Testimonials Archive

Two years ago, a little shy of my 61^st birthday, I decided I wanted to learn to ride.  After searching the Ojai Valley for an instructor I found Kathe.  The only thing I knew about horses was that I liked them; I had never ridden before and as I quickly learned didn’t even possess the basic skill of lifting myself into the saddle.  Kathe never blinked, she set about teaming me with the right horse and teaching me not just to ride but to understand and be responsible for my horse’s behavior.

“Confidence is knowing you are prepared”.  Just one of Kathe’s core values that not only translates into my daily life but has made it possible for me to keep myself and my horse safe and moving forward.  Horses are a gift in my life that Kathe has made possible.  Today, not only am I riding safely, I have an adopted Mustang and a group of friends that are invaluable to me.

Thanks to Kathe I look forward to a retirement of continued learning and joy with my friends and the horses.  Thanks Kathe!

I’ll admit that my opinion may be sem-biased, as Kathe is my mom.  However, I’ll also admit that back in High School I thought I knew everything I needed to know about riding.  Once Kathe started giving me pointers I realized how wrong I was.  Nowadays I don’t get to ride, but once every few years.

The last time I went riding was the day after Thanksgiving 2009.  It had been about 5 or 6 years since my previous ride, so I definitely needed a refresher course (which Mom insisted on).  She gave me a quick refresher course and also worked with me throughout the 3 hour trail ride we took.  I was actually worried that the assistance was going to ruin my enjoyment of the ride, but safety is more important so I went along with it.  As it turned out, I enjoyed the entire ride and learned some new things on top of the quick refresher course.  I’m thankful and lucky to have a mother that can give me this guidance.  I love riding, and will definitely have to start riding much more often.  Thanks mom.

I’ve seen Kathe work with horses with all types of personalities and behavioral issues.  Her skills and her deep compassion for each horse allow her to bring out the best in each individual.  Kathe sees each of her horses and human students through to completion—she takes seriously the responsibility of creating good communication between each horse and their human rider/owner—with the goal of forming a great partnership and mutual respect between them.  The horses she has trained are a pleasure to ride and to work with.

Patty Cho-Zahorecz, DVM

Prescott, Arizona

When I retired, my show jumper retired with me. Unfortunately as good as he had been in the show ring, in retirement he did not become the pleasure horse I wanted and expected. Instead of daily relaxing rides we had fight after fight for who was in control.  He tested me every day, and tried to intimidate frequently. Just when I was about to give up, Kathe came to our barn and gave a clinic.  The change in Sterling and the change in myself was amazing.  I learned to listen to my horse and he learned to listen to me–and we both listened to Kathe!  I am so grateful.

Five years ago I adopted a five year old Arabian mare. She was a troubled, neglected and a depressed little horse. After working with her for six months, and before I ever got on her back, I was becoming frustrated and ready to give up. Then  I hooked up with Kathe who quickly taught me not to get rid of the horse but how to solve the problems – both mine and the horse’s. With Kathe’s help, it didn’t take long to understand my mare’s needs and to learn how to gain my horse’s trust. I’ve worked with Kathe and my horse, Getta, now for four years and although she still has her little moments she’s a happy little horse. Thanks to Kathe, both me and Getta have both leaned to listen to one and other and enjoy the ride.

“I decided to take horseback riding lessons a little over a year ago, at the age of 57. I “shopped around” for a good teacher for a couple of months and thankfully finally found Kathe.  She’s an amazing teacher.  She has a rare gift for understanding how different people and different horses learn and for finding the teaching approach that best works for each individual.  She creates an environment where through her guidance and perception, we each have the opportunity to become the best we can be.
I can’t begin to express how much this experience has brought to my life over the past year:  the joy of really communicating with a horse…not just riding a horse; the fulfillment that comes from facing and overcoming obstacles and fears; the insight I’ve gained about my own behavior and approach to life; and the friendships and support I’ve found with my fellow students.  Kathe, thank you so much!”

“A horse comes into our life for a reason,” Kathe Smothers told me soon after meeting me and my troubled seven-year-old Morgan mare, Choteau. “They each have something to teach us.” In my case, the lesson was courage, and it was a lesson that both my horse and I needed to learn. I was a fifty-eight-year-old novice rider with a “hot” horse. (Choteau had been grossly mishandled by an insensitive owner/trainer for the first six years of her life.) Thanks to Kathe, I did not give up and try to find an “easier” horse. Today, Choteau and I are a team, and my lifelong dream of riding the trails on my very own horse has come true.  Thanks, Kathe!