I am grateful to my students and all the owners and riders that allow me to come and observe their relationship with their partner, the horse.
-Shelbie
Danielle- Anchorage, AK
Our sessions did so much for the relationship side of things. EZ and Hela have truly become different horses after you working with us. EZ is so trusting and really tries hard to do his best for me, he's also showing less signs of stress and to me that's the biggest win. Work doesn't necessarily mean stress, he seems to enjoy everything I do with him now. 💛 Hela is also super friendly and engaged with me, she WANTS to be everyone's friend now and is in your pocket! Our sessions built her confidence so much, nothing has phased her on our neighborhood walks!
I feel like my horses have more confidence in me and themselves, they are more engaged and excited to do work. Something that was hard for me to figure out since they're both very different. 😊
I feel like my horses have more confidence in me and themselves, they are more engaged and excited to do work. Something that was hard for me to figure out since they're both very different. 😊
Regan- Anchorage, AK
Shelbie helped our family become more confident interacting with our horse in a fair kind and a clear way. We learned to read her body language better and how to communicate with her in a way that she could understand.
Probably the most helpful thing was learning how to get her attention without overdoing it or under doing it. Some thing about the way Shelbie taught us allowed us to feel really comfortable doing some thing that previously we had felt super awkward at.
Our horse gained confidence in us as our confidence in working with her increased. This helped her be calmer and easier to handle.
Our only regrets were that Shelbie wasn't around for longer and that we had been able to work with her under saddle too. Very much looking forward to next time!
Probably the most helpful thing was learning how to get her attention without overdoing it or under doing it. Some thing about the way Shelbie taught us allowed us to feel really comfortable doing some thing that previously we had felt super awkward at.
Our horse gained confidence in us as our confidence in working with her increased. This helped her be calmer and easier to handle.
Our only regrets were that Shelbie wasn't around for longer and that we had been able to work with her under saddle too. Very much looking forward to next time!
Alison Halpern, Olympia, WA.
"Shelbie Fredenhagen not only brings knowledge and experience to her training, but she also brings a level of intuition and sensitivity that allows her to hone into the needs of each horse and rider to help them harmonize their unique partnership. Her lessons build onto each other, and it feels so fulfilling to have all these "aha!" moments when you recognize that skills you start applying under saddle are ones she first taught you when you were doing groundwork.
One of the most profound moments of my lessons with her didn't even involve a horse at all: she showed me how reins were not only a physical means of communication but they also carried energy and feel. The way I had held my reins - even with light contact - was full of tension and nervousness. The way Shelbie held the reins with me felt like holding hands. It was such an epiphany for me, and it's a goal for me to convey that positive and reassuring energy to my gelding every time I ride now.
Shelbie has done wonders for Cyrano and me, and for the first time, I feel like we are really working together as partners. Her patience, kindness, and instruction helped me overcome some massive confidence hurdles and develop soft but solid communication, and she helped Cyrano to feel comfortable enough to reconnect with me."
One of the most profound moments of my lessons with her didn't even involve a horse at all: she showed me how reins were not only a physical means of communication but they also carried energy and feel. The way I had held my reins - even with light contact - was full of tension and nervousness. The way Shelbie held the reins with me felt like holding hands. It was such an epiphany for me, and it's a goal for me to convey that positive and reassuring energy to my gelding every time I ride now.
Shelbie has done wonders for Cyrano and me, and for the first time, I feel like we are really working together as partners. Her patience, kindness, and instruction helped me overcome some massive confidence hurdles and develop soft but solid communication, and she helped Cyrano to feel comfortable enough to reconnect with me."
Meg McGuire, Warner Robins, GA.
"Shelbie is a true horsewoman. She speaks for the horse and puts her heart into every relationship with passion and humility.
Working with Shelbie has taught me to be a more confident and independent horsewoman. She has open my eyes to a world of sound, holistic horsemanship based on bio mechanics, integrated body work and nutrition.
As a trainer, Shelbie helped my Andalusian mare mentally and physically open up (literally - she now opens the pole and seeks the hand with positive contact!). Shelbie helped us find the keys to unlock a true partnership, one based on mutual respect and total trust!"
Working with Shelbie has taught me to be a more confident and independent horsewoman. She has open my eyes to a world of sound, holistic horsemanship based on bio mechanics, integrated body work and nutrition.
As a trainer, Shelbie helped my Andalusian mare mentally and physically open up (literally - she now opens the pole and seeks the hand with positive contact!). Shelbie helped us find the keys to unlock a true partnership, one based on mutual respect and total trust!"
Deb Baines
"I am so impressed with what you have been able to accomplish in such a short time and so gently. I LOVE this type training. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have you to help us and our horses. I am more impressed the more time I spend with you. Words can't express the thankfulness I feel for having access to you and your knowledge."
Gail Pack, Kamloops. B.C.
"Shelbie has recently given my 6 year old granddaughter riding lessons, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. Not only is she knowledgeable, but she also knows how to effectively teach younger children. She is teaching her the basic skills of equitation while making it fun. She is able to adapt it to Madeleine’s young age while really helping her become a better and confident rider. I think the best compliment I could pay her is that Madeleine couldn’t wait for her next lesson and looked forward to Shelbie teaching her. I would whole heartedly recommend Shelbie Fredenhagen as a riding instructor, no matter your age!"
Sabine Presch
My young horse Tuscon, a a clydesdale/quarterhorse cross, was two years old and 16 hands tall when Shelbie started to work with him in the spring of 2013. Up until that time he had had very little training... I have owned and ridden horses for 48 years and consider myself a decent horse handler and rider but I have never trained an unbroken, young and somewhat rambunctious horse...
Shelbie trained me as much as Tucson and we started from the very beginning... Shelbie taught us about the basics such as body language, posture, leading/following... all the way to working in the round pen, going for walks on the road and in the nearby forest, accepting the bit, bridle and saddle, and finally mounting and sitting on him (bare-back) while being led in the round pen. We also successfully started to pony him off an older horse...
I highly recommend Shelbie to anyone who intends to not just to start a young horse but also to advance a horse in any discipline. Shelbie has had a solid education in horse training and she is one of those rare people who truly have “horse sense”. She possesses the necessary patience, understanding and kindness for both horse and human."
Shelbie trained me as much as Tucson and we started from the very beginning... Shelbie taught us about the basics such as body language, posture, leading/following... all the way to working in the round pen, going for walks on the road and in the nearby forest, accepting the bit, bridle and saddle, and finally mounting and sitting on him (bare-back) while being led in the round pen. We also successfully started to pony him off an older horse...
I highly recommend Shelbie to anyone who intends to not just to start a young horse but also to advance a horse in any discipline. Shelbie has had a solid education in horse training and she is one of those rare people who truly have “horse sense”. She possesses the necessary patience, understanding and kindness for both horse and human."
