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We are working on the blog, but here are some customer testimonials:

My sweet husband came over and took a few photos of Christina and I at the Barb Apple clinic this weekend.  Rae was a superstar.  By Sunday afternoon we were ready to go on a 2 hour trail ride.  Barb and I were teary eyed when we returned from our successful ride.  Words cannot adequately express my appreciation for Barb's infinite patience, guidance and most importantly her belief in Rae and I.  ...this weekend meant more to me than anyone can imagine

 

-Jeanie, WA

 


Just wanted to let you know that you helped so very much on Monday working with my horse. She got some body work and responded with a big yawn and flexed her back upward.  I adjusted my saddle  wider, rode with longer stirrups and reins and she did a lovely, loose jog around the arena.  No tight neck or back.  She came back to the barn smiling.  What a change! Thanks so much!

- Wendy, WA

For the past six years I have been the fortunate recipient of Barb Apple’s gifted teaching abilities by participating and auditing her diversified and life-changing clinics. I really believed that this was truly the best way I could educate myself as well as my horse. My horses as well as myself thrived with her methods of teaching; not any one way in particular, but rather her many years of experience with thousands and thousands of hours with horses in the saddle as well as on the ground! But then, because of her uncanny ability to see what is needed to maximize our learning, Barb started offering her Intensive Series. This consistent learning “package” literally is proof that “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”.  Truly the reasons for Barb’s first season of Intensives  gigantic success are being able to work on specific areas with your horse with a lot more consistency, and then going home and practicing and “processing” what you and your horse have learned. When you come back for the next week-end, you reinforce what you have previous learned as well as share with all the others on their problems as well as accomplishments!  This cohesiveness with learning, practicing, processing and experiencing all of this with others is much more powerful than I had ever expected.
Because all of the participants have varied backgrounds(with horses and with life!) the different input  they all have also plays a  part of the success of Barb’s Intensives. (not to mention all the incredible food and hottub-soaking!)
By far Barb’s Intensive is the best gift I have given myself and my horse! I can’t wait for next year as I am already signed up! 

Maggie, Orcas Island, WA


  
"My journey helped me to rediscover the poetry and beauty that led me to love horses. Barb helped me to become excited again about the spirit and not worry so much about the mechanics. The mechanics will come, the spirit is what makes it sing."

Lani, Idaho Falls, ID



If you haven’t heard of Barb Apple, she’s a well respected trainer who does some amazing work.

Helen, Poulsbo,WA



I have attended several clinics in recent years, given by many of the "celebrity" clinicians, and you were better than all of them…  Your presentation is professional, (yet informal & fun), instructive, and personal; (none of the other clinicians came close to giving the individual attention that you gave, to each one of the participants), and I know, from talking to the other attendees, that it was much appreciated.  You refused to coddle or pamper anyone, (which would have been counter productive to their progress), yet you always praised them, for a good effort, or a good question, etc.  You are great!  And, it's very evident, that you have a genuine interest in helping those that attend, to attain a higher skill, communication, and bonding level with their equine partners.   

Ed, Arlington, WA



I would be very interested to see Barb Apple at a future Northwest Horse Fair.  She has a style and calming presence that beginning horsemen/women can easily identify with and Advanced horsemen/women can profit from. She certainly has a lot to offer the public with years of experience to back her up. 
Barb Apple is a master at communication, including Equines and Humans alike.

Linda, Woodburn, OR



You have such a wonderful way of bringing each person forward from where they are to some place new with confidence and being able to intergrate different levels so each person feels they made huge strides (and do) thank you again for what you have brought and will continue to bring to the horses and people you touch. You have so touched me, heart and soul and I will forever be greatful for you. 

Nancy
 
 
One of the things we love, you do what makes sense for the horse and the person, it does not have to be a “certain way”. 

 
Lani,   Idaho
 
The day we spent with you was completely amazing.
 
You were willing to join us where we were in our process - creatively and with our horsemanship 
 
You could see what we needed to learn
 
You were so very generous
 
Heartfelt thanks 
 

JoAnna Mendl Shaw
The Equus Projects
Website: 
http://dancingwithhorses.org


I was thrilled with Barb Apples' knowledge and clarity; it reminded me of the "basics" with horses....how they talk and we respond. 

Lynn, WA

 
 
I think of you often and how grateful I am that you helped me unlock my horse's mentality....thanks again, and hope to see you soon.

Val, WA

 

"I study natural horsemanship with Barb. She is a highly qualified, phenomenal teacher. She has a gift for understanding what a person/ horse needs to learn and has a natural knack for explaining clearly how to go about accomplishing that learning. Barb is a genuinely friendly person who can put a student at ease, no matter what their level of horsemanship may be. Whether a person wants to learn more about playing on the ground or on developing better riding skills, Barb delivers!!!" 

Bobbie, WA

 
I had such a wonderful at your ranch - it is an amazing place.  Thank you so very much for opening up your home to us.  This was a life changing experience for me.  It was the first time in my memory that I was so relaxed and just in tune with what was happening at that moment.  I loved the lessons and have many discoveries.  I can't wait to come again.

Thanks again!
Melissa

 

Hi Barb!
Just wanted to say thanks again for a great weekend at the beach.  Duff has been a very good boy since that weekend.  My husband came up to me today and asked me what I did to him.  He is able to pet him with no issue.  He hasn't tried to bite either of us!  I knew that backing him up would help the problem but I did not know to the extent that it has.  Thank you for a great lesson!  I hope to see you again soon.

Thanks,
Teresa and Duff

 

Hi Barb,
Just wanted to thank you again for such a fantastic experience!  I learned so much; made many discoveries about myself and am so happy about the change in my relationship with Salsa.  She is so much calmer now that I understand my leadership position.  When working with her under saddle in your riding clinic, when I could find my position and ride relaxed and softly ask her and she responded so easily, it brought me close to tears.  As you said, this is the real Salsa.  I am learning to be worthy of her; she's such a wonderful horse.  You are a superb teacher with such a gift for sharing your knowledge and insights.  Salsa is also grateful and sends a huge thank you!!

Also, thank you for your wonderful hospitality and accommodations.  A big thank you for all the extra attention you gave us outside of the regular lessons; I so appreciated it -- Salsa walking through the water was a huge achievement!

 I look forward to seeing and working with you again.  
Take care,  Vicki