Chambers Horsemanship

CALM, FORWARD, AND STRAIGHT

NOT JUST A METHOD, BUT A WAY OF LIFE


CALM, FORWARD, AND STRAIGHT

NOT JUST A METHOD, BUT A WAY OF LIFE

Meet Amy Skinner

Amy Skinner embraces a training philosophy based in Classical Dressage and sound horsemanship practices. Amy believes strongly that good riding is not about the costume or tack, but what's in the heart, and what we put into the mind. Amy keeps the best interest of horse and rider in mind, choosing to avoid fads and quick fixes, but to seek continual learning from the best teacher: the horse.

She believes that any horse can improve given enough time and understanding, with an open minded approach to each horse as an individual . Working with the horse’s mind develops confidence, and an understanding of biomechanics develops correct and sound movement.


Amy also offers lessons, both in person and virtual, and clinics, with a focus on providing information in a way that best suits each student. Amy believes that good teaching mirrors good training: in a way the student can understand, and without judgement or force. Amy’s philosophy of training through relaxation carries over to students working to gain better balance and feel with their horses. She believes that learning should be fun and not intimidating, and she provides a safe, enjoyable atmosphere for riders to improve their abilities.

Amy is a dedicated student, with years of training experience under the tutelage of fine horsemen and women like Theresa Doherty (a long time pupil of Walter Zettl and Egon von Neindorff), Tressa Boulden (long time pupil of Melissa Simms, head rider of the Neindorff Institute), and Brent Graef - a masterful horseman with specialties in halter starting, problem solving, teaching, and many other areas. Amy offers riders of all ages and disciplines the ability to gain confidence, improve their riding, and strengthen their relationships with their horses.

BALANCE

A happy horse is balanced mentally, physically, and emotionally, and the same goes for a happy rider. Balance comes into play in many areas: between work and play, friendship and leadership, and many other areas.

TRUST

We develop trust by being aware of our horses’ thoughts and needs, and supplying them with what they need to thrive.

RESPECT

Growth is founded on these pillars:

-respect for the horse

-respect for self

-respect for others

Testimonials

Amy's instruction is quiet genius. She has a keen eye for subtle movements in you and your horse, and offers a gentle guidance for simple steps that lead to huge changes in you and your horse. It's life changing information My horse now enjoys our work because he knows we will leave the arena feeling more relaxed and balanced in his body and mind.

JESSICA BARILE

If you don't start with relaxation and balance, you will struggle to find it throughout your ride. What people call "basics" are actually the most important pieces of horsemanship, and they are often overlooked. With Amy's help, I now have a deeper understanding of these elements, and I see the changes in my horses. People often remark how calm my horses are, and I attribute that to these basics. How you do small things is how you do everything.

MARIKA SAARINEN

Amy Skinner is a rare being. She understands and reads horses and always gives them the benefit of the doubt. People talk about softness to the point that it has almost become a cliche without meaning. Amy's whole approach in everything she does with horses involves a softness and critique of her communication. Amy is an inexhaustible learner and has reached a point in her career where she has accumulated her knowledge from numerous sources and reached her own high level of horsemanship. I would never hesitate to ask her opinion or for help with a horse and I often have. I have not even mentioned her unique ability to teach and to articulate complicated concepts to people. She is also caring and very respectful, Unfortunately not something you always see in the world of horse trainers. I consider her to be one of the best and although she may still be under the radar, with talent like hers, I don't expect her to be there for long.

DR. STEVE PETERS OF EVIDENCE BASED HORSEMANSHIP

Amy provides very clear instruction paired with her skilled eye in functional movement. She has an ability to see subtleties in posture and movement, and she truly understands how to address issues to create better movement in both horses and people. What I found so valuable is that Amy teaches concepts in a way that you can see and feel. Her instruction isnt' mystical or lost too deep in philosophy, it's tangible and right in front of you. The best part was watching my horse not only find better movement in our work, but the benefits have improved confidence for her in all that we do together. I have been searching for a long time for a teacher who really understands balance, and Amy's perspective and teaching is exactly what I needed.

Ashley Janzter

Amy has a rare and remarkable ability to percieve motion or patterns with exceptional clarity and nuance. This type of neurological gift is often associated with heightened visual processing or sensory perception. Much like how Van Gogh captured swirling movement in the sky with "Starry Night," or Ted Williams had legendary visual acuity to see the stitching on a baseball at 85 mph, Amy's gift gives her unique edge in understanding and communicating with horses.

KEVIN BURNEY

Amy is so intuitive to each horse she is introduced to! Amazingly talented and patient. She goes the extra mile it takes to help you and your horse understand and learn. She knows that you can only learn without pressure and she examples of what she is explaining make things crystal clear!

TAMMY HANNAH LAMPHERE

A philosophy of horsemanship

For what the horse does under compulsion...is done without understanding; and there is no beautfy in it either, any more than if one should whip and spur a dancer.

Xenophon

Ride your horse forward and put it straight

Gustav Steinbrecht

Just when you think you should take, GIVE!

Walter Zettl

64799

Cups of Coffee

687

Horses Helped

374

Successful Clients

10000

Hours Invested

GIVE YOU AND YOUR HORSE A PATH FOR DEVELOPING QUALITY HORSEMANSHIP.