As rather novice horse owners, we were having ongoing problems with the basics when Billy came to set us straight. Although we'd worked with several prior trainers, we still felt intimidated and our horses continued to frequently challenge us. It was very impressive to watch how well and how quickly our horses responded to Billy. They were like different animals! And Billy wasted no time in pointing out the errors of our ways. He can be tough and blunt -- and funny too. Most importantly, he gets results from humans and equines alike. We are looking forwards to continuing to build a better relationship with our horses with Billy's help.
Diana & Ari Gradus
Hoosick Falls, NY
Dear Billy
It was a lucky day for us when Mary Ellen invited you for a clinic at her place. You were right there as we were unloading our gelding and in fact had him keep you company while you spoke. We were impressed by the quietness of your energy despite the chaos going on around you. Our gelding was instantly comfortable with you and that told us a lot about you.
At another clinic, you were holding my old mare’s rope and she reared up and warned you to behave and you laughed softly at her and didn’t look her in the eye. She approved of your response and again – this told us so much about you and your way with horses.
When I couldn’t walk, you helped me reconnect with my anxious mare and to have fun with my youngster while sitting in a chair.
And last year – it was magic for me and my newest young mare. We felt the energy swirl and settle and the connection between all of us. For a moment – I was a horse.
This week I watched you work with a friend’s petulant insecure youngster. Your hands never got hard, you kept everything soft and I learned how effective it could be to use your feet – just moving them an inch or so – and what it can mean to a horse. You helped that youngster get comfortable and you sidestepped any confrontation gracefully.
Thanks Billy!
Janet Fram and four Icelandic Horse mares
Rupert, Vermont
We have a small breeding farm and have 2 Appaloosa stallions. We raised them from foals. At about 3 years old they were becoming pushy and somewhat aggressive. The one knocked me down and injured my shoulder. He was pounding the metal panels of his fence all the time and had bent the panels. The blacksmith was having problems with their feet. I called Billy to come down and see them and he showed us what we were doing wrong. With winter coming on we didn't have time to work with them and by spring they had gone back to their old behaviors. We sent them up to Billy's for a couple months. Billy spent time working with the horses and with my husband and myself. He spent a lot of time teaching us how they think and changed the way we worked with them.
By the time they came home, they were totally different horses and we were better leaders. My blacksmith couldn't believe the difference in them. We have since taken them to an obstacle course and have ridden with other horses including mares. We never would have thought of doing that prior to working with Billy. Our horses were becoming dangerous and if we hadn't met Billy we may have had to either geld them, sell them or possibly gotten hurt.
Keith & Dolores Meissner
The clinic at the Banewicz farm couldn't have been better!! Billy is great at explaining and demonstrating ways to address issues and a great guide to take you through your problem areas. He's full of wonderful information (and good stories). My Husband truly enjoyed this clinic as well and has been practicing what he brought away from it. Billy calls it as he sees it and is remarkably on the money with his observations of horses and their people.
We're looking forward to our next clinic with him.
Vonny Parks
