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Please click any of the links below to
jump to feedback from clients regarding that subject. Samantha, Star is doing great. I hadn't done much
with her in the last year because of her injury until recently. I started
working her on the ground recently and rode her briefly around the round pen
a couple of nights ago. It's amazing how well she responded after a year
off. The training you put on her is so awesome. She totally retained all
the basics and remembered first time on everything I asked her to do. She
really is better trained from her time with you than my older horses that I
have ridden for years. Thank you again!!! Michelle S. St. Maries, ID
6/2/12 Having tried several trainers, I was on the verge of replacing my gelding. He would become defensive and refuse to go forward, start spinning, backing, or bucking at the lope. Other trainers had tried to "ride the buck" out of him. This only made him more resentful and insecure. I tried everything, from chiropractic treatment, replacing his saddle pad, changing his feed and starting over on the ground. However, riding him into a lope was beyond my comfort level and he would buck going into the lope even when worked from the ground. You not only had the patience to rebuild his confidence, but gave me tools to help him as well. Now I have a horse that is learning to trust again and thanks to you, when he gets stuck, I can help him through it. Your approach is very effective and I have learned so much from her. I look forward to continuing to work with her and my horse. EK Yuma, AZ May 2011 Sam, I'm still trying to figure out how to apply everything you taught me. We trust each other more and it is still so amazing to me to see the change in their brains when they “let it go” and realize right here and right now everything is just fine. I was proud of myself for being able to convince Oreo that he didn't have to think about the grass he was standing on while he was being groomed- he believed me so well that even when I tried to turn him out he still followed me until I was completely out of the arena! Little victories :) HF Yuma, AZ May 2011 Please let me know when you come back into town. I’d love to have you work with my horse more. Riding has become more fun rather than a battle! JR Yuma, AZ 2011 Hi Sam, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your 3 day clinic even if we did try and freeze to death in June...I really appreciate your expertise and innate ability to read what horses need and allow the riders to work with their horses in a more safe and humane manner. I have been around horses most of my life and I learned a lot of new skills which I have taken back and used on my pony. She responded wonderfully. A great balance between clear expectations and enjoying a horse's amazing ability to learn from us. I have known for a long time when working with horses that if they are not doing what I want them to, I am the one that needs help, (even when it seems like they are being difficult). Sometimes that is hard to remember when your horse is not "getting it". You have a wonderful facility that mirrors your belief about allowing horses to be horses. Being a teacher for 30 years, I enjoyed watching you demonstrate the ability to expect the rider to improve and learn without being condescending or impatient, yet you still pushed. The horses are the best teachers! Thanks again for allowing me to watch you practice your awesome talents. The equine community in Sandpoint is lucky to have you. I hope to learn from you again. Best Wishes, Dear
Sam, I have only had the opportunity to ride
with Sam now for less than a dozen rides BUT...I feel that she has really
opened my eyes and given me a brand new and exciting way of RIDING my horse.
I have competed for the last 15 years or so and with some nice success but,
I realize I only rode to compete if that makes sense. I told Sam that I
really didn't like riding by myself, basically keeping my horse legged up
and in shape to compete but what I realized in riding with Sam in just a
short time is that most of that riding was mindless and realized that I was
missing the best part! I am never by myself if I ride with my horse and pay
attention to "every step". I never get bored on the contrary rather am
amazed at how much she was communicating to me that I missed totally. I am
so looking forward to bridging that gap between myself and my horse more
which will make us both happier! These are amazing animals that we have the
opportunity to be engaged with and it is truly a blessing! Hey Sam, I just want to thank you for your positive and helpful
techniques. About a month ago we, my mom and I, trailered up to your
facility in Sandpoint and had a lesson from you on my horse, Fanci. Wow!
Your teachings have really made a big difference in her performance as well
as mine. She is calmer and more confident when we trot over little cross
rails while practicing and our relationship has grown immensely. Makendra P Sandpoint, ID Summer 2011
Ask
the Trainer
Hello Sam,
I am attaching a couple of photos for you to see them together. Thank you for picking us to be his family.
Sincerely, Ronda
Hoofprints & Happenings
Newsletter Sam, Dear Sam, Thank you! Simple words for such a huge difference you’ve made in my horsemanship. I’ve had a great time learning from you! I learned so much about myself and Twist. I have more time than I think. Plan ahead. Lower my hand. I used “fall apart” when I messed up. I’ve learned to re-direct Twist’s thought, been reminded there’s a sliding scale in discipline and challenged to “feel” his feet. Be clear; be smooth, if I ask for a change-get a change. Be consistent- sit balanced- let it go when Twist or I make a mistake- look where I’m going. There’s more I’ve noted- you are very good- I wish you success- you and believe the best for you again! Since I’ve been riding with you, we have competed and accomplished: Western Nat’l Championship 2008 Ogden,
UT Finished 7th Thanks, Harolyn D. Yuma, AZ 5/2008- current I've always loved horses and as a child dreamed of learning to ride and someday owning a horse of my own. Unfortunately, where I grew up the horse community was very exclusive and I always felt it was a sorority I would never fit into. As an adult I attempted lessons with three different instructors in California and Idaho. These lessons were typical and didn't start until I was mounted, lasted 50 minutes and were filled with the instructor hollering at me to "Keep my heals down" and "slide." I never understood what I was supposed to be feeling or working towards. Never once was I asked to think about the horse. Consequently, I never felt that I was a "rider." Lessons with Samantha Harvey in no way resemble the lessons of my past. First, Sam's lessons do not start once you are on the horse; they start on the ride to her facilities. She taught me to consider more than the mechanics of sitting on a horse and riding. She taught me to plan for my lesson, think about what I wanted to accomplish, to assess the mood of my horse that day, to feel my horse's energy and use my own to work together with my horse. Sam often asks me questions during a lesson, forcing me to think about what I'm doing, how I feel, how my horse feels, etc. Consequently, I was able to not only learn how to ride but about horsemanship and partnership. In the summer of 2005 Sam was able to turn a
timid, insecure rider and her 14-year-old broodmare into a team. My mare
had never done anything but make babies, but by the end of the summer she had
evolved into a fearless trail horse capable of successfully completing a series
of jumps in the arena, a dressage pattern and jumps in the field. She gave
both my mare and me the confidence to work together and progress toward our
goals.
