Testimonials Page

I am very impressed with Ivy’s information that is available at her website to help us all with our horses...particularly the gaited horses as I am a new owner of a TWH mare that is step pacing instead of doing a running walk.

From her videos, I could easily see and hear the difference in these gaits and see and understand what I needed to do to help my mare back into a running walk.

I then asked her if I could ask her some more questions about the process beyond what was in the videos by phone conversation...mainly to find out IF I was on the right track as I had never ridden or even seen a gaited horse before. She patiently listened as I explained everything and again she was very helpful with some more ideas to help me help my mare.

Thank you Ivy for your patience and help. Its really nice to find someone that has the same philosophy on working with horses as I have found in the old books I learned from.

Marne ( from West Central WI)

I don't know where to begin. I have a 13 year old Kentucky Mountain Horse which I purchased about 7 years ago. At that time he gaited perfectly. That is not the case any longer. All I could get him to do was pace, I just thought if I kept working through that he would magically start gaiting perfectly once again.

I saw Ivy's You Tube video and knew she was the exact person to help me. First of all, I thought Wyatte and I had a strong bond but Ivy felt different. We worked on creating a different kind of bond and that is helping our relationship already.

Now to the gaiting issue. The problem is that I let him get alway with the pace for long and it was easier for him so that is what he did. Plus I nagged him which didn't help.
Ivy worked with him to get his head down which would help him to stretch out and in turn start to gait again. She encouraged him with her legs, reins, and a gentle touch on his behind. Every time he would start pacing she should start the circle work again to work with his head. She wouldn't let him continue pacing. She was VERY patient with him and eventually he started to gait, two steps at first and then more and more.

It was my turn and she we even more patient with me. She was such a good teacher and I learned so much from her that day. Now Wyatte and I work on the exercises she gave us and I now I can also get him to gait a little and I am sure it will increase. As soon as he paces, back to the circle work he goes.

She had such a gentle but persistant approach. He is such a special horse to me and she made him even more so now. She has a gift that I have not seen before and I am glad she shared it with me and Wyatte.

I can't thank you enough Ivy, you inspire me.

Deb Mazanec
Mazomanie, WI

I recently had the pleasure of working with Ivy late this fall. I had purchased a new horse this year and was really struggling with which direction to go with him. In fact, I was not 100% sure I was going to keep him, in spite of how attached I had become to him. I have always had horses that were really forward and wanted to go. My Mack was just the opposite ...lazy. I was also just getting back in shape from an accident which did not help matters at all. I rode him on the trail lots and he was very willing and safe but not much fun to ride as I felt I was always kicking him. It was just work to ride him and hence... NOT MUCH FUN!.

This fall I asked Ivy to help me with my horse. In just 9 rides I had a new horse!! He responds to my legs and my hands, I am no longer kicking him and he has collection. He feels and looks like a different horse!!! Not only did Ivy help my horse but more importantly she helped me to realize the mistakes I was making with him. I have been to many clinics over the past 10 years and I learned more from Ivy in these nine days. She truly has a gift as a trainer and a teacher. I am so looking forward to having her back early this Spring to work with us. Who knows maybe a year from now we will be doing dressage!!!

Thank you Ivy for giving me a new horse who is fun to ride!

Jackie Curry-Folley
Hi-View Farm

Before meeting Ivy, my Peruvian mare Sonrisa and I were stuck in a rut. We were doing the same routine over and over again, and it was getting a little dull. I had always wanted Sonrisa to be able to perform some tricks, and especially to bow.

Thanks to Ivy's patient instruction, she not only worked with Sonrisa on bowing and tricks - even to stand on a raised platform, but she also taught me how to work with Sonrisa so we could keep progressing in between lessons.

Thanks to Ivy's methods, I am confident by the next time Ivy and Sonrisa are together, Sonrisa will bow like a circus pony. I would highly recommend Ivy to other horseowners - whether they are working on gait or behavior issues or just want to have more fun with their horse.

Thanks, Ivy!

Lori
Illinois

Ivy Schexnayder has been working with our new Missouri Foxtrotter pony getting her balanced and calmer under saddle. I've been impressed at Ivy's training approach; she is gently insistent but patient to get the result, and does not give up until she gets the result she is happy with. Once she has the result, she moves on to the next goal and doesn't get the horse bored or upset by continually repeating the exercise. The positive result shows in the horse's willingness to keep working with her, and their apparent calm demeanor being around her.

The training of the pony Flicka also included some lessons to our 11 year old granddaughter, and I'm equally impressed with Ivy's approach to making communicating with Flicka so understandable for Lauren who is a beginner rider at this time.

Sally Niemann
Prairie Oaks Farm, Blanchardville, Wisconsin

Thank you Ivy for sharing your love & talents with both horses & riders.

As a trainer, Ivy has excellent communication skills and a very approachable and relaxed style. Her passion and positive energy is contagious and refreshing to be around. I have found her strategies for how to relax when feeling "riding apprehension" are effective and helpful. I really enjoy her natural horsemanship techniques which apply to everything from gaited horses to trick training to ground work to riding skills.

Most of all I love watching Ivy's horse training style and accomplishments both in person and on video - Her relationship with horses is inspiring & beautiful!

Lorna
Illinois

I have been intrigued by Ivy's skill at trick training. Although she always is persistent until she gets the desired result, she is remarkably patient and kind until the result is achieved. She also has the teacher's gift of adaptability and is able to change her teaching methods to suit each horse's personality and style of learning.

I definitely have learned to have more patience with my horse and have acquired new ways to deal with the challenges that arise when trick training.

Marsha Kremer
Shullsburg, WI

To submit a testimonial, email me.

Last updated: February 07, 2013