Wind Dancer Ranch - Laurel MT and Cooper TX

Wind Dancer Ranch is a member of and supports:

American Cat Fancier's Association (ACFA)

American Paint Horse Association (APHA)

American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)

Big Sky Friesian Association of Montana (BSFAM) President & founder

Dallas Dressage Club (DDC)

Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA)

Ft. Worth Dressage Club (FWDC)

International Friesian Horse Show Association (IFSHA)

Northeast Texas Horseman's Association

South Central Friesian Horse Association (SCFHA)

The International Cat Association (TICA)

United States Dressage Federation (USDF)

United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)

About Heather:

Education: I have been riding and training

horses since I was 8 years old in 1978,

(30 years). After my initial lessons as a child

in English flat and jumping, I studied for

5 years (1984 – 1989) under professional level

instructors for: flat track racing, stadium jumping,

English flat, and Freestyle Quadrille at Le

Cavalier Manage in Scheveningen, Netherlands.

I also studied trick/circus riding at Stal Ballou in

South Holland, and learned to drive wagons and

carriages in Friesland. As an adult I have

studied under the direction of professionals such

as Pat & Linda Parelli, John Lyons, Clinton Anderson, Richard Shrake, Dennis

Reise, Sue Sherry, Jan Mower, Sheila Buschette, Jeanne Geadreau, Katrina Tiensvold and many others. I have shown and placed in Western Pleasure, Dressage, and English Flat. I am certified for everything from equine first aid and safety to behavior and psychology. In 2004 I earned my “formal” degree in Equine Science Instruction for both horse and rider. I continue my education constantly, with the my main focus on Classical Dressage beginning in 2005. Continuing education for 2006 included a "science of the Equine foot" clinic with Gene Ovnicek in January, Dressage Camp at Creekside Ranch in May, a three day clinic in July with Dr. Max Gahweyhler, a two day clinic with Jeremy Steinberg in October. In March 2007 a clinic with Christiane Borchert of Etoile Dressage school, Germany, and monthly clinics with Sue Sherry, as well as daily training with Katrina Tiensvold.

2008 clinics include Sue Sherry monthly, a March clinic with Christiane Borchert of Germany and Lisa Blackmon clinic in Dec 2008. 2009: Monthly clinics with Sherry Guess.

Along with traditional education, I am also a student of wholistic horse care. I practice Equine massage, natural equine nutrition, herbal healthcare, animal communication, and Reiki. It is important to take in account the whole horse and to create and maintain a balance between body and spirit for the horse to be it's best, just like us.

Training/Instruction: I will continue taking on a limited number of riding students here at the ranch in Texas 2009. Lessons are all one-on-one, for one hour. Your horse for $35.00, mine for $45.00. Please contact me to discuss your training/riding goals so a specific plan can be created for YOU. I will also be considering a few special outside prospects for horse training. Cost is based on private treaty, and the plan we create specifically for you and your horse’s needs.

Wind Dancer Ranch is a small farm in the Rimrocks of south central Montana and Northeast Texas, where all our stock is specially bred, hand raised, imprinted and trained to create the finest partners in any equine discipline you desire. Founded in 1998, WDR is my dream of breeding the best quality Friesians, Friesian Sporthorses, and American Quarterhorses for true horse lovers and connaisseurs like myself. These horses are special not only because of their lineage, but the exceptional way they are raised. We use all natural hay & feed that has not been grown with commerical fertilizers (nitrates) or sprayed with any chemicals. We use organic and natural methods for worm, fly, and other pest control. No commercial pesticides or fertilizers are used on our pastures or any plants on the ranch.

We believe in and use organically raised herbs in our feeding regime. We use state of the art horse drinkers so that the water stays cleaner and at the right temperature year round. Horses have turnout time every day and do not live in stalls. We have indoor/outdoor runs when the horses cannot be on pasture. Horses grow coats and follow mother nature’s cycles. We allow natural herd behaviors during turnout, horses are interacted with daily, and not just for “work” or “training exercises” and feeding. They are taught trust and respect for their human companions, and to think and have self-confidence. We allow our babies to grow and mature in good time, and each one has a slightly different schedule for learning. We do not push, force or rush any process or procedure on an animal who is not ready mentally or physically.

I recently visited Wind Dancer Ranch for a week of lessons. It was awesome! Heather was really patient while we worked on improving my leg and seat.

Over the week my riding, seat and horsemanship improved drastically. She had many different exercises to enforce correct, classical riding. They were fun, made me think and best of all worked! I even rode my horse in circle patterns without using my reins!! (Something I had never mastered before)

I look forward to coming for more lessons and clinics in the future!

Thanks Heather!

Thank you Dazzle for being a part of my life for 5 years. For teaching me things about spirituality, friends, and souls no other could have shown me. Thank you for the beautiful kittens you gave me, and the motherhood everyone said no wild cat could. Thank you for all the memories and antics I have of you that will be a part of me always. I already miss your "patrolling", jumping up and down, our conversations, your special greeting, like no other. I will miss our snuggling, with you "nursing" my ear or neck, or when you kneeded so hard with those nails and looked into my eyes while you purred pure unconditional love and thankfulness. Although I feel our time was cut short from my expectations, I thank the Universe for you. I love you always, Heather.