CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
From Ronna...
I attended the clinic on Saturday May 14,2016 and could not have enjoyed it more. I have some confidence issues after an accident several years ago and decided that this clinic might help. I had a horse that I purchased for someone else and when that didn't work out, I decided to keep him. He is a totally different type horse than the mare I usually ride and when I got him, he was very spooky. I signed up for the clinic with the intention of taking him but when the day came I was terrified and had a continuous inner struggle to keep from loading my mare instead. I let both Scott and Jim know my situation and they were extremely encouraging and helpful even helping with tack adjustments. As the day progressed and I found my horse performing the task at hand, I began to relax and by lunch time, I was even able to "breathe" . From the moment Scott and Jim began to speak, their passion for the Lord and the horses was evident. They gave insight into horses' behavior and wanted participants to understand why horses act as they do. By the end of this clinic, I was able ride my horse through the flames with no hesitation and even in the lead! Thanks so much for the wonderful experience.
I attended the clinic on Saturday May 14,2016 and could not have enjoyed it more. I have some confidence issues after an accident several years ago and decided that this clinic might help. I had a horse that I purchased for someone else and when that didn't work out, I decided to keep him. He is a totally different type horse than the mare I usually ride and when I got him, he was very spooky. I signed up for the clinic with the intention of taking him but when the day came I was terrified and had a continuous inner struggle to keep from loading my mare instead. I let both Scott and Jim know my situation and they were extremely encouraging and helpful even helping with tack adjustments. As the day progressed and I found my horse performing the task at hand, I began to relax and by lunch time, I was even able to "breathe" . From the moment Scott and Jim began to speak, their passion for the Lord and the horses was evident. They gave insight into horses' behavior and wanted participants to understand why horses act as they do. By the end of this clinic, I was able ride my horse through the flames with no hesitation and even in the lead! Thanks so much for the wonderful experience.
From Micaela…
I spent my childhood summers riding at my grandparent’s farm in North Dakota. I rode horses all my life and never really knew what fear was. At 14 years old, I used my savings to purchase my first horse in Texas – later labeled as the black-mare-from-hell after her drugs wore off from the previous owner. My family was determined to work with her, but after 1 ½ years I realized she had removed all confidence from me. In March 2014, my family purchased another horse, Sassafras, and I wanted to move slowly. My Mom had other ideas… she signed me up for a 4Shepherds Horsemanship clinic where the rider/horse go over fire! Really Mom… I was just riding a horse from hell and now you want me to walk OVER fire with my new horse?!?! The last one bucked me off for no reason… I’m thinking fire and all those obstacles are a pretty good reason to get tossed off! I arrived for my first clinic with 4Shepherds and I tried to bring a little confidence with me, but I think I threw it all up next to the trailer with my breakfast. I was nervous and looked around and didn’t see any teenagers. I thought… great… a bunch of people who will really judge me… but EVERYONE was so nice and the 4Shepherds’ instructors were GREAT! I cringed getting into the pickup to attend my first clinic with them, but by the end of the day I was signing up for their very next clinic! Sassafras exceeded my expectations during the entire clinic (and my parents were delighted to see me smiling in the saddle again!). I took a literal huge leap of faith with my horse that day – she didn’t just walk over the tires… she jumped them! One of the instructors even caught my flying event in a photo. The fire line was a challenge, but this astonishing little mare was unstoppable. It is great to see all the photos from the clinics posted. These photos are true treasures to me and my family. The 4Shepherds’ clinic was an excellent start for us! My mare and I have been together now five months and I love her more every day. I have been running speed events with her and getting better times at every event I attend. The clinics with the 4Shepherds’ instructors helped me get back on track to my ol’ self: a strong, confident rider. I have attended three clinics already in 2014 with 4Shepherds Horsemanship and I’m sure I will be attending more 4Shepherds’ clinics with our horses. If you are wondering about that black mare, yes, I still have her. And call me crazy, but she is due next spring and I plan to bring this baby to a 4Shepherds clinic.
Blessed to be part of the 4Shepherds Horsemanship Family!
