Great Clinic Sonny! Just want to thank Sonny for an awesome clinic at Hillcrest today. The mustang was amazing, I wont say his name because I think Sonny should tell you all. But it's a very fitting name for such a noble animal. We had a good turnout and every one totally enjoyed themselves. Sonny spent sooo much time with us. He went above and beyond to help with 2 horses at the barn and I know that both owners where very happy. I also have to send out a very special thank you to Sonny for letting me ride the mustang myself!! It was amazing to have the honor to sit on this very special horse. Ok I am going to get a bit sentimental here so bear with me. On a VERY personal note, riding has not been the same for me since my sister was hurt well over a year ago. I don't ride much any more, it's just not the same and I usually end up thinking about her and being to sad to enjoy it. But when I was given the privilege of riding this horse I had a feeling inside that I had thought was gone. And any one who rides knows the feeling..... of just being with a horse for know other reason then being with them, not to show or win a class or take a lesson or teach them to do something that WE want to do, no selfish reasons. Just being with that animal and enjoying them for what they are and not what they can do for us. I felt like a kid again and it did my heart good. And you know what, I think I am going to ride my horse tomorrow, something I have not done in 6 months. Little do you know Sonny that you don't only help horses but you help people as well. I truly wish my sister could have been there to see me RIDE the mustang!! She would have loved it and would have appreciated what Sonny is doing as much as I do. Take it all the way and make us proud, I know you and this horse are going to win this challenge. Thanks again Sonny. ___________________________________________________________________________________ |
When I first saw Sonny step out of his truck with his big old spurs on and a riding crop I thought to myself,"What kind od natural horsemanship trainer is this?" I soon realized he is the best kind. I have worked with a few natural horsemanship trainers in the past and have been impressed but with Sonny it was different. He made no promises of overnight miracles but within 10 minutes he had my spoiled, dominate, aggressive mare walking like a lady and paying attention to his every move. I am afraid of my mare and have not cantered her since the fall. By the end of the lesson Sonny had me cantering her around like we had been doing it all of our lives. His gentle demeanor gave me the courage to do things I didn't think I would be able to do. Most importantly my mare was happy to be working. For the first time ever she immediately picked up her canter without a buck, pinning her ears or biting my feet!!! I was amazed and am still in awe. I know I sound like an advertisement for Sonny and in a way I hope I am. I just wanted to say thank you to him for his help. I look forward to many more rewarding lessons. And to everyone else, no matter what your discipline, it is more than worth it to give him a call. Check out his clinics. Shanna Colville __________________________________________________________________________________ I went to the clinic on May 5th at Bethpage. It is nothing short of amazing the way Sonny has his horse Sis trained. The coolest thing I have ever seen is when he rode her bridleless. Very Impressive!!! I haven't been around horses too long, but to watch someone train a horse like Sonny, is very impressive. Believe me....he rode my horse for the second part of the clinic and softened him right up.
Al Whitlock I have my horse at Bethpage Park Stables and I had tried numerous times to get him on the trailer and I had no luck. I had asked Sonny to please help me because he would not go on. Sonny worked with him for about an hour with a lot of patience, on the trailer and off the trailer. My horse was on the trailer with the butt bar up ready to go!! I was so happy and very thankful. Now my horse goes on the trailer with no problem!!! Thank you Sonny!! From a thankful horse friend Donna Launonen!!!! Helene Branofino __________________________________________________________________________________ Is anyone looking for someone to train a horse? He's a real blessing to the equine world. With a soft voice and gentle hand he has trained my pony and three year old appendix. My pony who used to charge at people in his stall, now comes willingly after one, 15 minute lesson with Sonny. Don't believe me? I didn't either. It's something you just have to see for yourself. He offers training, solving problems and horse breaking. You really have to see this for yourself. It's amazing to see the partnership between man and horse.
__________________________________________________________________________________ It all started about a year ago, around last August when one of the things we all dread and hope would never happen, happened to me. I had just purchased another horse. He seemed to be just what I was looking for. He was quiet as anything, looked how I wanted and was great on trail. One day my friends and I were going to take a ride and my quiet, dead broke horse decided to go buck wild as I was mounting him. Until this day no one could figure out what prompted him to do that. Before I knew it, I landed on my head. Next, I was admitted into Mid Island Hospital and later on transported to Winthrop's Neuro unit. As a result of his bucking I had a blood clot on my brain and lost vision temporarily in my right eye. With Sonny's positive reinforcement and kind, gently techniques, my horse has definitely progressed. Not only is Sonny a great trainer but he became a friend to my horse and a friend to me. He looks out for the best interest and safety of the horse and rider even if you are not his student!!!!
