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References Fort Valley Stables Clinic in Va. with Lindsey Payette It was an amazing weekend. I had eagerly looked forward to this for 2 months and was not disappointed!!! I hadn't slept well the 2 nights before the clinic with such anticipation and nerves. It has been a long time since this ol' gal has enjoyed a much needed lesson! First off when I met her, I extended my hand to shake hers, and she by-passed it and squeezed me into a big bear hug!   I was quite touched by her gesture! It made me feel immediately comfortable. I was pleased to see that Lindsey is a pleasant, laid-back woman with a warm and friendly, calm attitude. Whew! Now I knew I wouldn't be nervous!   I was most interested in the conformation part of the seminar, as it really opened my eyes to what enables the horse to do what it can or can't achieve. I WAS very disappointed to learn that my mare will not be able to perform a fox trot... BUT, that did not lessen her value in my eyes AND I discovered that she can do a nice flat walk which hummed! It was almost like magic!!!   Did I see fairy dust... ? Lindsey was such a willing coach during the riding part of the clinic and I enjoyed it immensely. She explained position so well and when I finally was able to be consistant with my body and hands my mare responded beautifully (which made me tear up). I was soooooooo happy that I could finally communicate with my mare in such a way that the ride was comfortable for her and that I FINALLY HAD THE BASIC STEPS... THE BEGINNING FOUNDATION to relate to my gaited horse! WOO-HOO!!! YIPEE!!! YA-HOO!!! YEA-HAW!!!   Lindsey was VERY generous with her time answering questions and some one-on-one time with riding techniques. Now I can practice, practice, practice the proper way to WALK!!! I hope to be able to get together again and learn and ride some more to help my horse. If ANY OF YOU get the chance to hang with Lindsey, you'll won't regret it. THANK YOU 'MUCH-LY', LINDSEY!!! Tina "When Lindsey Payette came to cold, wet, windy Ohio for the Columbus Equine Affaire, she moved a lot closer to our backyard. We were able to make arrangements for her to come to our boarding facility the day after the show. Hubby and I just got our 4-Beat saddles. We wanted some help with the fitting of all our tack and some lessons to help work our horses toward gaiting. Since I had some contact with Lindsey on this MB, I just knew she would be a good fit with us. That was so true!! Lindsey helped us so much by understanding exactly where we and our horses are with our riding (and that is not the same for both of us). She has a gift for understanding both horses and people. She was also able to communicate her evaluations and instructions to us in terms we could easily understand. Since we had just attended Brenda's sessions at EA, they were fresh in our minds and this was like riding a private clinic. Lindsey was right there beside our horses, walking each step with them, encouraging them and us. She personally WORKS THE WALK! Within a few hours, we had worked out a few problems and were able to ride while feeling the new collection in our horses. We are not gaiting in this short time, but on track to get there when we're ready with strong, healthy horses. My confidence level in my horse and I as a team has soared. Lindsey was also able to show me some massage I can use on my older TWH to help work out her soreness. It was remarkable though, that Candy seemed LESS sore after some preliminary belly lifts, followed by riding her in collection, and in her Imus saddle (of course). I guess it really is true that proper exercise makes us feel better! I'm sorry that I don't have adequate words to tell you how wonderful this experience was and how fortunate we feel to have been able to arrange it. If any of you get a chance to meet with Lindsey for a clinic (pay attention Ohio folks), a few hours, or "just" some advice via this (the GOG) MB.....take advantage. Lindsey learned Brenda's lessons well, integrated them into her own personality, and created a learned friend for the gaited community. Thank you so much Lindsey!! We'll be in touch as we progress." -Mary Stephens April 2007 "I want to send out a public thank you to Lindsey Payette for a great clinic at Fort Valley Stables in Virginia last weekend. The weather, company and especially the instruction were great! Lindsey was very informative, knowledgeable and patient with all the attendees. Rick and Lacey were a big help as well and we enjoyed a nice trail ride on Sunday. As always, Rick and Sandy at Fort Valley were most hospitable and the accommodations were great. Great weekend. Thanks!" Bill "Lindsey, First, thank you so much for my lesson I learned so much from you. I can't wait to try the bit in a few weeks. Smokin is doing great w/the half halts now. I ended up staying a couple extra days w/my parents and took him on a trail ride down a big hill and he started to rush/run down it and I half halted and he slowed right down. I was so pleased w/him and myself! I even got him to cross something he didn't want to, because I got some of my confidence back learning more about how to actually handle him, plus I'm sure the saddle helped a lot more too! So THANK YOU! I really enjoyed the lesson, and listening in on your clinic it was very informative, and helpful to my riding. Thanks again for the lessons!" Sincerely, Ginger Peck Fort Valley Clinic 2008 Thanks for a great clinic at Fort Valley Stables. For my first lesson on my what was a "Nervous Nellie", Hack transformed remarkably with the new bit and of course some new knowledge on how to ride a TWH. The flat walk is amazingly smooth when done correctly!!  The half halt is a great tool for a pacey little girl. That sure was fun and really informative. Sally Details...

