Testimonials
Toby, Alice, Charmer and Pepper (Alabama) Dear Glenda & Gerald Just thought I would update you about Pepper and Charmer. We have had them home for 5 month now. These horses are everything you advertised and much more. I have had horses for the last 40 years and I am not a novice with horses. I have never owned better trail horses than Pepper and Charmer. I have put a lot of miles on Charmer and he has been Great!!! I now ride using only a rope halter. When cued, he is very light and responsive. I can lean forward and he speeds up or I can lean back and he slows down. He also neck reins. Alice, who has been afraid of horses, is riding on a regular basis and is gaining confidence every time we ride. I have had my grandsons on Pepper and I could not ask for a safer animal for children to be around. I have told my family that if you can sit up straight you can ride Pepper. I do not know how you find and train your trail horses but I believe that you are truly gifted when it comes to producing great trail horses. I am attaching some photo of our horses. Thank you so much for helping us find these horses! Sincerely, Alice and Toby Jernegan
Belinda and Tom Cruise (Tennessee) I also wanted to let you know that Cruise is doing well and I have finally ridden him a few times. I really am pleased with him. We took him to Woodbury, TN (nothing but hills and “hollers”) a couple of weeks ago and tried him out on some serious hills, rocks, creeks and logs on top of logs. He would step over the logs that he could and jump over the ones that were too tall for him, but he never hesitated with any of it. Just took it all in stride. I was pretty nervous about it all, but he seemed to have no problem with any of the obstacles. Wasn’t nervous or spooky at all. Even kept his cool after our gelding Ten Penny kicked him. I have no idea why he did that, he has never kicked before. Maybe Cruise was crowding him a little too close on a difficult area to manuver. Then my daughter took him off with a couple of strange horses(leaving his buddy Ten Penny behind) on some hill climbing and he did fine. My cousin that took us trail riding said Cruise seemed like a fine horse to him. He thinks he has the strength, stamina and willingness to make a good mountain pony. I have rode him for the last two weekends just near our place on a neighboring farm and he is doing fine. We even encountered some cattle today, and he was great. I wasn’t sure if the very nosey cows would startle him or make him nervous. They did not. If the cows started getting too close to us,(sometimes the younger ones would actually run toward us) I would turn Cruise into them and head toward them. The cows would turn and run off, then we would be on our way. Also, when he was eating the hay I had put down for him, I looked a few feet away and saw a good size black snake. Cruise gave it very little attention, just kept eating. Even when my daughter got to messing with it and got it to slithering around, Cruise just watched with mild interest as he chewed his hay. Heather figured it probably hangs around the barn and the horses are used to it. If it will keep the mice eat up, suites me. Cruise is really good natured and willing to work with me on what I want.
Rose and Phantom (Illinois) Hi Glenda, This is Rose Terwiske, I bought Phantom from you in the end of April. He is doing great. Gets along well with all the other horses. We took him to a show in September to see how he would do. He was great most of the time. He did not like to be in the arena with 50 other horses during warm–ups, but was great in the events. He got two 2nds and a 3rd. I have not had time to take him to any other shows but will start again in the spring. He does like to chew/play alot with anything that comes in contact with his mouth. Loves to have attention. Follows me around the pasture when we are there. He is doing great with our handicapped daughter. She loves him.
Lyn and Justice (California) Glenda, I bought my 4 year old Tri Color Spotted Saddle horse Justice, from your gaited horse farm in April 2008. During the last 6 months, I’ve ridden him all over the mountains of southern Calif. We even rode in our first parade together this last Saturday 10–18–08, that was a great experience!. I’ve also used him during our old west re–enactment shows that we do every Saturday April– Oct. It is fantastic how Justice is not afraid of the guns we use during our skits. And he absolutely loves the attention he gets from all the people that come up to him afterwards so they can sit on him or stand next to him just to have their pictures taken with him! In every situation, Justice has behaved/performed like a much older and far more experienced horse. From the time Justice arrived, he’s been everything and even more than you said he would be. No matter where we go, everyone has commented on how they cannot believe Justice is only 4. That’s because for the most part, he is calm and is not what you would think a typical 4 year old horse would be. That is a very good thing for me since I needed a more calm level headed horse in my life. Thank you Glenda and Gerald for giving me the opportunity to become Justice’s new mom! Lyn Gatherer, Big Bear California
Alice and Cody (Colorado) Hi Glenda, I would be happy for you to use this letter in your testimonial page. I love that Cody. He has passed one test after another. He arrived in perfect condition and settled right in eating and drinking like he had lived here all his life. Last week we took him to the farrier to have his shoes pulled, he jumped right into a very high stock trailer rode like a champ by himself, walked right into a strange shed, got his shoes pulled and his hooves are fine just like you said they would be. We met up with a rattlesnake while riding in the pasture and he sidled over a bit but that was it. A big herd of antelope racing across the prairie this morning and a cloud of mosquitoes following us home he takes it all in stride. He loves attention will actually leave food to put his head in the halter. What more could a person ask of a horse. Oh yes, he is fun to ride and has caught on to the way I ride and is getting softer in the bridle all the time, last but not least, he stands like a statue while I get on and off, most important for an eighty year old rider!! I want to thank you again for your hospitality when we came to look at the horses, everyone was very friendly and helpful, also Your help in shipping with Cowboy Express an excellent outfit. Thank you everyone at Flatshod Farms!! Sincerely, Alice
