Judy and Bucky Bob, Azteca gelding
I first met Nancy when I answered an ad for a horse she was selling and will never forget my first memory of her. She was grooming her horse in the barn aisle with the lead rope hanging loose on the ground. The horse wasn’t tied up or trying to run away! Coming from a traditional horse background I was blown away. Everything she did from that moment on had me hooked - she made it all look so relaxed and easy. Nancy was my introduction to Parelli and her ability to explain and demonstrate this new way of thinking completely changed how I looked at horses from that day on. I didn’t buy the horse she was selling, but kept in contact with her. When I did end up with a horse of my own, she was who I went to for advice and lessons.
My young green horse Samson, now named Slick, spent a month with her for training when he was about two years old. There was no other person or place I would consider charging this task to and she didn’t disappoint me (or him) in anyway. While most trainers ask you to drop the horse off for a month and then come back to get them - Nancy insisted I come at least 2 times a week to learn what he is learning. She and her sister Claire were able to see all the positive characteristics in Sam and work with him to bring out his best. They also helped me understand his “horsenality” and gain an appreciation for his playfulness. In the following months and years I took lessons on occasion when my time permitted. My only wish is that I could have spent more time learning from her and on a regular basis.
Over the years it has been amazing to watch Nancy progress as a teacher and student. She is a dedicated learner and natural teacher who has the ability to bring out the best in people with what seems like very little effort. She challenges them by making them think (and work!). Her teaching style builds confidence and self-respect and she always keeps her sense of humor so her lessons are fun too. Her passion for the horse-human relationship is unwavering and I have full confidence in her ability to complete this course and go on to help even more people and horses than she already has.
Sincerely,
Danielle Rosenthal
I came to Nancy Faulconer not as someone who needed to solve a problem with my horse, but as someone who was looking for an enhanced relationship with my horse. What I found in Nancy is someone with quiet confidence that exudes an inner joy and peace, allowing her to instruct with encouragement instead of criticism. She pairs that with knowledge and understanding of the equine psyche as she searches to know not only the horse as an individual but also the owner. Her creativity and genuine enthusiasm about the "The Parelli Way" is contagious and I find that after each visit I am increasingly excited to come back and learn more. Nancy excels at teaching the horse and rider to move at the same pace - to complement one another and to help them effectively communicate with one another, ultimately reaching the goal much faster, easier (and with infinitely more fun) than doing it on their own. What a wonderful experience!
Tracey Buckalew, Eatonton, GA
Nancy truly practices the Parelli ideal and doesn’t just go through the motions and repeat the quotes. She always goes the extra mile if the horse or human needs it and does it with a smile on her face. Her ability to read a horse is fabulous and she has shown a tremendous ability to know a workable solution for whatever problem she finds.
I have known Nancy for some time and am frequently at her place or with her for various events. As her student I have learned how to read and diagnose problems with my own horse. She has a way of cutting straight to the root of the problem and offers solutions in a way that is clear, concise and easily understood. During play days she is always there to lend a hand. She has shown the results that can be obtained by studying Parelli by entering and often winning horsemanship competitions. She is a quiet presence that impresses spectators and competitors alike. When they ask how she did it they are very receptive when she tells them she studies Parelli. She has made many new contacts and I’m sure many more people are now thinking very favorably of the Parelli method. At her place or elsewhere, I am sure if Pat himself could suddenly appear at any given moment he would be pleased with what he saw.
Sincerely,
Donna Smith, L2 graduate
Nancy is the epitome of what a Parelli instructor should be.
She is always positive and patient. Always encouraging never condescending. Nancy regularly has play days at her ranch and has offered her assistance many times at no charge all on her journey toward achieving all she can toward her goal to become a 2 star instructor.
She will be a fine addition to the parelli line up of excellent instructors and we need her to be able to provide this service here in middle Georgia.
Sincerely,
Paula Barnes
Well the past two days have been awesome with Decker! I feel so much more confident with him.
I think I start doubting myself and just need some positive encouragement to push me again.
I know we have it in us, its just coming together and making it happen!
I sat down and wrote notes about our lesson, so I could read over them and really make sure I "got" it! :)
The key things I learned were:
- FOCUS!!!!!! Look where I'm going and have a plan. Leaders don't look to the horse.
