Mel Werner Horse Training |

Testamonials

Training & Riding Lessons:

"As new horse owners (in our 40's) our experience was a positive one

because Mel helped us choose our horses, train our horses (and us!)

And helps us to continue to enjoy our horses." by: Steve and Ellen Ness

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

A Very Special Thanks to Melissa!!

"We are a small Arabian Horse Breeding Facility in Mondovi, Wisconsin,

where we had this beautiful young black Arabian Stallion by the name of

Basksok Bay-Abi. He was a young 3 year old when after 40 years of

experience riding, showing breeding horses, I was at a total loss at what

to do with this horse. He was young, full of energy and a Stallion to boot!

I was afraid to go in the stall with him as he was very rude and cocky! I met

Mel and she came to the farm to visit and see Soks! I thought she would run

the other way and say "no way will I train this crazy horse!" But, she took

on this young energic stallion with a smile!! Oh Boy!

Well, I hauled the horse up to Lake Wissota where she was training out

of a barn up there and low and behold in a short time frame we wound up

with a beautiful, well manered terrific show horse!! A BIG Thanks to

Melissa as she worked a miracle for us!!" See the pictures below!! -

by: Susan and Michael Carey - Albany Farm - Mondovi, Wisconsin

Mary Beth

Skeeter & Mel

Testamonial

I’ve ridden horses for over 30 years but had never had actual

lessons.

My husband gave me the greatest gift the Christmas of 2005-

Lessons with Mel.

I started showing after the age of 40 to be with my daughter who

enjoys 4 H and open shows. I realized that I needed some

help with basic balance and partnering with my horse.

Mel was able to help us to work together as a team and even place

in some walk-trot events.

The winter of 2006 I brought my 2 year old POA gelding to

Mel to get started under saddle. What a difference she made.

He had very few ground manners and now I am actually

taking English lessons on him as a 3 year old. Mel’s approach

to training has established a great foundation for a solid mount.

Thanks Mel

Mary Beth

News Flash!! Update on Basksok Bay-Abi from the Current Owners!!

Hi Sue,

We have Soks at our farm in Fenton, Michigan. It's about 1 hour north of Detroit, 1 hour east of Lansing. We bought him from Terry Saxton of Plymouth, Michigan. Mandi had a bad experience with a thoroughbred mare and we were looking for a horse for her. We found Soks and she was too scared to canter him. I bought him anyways after we saw him move and watched him with Terry's daughters. He had only been ridden once the previous year. He is definitely Mandi's horse. They are a perfect match. He is fine when I ride him, but he lights up with her. He has an incredible work ethic and loves to show. We can tell that someone spent a lot of time with him when he was younger. I was thrilled to see him on Melissa's website. You both did a fabulous job with him and we feel very lucky to have him. He will always have a home with us.

Mandi showed him up until this summer. She is planning on going away to school in the fall and trying to figure out a way to take him with her:) Soks was showing 1st level and schooling 2nd. He could definitely go further, but we switched trainers and he missed most of one summer because he developed a sterile abscess from one of his immunizations in his pectoral muscle and was dead lame from it. They came back in the fall and scored a 77 on their first test that year. As you probably know, dressage is dominated by the big warmbloods. Soks has been very competitive against them, and most of the judges really like him (as long as they don't have that "anti-Arab" attitude!). He has a wall full of ribbons to show for it.

Soks is an artist and loves to draw in the dirt with Mandi's crop. He remains very playful and loves to run and play with my thoroughbred. For a while my thoroughbred would hide behind him in the pasture when I was trying to catch him. Soks would trap him for me so I could grab him. Mandi rode him on the high school equestrian team. He didn't understand the purpose of the trail class. Why go over the bridge when all you have to do is go around it?? She would ride up to the mail box and he thought HE was supposed to open it and take the letter out. It was so funny. He has issues with mud puddles, but will reluctantly go through them for Mandi. . .he didn't score very well in that class. But Soks is always willing to pony the little kids. He turns into Mr. Quarterhorse. He loves Christmas because that's when he gets lots of candy canes.

Kim English

Thank you Mel

A huge thank you to Mel for the great work she has done and is still continuing to do for my horse and me. I have a 12 year old paint gelding that has never wanted to take a right lead. Out of 10 tries we maybe picked it up 1 or 2 times. If you were able to get him into that right lead he would be extremely unbalanced and could only go fast. We also had some collection issues that needed work to.
Since Mel started working with "Jeb" he is a changed horse and what a pleasure to ride! In less than a month's time she had him taking the right lead 9 out of 10 times at a slow controlled lope.
Just so you know, "Jeb" had been at another trainer when he was 4 and never did take the right lead. I was told by that trainer that since you don't show you really don't need to use that lead! So he was only trained on the "easy" side. You won't find Mel running from a challenge! She takes pride in her work and would never send home an incomplete job.
Jeb, continues to improve, and now Mel is working with me to make sure I ride him the way she has trained him. She is a firm believer that it is a package deal and wants no one to go home without all the right tools. Mel can train you and your horse and she will make sure that you take with you the knowledge to continue the process on your own.
Again, Thanks Melissa for helping to make my horse and myself better and happier!
Pam Melby & Jeb

“Melissa is very knowledgeable and patient"

“Melissa is very knowledgeable and patient - and an encouraging instructor. She observes her students and gives constructive feedback in a way that students can understand. Safety is always emphasized as a priority.”

Jennifer L Wickham-Gensch Eau Claire, Wisconsin