Letter from Berlington Bertie's owner, "BB" was a remedial ridden/bucking problem

Dear Grant

Well where do I start! I am so pleased with what you have been able to achieve with BB. When we first met you back in june I really wasn't that hopeful that we would ever be able to ride him, but after the Cotswold Show my hopes where up and I hoped that one day I would be able to see him being ridden.

The last eight weeks have been the most amazing for me. I have learnt all about communicating with my ponies as well as some wonderful new techniques to school/work them. I've watched BB's progress from a scared/hurt pony to a rideable happy pony. I could watch you and Anna all day working with the horses you have come through your gates. My hope is that I'll be able to continue to work with BB and keep him as happy and content as he seems since his return from New Leaf Farm.

So once again Thank you for your time, help and support. I have a feeling you might be hearing from me on a regular basis.

Take care and best wishes,

MW, owner of BB, West Sussex

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Comment from Jack's owner, Bucking/Napping Horse recovering from Kissing Spines operation

Just wanted to thank you both Grant and Anna for all your help with Jack. After sending him to New Leaf Equine/Practical Horsemanship Jack and I are getting on so much better. We hack out alone and I've taken him on an endurance ride, something I would never have done before. Jack has stopped his napping and refusals to go forward when hacking. Together with the confidence you have given me Jack is now definately not a problem horse anymore. I look forward to future lessons so we can carry on growing together. I would thouroughly recommend you!
Many thanks,

SO, owner of Jack, Leicestershire

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Comment from Polly's owner, Starting/Breaking Horse

Dear Grant and everyone at New Leaf Farm,

Thank you so much for everything you've done for me and Polly. She's achieved more than I've ever hoped for and I've learnt a lot from you too.
Your staff are wonderful and with their tips and pointers have helped me no end. Everybody made me feel at home and looked after me and Polly so well. It means such a lot to me to have Polly going and riding and hopefully it will be the start of a brilliant ridden partnership.
I keep you updated on Polly's progress and stay in touch.
Thanks again and see you soon.

NB, owner of Polly, Oxfordshire

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Comment from Sara's owner, Starting/Breaking Horse

Dear Grant and all the team,
thank you all so much for the care of my mare whilst she was with you. Thank you all so very very much for giving Sara the start in life that I always dreamed of giving her.

Best wishes always.

RW, owner of Sara, Leicestershire

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Thomas’s Story, Remedial Starter/Bucking Horse

I first saw Thomas in a 30 acre field in Ireland three years ago. I loved him instantly and told the dealer to send him over to me, little did I know the challenge I was about to face. He was four years old and was allegedly broken and was seen jumping at Gorsbridge sales. When Thomas arrived off the transporter he was very very nervous and I was unable to get near him in the stable, after 3 weeks of working with him I put a saddle on him and his reaction was the most extreme I had ever seen. He behaved like a rodeo horse and didn’t stop bucking until the saddle was on the floor! He was lathered in sweat and shaking in the corner of my school. I couldn’t hold onto him so I  stood horrified and shocked in the opposite corner. What had happened in the past to this poor horse? What do I do now?

I eventually decided that it was the saddle that was upsetting Thomas so I stupidly decided to get on him without one. I quickly learned that it wasn’t only the saddle that Thomas didn’t like on his back but also a rider!! I was propelled into the air and I was lucky not to seriously hurt myself, and my mum, who got flattened in the process!

Many people would have given up at this point but because Thomas was so frightened and extreme in his behaviour I knew that this was not his fault.

After chatting to someone online & seeing Grant’s rodeo pictures on the website and reading about his methods, I decided to give him a call. A couple of weeks later I left Thomas with Grant, it was the best thing I could have done for this little horse. After seeing Grant and Dan working with him at the open day I was in tears,with what they managed to achieve in a short demonstration and new i had found the perfect place for Thomas to be trained.

Thomas came back home a totally different horse. He is more confident and finally I feel confident riding him – something that I never ever thought possible. He has his first cross country next week and to me Grant has worked nothing short of a miracle.

Thank you so much Grant, Dan and Team!

RC, owner of Thomas, Yorkshire