Testimonials
Tinstar's Gunner
I didn’t plan on becoming a horse owner when Gunner came into my life, but just a few months after I met the big guy I was suddenly signing a bill of sale and boarding agreement. My riding experience consisted of lessons on school horses and borrowing friends’ horses for trail rides, and most of Gunner’s formal training was as a cart horse years prior. My new horse and I went on many adventures with our friends on every local trail we could find, and he tried hard to be a good boy (“follow my friends, don’t fall down, don’t drop the lady on my back”) despite being a bit lazy (out of shape) and clumsy. Where I really began to struggle with Gunner was in the arena. I wanted to work on getting him more balanced, improve his gaits, and help him learn where his feet are so we could enjoy trail riding more. I took a few lessons with a local hunter trainer but quickly became frustrated because I was not getting much out of them. I felt like I was being instructed as though I was riding a “normal” horse, but I was riding a clumsy Standardbred who didn’t quite understand the difference between trotting and pacing, let alone understand cantering or what to do when presented with ground poles (trample them? Trample them.) I was also struggling with his manners, or lack thereof. Gunner’s response to being confused or unwilling to do something was to barge, trample, or otherwise forcefully evade the task. I began to see why he had been labeled as “dangerous” by a previous owner or two- he wasn’t, but he was super rude which for a horse his size was intimidating. He was used to getting his way, and when he didn’t know how to respond to some of the harder questions in life his response was a big “NOPE.”
I had met Dom years prior and watched a few of her training sessions with a friend’s horses, and I knew that she had plenty of experience with standardbreds, so I set up an evaluation lesson with her. Dom spent a lot of time with me going over not only what needed improvement, but why it needed improvement, how to improve it, and what the results would be. I began taking weekly lessons and was able to see and feel a difference in my horse rather quickly. Unlike any other trainer I’d encountered, Dom fully explained the how and why of each exercise and the concepts behind them and taught them in such a way that I was able to “put the pieces together” and successfully replicate what we were working on between lessons. Dom continues to provide me with the necessary tools to help my horse understand what is being asked of him and how to properly execute it. My riding has improved significantly through these lessons and I’ve been able to apply the concepts she’s taught me to other horses I’ve ridden over the years.
She also helped me a lot with his ground manners, and he learned how to appropriately express when he was confused or upset while I learned how to clarify things for him, and when I needed to be stern. At our first barn, my horse was known as “Crusher” due to his excessive use of bodily force to avoid unfavorable scenarios (such as being cross tied, not having food in his mouth the moment he saw it, ground work or anything difficult for him, getting on the trailer, etc.) but everyone at our current facility knows him as a gentle giant, and affectionately refer to him as my “moose dog.”
Gunner and I began to school dressage and work over fences at home, and I even took him to a dressage show (his first show ever!) where we completed our first “real” test together. If someone had told me in 2014 that I was going to take my goofy awkward standardbred to a dressage show or be able to canter (three beats, four legs working together) over (not through) a course of fences I would never have believed it. I’ve had people tell me he looks like a completely different horse now that I know how to properly work him and he has muscled up. He was even mistaken for a “fancy warmblood” a time or two! Gunner and I continue to take regular lessons with Dom and learn and improve in ways I never even considered possible. When I first got Gunner, I expected to end up with nothing more than a reliable trail mount, but four years later we have a much deeper mutual understanding and connection than I could have dreamed of, and are forever growing together.
~Jess Manna
I had met Dom years prior and watched a few of her training sessions with a friend’s horses, and I knew that she had plenty of experience with standardbreds, so I set up an evaluation lesson with her. Dom spent a lot of time with me going over not only what needed improvement, but why it needed improvement, how to improve it, and what the results would be. I began taking weekly lessons and was able to see and feel a difference in my horse rather quickly. Unlike any other trainer I’d encountered, Dom fully explained the how and why of each exercise and the concepts behind them and taught them in such a way that I was able to “put the pieces together” and successfully replicate what we were working on between lessons. Dom continues to provide me with the necessary tools to help my horse understand what is being asked of him and how to properly execute it. My riding has improved significantly through these lessons and I’ve been able to apply the concepts she’s taught me to other horses I’ve ridden over the years.
