Rebel Heart Ranch: Straight

from the Horse’s Mouth

(March)

Feature of the Month

Alissa started riding at the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center in the Fall of 2007. Alissa was born in 1997 with developmental delay, low muscle tone, and significant limited intellectual capacity. Riding horses provided her with the funnest physical therapy you can imagine. The kind where you don't even think you are working your muscles. Riding a horse is a 3-dimensional experience which can't be duplicated in the physical therapy office. The horse provides a forward and back movement, side to side, and up and down. Alissa started riding independently with Wendy in 2013 and has grown tremendously in her confidence, self-esteem, balance and has an amazing relationship with the best horse ever - Lincoln! Alissa and Lincoln are a great team. Lincoln has taken such great care of Alissa over the last 6 years. Alissa and Lincoln have participated in the Western Buckle Series at Latigo. She has 3 massive buckles as awards. In 2014 she was Showmanship Champion. 2015 Western Pleasure 3rd Place. 2016 Western Series Overall 3rd Place.

Alissa currently is working on the canter and while she is more comfortable in the smaller arena she is venturing out into the bigger arena. She has learned so much from Wendy and knows when Lincoln is giving her a lazy attitude, when Lincoln is being naughty and when Lincoln is being extra good! She doesn't hold back if Lincoln needs an attitude adjustment and she will give Lincoln his favorite treat when they have had a great session. Wendy has never treated Alissa different than her other riders and Wendy knows how to get Alissa re-directed if she is in a funk. They have so much fun together and Wendy is a tremendous role model for Alissa and their relationship has provided Alissa with "proper" interaction techniques. We always leave the riding session feeling positive, relaxed, happier and wanting more! Wendy and her staff, barn helpers, horses, dogs, cats, chickens... everyone is great!! We are blessed! Thank you!

Meet Carrie Gunderman!

This is Carrie Gunderman, our fairer. He is the backbone of Ducy Horse Training. Without him we wouldn’t have sound horses to ride. He comes to put shoes on the horses, trim their hooves, and when they are lame, make them feel better. Thanks so much for always taking care of the horses. Next time you see him say thank him for doing such a great job.

Little Molly

This is Molly. She is a yearling here at Ducy Horse Training. Molly just came to us for help training. She is not old enough yet to be ridden but is being taught how to behave properly on the ground. Molly is quite the cutie and just a ball of fluff, but she has that spark of fire in her eyes. Being a little yearling she is full of curiosity and looks to explore everything new. She also has a little attitude, I think that is what makes her so cute. She is very sweet too and loves attention. Make sure to give Molly some love the next time you see her.