Micaela & Sassafras
I spent my childhood summers riding at my grandparent’s farm in North Dakota. I rode horses all my life and never really knew what fear was. At 14 years old, I used my savings to purchase my first horse in Texas – later labeled as the black-mare-from-hell after her drugs wore off from the previous owner. My family was determined to work with her, but after 1 ½ years I realized she had removed all confidence from me. In March 2014, my family purchased another horse, Sassafras, and I wanted to move slowly. My Mom had other ideas… she signed me up for a 4Shepherds Horsemanship clinic where the rider/horse go over fire! Really Mom… I was just riding a horse from hell and now you want me to walk OVER fire with my new horse?!?! The last one bucked me off for no reason… I’m thinking fire and all those obstacles are a pretty good reason to get tossed off! I arrived for my first clinic with 4Shepherds and I tried to bring a little confidence with me, but I think I threw it all up next to the trailer with my breakfast. I was nervous and looked around and didn’t see any teenagers. I thought… great… a bunch of people who will really judge me… but EVERYONE was so nice and the 4Shepherds’ instructors were GREAT! I cringed getting into the pickup to attend my first clinic with them, but by the end of the day I was signing up for their very next clinic! Sassafras exceeded my expectations during the entire clinic (and my parents were delighted to see me smiling in the saddle again!). I took a literal huge leap of faith with my horse that day – she didn’t just walk over the tires… she jumped them! One of the instructors even caught my flying event in a photo. The fire line was a challenge, but this astonishing little mare was unstoppable. It is great to see all the photos from the clinics posted. These photos are true treasures to me and my family. The 4Shepherds’ clinic was an excellent start for us! My mare and I have been together now five months and I love her more every day. I have been running speed events with her and getting better times at every event I attend. The clinics with the 4Shepherds’ instructors helped me get back on track to my ol’ self: a strong, confident rider. I have attended three clinics already in 2014 with 4Shepherds Horsemanship and I’m sure I will be attending more 4Shepherds’ clinics with our horses. If you are wondering about that black mare, yes, I still have her. And call me crazy, but she is due next spring and I plan to bring this baby to a 4Shepherds clinic.
Blessed to be part of the 4Shepherds Horsemanship Family!
Micaela & Sassafras
From Marty,
I have attended several horse and rider training courses. I can say without hesitation that 4Shepherds Horsemanship clinics have been the most fun and the most beneficial. They have a great way with horses AND riders. This course is great for newbies and experienced riders. See you at the next clinic!
I have attended several horse and rider training courses. I can say without hesitation that 4Shepherds Horsemanship clinics have been the most fun and the most beneficial. They have a great way with horses AND riders. This course is great for newbies and experienced riders. See you at the next clinic!
From Glee,
I have attended 3, 4Shepherds Horsemanship clinics, with 3 different horses, each time at the Ranch House Cowboy Church in Maypearl, TX. Jim and Scott run a well organized, fun clinic that promotes trust, safety and equine understanding. I have thoroughly enjoyed each clinic (2 under saddle and 1 ground work) and so have my horses! Horses and riders are put in a situation to win and I always leave the clinics with key take-away learnings and a greater bond between me and my horse. By far, my favorite part of the clinic is the fire crossing! It's a major team-effort accomplishment and WOW what a rush! We will definitely continue to attend clinics and would encourage other horse enthusiasts of any discipline to attend as well!
Always a pleasure and look forward to seeing you again,Glee Hastings
http://gleehastingshaflingers.webs.com/
I have attended 3, 4Shepherds Horsemanship clinics, with 3 different horses, each time at the Ranch House Cowboy Church in Maypearl, TX. Jim and Scott run a well organized, fun clinic that promotes trust, safety and equine understanding. I have thoroughly enjoyed each clinic (2 under saddle and 1 ground work) and so have my horses! Horses and riders are put in a situation to win and I always leave the clinics with key take-away learnings and a greater bond between me and my horse. By far, my favorite part of the clinic is the fire crossing! It's a major team-effort accomplishment and WOW what a rush! We will definitely continue to attend clinics and would encourage other horse enthusiasts of any discipline to attend as well!
Always a pleasure and look forward to seeing you again,Glee Hastings
http://gleehastingshaflingers.webs.com/
From Irene,
My daughter and I attended 4 Shepherds Desensitization Clinic in Bryan earlier this year and it was our first clinic ever to participate in. We had so much fun! There was a great group of riders, ages from around 11 to in their 60's, men and women, and all levels of experience. My horse really likes to stay with his pasture buddy, but we were so busy doing things, that he got over that real quick. We got to ride next to many different riders, so he got used to riding next to a lot of horses. The clinic leaders were so helpful giving directions. (They're good story tellers too!) They were right there at the various obstacles giving encouragement and urging a horse on if it wanted to hesitate. I think my favorite part was at the very end, when we got to ride over a line of fire. I've told many of my riding friends that we got to do that and they didn't believe me until I showed them my pictures. Then they tell me, "I want to do that!" My daughter and I definitely want to do that again too!
