About Horse Heaven
Meet Ky
HI! I have been horse CRAZY since i was a very little girl! I have been blessed to have horses in my life my whole life! I am not a fancy trainer with a long list of accolades or a fancy barn full of ribbons and expensive horses.
What I AM is a passionate obsessive student of the horse! I have literally spent my life learning all that I possibly can about these magnificent creatures! After a serious accident off a horse (while pregnant!!) 25 years ago my horsemanship took an abrupt right turn in to the world of Natural Horsemanship. A way of being with horses that was entirely new to me. A new way to communicate with them. A way to have a relationship with them that is unlike anything I had every experienced up to that point. I have had the incredible opportunity to study with some of the TOP trainers in the world (more on that later)!
I LOVE SHARING MY KNOWLEDGE AND MY BELOVED HERD WITH YOU!
What Horse Heaven IS
Horse Heaven is a safe place , a place you can put your fears behind you and focus on your dream of being with horses. I love to teach the very young, the very old and the in between. I specialize in helping people get over their (very well founded!) fears about these great big beasts! I can teach you how to be safe and confident on the ground (where it all starts) and continuing in the saddle. I have a "happy tree" where parents, grandparents , significant others etc can sit and enjoy some shade and be entertained by the 4 ranch dogs while you have your hour or hour and a half lesson !
What you'll learn
You'll meet everyone in the herd and know them by name and "horsenality"! You'll learn basic ground skills such as catching, haltering, grooming, tacking up as well as a variety of games that we play on the ground to earn respect and friendship with your mount. You'll learn how to keep a horse out of your space to keep you safe! Until you invite them in for scratches and rubs and cookies! You'll learn how to ride in balance and harmony with your horse. You'll eventually feel what it's like to "dance" with your partner :) You'll learn so much more but most of all YOU'LL HAVE FUN !!!
Lesson prices
I teach all spring/summer/fall weather permitting. (remember I'm not a fancy barn with a big indoor arena.... said with a wistful sigh) . But a little rain never hurt anyone and we carry on most days!
1 hour lesson (recommended for really young children) $40.
1.5 hr lesson ( for the rest of you cause an hour is NEVER ENOUGH) $60.
BUY A BLOCK OF 5 AND GET #6 FREE!
WHAT DO I NEED?
You need to have boots on cause it HURTS if a horse steps on your toes!
Cowboy boots, English paddock boots, anything with a small heel and leather to protect your tootsies.
A helmet . I have several loaners if you don't have one to start with .
Carrots, apples, peppermints come in REAL handy and make you popular.
Meet the Family!
KYBOY
Your main squeeze when it comes to beginning your new relationship with horses! Kyboy came to me off the Browning Indian Reservation. He is considered a rescue as he wasn't very happy in his old life. He is a RIGHT BRAIN INTROVERT. Meaning... he is inherently pretty skeptical of humans and a bit fear based. And not in TOO big of a hurry to move his feet! He went from turning his butt me for almost a YEAR when I approached him (you could literally HEAR him saying ....oh....please don't pick me) to being the first one at the gate to meet his students, get his carrot and do the job he was made for! Everyone LOVES this big stout hunky Bay who's most likely a Quarter Horse in his breeding. This photo is Abigail R. from my Testimonial page!
TEDDY!
Teddy is MY main squeeze! He is an American Saddlebred, also a rescue from Canada. He is a Right Brain Extrovert to the max! This means he is VERY excitable, high spirited, super skeptical of pretty much everything! He ALWAYS looks like a deer in the headlights! But he is STUNNING and absolute magic to ride and play with at Liberty (totally free in a pen, no halter or leadrope) and he and I have an incredible bond that I cherish . Teddy has taught me more than any other horse I have had the privilege to own.
ROCK N ROCK BABY (ROCK)
Rock is an interesting mix . He is 1/4 Arabian, 1/4 Thoroughbred, and 1/2 Paint (Quarter Horse with COLOR!) . He is a full on Left Brain Extrovert. ...meaning, he has little to no fear of humans and is an absolute CLOWN. Playful , a little pushy, has a bag of tricks up his sleeve at all times. You'd better be on the ball when you play with this guy!
More of US!
SONNY
Sonny is a Left Brain Introvert, Right Brain sometimes. He is inherently pretty mellow and easy going but when pushed too far or asked too much he gets fearful and he's BIG and very very strong. So he can be quite the handful when he's scared. He is a Line Back Dun, ( that's his coloring), and his breed is a Quarter Horse. He came from a nice cowboy. He is my project for the summer and oftentimes when YOU have a lesson on steady freddy Kyboy, I'll be right along beside you on Sonny teaching him the ropes of how to get along in a different world from which he came.
STUBBS & GIRLFRIEND
Stubbs is a 3 legged rescue from the reservation who is most likely Shepard, husky, sacred white wolf mix :). He is the BEST dog in the world. Enough said. Girlfriend is a red heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) and she is the sweetest most loyal dog in the world. She's getting up there in years and takes it pretty easy these days but still LOVES to herd the ponies which is her job.
TIGS & PICKLES
Little stock dog girls full of energy and life and play and TROUBLE!
