My Nonprofit Reviews

I have worked with & around horses for many years. My specialty being Mustangs. Marlene Dodge & Valley View Equine Rescue have been a very valuable resource for me and our community for quite some time. There have been numerous times when I needed some sort of assistance and without hesitation the ONLY person I ever called was Marlene. Her knowledge and well-versed handling of horses in any sitation has been a God send for me over and over again.

I have found that a good horse's bad behavior is strongly environmental... If put in an unfamiliar situation or unsure circumstances they are bound to fall back on some of the easiest remedial/subtle hints....ie: biting, nipping, even bucking...needless to say, issues with foot handling as they are the quickest way to achieve their goal of being left alone.

So perhaps the environment was not condusive to the horse you chose... therefore he chose to show you as such. You stated you are disabled, well, we all know that horses are great therapy...but those horses are TRAINED to adapt to the circumstances of the disability.... oh, and before you feel that I am coming across harshly about disabilities and horsemanship, just know that I was born with ONLY one hand... so I am not dismissing the abilities of anyone.

I have grown children and a one year old granddaughter ...and if Marlene says to me a horse is safe, then I would not hesitate to put anyone including my granddaughter on it's back.

In all my life, I have never actually known of ANY horse from ANY breeder or trainer to be 100% perfect... I've seen some well trained $30,000 horses throw the very person who trained them.... so if you can find the PERFECT horse, please feel free to let me know. Have you considered maybe you are a little uncomfortable so the horse sensing that takes the initiative to prove you RIGHT?!

To take your opinion public was a little over the line in the era of animal over-sensitivity...and really the ONLY people who will be affected will be Marlene and the general public who are NOT concerned with the facts of the situation, but will condemn out of simple public awareness.... something that doesn't always hold it's validity on the internet.

I am proud of the work Marlene has ...and IS doing! I will continue to be a staunch supporter of Valley View Equine. So, if you feel your words have fallen on deaf ears...well, we can only hope!

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