Testimonials
I was able to audit one day of Donna’s clinic in Maine. I only wish I had known about this ahead of time, because I would have loved to have done the 3 day clinic. Donna is a wonderful teacher, and I learned an incredible amount just from watching. Her work with a one-eyed mustang ..well, I want to say awe-inspiring, because it was—but also very moving. In a very short time, a horse who was rearing and trying to get away, who could not be approached on his seeing side, was lungeing on both sides. She had won his trust by her gentle consistency.
- Marjorie Farrell
I have never written a testimonial for anyone, in my life, because I haven’t felt strongly enough about any particular person to do so.
Those of us who know Donna West nod our heads and smile when we read this testimonial page on her website, because we know that, not only are the things people have written here true, but they are just the tip of the iceberg.
Donna is the “REAL DEAL”, not some flavor-of-the-month trainer, with their seminars and shows on RFD-TV; or a trainer who trains horses for the cameras, or for the price of an admission ticket; or a trainer who pawns your horse off on their students... (You probably couldn’t even begin to afford them anyway, and my guess is they spend more time in a boardroom than in a round-pen.) Or, worst of all, those trainers who lie to you, take your money, and hurt your horses, physically and mentally.
I could write volumes about what Donna has done for my “ponies” and for me. My partnership with them grows every time she works with us. God has given Donna many gifts; one of them is teacher.
I am very blessed and very proud to call her my trainer and my friend.- Tanya, mustang owner
- Nancy Harmon, Trail Rider
Donna has a way of teaching and touching peoples' and horses' souls that will remain in their minds forever. I have had the special opportunity to work beside Donna as a trainee with some of the most wildly domestic and domestically wild horses. From all sizes, breeds, and price ranges, I have learned so many different life lessons through horses because of Donna's professional talent. As a result of her teachings, I now have an outstanding ability to work with some of God's most precious and intriguing creatures.
- Virginia Payne
As someone who used to ride, I thought I knew something about horses/animals. When I met Donna West, I saw her take horses in for training that were, in my words, "brutes". She changed them, mentally and physically, into something handleable, enjoyable, and safe for their riders. She works with horses in a way that is unlike anything I have ever witnessed. As I observed the gentleness that she offered these horses, I realized a gentleness in my perception and understanding of these, as I used to call, dumb brutes, also.
- M.S Garrett
AT NO TIME, when Donna is teaching me or explaining things to me, do I feel like I am "being talked down to". She has a soft-spoken, reassuring way of teaching...and it WORKS! She puts you at ease, which gives you (and the horse) a better environment in which to learn. I am so honored to have been taught by Donna. I can't say enough about her...if you need help with a wild or domestic horse, Donna IS your trainer/teacher.
- Karen, mustang owner
- Lisa Senecal, Western Pleasure and Dressage Competitor
Expect many "light bulb" moments while working with Donna - no matter what your discipline is. I've been fortunate to have worked with Donna for seventeen years; equally fortunate are the horses that I've trained and ridden in that time under her encouragement and supervision.
- Becky Diamond, Owner/Trainer Diamond Farms
After 4 hours of trying to get our "NEW" horse to load I called Donna! People told me to "twitch" him and I could not bring myself to doing that!
After 15 minutes of working with him he happily went into the trailer! You have heard it said before "You wanted the best, You got the best!" If you don't use Donna and her talents it's YOUR loss! She is the best!
- Mark Brown, Trail Rider
Donna West's clinic gave me and my horse an opportunity to "get out of our box" and become part of a bigger picture. We train and show alone. The group energy at the clinic was exhilarating! We were able to carry that renewed energy back with us into the show ring and really enjoy ourselves again. I highly recommend this clinic to any and all horse and rider partnerships in need of a little change of pace. Donna West is an inspiring clinician!
- Kathy Grazyk, Hunter/Jumper Competitor
Within minutes, the gelding, "Mimic" listened, recognized her soft urging to comply and followed her thoughtful movements.
In my lifetime, in the '40's, under the supervision of a retired cavalry officer, later employing trainers for more than 100 horses in our Hoofbeat School of Horsemanship, plus training many of the equines by myself and family members, we have used many systems of equine education. Much of our success was based on the cavalry system of "drills" and the methods of several excellent trainers.
