertain and quietly worried and either hurried through or froze when he faced a new circumstance and he was also starting to question me. He was moving toward challenging my leadership in these circumstances. I walked Bruce through all of "things" I would like to see come along with the gelding (in a word bombproof), from standing still when getting on, a postive attitude around other horses and willingness and mindfulness when working cattle. In watching Bruce working, I could see that his approach is to watch and listen to where your animal is truly starting from, setting up for and building on successes, and working your horse and allowing your horse to work thru a wide range of experience and challenges with quiet confident support and direction. I knew my horse was going to the right place from the very beginning.
The horse I brought home is an easy going, willing, lets give it a go gelding that is confortable in his own skin. Every little "thing" that I had asked to be inproved was. He stands nice for me to get on, he gladly will sort and push cattle as asked and is mindful of the skill level of his rider. As well he is willing to take the lead, ride beside or follow behind in any of the many trail rides I have taken him on, even though he prefers to walk out. This had made it easy for me to trust this gelding in our journeys and rides. Bruce has taught my gelding to trust his rider and brought out a willingness too try new things while still thinking his way through. Most importantly though, Bruce has taught him to be a true partner.
Many of my riding friends, as well as my riding instructor, have expressed genuine relief as they were concerned with the direction my riding partnership was going this spring. They are so pleased to see how well we are working together now. I have waited to write this letter to see if any of our old issues would reappear and can gladly say that our summer continues to be one wondreful experience after another. I have come though a 5 year effort of horses, clincs, lessons and trainers to find my "lifer" horse and thanks to Bruce's ability, approach and time with my gelding that dream is now a reality.
Ginger and Cash.