She also helped me a lot with his ground manners, and he learned how to appropriately express when he was confused or upset while I learned how to clarify things for him, and when I needed to be stern. At our first barn, my horse was known as “Crusher” due to his excessive use of bodily force to avoid unfavorable scenarios (such as being cross tied, not having food in his mouth the moment he saw it, ground work or anything difficult for him, getting on the trailer, etc.) but everyone at our current facility knows him as a gentle giant, and affectionately refer to him as my “moose dog.”
Gunner and I began to school dressage and work over fences at home, and I even took him to a dressage show (his first show ever!) where we completed our first “real” test together. If someone had told me in 2014 that I was going to take my goofy awkward standardbred to a dressage show or be able to canter (three beats, four legs working together) over (not through) a course of fences I would never have believed it. I’ve had people tell me he looks like a completely different horse now that I know how to properly work him and he has muscled up. He was even mistaken for a “fancy warmblood” a time or two! Gunner and I continue to take regular lessons with Dom and learn and improve in ways I never even considered possible. When I first got Gunner, I expected to end up with nothing more than a reliable trail mount, but four years later we have a much deeper mutual understanding and connection than I could have dreamed of, and are forever growing together.
~Jess Manna
I'm Still Thinking "Gambit"
|
I've never met someone like Dom in my life. She is someone who made me feel at ease in a situation I knew relatively nothing about. My experience with horses consisted of get on, figure it out, and go. At this point in my life I had been around horses for over 10 years and ridden several but never had one of my own. Never truly learning to ride by lessoning, just getting by with the basics. So when I brought home my 11 year old Standardbred who wouldn't respond to basic cues, it was safe to say I was in way over my head. Dom changed all of that. She made me feel comfortable and safe in an extremely stressful situation. We had to build him from the ground up, and me as well. She didn't worry about how pretty it looked, with time we can work on that. She cared about the relationship I had with my horse, our understanding of one another. She taught me how to communicate with him in a way that both he and I could comprehend. The trust and communication between rider and horse was key. She wasn't there to show off or be a know-it-all. She didnt bully me or him into what she wanted to do. She was there to teach. Even in my most frustrating moments, we ended on good notes. Her passion for horses in uncanny and she shows true horsemanship. She took my stubborn ogre of a horse and turned into my own personal superhero. And for that, and more, I am forever grateful. Dom is not only a trainer but someone I consider a great friend.
~Becky Witmer |
|
Arrow's Legacy
From as far back as I can remember, one of my biggest dreams in life was to own my own horse… a quarter horse for that matter… and be able to ride whenever I wanted to. I never had plans to ride competitively, just for pleasure. I thought that dream had come true when I took Arrow, a 12-year old red roan quarter horse, home with me in September 2012. But boy was I mistaken. After two months of trying to ride him, I was about to give up. I had a barn sour horse that I could not control. All my confidence had gone out the window and I had grown scared to even get in the saddle because of his antics. He would take off from a stand still, buck with me on him, I could not get him to walk or stop when I asked him to, and he would quickly go to the corner near his barn and stand there. If I tried turning him around he would start to back up and rear. Needless to say, it was not a fun experience at all and made me feel less than inadequate as a rider. In my heart I did not want to give up on him and I am thankful I did not. My husband came across Dom's horse training ad and what jumped out at us was her guarantee on horses labeled as a 'problem'.
During her initial visit, we realized that I needed as much training as Arrow! I can't thank Dom enough for her reassurance, her guidance, and the confidence she instilled in me. I would not own this horse or be enjoying the partnership that Arrow and I have today, if it was not for her. She even looked into his past by researching his brand that revealed he was a bronco in early days out west (which I guess explains his bucking nature)!
After the first two sessions, I remember being thrilled that I was even able to get him to WALK the arena and be able to stop and stand still! As our sessions progressed and she worked on his ground manners (lunging respectfully and standing quietly to tack, etc.), we worked up to a jog and eventually the canter. She taught me maneuvers on how to regain control when things go awry, she taught me how to have ‘soft hands’ or when I needed to have ‘iron elbows’! And I thoroughly enjoyed having my ‘homework’ after each lesson. Dom’s way of breaking the training into manageable bits and pieces made me feel accomplished after each session with her and when I was working on my own in between.
