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Testimonials... |
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South River Stable is a proud member of: |
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Kelly and Sunny’s story….
After 35 years, I finally achieved my lifelong dream of owning horses in late May, 2007. A 14 year-old paint mare, “Rainy,” and a 3 year-old Appaloosa gelding, “Sunny.” While most would say “green on green” was a bad idea, his former trainer assured me we would be “just fine” together. And knowing so little and being a trusting person, I trusted in that.
Our first day home I was so excited to be a Horse Owner, and share the experience with my 5 year-old daughter. I took her into the pasture and put her on the mare. I was leading her around the pasture, when Sunny, who was happily running around “kicking up his heels,” clipped me with a back hoof. I couldn’t get out of the pasture fast enough! I was dumbfounded at what had just happened. It took 3 weeks for that bruise from my elbow to my shoulder to go away. With each passing day, the comfort level I had started with decreased more and more. I could see myself visibly shaking as I would try to tack up my horse. He could sense how I was feeling and he became more and more disrespectful of me. I went from excitedly running out to ride every possible minute I could to dreading the task and riding only because it was what everyone was telling me I needed to do. Finally, I was feeding and fly spraying my horse from over the fence, too afraid to enter the pasture and be close enough to get hurt! It was pathetic, I know. I was battling a decision to keep him, or sell him. But I just didn’t want to give up that easily.
After trying to heal myself through books, tapes and friend’s advice, I searched the internet for a horse and rider trainer. That was when I came across Patty Dague of South River Stable. I called her and told her my story and she told me hers. I liked what I heard. She was at my house 3 days later, evaluating me and my horse. She explained to me her thoughts and ideas and it made so much sense. Her ease around horses was contagious. I instantly felt better. She thought it would be a good idea for her to take Sunny to South River Stable for a week, work on his lack of respect for humans in general, and then work on my issues as well.
Patty picked Sunny up on a Sunday afternoon. On the very next day, Monday evening, Patty called sounding rather angry. She asked if I had ever “loped my horse.” I told her to be honest, I had never loped any horse. I could hear the steam rolling out of her ears! She couldn’t believe a “horse trainer” had sent a green rider home with a green horse without loping him. How could that other trainer sleep at night?!?!!? Apparently Sunny had thrown such a bucking fit when asked to lope that most riders would have been sent flying (especially a green one)! Patty apologized to me for my frightful experience resulting from a “horse trainer” who gives the horse business a bad name!
I spent the next few days with Patty, watching my horse being trained and getting the buck worked out of him while learning to lope, gallop and gain confidence with the other horses at South River Stable. I learned a wide variety of riding techniques and experienced riding many different breeds and types of horses at SRS, as well as my own horse. The entire experience was incredible! My skill and confidence levels went through the roof in that short period of time.
I wasn’t the only one who made positive changes. Through flexing exercises, dietary changes and sweaty saddle blankets, Sunny went through a complete transformation as well! Patty was body building my horse and it only took a week. Sounds strange, I know! I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it myself. He was developing muscles and bulk that this slender, unbalanced 3 year-old had never had. His chest broadened, his hips were filling out. It was no less than amazing! Now I have what I was looking for; a horse to love, learn from, and depend upon for years to come! And my horse now has what he was looking for; someone he can trust to take care of him and give him direction.
Patty and I are still working together, improving my skills with each and every ride. She has a way with horses and riders you have to see to believe. When I ride, I hear her guiding me along even when she isn’t there. When I come across a problem, I ask myself, “How would Patty handle this?” I had heard of it before, but never actually seen someone who truly gets into the horse’s mind and speaks to them without words. I now have aspirations of competing in shows and learning to barrel race! That “feeding & fly spraying through the fence girl” is long gone, thanks to Patty! I’m so glad I found her before giving up. She wants people to understand why she feels the way she does about horses, and wants to help them find that, too! She truly is a gold star for the horse industry. I hope many more horses and riders can experience what Sunny and I now have because of Patty Dague.
Last night I was working with my mare on the ground, and she was being a little stubborn so I corrected her. My husband made the comment “Look at you, Miss Attitude!” and I corrected him, telling him it was my “Patti-tude” coming out!
Kelly Fisher, Indianola, Iowa |
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For more information please call us at (515) 371-1916. We currently have several top quality horses for sale! Our online catalog of tack and horse products is available here. If there’s anything you need, look in our online store! If you can’t find what you want, call! We’ll try to get it for you. Happy Trails! |
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You can get a hold of us here: |
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There’s Patty on “Bud” our big ol’ Belgian! He’s such a ham! He’s for sale, too! See the Horses for Sale page here. |
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Our stable is located about 25 miles south of Des Moines, in south-central Iowa. Just off Interstate 35 in Warren County. |
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21699 20th Avenue New Virginia, IA 50210 Phone: 515-371-1916 Barn Phone: 641-449-3702 E-mail: Sales@southriverstable.com rmdague@southriverstable.com pkdague@southriverstable.com |
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There are “horse trainers” and there are “horse traders.” And then there’s South River Stable, where you will find experienced, insured, equine professionals that won’t steer you wrong. If you should ride a bike instead of riding a horse, we’ll tell you. If you have a “problem” horse that someone claimed was “trained,” we can help you fix their mistakes. While each horse is different and each situation is unique, we feel that we never “break” a horse. Who would want a horse with a broken spirit? We can help! A horse is an enormous responsibility and if you aren’t enjoying horse ownership due to unfortunate circumstances that occurred in the past, we can attempt to help you through that. As the testimonial on this page attests, we can help. SRS wishes to thank all of our clients and students for all of their support! |
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Kelly is a client, customer, and now, a trusted, good friend. One goal of SRS is to never have our integrity questioned. We hope that the information from Kelly helps to show what we may be able to do for you! |
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Kelly Fisher and her horse “Sunny.” |