Samantha Harvey is my daughter Ailsa's riding
teacher in lovely Sandpoint, Idaho. We moved to Sandpoint in the spring of 2005
from Hilton Head, S.C. While living in South Carolina my daughter trained at the
Moss Creek Equestrian Center. The Moss Creek Equestrian Center is an extremely
professional, high quality riding and jumping center. Arriving in Sandpoint we
searched for some time to find a truly capable and talented person to work with
our daughter. We have found that is Samantha. We were/are extremely pleased
with the seasons we have spent with her. Samantha's professionalism, ethics,
knowledge and people skills are top notch. Her horses are beautiful creatures
that are clearly well trained and cared for. The progression of skills
presented, and care in teaching, all helped our daughter excel and have a
wonderful experience. I highly recommend Samantha Harvey as a trainer. Our
experiences with her have been enriching and appreciated. I ride and own 6 year old National Show Horse
mare named Tango. We got Tango in August of 2004, since then she had to be laid
off for an injury to her shoulder and then a few months later with an injury to
her right hind leg. In between her injuries we would have good days and bad,
more bad than good it felt. This included stopping for no reason and not going
forward, wrong May 25, 2007 After attending a clinic with someone else in Yuma, AZ while Sam was away, this teenage student wrote us again explaining her huge disappointment regarding how she was asked to ride and work with her horse at a clinic given by someone else. "Anyway, I really appreciate all the work you have put into helping me become such an effective rider and to be in tune with my horse. Tango has come so far with your help, and I don't know what we would have done without you. Tango is a pleasure to ride now, and it is not a chore like it used to be before your help. And I am never going back to my old habits again!" Thanks Teagan
My first exposure to Sam was last year. Due to a debilitating
chronic back condition, I found myself unable to ride my horses. I have two
horses, which have had training but needed to progress and really needed a
trainer who would meet not only my requirements but also someone who had horse
savvy and utilized natural horsemanship. Sam is the first person in the area
that I felt comfortable leaving my horses with. Sam has an innate ability to
discern the emotional response of each individual horse. She never pushes a
horse beyond what the horse is ready to assimilate and specifically tailors each
session to the individual horse. Sam does not just train horses she interacts
with the horses and their owners. My entire perspective changed as I saw the
progress made with both of my horses. Sam is a phenomenal communicator with
people and horses. I feel privileged to have met such and exceptional equine
specialist.
Contact
TEC! |
| A natural horsemanship equestrian center offering riding lessons and training in ground work, jumping, dressage, cross country, endurance, trail, western horsemanship & riding plus much more. Alternative Horsemanship with Samantha Harvey offers training with a focus on colt starting, refinement and finishing. Horses learn respect at TEC's charm school. Instruction offered by Sam Harvey, whose background includes 3 Day Eventing, Jumpers, Western Horsemanship, Dressage and more. Sam is also an alumna of The United States Pony Club Youth Congress. Have your young children come join our Pony Pals Program with Jennifer Harvey. We offer facility membership and rentals for use of: round pens, dressage arenas, conditioning tracks, beginner trails, jumping & gaming arenas and more! Gorgeous, scenic location with easy access on Selle Road in Sandpoint, Idaho available for recreational and recognized shows with overnight camping and overnight corrals, even for overnight travelers. We winter in Yuma, Arizona and offer lessons, training and clinics. Samantha offers clinics throughout the United States along with Spring and Summer Full Immersion Camp Clinics in ID, private horsemanship and responses online to Ask the Trainer. |
Dear Sam,
leads, and charging. Just after the first lesson with Sam, I felt
a difference. I think I did the most circling there than I have ever done. Now
after only a few months of weekly lessons, Tango and I are closer and more
trusting of one another. We can canter around the ring and my hands will be out
to the side with no longe line. I also had to close my eyes once I got Tango
lined up for a small cross rail. Sam's approach on riding has really helped both
of us. In one of my latest lessons I rode an hour and twenty minutes without
reins, I would have never thought of even dropping the reins before meeting Sam.
I have noticed that Tango is a lot calmer, or well, willing to work, and
channels her energy into what I am asking and not into running off. I am a lot
more patient and trusting with her. I can't thank Sam enough for all of the help
and time she has put into us.