I really appreciated it that they post pictures on their facebook page so you can download them. They got pictures of everybody participating in the clinic, so nobody had to worry about carrying a camera around and getting pictures for themselves.
Y'all have set a high bar for any other clinics I sign up for.
Irene P.
My daughter and I attended 4 Shepherds Desensitization Clinic in Bryan earlier this year and it was our first clinic ever to participate in. We had so much fun! There was a great group of riders, ages from around 11 to in their 60's, men and women, and all levels of experience. My horse really likes to stay with his pasture buddy, but we were so busy doing things, that he got over that real quick. We got to ride next to many different riders, so he got used to riding next to a lot of horses. The clinic leaders were so helpful giving directions. (They're good story tellers too!) They were right there at the various obstacles giving encouragement and urging a horse on if it wanted to hesitate. I think my favorite part was at the very end, when we got to ride over a line of fire. I've told many of my riding friends that we got to do that and they didn't believe me until I showed them my pictures. Then they tell me, "I want to do that!" My daughter and I definitely want to do that again too!
I really appreciated it that they post pictures on their facebook page so you can download them. They got pictures of everybody participating in the clinic, so nobody had to worry about carrying a camera around and getting pictures for themselves.
Y'all have set a high bar for any other clinics I sign up for.
Irene P.
From Laura,
Honestly, I lost count at the number of clinics I have done with 4 Shepherds - Scott and Jim. I know I usually do 2 or 3 clinics a year. In the clinics, I have ridden my horse, Charlie, that will do anything but we still learned a lot! This year I have a new mount Doc and he has been to two clinics (looking forward to my 3rd one in the fall!) With Doc, I am building my confidence riding with a new mount. I am learning how to become one with my horse. We are a team and together with the "herd", we can do anything.
I have ridden with other trainers in the past and my experience was not always a positive one.
Scott and Jim have such a different approach in their training. They encourage you how to do things properly but they never talk down to you. They make it fun and light hearted. When learning how to improve your riding skills, teaching and being positive is such a better approach. There is never a negative atmosphere at any clinic and I have only heard positive feedback from the fellow riders.
I encourage everyone I know to try a clinic. I truely believe everyone can learn something new and feel good at what they accomplished.
Scott and Jim have truely been a blessing in my life and they have really helped me and my horse improve at all different levels.
Laura
Honestly, I lost count at the number of clinics I have done with 4 Shepherds - Scott and Jim. I know I usually do 2 or 3 clinics a year. In the clinics, I have ridden my horse, Charlie, that will do anything but we still learned a lot! This year I have a new mount Doc and he has been to two clinics (looking forward to my 3rd one in the fall!) With Doc, I am building my confidence riding with a new mount. I am learning how to become one with my horse. We are a team and together with the "herd", we can do anything.
I have ridden with other trainers in the past and my experience was not always a positive one.
Scott and Jim have such a different approach in their training. They encourage you how to do things properly but they never talk down to you. They make it fun and light hearted. When learning how to improve your riding skills, teaching and being positive is such a better approach. There is never a negative atmosphere at any clinic and I have only heard positive feedback from the fellow riders.
I encourage everyone I know to try a clinic. I truely believe everyone can learn something new and feel good at what they accomplished.
Scott and Jim have truely been a blessing in my life and they have really helped me and my horse improve at all different levels.
Laura
From Maureen,
Greg and I went to the Cowtown Confidence Clinic yesterday and these guys were GREAT! My Hollie Pearl did wonderful. Greg and Daisey did good too. I loved every minute of it. Scott and Jim are knowledgeable, entertaining, very accommodating and gracious hosts who go the extra mile to help you with your horse. They even personally help you get on your horse if you need it (which I do now). I really would attend one of their clinics again and will tell everyone I know to sign up! Scott and Jim, you put on a fun clinic! Looking forward to the pictures!
Maureen and Greg
Greg and I went to the Cowtown Confidence Clinic yesterday and these guys were GREAT! My Hollie Pearl did wonderful. Greg and Daisey did good too. I loved every minute of it. Scott and Jim are knowledgeable, entertaining, very accommodating and gracious hosts who go the extra mile to help you with your horse. They even personally help you get on your horse if you need it (which I do now). I really would attend one of their clinics again and will tell everyone I know to sign up! Scott and Jim, you put on a fun clinic! Looking forward to the pictures!
Maureen and Greg