Testimonials

"The most important thing is that they teach people to be safe on and around horses!"

"I appreciate the way that Robert paints a picture in his mind. He tries to give you enough different versions of the task so that at least one of them will stick.  Janet comes in behind me and suggests that I tweak something.  It creates a whole new dynamic, and I can get it and it comes into place.  It’s really amazing the way that they work together.  So fun to be around.  Very intelligent, and engaging.  I come away from each lesson always feeling encouraged, jazzed, ready to go to to the next level."

"The number one thing that I take to heart is that I’m safe and the Phinneys teach in a manner that keeps me and my horse safe.  I’m doing something that isn’t harming my horse.  It’s horsemanship through the horse’s perspective rather than me asserting myself on the horse. They help me stay challenged and continually learning."

"I wanted to especially thank you Robert for being so patient with Eleanor. The time you spent teaching her how to "be caught" by Freckles was pretty important to her and I must say, amazing to watch. I only wish I had been able to capture on video that moment when he walked toward her and followed her (hooked on). It was beautiful. And I think/hope it also taught her that when he's being evasive, it's not a rejection of her personally.

And it seemed to have had an impact on her. She told me in the car it was the first time she ever really felt like she and Freckles were "partners" and when I asked her what one thing you said that stayed with her, she repeated your comment about this being "a journey". Then we talked about how that might be frustrating, since you're never "done." But then we said it might be similar to a story where one door opens, then another and then another... each to a better place."

"Wow I wish my horse could do that! How many times have I said that? Why can't my horse do those things that other horses do that seem so impressive. Well now my horse can. With instructors like Janet and Robert I have a team who can make this a reality. They helped me break lessons down so both my horse and I can succeed. And when I have a problem and things seem to be going backwards they are always there help. One thing I really like is learning in a group. It is amazing how much I have learned when I was with other people who are going through the same thing. Robert or Janet will give them some helpful tip and wow things click for me. Janet and Robert are one of the best tools I have."

"Sept. 2009 – I just spent two days at Robert and Janet’s beautiful home in Dayton, WA.  They have created a wonderful setting to be with horses up in the hills.  The views from the arena alone are breath taking.  It had been 4 years since I last saw the two of them and I went there with two of my horses.  The reason I went was for help with a new mare who came to me with a rearing and pull back problem.  I had lost confidence in managing this issue and was looking for answers.  I did get answers and gained new confidence, however, while that is the reason I drove the 6 hours to Dayton, I came home with something much more important.

Four years ago I purchased a little paint mare who Robert had been working with.  At that time, she was a troubled lesson horse who clearly didn’t like her job, so he was helping her along for the owner so that she could be sold.  I took her along for the ride when I went to Dayton.  I wanted to show Robert and Janet some of the issues I am having with her, which are really the same as they were four years ago.  I explained how frustrating it is to me that as soon as I think I am making some progress with her, I hit the same braces and she throws me her same old “school horse” tricks.  Robert asked me, “Do you feel like you should be farther along?”  I pointed out to him that we were having the same conversation today that we were 4 years ago and that I kept finding myself back at the beginning with her.  With an empathetic expression on his face and tilt to his head, Robert responded with, “Well, the beginning is not such a bad place to be”.  He went on to explain that if I stay in the beginning and get really good at it, that I’ll be surprised at just how far I get.

“The beginning is not such a bad place to be” – I may have gone to Dayton in search of specific answers, but what I came away with was a life lesson. "

"My quarter horse mare and I were lucky enough to find Robert in 2005. We were kind of "stuck" because I had a routine and wasn't listening or leading very effectively. Robert worked with us patiently and improved both our attitudes and our partnership. What you see is what you get with Robert: a gentle, intuitive and intelligent man who loves horses and communicates well with us two-leggeds."

"I started with no experience, with a horse who had little idea of how to work under halter or saddle, and whose attitude was poor due mainly to fear and mistrust. With Janet's help, both my horse and I have learned to work together with confidence, and his attitude is absolutely great now. He is a whole different horse and I have learned how to ride."

"One of the difficult concepts to understand within horsemanship is that of softness. So much is written about softness and clinician spend plenty of time talking about it, but it is hard to really understand how to actually apply it. This is especially true with the horses that I work with, many having some issue or another. Robert has really helped me understand the difference - and the when - of applying "pounds" then "ounces", with timing and release. The progress horses and I have made with this one bit of understanding has been fantastic - thanks Robert."

"Having Robert Phinney as an instructor has been a great experience for me – he’s got a great combination of patience, humor and understanding of both people and horses. If there were more instructors like Robert, there definitely would be more riders! I’d recommend him to anyone who wants to learn or improve on their western riding – experienced rider or not."

Here are some words that have been used by others to describe Robert and Janet Phinney; humorous, polite, kind, humble, honest, experienced, sensitivity to people and horses, kindness, compassion, passion, engaging, diligent and dedicated.