Testimonials

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Geeze, where does one start? Can I write a book?

Tia is one the most naturally gifted horsewomen and teachers in the field today. I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones in her circle of horsemanship friends and students. She is gonna be big someday!

My journey with horses has been 7 years of ups and downs, trials and tribulations, fear and confidence, AND I can honestly say that I would be out of horses by now if it wasn't for her. I have a very challenging 10 year old quarter horse that has been the best horse in my life and the greatest challenge in my life. Through our journey, Tia has been a cherished teacher, mentor and example. She has picked us up from near catastrophe by coaching us through the tough growth needed (mostly by me) and seen us soar on trail rides, in clinics and lessons and achieve our goals as partners. Her confidence in the horse and the rider never waivers. Her approach is always exactly what the student needs, whether that be a gentle leader or an energizing coach. She has never met a horse she doesn't like and everyone has something to learn from her for their horsemanship journey.

Jen Davis, Parker, Co

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I have a 10 year old TB mare who has had problems having her back feet worked on since I got her off the track 5 years ago. She has a scar on her nose from a chain twitch that I believe is directly related to her defensiveness about her back feet. She also has had long toes and low heels, which due to my not being assertive enough over the years with the horse shoers, got worse. She suffered from sore suspensory ligaments in front which then led to a sore back and on & on. She has been barefoot behind because no one could put shoes on her. I spent a lot of time and money getting her front feet balanced through trimming, shoeing, pads, etc. and it was fairly effective...but her back feet were barely being trimmed, much less balanced. However, she has not been sound for over 2 years. I became very discouraged because I couldn't ride my horse and I am a lot about riding. So I decided to just have her shoes pulled, and throw her out in the pasture to see if Mother Nature could help. Well, I mentioned this final plan to Tia Jones and she said, "after her front shoes are pulled, I'd like an opportunity to see what I can do." [barefoot trim and horsemanship]. So I said, "absolutely." Tia came the day after Ruby's front shoes were removed and trimmed her fronts some more so that being bare foot would have a greater chance of success and they looked a lot better immediately. Don't get me wrong, the most recent farrier just did what he knew and they weren't horrible, just not as right as they needed to be. However, Tia was able to trim Ruby's back feet, walls, soles, frogs; the first time her back feet have been trimmed completely in years, without drugs, twitch, or muscle. Ruby was almost asleep with a back foot in Tia's lap as she trimmed away. That was 2 weeks ago. My horse is getting sounder, moving better and feels much more confident about having her back feet handled. I cried. Thanks, Tia!

Tammy D., Parker, Colorado

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Tia, I just want to thank you for our visit yesterday. After seeing at least 15 farms here in the Boulder area, I was feeling hopeless that horses were going to stand around bored and developing ulcers. Your farm is just beautiful and happy. I hope you keep the faith and that more people catch on. Have fun on your endurance rides. -Addie, Jan 2012

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Tia Jones is amazing! She is a natural teacher with a gift for communicating ideas between horse and rider. In one session she taught me how to trailer load my problem horse that I had been struggling to get on a trailer for years. Turns out I was the problem, and she trained me well. Now he loads immediately, EVERY time! Thank you Tia!

Brett Wilson, Loveland, Colorado

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Thanks to Tia I finally have hope again that I can progress with my horse and achieve my goals. The way she breaks down concepts into manageable pieces leaves me feeling successful every time. The most important thing I am learning is how to have a relationship with my horse and truly be partners. Tia is so inspiring and I can't wait to continue my learning with her!

Melissa Hall, Loveland, Colorado

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This was a very special one written by one of my youngest students. My three dogs, Deuce, Uma and Oscar greet her for every lesson and she's come to adore them. I'm planning to help her learn to draw horses. After all, every little horse-loving girl must know how to draw horses! Addie is 9 years old and lives in Parker.

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I wish if I stood next to Tia long enough, her awesomeness would just rub off on me. No such luck. Horsemanship takes years and sometimes lifetimes, and endless work, to master. I have known Tia for several years and have seen few as dedicated to being incredible with horses. Yes, she has oodles of natural talent, but beyond that she is devoted to educating herself with the best and is always raising her own personal bar.
Tia also has exceptional integrity. I appreciate her honesty with me and her humility. There is no ego in Tia’s barn and she brings so much joy to the people and animals around her.
Everyone wants a trained horse, but Tia goes beyond that. She trains while preserving the horse’s dignity. She takes into consideration the emotional and physical issues of the horse, and is considerate of the owner’s needs and limitations.
I am thankful for her help with my very sensitive gelding, Cisco. There is no one I trusted more to get us to that magical place of total trust.

Christy Hawes
Parelli L3 Graduate (O/L)
Former Pony Club District Commissioner

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Hi Tia! WOW, thanks for a wonderful lesson last night! I am so excited about where RM and I are headed as a team, now, finally! Thanks again, you are the best!!! :)

Lavila Lawrence, Greenwood Village, CO

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Hello Tia,

Just wanted to say thanks again for a great weekend! Jeff and I both learned a lot and he got on his horse and I actually cantered a few strides with my Paso/Paint Pony! :) Oh yeah and he is actually excited to be with his horse again!! When he gets "stuck" mentally, I will dial your number and hand him the phone so you can give him your encouraging pep talk. He trusts you and well obviously was able to get back on Roxie.