Trainers today make the headlines, work well in teaching not only the horse, and also the owners to use these gentle methods. We have attended clinics by noted trainers. Some are impressive.
Donna West may be listed in the category of an "excellent trainer." She is not only proficient in her work, but also a person of good character. Horsemanship Safety Association is pleased to have her on it's staff.
- Betty Bennett-Talbot CCD, Founder/Director Horsemanship Safety Association
After I started the colts, Donna had the ability to get results which far surpassed any training I had seen. Over the last 25 years, I've learned much by watching Donna thru patience, understanding and putting the horses in situations where the learning is everlasting.
Donna and I have been wonderful friends and worked many, many horses together over the past 25 years. I hope to be a part of her training program for the next 25!
- Ron Hall, Certified Master Farrier
#00119CG
- Terry & Darlene Geiser, Geiser Equine, Inc.
(Retired Mounted Police)
I attended a clinic in Alabama that was conducted by Donna West in l995. I had recently sustained a major break to my right leg which left me with a rod in my thigh. Donna helped me to regain my balance and explore new methods of "working with my horse". I left the clinic with a new appreciation for the "partnership" that I could develop with my horse. I have continued to work with Donna and find her to be an inspiring, talented, caring and honest person. I would recommend her to anyone who needs help; you will find your time well spent.
- Adam Burrus, Team Roper
What a perfect way to bond with a new horse! I attended a Donna West clinic 8 weeks after purchasing a very sensitive 4 year old Morgan mare. In 3 days, my new mare and I learned to trust each other and had a lot of fun in the process of the clinic. Donna West is a brilliant and talented clinician. Her clinics build confidence and give solid foundations to new partnerships. I encourage everyone I meet who has a new horse or who has gotten into a rut with an older partnership to get into the next available Donna West clinic.
- Kim Rose, Dressage Competitor
I am an ardent admirer of Donna West. I first met her after I called crying because I had just spent 5 hours trying to trailer load my 8 y/o gelding. He was awful. No other word. Donna was very nice on the phone and in between sobs, I explained the situation. I tried everything to get this horse on a trailer - EVERYTHING. I had some friends over that raise and train their own horses, and he wouldn't listen. She said "no problem", she would be out to help me with my horse. It took her 26 minutes and my horse was on the trailer standing quietly. She just knows how to read horses. They trust her and do what she asks. And that is all she did. ASK him to get on the trailer, no pushing, shoving or hitting. Not even an unkind word.
- Faith Mobsby, Trail Rider
It has been my greatest pleasure and now my ultimate triumph to have worked, trained and ridden under the tutelage of Donna West over many years. Donna started with an over-the-hill novice rider with a dream and a green-broke Arabian filly and with her patience, guidance and vast knowledge elevated myself and my now 11 year old Arabian to the top of our game. I am now 50 and one of the top ranked female 50 mile endurance riders in the Southeast.
Endurance riding takes the best from all riding venues, and adds the challenge of great speed over long distances. Physical conditioning from both rider and horse are the smallest of issues, at real play is the partnership between the horse and rider, the absolute control a rider must have over their mount and the ability to recognize the interplay of both. Any horse is capable of speed, but are they capable of controlling or isolating that speed to move, turn, jump or evade any number of inherent dangers across fifty miles of terrain? That is where the true partnership comes in, between horse and rider, and that is where Donna became not only my mentor but my best friend, working above and beyond what a "trainer" has to do, understanding intuitively what was needed to make my dream not a dream at all but an attainable goal.
My green-broke Arabian now holds some first place speed records over 50 miles that may take a long while to be broken, but that same Arabian is also used to demonstrate bridleless riding, can handle most any obstacle course, and can hold her own in most show arenas, this is the "partnership" Donna develops in her students and their mounts, whatever their choice of riding venue might be. Donna's training and teaching methods go beyond book knowledge or her years of being an instructor, they come from her soul.
- Annette Fantasia, Endurance Competitor
How has Donna helped you? If you would like to add to this page...Please e-mail your testimonial by clicking HERE.