After we bought our trailer and I saw him try to load for the first time I was so upset! But of course, within one session with Dom (with her patience and consistency) she calmed Arrow’s fears so that he easily goes in and out wherever we trailer to with no issue. You can view the before and after videos on her 'Client Stories' page.
Along the way I realized I wanted to do more than just trail ride for pleasure. The western games, endurance races, and hunter paces all looked like fun! Turns out Arrow thinks they are fun too! The first time we tried the barrels, you could tell he knew what to do… that he WANTED to run them. He willingly attempts any challenge that he is given… tarps, jumps, water, poles, and other ACTHA obstacles! My first hunter pace was this April (2014) with Dom. He impressed me on how well he did out on the trails considering it was the first time Arrow was around other horses since I’ve owned him and only the third time off our property. We even got our first fast canter in on the open field; I had never experienced that before… it was awesome. We’ve been in two more paces since and walked away with 2nd and 5th places. Hopefully we’ll tackle our first endurance race by the end of this year.
Thanks to Dom’s hard work and dedication to us, NOW my dream has finally come true. My partnership with Arrow gets stronger everyday and we are embarking on new adventures from barrel racing to just trail riding throughout the different preserves around here and hopefully soon… extreme cowboy challenges and endurance races!
Thanks for supporting us Dom! For the last two years you were my comfort zone, I always felt like I needed you there for me to be okay (you were my security blanket). You have taught me so much and have made me finally feel that I WILL be okay when you are not around.
Forever thankful,
Kristin Raleigh
From as far back as I can remember, one of my biggest dreams in life was to own my own horse… a quarter horse for that matter… and be able to ride whenever I wanted to. I never had plans to ride competitively, just for pleasure. I thought that dream had come true when I took Arrow, a 12-year old red roan quarter horse, home with me in September 2012. But boy was I mistaken. After two months of trying to ride him, I was about to give up. I had a barn sour horse that I could not control. All my confidence had gone out the window and I had grown scared to even get in the saddle because of his antics. He would take off from a stand still, buck with me on him, I could not get him to walk or stop when I asked him to, and he would quickly go to the corner near his barn and stand there. If I tried turning him around he would start to back up and rear. Needless to say, it was not a fun experience at all and made me feel less than inadequate as a rider. In my heart I did not want to give up on him and I am thankful I did not. My husband came across Dom's horse training ad and what jumped out at us was her guarantee on horses labeled as a 'problem'.
During her initial visit, we realized that I needed as much training as Arrow! I can't thank Dom enough for her reassurance, her guidance, and the confidence she instilled in me. I would not own this horse or be enjoying the partnership that Arrow and I have today, if it was not for her. She even looked into his past by researching his brand that revealed he was a bronco in early days out west (which I guess explains his bucking nature)!
After the first two sessions, I remember being thrilled that I was even able to get him to WALK the arena and be able to stop and stand still! As our sessions progressed and she worked on his ground manners (lunging respectfully and standing quietly to tack, etc.), we worked up to a jog and eventually the canter. She taught me maneuvers on how to regain control when things go awry, she taught me how to have ‘soft hands’ or when I needed to have ‘iron elbows’! And I thoroughly enjoyed having my ‘homework’ after each lesson. Dom’s way of breaking the training into manageable bits and pieces made me feel accomplished after each session with her and when I was working on my own in between.
After we bought our trailer and I saw him try to load for the first time I was so upset! But of course, within one session with Dom (with her patience and consistency) she calmed Arrow’s fears so that he easily goes in and out wherever we trailer to with no issue. You can view the before and after videos on her 'Client Stories' page.
Along the way I realized I wanted to do more than just trail ride for pleasure. The western games, endurance races, and hunter paces all looked like fun! Turns out Arrow thinks they are fun too! The first time we tried the barrels, you could tell he knew what to do… that he WANTED to run them. He willingly attempts any challenge that he is given… tarps, jumps, water, poles, and other ACTHA obstacles! My first hunter pace was this April (2014) with Dom. He impressed me on how well he did out on the trails considering it was the first time Arrow was around other horses since I’ve owned him and only the third time off our property. We even got our first fast canter in on the open field; I had never experienced that before… it was awesome. We’ve been in two more paces since and walked away with 2nd and 5th places. Hopefully we’ll tackle our first endurance race by the end of this year.
