While we were at a horse show, my daughter and I both commented on how much we liked this one big grey gelding. At a show the following month we saw his full brother, and found out that both were for sale. I wasn’t looking for a horse for Teri, but decided to look at both geldings.

I talked with Isaac about the horses, and he spent a little time talking with Teri to see what she was wanting in a horse. (She’s 15 – her response was “I want a horse that does everything”!) I emailed Peter a few times, and set up a time to go look at those two.

From the moment we drove through the gate I felt their goal was to match the best horse to Teri. Peter talked with Teri about her riding experience and her goals for the horse. He spent time watching her move around the horses to get a feel for her comfort level, knowledge and confidence.

The plan for the first evening was to go on a trail ride, first with Teri riding Pete and then with her riding Perry. We started out with Teri up front with Isaac, and Peter and me behind. He watched how she handled Pete on the trails, both following Isaac and then in the lead. We rode through different terrain and at varying gaits. When we got back to the barn we did the same thing again, this time with Perry.

It was pretty obvious that Perry was a better match – the two of them just clicked. We rode the trails again, and Teri jumped a downed log a few times. On the return trip we went along the road so Teri could see how Perry reacted to traffic.

Once back at the barn Teri untacked Perry and groomed him, with Peter watching to see how they responded to each other on the ground.

The second time to out Tall Pony Ranch Teri only rode Perry, this time in the arena. Isaac schooled her over fences, and then he watched her do flat work and jumps on her own.

Peter and Isaac did a wonderful job making sure Perry was the right fit for my daughter. They took the time to watch Teri and their horses, and how they worked together. I never felt they were just there to sell me a horse. I felt they were there to help find me the best horse for my child.

Teri now has a horse she loves dearly, and Perry does everything she asks of him. He’s her best friend.

I refer people I know who are looking for a horse to Peter and Isaac. I know they’ll take the time needed to find the perfect horse for others, just like they did with us.Thanks for sharing! I haven't had the pleasure of being part of one of your sessions at the ranch, but from what I've seen he has a pretty good picture of you! If I would have felt you were "in it for the money", I would have haggled over the price for Perry. I never felt that way with you, and have never regretted buying that big grey guy! Every time I see the look in his eyes, and in Teri's, when they're together I'm reassured it was a great decision. THANKS

A second note from Teri:

Jami Vonderschmidt, Topeka, KS.

I could not have found a better place to buy my first horse. After lots of research both in books and on the web it became very clear to me how careful I had to be in selecting the person(s) from whom I would be buying my horse...almost as important as the horse itself. Since none of my knowledgeable equine friends live anywhere close to me, I had to make the visit to Tall Pony Ranch without their expertise. Because I am a first time horse buyer and not a horse guru, I needed to be careful.

Throughout the buying process, Peter slowly dissolved all of my fears and worries. He was upfront about my mare's issues (there weren't many...but no horse is perfect) and was more than willing to show me anything I asked. I asked him how she did during a bath, and he said "let's give her one". I asked him how she was when ridden bareback to which he replied she had never been ridden bareback...but would I like to give it a try...and she did great! We rode on a long trail ride throgh dense forest and up and down steep, rocky hills. He also let me take her out by myself afterwards.

I also need to comment on how soft in the mouth she was...man you barely have to touch the reins and her head moves! She also had the smooooothest fox trot a girl could ask for.

All in all, Peter is an honest man who sold me an awesome mare...an awesome friend. I would recommend him to anyone.

Katie Schembri

When I first talked to you about the horse that I was interested in I appreciated that you ask a lot of questions about how I treated a horse when I ride them. You also asked numerous questions (showing concern about the horse) as to how I reined, used leg pressure and other ways to getting the horse to move in the direction that I wanted him to go. This was all done pryor to me riding the horse. Once I showed you that I was learning and going in the right direction I then went out on rode the horse. During the initial conversation I mentioned about not being on a trail ride since I was dismounted previously. When I decided to buy the horse you had me ride the horse on a trail at your place before I departed with the horse. Doing this it brought me back to enjoying riding a horse on a trail ride. About a week after getting my new horse (Big Red) I went on a trail ride with a friend (in snow and ice) and had a blast. About 2-3 weeks later I rode with another friend (this one knows alot about horses) who was riding a Mustang and told him that I would go any where he wanted to and he did. During this ride I rode in snow, ice, over fallen tree branches, gullies, stream, at a walk, trot and canter. This ride was the best ride that I have had in the last three years. I ride in the Veterans Day Parade and this year I plan on riding "Big Red", he will wear a 1924 McClellan saddle and I will wear old Cavalry uniform caring the US Flag. I am sure that I will have a lot of fun in the future on "Big Red"

Thanks George

Hey Pete ~~~

Wanted to drop you a quick line and thank you again for taking the time our of your busy Sunday to take a ride with us... !! No major mis-haps when we got back for the day, of course Madeline absolutely screamed with delight with I picked her up from Mom's and told her we had a new horse at home.

She was a tad tricky to catch, but the poor thing has had some stress the last few days. I rode her for about 10 minutes in the yard, she acted like she had been there for years---changed saddles and put Madeline on her, and she rode, and rode, and rode her all over....she was a DREAM !! Perfect.... ! Thanks again for all you've done..you picked out a jewel....I wormed her, I'm going to get some cracked corn and mix with some sweet feed in the hopes she will eat it, she wanted nothing to do with our complete feed mixture we have now.

Thanks Again---- !!!!! Stace

Thank you again for a lovely day yesterday. Jim and I both really enjoyed our time with you on your beautiful ranch, and we had the pleasure of experiencing that terrain on your sure-footed and reliable mule partners, a first for us and a real JOY. I feel really good about leaving Star with you and your team. I know he will have a good home and a job; and with your program and tutelage, I’m confident that he will develop to his full potential and become the reliable mount that we both think he CAN be.

I love riding the trails, but Jim has only ridden horses to accomplish a given chore. Now, however, he is looking around our place and thinking where we can add neat trails, and possible mules!?! Another consulting victory for YOU! And the day has motivated ME to keep up the good fight with my MS by reminding us just how much satisfaction and peace I gain from our equine partners. “JUST DO IT”, and keep finding a way to do the things I love. Thank you for that inspiration.

Please consider this an open invitation to visit us here any time. We’ll look around our place, cook some steaks and visit more with our new “horse friends”.

Cheers of the season to your and yours.

Thanks again,

Jim and Kay