| Student Testimonials |
 Dear Sarah
Thank You for letting me stay at your horse farm for these two wonderful weeks . I really enjoyed it with all the dogs,cats like Tiger and most of all the miniature horses (Dice) and (Magnolia)the ponies (Blue) and (Twizzler) . It was also fun meeting the twins Ana and Simone . I also miss Lizzie, you and Russ. Love, Claire Hi Sarah, Thank you for your long email which Claire read and we will go over it before her next riding experience. She is actually signed up August 23rd, a few days after we return, to go bring the horses back from the pasture to the local pony club -- an all day event. I greatly appreciate the wonderful opportunity you offered Claire to be a part of Labrador Hill Farm for two weeks and she loved every minute of it. The day after we left, she was crying a bit because she missed all of you! I know your approach and instruction benefited her greatly. Unfortunately our local pony club, which is literally just down the street from our house, is very much a factory atmosphere and approach. I will have to go on-line to see if I can find out if natural horsemanship exists in France -- it must! Thank you again for bringing Claire into your home and have her be a part of your family, Love to all of you, Margaret I have been taking natural horsemanship lessons at Labrador Hill Farms since last year. It is a unique learning experience in that emphasizes the humane aspects of riding and the importance of bonding between humans and horses, thereby establishing a connection between horse and rider. While I have had a number of riding lessons elsewhere over the past 20 years, none have ever involved the comfort and safety factors stressed at Labrador Hill. No crops, whips, or bits are used on the horses, who are handled in a gentle yet professional manner. I am unaware of any other equine instruction facility in the area that uses natural horsemanship to any extent with its students, who comprise a wide variety of ages, abilities, etc. You can learn to ride at other schools, but it doesn’t mean you’ll learn anything about horses, which after all, are the biggest part of the equation.
Ann Marie Zglinicki
"...I was immediately impressed with the Labrador Hill program due to its core belief in humane horsemanship. I had seen other riding schools. I wanted a program for my son that encompassed all that there is of horsemanship, not just jumping on and pushing both the student and the horse to ride for an hour. This was definitely the place for us! Sarah has great insight into both the needs of her students and her animals. Healthy awareness of the living creatures around us starts at home, but to find a program which reinforces the values of respect and care is essential. Labrador Hill has an incredible program which provides support to children on so many levels: socially, emotionally, physically, and more. This is a program which can be used minimally to fill the desires of the average person who would like to ride. This is also a program that is hugely beneficial to people with or without special needs to gain confidence, self-esteem, physical strength, and knowlege. Labrador Hill provides an adaptable and accommodating program to its students in an environment that is safe, comfortable, and loving." Nicole Albert My daughter, Claire Pujol, spent two weeks at Labrador Hill Farm from July 19 to August 1, 2009. Claire had been riding for two years prior to her arrival at Labrador Hill Farm. Although she loves it, and is even passionate about horses and riding, she lacked confidence in her abilities and in her interaction with her equine friends. For this reason, we turned to Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni and her personalized instruction of natural horsemanship.
Rather than a dominating attitude where the rider dictates what the horse has to do, Sarah has championed a new approach where rider and horse communicate. This non-hierarchical method is particularly well suited for young girls who typically love animals and feel more comfortable with a friendly relationship with their equine friends.
Claire came away from her fabulous two weeks at Labrador Hill Farm with a new found confidence and invaluable techniques on how to communicate and build a personal relationship with a horse from the very beginning. Establishing such a partnership between the rider and the animal enhances the riding experience for both sides.
I would strongly recommend that other riding institutions offer such a humane approach, which reassures the animals and enhances the riders’ personal growth and confidence. Sarah champions this win-win approach. She is a strong advocate for our equine friends and a model for other to follow.
Sincerely,
Margaret Mallon Pujol
|