Thanks to Dom’s hard work and dedication to us, NOW my dream has finally come true. My partnership with Arrow gets stronger everyday and we are embarking on new adventures from barrel racing to just trail riding throughout the different preserves around here and hopefully soon… extreme cowboy challenges and endurance races!
Thanks for supporting us Dom! For the last two years you were my comfort zone, I always felt like I needed you there for me to be okay (you were my security blanket). You have taught me so much and have made me finally feel that I WILL be okay when you are not around.
Forever thankful,
Kristin Raleigh
Michael's Fortune
There is a huge difference between people who know how to train horses and people who have the gift of horsemanship, and Dom is without a doubt one of the most gifted horsewomen that I have the privilege of knowing. I am so excited that she is embarking on her own with Thumbs Up because it is her absolute calling in life and I am extremely proud of her.
In 2010, after over a year of delving into every book we could find and attending a multitude of clinics on horse behavior, my sister and I (who were co-owning a mischievous chestnut quarter horse gelding at the time) made the heart-breaking decision that he was too much horse for either of us – or our young daughters – and were forced to rehome him. Parting company was sweet sorrow and while we grieved at the close of that chapter in our life, it soon became apparent that another door was opening for us. The young, competent woman ushering us through was Dominika, who after a very brief assessment of our background, capabilities, riding style, and goals, matched us with a very special Kentucky-bred gentleman named Michael’s Fortune. Having originally been brought to Dom’s former barn as a candidate for euthanasia, her unflappable response was that there was “nothing wrong with this horse” and even after her first ride on Mikey turned into a heels-over-head experience, Dom saw his potential. She looked at the gelding and listened to him tell his story – and without a trace of pity at his plight or resentment at his initial cut-ups, she placed him into a training program and gave him a renewed lease on life. Mikey is a remarkable 18-years young off-track Standardbred with a heart of gold, who will live out his days being well-pampered, well-kept, and well-loved by the new ladies in his life.
We wish Dom the best in this and all of her future endeavors!
Cherry & Katy Grubb and Amy & Brooke Burke
In 2010, after over a year of delving into every book we could find and attending a multitude of clinics on horse behavior, my sister and I (who were co-owning a mischievous chestnut quarter horse gelding at the time) made the heart-breaking decision that he was too much horse for either of us – or our young daughters – and were forced to rehome him. Parting company was sweet sorrow and while we grieved at the close of that chapter in our life, it soon became apparent that another door was opening for us. The young, competent woman ushering us through was Dominika, who after a very brief assessment of our background, capabilities, riding style, and goals, matched us with a very special Kentucky-bred gentleman named Michael’s Fortune. Having originally been brought to Dom’s former barn as a candidate for euthanasia, her unflappable response was that there was “nothing wrong with this horse” and even after her first ride on Mikey turned into a heels-over-head experience, Dom saw his potential. She looked at the gelding and listened to him tell his story – and without a trace of pity at his plight or resentment at his initial cut-ups, she placed him into a training program and gave him a renewed lease on life. Mikey is a remarkable 18-years young off-track Standardbred with a heart of gold, who will live out his days being well-pampered, well-kept, and well-loved by the new ladies in his life.
We wish Dom the best in this and all of her future endeavors!
Cherry & Katy Grubb and Amy & Brooke Burke
You Got It “Shadow”
I met Dom shortly after purchasing my very first standardbred. I have been around horses since I was a little girl, but I had never experienced working with a “gaited” horse. About a month into having Shadow, I was about to have breakdown. I knew nothing about pacing or how to control it.
Dom was working with a close friend of mine on a trailer loading issue, and I decided to look her up. To my surprise, she had a standardbred of her own and many stories about working with [other standardbreds]. Perfect. I couldn’t wait to get started.
Shadow a big boy, built like a warmblood, but he very uncoordinated, sometimes seeming to forget how many legs he has. When I started riding him he had a horrible transition from the walk to the trot. He would literally lurch forward and almost leap into his transition which would throw me out of my saddle. I tried everything I knew about any other breed of horse, but nothing was working.