Tig is Jay's dog and is mostly with him. She is 1/4 McNabb, 1/4 Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog), 1/4 Australian Shepard, 1/4 Border Collie. So pretty much all four of the best know stock dogs on earth. Now ask me if she works stock. Hahaha. Pickles is our son's dog we are babysitting for the summer. She is an Australian Shepard something. We think part Chow. She is wary of new people and might bark at you and circle up. But she makes friends fast and fits in here on the ranch really well.
and the REST OF US.
SWAY
Yes, we have a real live Bobcat here. She has lived with us since she was 5 weeks old. She's not too friendly because, well, she's a bobcat. She'll let Ky and Dayne give her love and that's about it.
JAY
And last but not least, the dude that makes it ALL happen around here and loves all these critters as much as I do....my husband and best friend of 35 years!
YOU!
We want to welcome YOU to Horse Heaven and have you be part of our family! So let's DO THIS! Let me help YOU live your dream of being with horses!!
TESTIMONIALS
these are REAL letters from REAL people that I have had the honor of sharing my knowledge with. They humble me as I will forever consider myself the "student" but in reality, I have often been the "teacher"! The HORSE IS MY TEACHER!
"Kylanne, you a gifted teacher, and it was such a pleasure for me to have experienced your wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for what our relationship with horses can be! The path for my future with Brio is now very clear- many, many thanks for restoring my faith in my horse and especially for your very special friendship." Becky
"Ky! You have been an amazing teacher! You are such an extraordinary person to me. " Riley (12)
"The first meeting I had with Ky about the lessons was wonderful. She wanted to get to know me . It was a great introduction into this new adventure that I was about to take on . I was let known what was expected and I appreciated that. Ky is a fun spirited and good hearted woman. Taking lessons from her was a fulfillment that I needed. Not only had I finally learned the basics of riding a horse from her, but also how to feel comfortable and confident around them, keeping in mind that the horses have their own ways of speaking and how to respect that while respecting myself. Dots began to connect throughout the multiple lessons that I had never expected. I began to understand why she taught me certain things and how they applied in the world of horse interaction. I know that Ky has been around horses her whole life. Experience has taught her wonderful things and I trust her sense of safety and respect. Her way with the horses shows me how to be in ways with life itself. Ky has a great balance of patience and drive. I went through emotions I never expected and she knew exactly how to handle them which made me feel safe to continue on with this new experience. I was able to hear exciting stories about Kylanne's experiences with the horse world; Competition events, riding through the woods and driving cattle through the streets like a real old western film. Ky can touch base on different styles of riding and gave me a feel about what style I may like vs. another. Riding a western saddle was very different than riding an English saddle. Stirrup lengths, tightening of the cinch, length of lead and friendly games are some of the things I have now learned from her lessons. The learning is never ending and I am so happy to know these basics now plus more. Ky is easy to work with and available to make time if possible when it best suits you. These are only a little bit of the reason as to why I strongly recommend taking horseback riding lessons from Kylanne. She is a great person and teacher and I will always have my mind open to seeing her another great learning experience. Her prices are right and her experience irreplaceable. Kylanne! Thank you for everything! You and the boys truly keep me going!" Jaymie S.
"When my mom first told me that we were going to be taking horse riding lessons, I was utterly scared. My previous experiences with horses were not too good and I was pretty scared to even go near them, even though I thought and still think they are the prettiest animals! Anyway, once we started the first thing you did was make me feel so comfortable around the horses and never once did you pressure me to touch one of the horses or ride them. I was amazed at how easy it was for you to be around them and love them and that inspired me to do the same. The first thing that I learned was really awesome. You showed me how to take control and be in the lead. The most rewarding thing for me in those first few classes was when I was playing with Toby and I started to walk away and he followed me! When I finally did get on the horse, it was probably the most beautiful thing of the whole summer. You helped me ride him without being scared and really helped me loosen up and become one with the horse. As I continued riding the horses, you showed me that I could trust other beings other than humans. But the most valuable thing that you taught me was being courageous. I was courageous enough to trust you and I ended up having the summer of my life. So thank you for that and all of the memories that I will never forget." Abigail R.
"I think of you and the way you are with your horses every day of my life" Jo D.
"Ky is Western Montana's version of a horse whisperer. Apparently, she connects with horses as well as she connects with people. She does not need bit and bridle! And you should see Ky when she connects young people with horses. Miracles happen!" Jim B.
"We first met Ky when her husband was doing some work for us. When she saw that our two young daughters, aged 8 and 10, had a developing interest in horses, she immediately took them under her wing and inspired them to reach new limits in horsemanship. Very uncharacteristic of us as sometimes overprotective parents, after knowing Ky for just a short time, we agreed to leave our 10 year old daughter with her for a week to have a
'Montana horse ranch experience". Not only did our daughter learn a lot about horses and riding, but Kylanne also proved to be an excellent role model and strong mentor to her. The following year our younger daughter began spending time with Kylanne to learn horsemanship and other valuable life lessons. She spent many days with Ky, riding horses, caring for farm animals, and learning to love nature and the outdoors. Throughout her formative teen and college years, Kylanne stayed in close contact with her and provided her with wisdom and encouragment. Even today as a grown married woman, she still considers Kylanne to be a good friend and mentor" Sue C.
AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!! :)
"Oh dear Miss Ky, You are so helpful; If we had the choice between you and the Queen to teach us horseback riding, we would pick you . Oh yeah, cause you're the best horse riding teacher in the world, Yeah you're the best , You're the best in the West. Thank you so much for being our teacher, you are the .....BEST" Riley & Tegan