- Phase one is the thought and go straight to phase 4 if he ignores me. It is better to make an impression on him quickly than TAPPING and desensitizing him.
- Help him move when he needs to or acts like a punk.
- For every inch he takes, make him move a foot away from me.
- Extreme Friendly game will give him more confidence. Do more friendly game in zones 4 and 5.
- 80/20 ratio of play and rest.
- Hang in there when he throws a fit...they don't last that long.
- Change it up so the games and patterns don't become chores.
- I need to breath and have more confidence in myself.
- And finally read him. Blowing out, head down, yawning, sleepy look, standing quietly, licking and chewing.
I know that's alot, but I wanted to let you know how much you helped me. I think my mind was in a melt down stage when I contacted you. All the negative comments and pressure from everyone around me had just beat me down to nothing. I was even doubting myself. Not the program at all, just if I could do it alone! Now I know I can! Like you said, it will all fall into place all of a sudden!
Yesterday and today I worked with Decker! He was great!!!! So willing and he had such a great look on his face since I knew how to get the "cream off the top!"
Sorry for the book! I'm just really excited. I really think Decker enjoyed it to. When I put him back out in his pasture, he just stood there with me. :)
Thanks again for everything!
Brooke Jeffries
Flying J Farms
I had given up hope that my crazy wild horse would ever have a great life. Then a friend (Becky Bohanan) told me about Nancy and the amazing results she has had with many troubled horses. I thought to myself " Have I got a case for Her. " I felt so bad for this beautiful horse at the rescue. He had been abused and returned to them a couple of times. He was a Premarine foal. So as a baby he never had human contact except when they loaded them into a trailer headed for slaughter. The fear in his eyes was so heart breaking. I hired 3 different trainers, spent over $4000.00 each one of them had a physical approach that only made Wrangler become a fighter. Each one of them failed. They got kicked, reared up on and ran down. I had never seen a horse so violent.
Now he is 6 1/2 years old. Huge, fast and so strong. When Nancy told me she would train him, I knew this was his one real shot at a truly happy fulfilled life. I was truly afraid for her. I tried to tell her all the things that he may try to do. Nancy would just smile and nod and say she knew. She went in my horse trailer and It was as if He knew she was there to help him. She haltered him up, loaded him in her trailer with no hesitance at all. Right then I knew Nancy was the horse whisperer I had been searching for. I also knew that My beautiful Wild Horse would finally feel safe and happy.
Nancy has had him about 6 weeks now. 8/19/11 I visited last week. She is able to saddle him. Do his feet, (without tying him) and play all the Parelli games with him. He is not afraid of a human hand or a brush or anything it seams. I am in Awe and don't know how to express my happiness and gratitude.
WRANGLER is living the life he deserved all along.
Thank You so much Nancy.
Captain Lisa Oliver
Naples, Florida
08/19/11
Through a series of events, I became the owner of two beautiful, smart and right brained horses. Being raised on a farm, I was like, "no problem" but when I went to get my beautiful Missouri Fox Trotter out of her stall, she looked at me with such fear and trepidation that I knew I needed some help. My other horse was a bay roan Quarter horse and we had had a few moments also that were beyond my skills and abilities in horsemanship. I knew I had to do something or else these two awesome creatures would soon become pasture ornaments.
ENTER NANCY. I had been given Nancy's name and after a rough Friday ride, I broke down and called her. And that is when my education began. With Nancy's help, I learned what I needed to do to help my horses be successful and become a great partner. My riding skills have improved and even though I may never be a great rider, I know I can be a leader for my horse so that when I say that I have it, they know I have it.
But more than that, I am developing the tools to help my horses become as smart as they can be. I have truly learned that it is not about the trailer, a smile means a lot to your horse, what it means to trust and what is takes to be the leader your horse needs you to be. I still have a lot to learn, but I am making progress.
Nancy is a fantastic teacher but more importantly, she is a wonderful person. She truly believes in what she teaches and lives her belief that the relationship with your horse comes first. She provides the support you need to establish this relationship and the tools to help you grow it.
I recommend a lesson with Nancy at Cloud9 Ranch.