I was very nervous about what Dom would have to tell me when she met us for the first time, but she has nothing but positive feedback. Watching her work with Shadow made me feel very comfortable. I could tell right away that she was not one of those trainers I would ever have to question on what she was doing with my horse and if it was good for him or not.
Dom is a true horsewoman and not just another “trainer” in the area. She takes pride in everything she does and she has been nothing but wonderful.
One year into working with her, my standardbred who didn't even know how to trot or canter is now looking more and more like a dressage prospect; leg yielding, trotting consistently, cantering and really turning into a beautiful mover.
If I had not found Dom, I do not know where we would be and I cannot thank her enough.
I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Shadow, Dom and me as a team.
~April Colasanti
I met Dom shortly after purchasing my very first standardbred. I have been around horses since I was a little girl, but I had never experienced working with a “gaited” horse. About a month into having Shadow, I was about to have breakdown. I knew nothing about pacing or how to control it.
Dom was working with a close friend of mine on a trailer loading issue, and I decided to look her up. To my surprise, she had a standardbred of her own and many stories about working with [other standardbreds]. Perfect. I couldn’t wait to get started.
Shadow a big boy, built like a warmblood, but he very uncoordinated, sometimes seeming to forget how many legs he has. When I started riding him he had a horrible transition from the walk to the trot. He would literally lurch forward and almost leap into his transition which would throw me out of my saddle. I tried everything I knew about any other breed of horse, but nothing was working.
I was very nervous about what Dom would have to tell me when she met us for the first time, but she has nothing but positive feedback. Watching her work with Shadow made me feel very comfortable. I could tell right away that she was not one of those trainers I would ever have to question on what she was doing with my horse and if it was good for him or not.
Dom is a true horsewoman and not just another “trainer” in the area. She takes pride in everything she does and she has been nothing but wonderful.
One year into working with her, my standardbred who didn't even know how to trot or canter is now looking more and more like a dressage prospect; leg yielding, trotting consistently, cantering and really turning into a beautiful mover.
If I had not found Dom, I do not know where we would be and I cannot thank her enough.
I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Shadow, Dom and me as a team.
~April Colasanti
Mocha
Photo ©Cindy Scott
"I have been around horses all my life. I broke yearlings and hot horses, but my mare, Mocha, really put my skills to the test. Mocha is a 15 year old off the track thoroughbred who loves to please. Riding her is a dream. She can roll back like a quarter horse, turn barrels on a dime, fly over a jump like it's nothing, and go as fast as your heart desires. She sounds like the perfect dream horse, but Mocha had one major flaw: She was deathly afraid of trailers!
Whether it was a step up or a ramp, she would start snorting, pulling, and rearing any time she got within sight of a trailer. I found out from her previous owner that in her younger years and throughout her racing career, Mocha was severely beaten during trailer loading. She had even been poked with cattle prods on more than one occasion. Her fears were more than justified.
I knew from the start that picking Mocha up would be a hassle. It took a shot of ace and three hours before a group of very frustrated people was finally able to get her on a trailer. We never looked back and I figured she would just stay at my farm forever. I was fine with that until show season and a lot of fun trail rides came up. I started feeling left behind because I had this mare that wouldn't trailer.
I decided to try some practice on my own. Long story short, I couldn't even approach the ramp, no matter how hard I tried or how patient I was. Mocha panicked, reared, and pulled away with all her might.
A fellow boarder then suggested I contact Dom. I was skeptical, but agreed. I doubted we'd see success, however. This horse had 10 years of bad experiences with trailers behind her. No one would get her on a trailer. Several previous trainers had failed. I gave up hope and considered selling her. I finally met Dom, introduced her to Mocha, and asked her many questions. She welcomed questions and carefully explained her methods. Best of all, her methods were kind as well as effective.
|
Before I knew it, Dom had managed to load Mocha into the trailer. I could not believe my eyes. Dom undid 10 years of trauma in four days! From there, she taught Mocha to self-load, then coached me on how to get the same results.
