Philosophy

Balance, Trust, and Respect are the three of the most important elements to me in horsemanship.

BALANCE

Balance on left side of body and right, and left and right eye balance.

Balance from poll to tail: hindquarters, front quarters, and ribcage.

Balanced athletic development and softness.

Variety in training – developing versatility.

Blending/directing – good riding is a partnership, not a dictatorship. First you go with them, then they get with you.

Balancing environmental awareness with calm - creating a horse who is alert but confident.

Balanced hoof care, dental work and body work to promote a healthy horse that can work at the peak of its ability.

Developing rider balance and understanding its impact on the horse’s balance: constantly striving to be better

TRUST

Figure out what their thoughts are and blend with them.

Gain awareness of the horses needs.

Work on redirecting, rather than discipline.

Build a connection with your horse.

Let the horse be right: set them up for success.

Create an atmosphere that is optimal for learning.

Help eliminate fear through thoughtful preparation, not dulling and desensitizing.

Don’t teach them to fight

RESPECT

Learning to treat ourselves and our horses with respect leads to an ideal partnership.

Approaching the relationship as a whole with respect for the horse’s needs first.

Respecting ourselves enough to create disciplined habits

Respecting the horse enough to be dedicated to bettering

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.

- Steve Peters

August 14, 2018

The Cons of Being a Good Student

Over the years I’ve interned and studied under many great teachers. The phase of my life called “being a good student” is over. “Being brave” is done too. The phase [...]

June 25, 2018

Twenty-Ninth Revolution Around The Sun

Today marks my twenty-ninth revolution around the sun, and as I write this I am sitting in the airport drinking an overpriced glass of wine on standby, hoping to catch a previously missed flight [...]

April 26, 2018

Learning How to Learn

Learning is not just about absorbing new information and putting it into practice. Those of us who have taught lessons or taken lessons know all about that. In the process of receiving [...]

Amy is experienced and wise beyond her years. She can combine horsemanship, dressage and feel to provide you with the best approach to understand and improve your relationship with your horse. We’ve worked with her in various capacities; riding lessons, participated in her horsemanship clinics, sent our Lusitano to her for a month of summer boot camp (she also provided riding lessons) and I can’t say enough how wonderful every interaction has been. She has a great affinity for teaching and explanation and does so with kindness and softness, using both evidence based methods and her vast experience with horses of all backgrounds. All of that and she is an amazing writer and so fun to work with. We miss her in Michigan. My horse probably misses her most of all.

KAREN LINDBERG

I can’t say enough about Amy and her horsemanship. She is extremely hardworking but also very gentle, highly skilled but humble, and is always striving to further her knowledge and experience. She cares deeply for horses and their owners and will go above and beyond to meet you and your horses needs. Thanks for all you’ve done! Tony

TONY STRICKLAND

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.

STEVE PETERS

Amy is a joy to work with. She is peaceful and kind, and committed to always putting the horse first. Without patronizing, Amy is able to help the rider understand feel and learn to respond to the horse with kindness and softness. Amy is always respectful and knows how to focus on the positive to move the horse and rider towards success and harmony.

MARY CONSTANTINO

Amy is a thoughtful and skillful trainer. I had the opportunity to take a lesson from Amy in Maine recently. After asking me what I hoped to work on with my horse and her careful observations, she was able to pinpoint exactly what was going on with my horse. His hind end doesn't track behind his front, in other words, he has too much disengagement of the hind. This made it difficult to get a balanced lope without him cross-firing. Amy has given me exercises to help my horse balance and for me to alter my weight and cues at our turns. Thanks so much, Amy, for your dedication to horses and riders having a better relationship!

JULIE KENNEY

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

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