Gail and Target (Illinois) Hi Glenda, As today is the 4th of July, and it’s Target’ birthday, I thought I’d let you know that everything has been going beautifully. He is just awesome. His manners on the ground and in the saddle never change. I’m going slowly because I’m gaining my confidence and he is absolutely ok with that. It’s like he knows what to do and is just waiting for me to catch up. A dear friend of mine came by to see him and she spent the whole time hugging him and kissing him. He never pulled away but when she was ready to leave and I let him go he just walked away and got a drink. When I look at him I just smile. He walks up to the mounting block and stops exactly where he should and does the same thing when I’m ready to get off. I’m still getting use to his gates as he has more action than my other guys. So we’ll just keep getting use to each other. (His name is now Ari, which means brave) Thank you for your expertise with horses and skill at matching people and horses. Take care and I’ll stay in touch, Gail
Gary and CC (Kentucky) Greetings from Louisville, Kentucky! Glenda, wanted to send you a note and let you know both Julie and I are so very grateful for your personnel assistance and candid appraisal of each of your horses as we went through the discovery phase of purchasing our latest family addition from your farm Evils Choice Cut (better known as “CC&rdquo. He is truly everything you said he was! We have taken him out for trail rides on multiple occasions and every time he just amazes both of us. On the trails, we have not encountered a situation that he is not more than willing to do truly an outstanding, smooth gaited trail horse. He is currently sharing a pasture with 4 mares and loving life! We also both enjoy the fact that all we have to do is “yell” for him and he comes a running no need to catch him! When we are in the market for our next ride, you can count on us to look your way first. Again, thanks for everything! Gary
Jeff, Wanda, Trouble and Dealer (Michigan) Glenda, My husband Jeff and I bought Trouble and Dealer (aka now Patches) and we are so happy with them. I took Patches out this past weekend on his first trailride and I’m very very pleased. I enjoyed meeting you and I’m so glad Spring is here so I can get out more with my new buddy! This past weekend I had him tied to the trailer and was putting away a tent when a plastic tarp got caught in the wind and blew close to Patches. I was really suprised when he just stood there and looked at it. He was a little nervous about it but not too bad. I was really suprised he didn’t break his lead rope and take off for the next county. Look forward to hearing from you!
Brenda (Illinois) Glenda, hi there. This is Brenda Millinger..I bought Buddy from you in March (the bl/wh Spotted Saddle on a trade with the Walker). I just wanted to update you on how pleased I am with Buddy. (who I renamed Pilgrim because there were already 3 Buddy’s at our barn!!) We just returned from taking him to Mammoth Cave, KY for a week of trail riding. The trails there were very rocky, hilly, extremely muddy, and long. He did wonderful..approaching each obstacle calmly and picking his way slowly and carefully. Each time we went out I felt more and more confident & safe on him. I am so very, very pleased with him. We rode with others, and we rode alone&he was fine in front or behind. He is gentle, willing, and calm not to mention beautiful&one who I think will only get better with age. Plus he seems to genuinely want to please. ..and he rides well with our other 2 Spotted Saddles. Best of all he stands like a statue to mount / dismount&whether I am at the barn or on a trail. We had been mostly walking trails after I brought him home – while we built our relationship. But now I am starting to gait some. He does gait very well Anyway..I just wanted to thank you for allowing me the trade. It was so nice of you, and I can only hope the one who received Magic is as pleased as I am. We will be at Land Between the Lakes for 5 days over Memorial weekend. Brenda
Cathy (Arizona) Hi Glenda, I just wanted you all to know that I received my new saddle on Monday and after two rides on it now I have to say it’s probably the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden! What a nice saddle it is. Anyway, thanks for making such a great saddle – and BTW the size is perfect. Have a good day! Cathy Craven Palominas, AZ
Toby, Alice, Charmer and Pepper (Alabama) Dear Glenda & Gerald, Charmer and Pepper arrived on Friday in good shape, Thank you for arranging transportation. I’ve ridden both horses on Saturday and today and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. They have been a great pleasure to deal with so far. Thank you for all your help and kindness with helping us find these horses. Sincerely, Alice and Toby
Barbara (Minnesota) Hi Girlfriend, How are you and everyone there at G&G? I thought I would just write and let you know how Scotch and I are doing so far this year. We have been having a blast. I really am still amazed at how comfortable I am with that horse. It’s like we’ve been a teem our entire lives. I suppose we have put on about 400 miles so far. We’re a bit behind as I had knee surgery the end of April to fix a ski injury. It’s all healed now and Scotch and I are back on the trails. We are in the Wanigan day parade this year also. I will send you a pic. Attached is a photo of the two of us. I hope all is well there, and sure do wish we could ride together. Take care. Barb
Susan and Magic (Virginia) Good afternoon, Our baby is growing up. He is looking more elegant each month. I am 5’11″ and you can see how tall he is now. Just thought I would share. He got his sat. night bath on sat. morning to make the show. Then he was still clean for the trail ride on sunday. My sister said, Magic is a show horse. I said, well, Magic is a show off! Mom said, he would go in 10 classes a day if that meant he got 10X the attention. I always tell his well–wishers where he came from! take care and hope all is well in KY, Susan & Magic
Denise (Kentucky) I waited about half a century to get a horse but Dancer was worth the wait! He is the sweetest fella who ever walked the earth and clearly the most handsome as well. I moved him recently to a new stable closer to our home and he loves it there. Sunday we took our new 10–week–old Pharaoh Hound puppy over to meet him and in true Dancer fashion, he approached her slowly to keep her from being scared and then gave her a big smooch. He often follows me around like a faithful puppy without need for a halter and rope––what a great pal he is!