My first trailer experience with Mocha was her going for a trail ride on the beach with her buddy, Zook. Now, months later, Mocha still self loads with no hesitation at all! I cannot believe it. All I have to do is throw the lead rope over her neck and pull her forward a step, and she hops right in. Then she stands there as I walk out the escape door and put up the butt bumper. Last year she would have flown back before you could have gotten the bar up. It took two people just to keep her in the trailer long enough to close the ramp. Now I can load her all by myself. I would recommend Dom's training for anyone that has trailer loading problems, horse riding issues, or just horse problems in general. Now Mocha and I go everywhere together. We even go to horse shows and trails I have never been to before. She gets on the trailer like it was never an issue. Every time Mocha gets on the trailer, I think of Dom and the wonderful work she did for me. Now my mare is perfect as perfect can be. Dom, thank you for having faith in Mocha even when I had given up hope. You always believed in her when nobody else did. Now we enjoy going to barrel shows, the beach, and much much more!!" ~Crystal Mazeal |
Mocha in the trailer with Dom
|
Spyder
" I met Dom in my search for the “perfect” horse. Not only did she know so much about each and
every horse that she consulted me on (because she had begun their training), but based on the information that I had given her, she made the best recommendations. Her attention to detail, love of horses, and desire to help riders find “the one” made me feel at ease when making a such a big decision.
Before I got Spyder, who only knew about some manners and pulling a cart, he was in a program that helped him with the transition from racing to becoming a riding horse. Because of Dom’s training, his transition was very smooth because he started with a basic understanding of what being ridden was all about. Not only did he know how to behave, but he also stood to be mounted, listened to leg commands, and knew a little about what steering was all about in a ring. I could not believe that she had only ridden him a few times prior to trying him out. Seeing how much he knew in such a short amount of time showed me the amount of work and dedication that Dom put into him. Her desire to help make horses suited for any level of rider was apparent the moment that we started discussing what I was looking for.
Dom gave me encouragement and let me know that Spyder would be a great match based on both of our abilities. If it was not for her, I would not have the great horse that I have today! I still consult Dom when it comes to my horse and other industry related questions as I know she is knowledgeable and someone I can trust. She has made my experience in finding “the one” great!"
-Jessica Fisch
every horse that she consulted me on (because she had begun their training), but based on the information that I had given her, she made the best recommendations. Her attention to detail, love of horses, and desire to help riders find “the one” made me feel at ease when making a such a big decision.
Before I got Spyder, who only knew about some manners and pulling a cart, he was in a program that helped him with the transition from racing to becoming a riding horse. Because of Dom’s training, his transition was very smooth because he started with a basic understanding of what being ridden was all about. Not only did he know how to behave, but he also stood to be mounted, listened to leg commands, and knew a little about what steering was all about in a ring. I could not believe that she had only ridden him a few times prior to trying him out. Seeing how much he knew in such a short amount of time showed me the amount of work and dedication that Dom put into him. Her desire to help make horses suited for any level of rider was apparent the moment that we started discussing what I was looking for.
Dom gave me encouragement and let me know that Spyder would be a great match based on both of our abilities. If it was not for her, I would not have the great horse that I have today! I still consult Dom when it comes to my horse and other industry related questions as I know she is knowledgeable and someone I can trust. She has made my experience in finding “the one” great!"
-Jessica Fisch
Pearly Diamond
"I will always be extremely thankful to Dom. She’s a very talented equestrian whose
opinion and equine knowledge I greatly respect. It had been over 40 years since I had
been a horse owner. Thanks to this young woman I was given the opportunity to ride
again, and it wasn’t long before I adopted a standardbred of my own. My wonderful
journey with Pearly Diamond started on the best foot with Dom’s guidance and training,
and for that I will always be eternally grateful. If I owned a barn, I would love for her to
work for me."
~Lynn Symons
GQ
|
|
" This is my daughter loading her new horse after working only 2 sessions with Dominika. Sadly we did not take a "before" video showing him dangerously rearing, bucking, spinning, and trying to run away from the trailer to compare to the wonderful and happy way he loads now. I am thrilled to report that he self loaded for our horse show, both on the morning of the show and on the way home. Amazing! Thanks again, Dominika!" ~Judy |