__________________________________________________________________________________ I bought my first horse, Logan, three months ago (a 7 year old Palomino Quarter Horse). He had some training when I got him, but definitely needed more and some fine tuning. Sonny has been working with him and me only a few times a month. Sonny teaches Logan whatever I would like to work on then gives me the tools that I need to work with him the rest of the week. The results have been amazing. Logan now has a slow jog to die for, an amazing stop, and a head-set that other people envy!! This is all accomplished in a snaffle. Sonny has a natural ability with horses. I have known him for a year now and have NEVER seen him lose his patience with a horse.; I can honestly say that because of Sonny my horse and I have become a team. I could not have done it without him! Mary & Logan _______________________________________________________________________________________ In my training with him, Sonny he has taught me a number of the techniques he uses to train. The essence of these techniques is to reward the horse when he gives to pressure. It is remarkable to see how well and how quickly a horse will respond to this reward. That said, all of his training is done in a full cheek snaffle so it is gentle on the horse yet nonetheless very effective.
I recommend Sonny not only because he is an excellent horse trainer, but just as importantly because he adeptly shares his knowledge so that you can follow up on and reinforce the training he has given to your horse. When you work with Sonny your horse will learn what he needs to know to improve and you will learn what you need to know to help your horse advance.
Neal Campbell
Merrick, NY
______________________________________________________________________________________ Sonny, I would just like to say thank you so much for everything you have taught me, and hopefully will continue teaching me. I look up to you as my idol. I have been a fan of natural horsemanship since I was old enough to read and understand what it was. First I knew of Monty Roberts, than John Lyons, and before you knew it I was hooked, practicing what I could just from watching videos and reading books. Of course the Lakeside horses were my first experiments, Motown being the first horse I ever did join up with. He taught me a lot. I never thought I would be privileged enough to know someone who could teach me hands on, the technique of Natural Horsemanship and I find it a true blessing that I have. What you have done for all the horses in my life has been amazing, whether it was Motown or Flash or Tonka. I hear everyday from so called "Professional trainers" that I should just get rid of Tonka and get something 'better'. But what they don't understand and never will is that Tonka is a fine pony who has some abuse issues that can be worked through with some patience and love. When I thought I was losing hope, you quickly reminded me that all hope was not lost with him. You showed me the side of him I fell in love with and has got me to be more patient than ever with him. Now when he spooks, he doesn't charge past me, or run away from me ripping the lead rope out of my hands. Nor does he race around the ring, ducking and dodging out of nervousness. He drops his head and actually relaxes while in in the saddle. He has become more confident, and calm because you helped me. Thank you so much. I hope to continue working with you, learning as much as I can, to hopefully one day follow in your footsteps. In my eyes knowing you has been a true miracle, and a blessing. Me and Tonka would both like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Felicia Foy
Lakewood Stables
______________________________________________________________________________________ We are so thrilled with Sonny. When we got our horse he definitely showed signs of being mishandled by men. While I brought him a long way in the year we owned him I could not get him completely past his people trust issues. Other trainers helped but progress was slow. During the first session Sonny established a remarkable trust with the horse and got him to come when asked. The next session he began dealing with his issues. Never babying the horse and getting results rather quickly. Sonny seems to be able to address his fear issues and fix them fast. He can communicate properly with our horse therefore the horse quickly relaxes and learns. He is well on his way to becoming the horse I knew he could be and Sonny has been a great find for us. Stacey and Bill
Bohemia N.Y.
_______________________________________________________________________________________ I first met Sonny after I had bought my 16 year old appendix quarter horse mare from the barn that I board at. My horse had been a lesson horse, and as such, she had a few issues. First of all, due to multiple different people bridling her and possibly due to some trauma in the past, she had become extremely head shy. It came to a point where absolutely no one could get near her head and it took two people hanging on her to get a bridle on her. I begged Sonny to help, and he worked his magic on her and after a few sessions he had her so that she was begging for the bit!! I mean it was like she had NEVER had a problem, and to this day I have never had an issue with this again.
Another problem she had was that she had had a trailer accident and Thank you so much Sonny for your confidence and your gentle quiet way with horses. I know who I am going to call upon if I run into any more problems, you are the best!!
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