Testimonials

"Janie not only teaches balanced riding to help the horse, she teaches the rider how to stay out of the way. Working our own horses in lessons, Janie has coached us how to train them ourselves, giving us a much better relationship with the animals. We bought a disabled horse with a million dollar disposition and two cent feet. Our hope was that he might be able to walk well enough to be a therapeutic riding horse. Within 3 months of care and regular walking exercise without a rider, he was able to be ridden for short periods... We added several massages and continued weekly rides at a walk off and on for the following year... Now with additional therapeutic farrier work, regular massage, proper saddle fit and my improved balance, we have this horse in a full conditioning program. I ride him 3-4 times a week for up to an hour and work him in an arena over trot poles to help his muscle development... All this from a horse the vet said would be dead within a year"

Mary Broderson

"I finally found the right teacher to learn everything there is to know about a horse. Janie's incredibly competent and knowledgeable way of explaining things and offering encouragement is a wonderful change from the norm. Her easy friendly attitude makes a world of difference, and her willingness to teach never stops. I just wish there were more trainers in the world that understand horses and why they do the things they do like Janie Smith does. I truly look forward to every opportunity to visit Carousel Stables and learn just a little bit more by watching Janie perform her magic."

"Janie has helped me come so far with my horse in the past year and a half. She has helped me become a better rider and better owner for my horse. She has taught me to trust him and how to get him to trust me. Janie strongly believes in natural horsemanship, and I can credit everything I've done with my horse to that. Her knowledge of horses and willingness to try new methods is the reason I can do everything I can.

When I first came to board with Janie, she had a green 40 year old rider and a green broke 4 year old Tennessee Walker gelding on her hands - usually a dangerous combination. Janie took the time to teach me to be a confident rider and to teach me to teach my horse to become the world's best trail horse... I could have paid Janie to train my horse for me and he would have been well trained, bus she saw what was best for us was to learn together, and that is what we did. Step by step, I now have a trustworthy, confident trail horse that knows his gaits and that takes such good care of his riders that I am happy to put friends on him or use him as the "steady" horse on trail rides. I am also very happy with Janie's approach to horse training. I believe she sees natural horsemanship as a "lifestyle" when working with horses. A way to be around horses all of the time, not a way to "cash in" on the latest horse training fad. She teaches us how to work with our horses in a way horses understand, and this makes such a difference in the success of the human/horse relationship. She is always open to new ides.

I have watched her train the "un-trainable" and turn them into beautiful, sound, well cared for pets. She is the mentor that has helped those of us who ride develop confidence, self-esteem and a determination to reach goals.

Heather Pike

Horse have given me an excitement that I did not have before. If I hadn't known about Janie, I would have given up on myself and my old horse. I wish I could reach every person who is of retirement age that always wanted to ride and own a horse. Janie welcomes all shapes and sizes of people and helps us to reach our potential.

When Janie embraced the horse world, her vision was children and adults being able to learn and benefit from contact with horses with a focus on safety and learning. The learning idea is paramount as Janie continues to learn and teach by being open-minded. She has studied, read, attended clinics, participated, observed, questioned, researched, taught, and even changed to better apply the best techniques sot that her student and horses benefit every day!

Janie has an incredible ability to match horses with owners. She encourages owners to learn all that they can and do all that they can to have the best possible relationship with their horses. Her goal is to equip all riders and horse owners to be the best they can be at whatever level and discipline they want. Through her constant seeking to learn more and share what she learns with others, she builds confidence in riders of all ages and abilities.