Sally Rogers
I have been training with Nancy for 3 years and she has helped me get my Level 3, now working on Level 4. She is very patient and very knowledgeable. If you want to take your horsemanship and training skills to the next level you will be extremely pleased with her.
I have owned 30 horses in my life and wish I had known Nancy earlier. I accomplished a lot on my horse journey, but it would have been amazing if I had been in possession of the skills Nancy has taught me. Nancy can train your horse, but she would rather empower you, so you can have the skills to train your horse. You can train your horse while she is training you. And it will be easier and safer than going down the road alone.
If you want an understanding of what your horse is thinking and how he feels, you need to get in a class with Nancy. She will help you put a solid foundation on your horse and help you develop your horsemanship. With her help I got to lay my horse down today. I could not have gone there without her. <br><br>
Thank You Nancy, for all you have done for me and my buckskin gelding Bucky Bob.<br><br>
Judy Sanders, Eatonton, Georgia
What Nancy's Students are Saying...
I basically spent 2 to 3 hours with him working on everything we touched on in our lesson. I don't know if it was luck or if I'm getting better at predicting when he is going to have a punk moment, but the first time I asked Decker to jump the barrels he tried to throw his shoulder into me again and I put pressure with my carrot stick on his shoulder at the perfect moment! He jumped it! He knows that is what I'm asking now!!!!!! I let him rest after the first jump yesterday and then later went back to it and he willingly jumped it again. It was awesome!
Today I only had him jump it a few times, but every time he knew what to do and was great! I even tried a little more liberty! He walked with me for a few steps and then he decided that he had to leave! I helped him move and it only took a few times around at the canter before he was back to wanting to please. I did what you said and asked him to keep disengaging his hindquarters. It worked and once I got him connected again, I quit. It was great! I found all of his itchy spots and both sessions ended really well.
Nancy,
It’s amazing how things change and we grow throughout our horse-man-ship journey. We think we are going to “fix” our
horse. Then we realize WE are the ones who need “fixing!” Everything has fallen into place like you said it would. We got
balance in our LOVE, LANGUAGE, & LEADERSHIP. We graduated Level 2 Online!!!!...a goal that I thought was out of
reach a while ago! Now we are riding! Wow! I’m still amazed at the transformation you have given Decker and myself!
It is crazy how peer pressure doesn’t go away after your school days. Horse people…and by that I mean non-Parelli students,
can pressure and criticize your principles and timelines! I’ve really had to stand my ground for my principles and Decker’s
timeline! With the pressure to just “break” Decker and ride the tar out of him, I had to just immerse myself into studying the
Parelli way. That has helped along with your guidance and support! I am so blessed to have you as my instructor and my friend!
I’ve done a lot of soul searching and praying, because you know that I was almost ready to give up all together. I was afraid I
was going to be forced to sell Decker. I thought that we were the worst match ever and that my confidence was gone for good.
I have studied our Horsenality/Humanality Match Report, and it seems I’m attracted to my opposite, both in my horse and my
husband!!!!! It is easier said than done, but you are helping me achieve my goal of mental, emotional, and physical fitness!
Thank you!
When I dropped off Decker to you on New Years day, I was in tears and ready to sell him. I thought there was no way with the
lack of support at home and our opposite personality/horsenality that we could mesh EVER!!!! Boy did you prove both of us
wrong! I was so happy to hear you say that Decker had made some really nice changes and was doing well! I was afraid
before that my lack of knowledge and leadership had ruined him forever! Thankfully Decker is forgiving of my flaws and is patient as I’m learning! You have been the lifesaver that we both needed to help us in our Parelli journey! I knew I didn’t have the knowledge and confidence to start Decker. Thankfully you have given us HOPE!!! Now we are at the end of January and I haven’t felt better about where we are headed! The fact that we are about to video our Level 2 Freestyle Audition is just CRAZY!!!!! It feels so awesome that Decker and I have done all of this together!!!!!
Thank you so much for believing in us Nancy! You will never know how much you mean to us! Thank you for going on this crazy rollercoaster with us!
Love,
Brooke Jeffries & Decker Details!
McRae, GA
This smile says it all!