Clinics--Lessons--Saddle Fit Dynamics--Equine Massage Therapy Welcome to Freedom Gaits, LLC! I've owned and ridden gaited horses for 10 years.   I had been taught to ride gaited horses in the "traditional" way- hollow backed, high head, harsh and painful bits, weighted shoes, etc. I found that after riding my horses in this manner they often experienced severe spasms and muscle guarding throughout their bodies, particularly in the back, hips, buttocks, and neck regions. All from being ridden in very poor form with ill-fitting saddles and using the "traditional" pain avoidance method of training. As an Equine Sports Massage Therapist, I knew there had to be a better way to eliminate the pain and eventual breakdown of hocks, hip, and stifle joints associated with these training/riding methods - a less stressful and more humane way to develop the smooth, natural gaits my horses were conformed to do that would help assure their soundness. My goal as a trainer/clinician is to help you develop your horse's best innate gait using natural training methods and well fitting tack. Some gaited horses have been bred on the pacey side and some on the trotty side of the gait spectrum. Our goal would be to bring the horse to the middle of the gait spectrum -walk, flat walk, rack, run-walk, or foxtrot- using exercises designed for each horse.  The best way to do this is by having YOU ride and work with your horse so you are able to recognize and "feel" the gait your horse was born to do. Clinics and lessons are designed to teach you about conformation, the gait spectrum, gait analysis, bit mechanics, saddle fit dynamics, exercises to bring out the innate gait, equitation to help you and your horse ride comfortably, and massage evaluations to determine if your horse may be experiencing any pain and what the cause might be.   I am available for saddle fittings and Equine Massage Therapy as well. Wishing you many smooth and happy trails! -Lindsey Payette Details...

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Clinics--Lessons--Saddle Fit Dynamics--Equine Massage Therapy

Welcome to Freedom Gaits, LLC!

I've owned and ridden gaited horses for 10 years. I had been taught to ride gaited horses in the "traditional" way- hollow backed, high head, harsh and painful bits, weighted shoes, etc. I found that after riding my horses in this manner they often experienced severe spasms and muscle guarding throughout their bodies, particularly in the back, hips, buttocks, and neck regions. All from being ridden in very poor form with ill-fitting saddles and using the "traditional" pain avoidance method of training.

As an Equine Sports Massage Therapist, I knew there had to be a better way to eliminate the pain and eventual breakdown of hocks, hip, and stifle joints associated with these training/riding methods - a less stressful and more humane way to develop the smooth, natural gaits my horses were conformed to do that would help assure their soundness.

My goal as a trainer/clinician is to help you develop your horse's best innate gait using natural training methods and well fitting tack. Some gaited horses have been bred on the pacey side and some on the trotty side of the gait spectrum. Our goal would be to bring the horse to the middle of the gait spectrum -walk, flat walk, rack, run-walk, or foxtrot- using exercises designed for each horse. The best way to do this is by having YOU ride and work with your horse so you are able to recognize and "feel" the gait your horse was born to do.

Clinics and lessons are designed to teach you about conformation, the gait spectrum, gait analysis, bit mechanics, saddle fit dynamics, exercises to bring out the innate gait, equitation to help you and your horse ride comfortably, and massage evaluations to determine if your horse may be experiencing any pain and what the cause might be.

I am available for saddle fittings and Equine Massage Therapy as well.

Wishing you many smooth and happy trails!

-Lindsey Payette