Shannon Wright, Loma, CO

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Hi Tia,

Thanks for Wednesday. I’m more excited than I’ve ever been about Sky and I’s future. I have so badly wanted a partnership over anything else and it appears we’re laying the foundation.

Thanks so much.

Kristina Bogar, Littleton, CO

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Thank you so much for such an inspiring, very fun and helpful clinic yesterday at Cottonwood Riding Club! Chloe is so much happier with my softer cues. I feel so motivated to continue this path and I really hope you can come back soon!

Carrie R. Kelly, Littleton, CO

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Tia, just finished your clinic today at Cottonwood Riding Club in Littleton. A few of us went out afterwards to sink in what we learned. We were all extremely pleased with our experiences today and hope you can become a regular part of our training. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.

Angela Bailey, Littleton, CO

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Hi Tia:

I just came in from riding and had to let you know the results so far with my little gelding--5th ride since I began your program. I am really quite amazed at his progress--he looks for spooks less and less, today only jumped about twice and stopped himself about twice more--I try to ignore the jumps but a couple of seconds later start the turns, and the last couple of rides I can feel him relax when I do that. I can stay off his mouth with soft two-handed turns, stops, backs, etc. and he is really beginning to listen. We're
adding a little new territory each day. He still walks fast, but I try not to nag him about that. Pretty rewarding-- all due to your good program.

In a couple of weeks or when you feel up to it, I would really like to bring him to your house for a lesson--I have
not taken him anywhere since I've had him, and I can't think of a better place to start. What do you think?

Again thanks so much--wish I would have learned more of this stuff about 30 years ago!

Sue Moore, Larkspur, CO

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Hey T!!! Got your email!!! Thank you so much! I'm really happy we met you and things are working out so well AND the progress we've made has been monumental!!!

Robyn Shane, Parker, CO

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Hi Tia,

I wanted to thank you again for your help and instruction and working with Marshall - it almost seemed magical the way you were able to control him in your ground work and then get him to load him. He loaded immediately when we left Prairie Canyon using your technique.

I feel so fortunate to be part of such a great group of folks with the Mounted Patrol - and you were especially thoughtful and generous to spend the time with Marshall and me. Thank you so much and I look forward to riding with you soon.

Fondly,
Rich Pollastro (and Marshall)
Castle Rock, CO

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You are such a good trainer. You have helped me in so many ways.
June Ayers, Franktown, CO

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Hi Tia,

After two reminders today, we cantered around the arena on a long rein three times without attempts to drop into trot, with him holding his head low and at times reaching almost to the ground. As a reward I transitioned him successively into trot, walk, and stop on my breathing cues, and called it a day, with lots of praise to him.

Thank you for having the patience of a saint to keep teaching the same thing many times over to a student who keeps forgetting it! :)

Tarja Toivonen, Aurora, CO

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Hi Tia,

I am on a high with Tri :) I rode her yesterday at the Mesa in slop and ice and she was great. Today I took her to the indoor arena and focused on what we did last week with you. She rocked! I was so thrilled - she took the soft feel so much better. Yay!! I had a list of things to work on, and after 45 minutes I had run out of ideas as she had done everything. We were even brave enough to ask for three canter departs. Great session.

Let me know about next Monday, if you're going to be home and can fit me in for an hour.

Thanks Tia!

Deb Cotterall, Franktown, CO

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Best afternoon ever! I honor you, I trust you, I adore you, I thank you! XO

Sandi Ausman, Parker, CO

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Hi Tia,

I just wanted to thank you for holding the clinic at our place last Saturday. Everyone really loved it! We are hoping you can still come to our place once a month. I also wanted to talk to you more about doing some training under you. We were all very excited about the new fun things we learn with you. Robert is even trying to start a mini track on the property that we currently have.

I would love to have further discussion about getting on your schedule for more clinics and working with you to train in Parelli Natural Horsemanship and all of your knowledge.

Thank you,

Sheila Morelli, Brighton, CO

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Hi Tia,

Thank you very much for letting me be a part of the clinic yesterday. Your students were just as welcoming as you were, and I really enjoyed it. I'd like to come back. I like the way you handle your horses, and the comfortable way you relate to your students. I can benefit from your teaching and so can my horses, although I'll probably audit for a while. I know that I will also be recommending you to friends.

One friend lives near you, as I mentioned. They have a lovely young (actually he's probably about 8 now) Arab stallion. They started him under saddle themselves a couple of years ago, but the husband has suffered several injuries, not horse-related, and now serious orthopedic problems which have stalled any work with this horse. He's a sweet-dispositioned, athletic horse that's just standing around. I've thought about offering to help with him myself, but I have a colt coming three years old, and need to give my time to him. No doubt I'll be turning to you for some help with that. I know that you take horses in training, but do you take stallions? What can I tell my friends about the services that you offer?

Thanks again, Tia. I look forward to next time.

Fred

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Just had the best ride with Jack. Went out in the neighborhood. Rode mostly at a trot! It was incredible. Also, worked on load at a trot in the trailer and he and I did awesome!!! I can't thank you enough Tia! I have waited a long time to feel this way about my horsemanship!!! Thank you!!!

Jacque Colton, Parker, CO