Results are what count!
I’ll be the first to tell you my training method isn’t for everyone. But, if you’re willing make a real commitment to your horse by putting in the time and effort, I assure you you’ll get positive results – safe, confident and reliable horses. There’s just nothing like the feeling of trust between horse and human.
Here are some success stories from people who have been willing to commit themselves to my training and riding methods.
Making a life partner – Jan Pack and Sandman
With her kids grown and out of the house, Jan was ready to start her lifelong desire to ride horses. A good friend found a beautiful palomino Quarter Horse gelding that Jan fell in love with. The challenge was that he was also very sensitive and Jan had not achieved the skill level to help him overcome that issue.
“I had been searching for a training method that would help Sandman overcome his fears – I even spent a week with a nationally recognized clinician featured on television. None of these methods solved the problem. Then I met David Gray. I learned that it’s not about the horse’s temperament. It’s about the training. Sandman has overcome many of his fears and is gaining more confidence everyday. Gray’s training method is unbelievably phenomenal!”
From fear to confidence – Pam Dempsey
“I don’t know how to find the words to write about my experience with David Gray and Gray Performance Horses. Our journey began 15 years ago. I had the opportunity to go on a trail ride and experience Gray’s horses and I was hooked! After that day, it became one of my greatest goals to figure out how I could get from Missouri to Abilene to learn from Gray. Finally, after 15 years I had the opportunity to bring two of my mustangs down for training. In two days time with Gray, I went from being terrified to even attempt riding Rita to being relaxed and having fun on her. This was a horse who continually laid down under her rider and who had tried bucking me off at my last attempt to ride. I was blessed to be able to spend two weeks learning with Gray and by the time I left I was riding them both confidently and even doing liberty work all through the obstacle course! Not only did it change my horses, it changed me. Gray has a way, not only with horses, but also with people. He is so good at patiently working you through your struggles, and he encourages the best to come out of you. I’m so honored now to be able to call him one of my closest friends, and I can’t imagine how much further my horsemanship can go as I continue to learn his incredible method of training! Do not hesitate to come try out Gray Performance Horses and see the difference for yourself! See you at the barn…”
You too can learn to ride with confidence and have relationship with a horse that you’ve always wanted.
Path to partnership – Carol and Garry Gilland
“I’m not exactly sure where to start this story. Maybe the best thing to say is that Annabelle wouldn’t still be my horse and it would have taken me a lot longer to gain back my confidence without David Gray.
“After a 15 year hiatus from riding, my husband and I decided to buy a trail horse for me to ride with friends. I found what I thought was a wonderful mare from people we thought we could trust. Bomb proof, kid and husband approved, personable- you get the drift, the perfect horse…until she arrived. Angry with a “mare face”, unfriendly, high headed and wound up are just a few ways I would describe her. Riding her was not the relaxing enjoyable experience I was looking for. She had a habit of slinging her head and no bit we tried helped. She would inexplicably buck, crow hop or rear up with no warning and seemingly for no reason. A chance reading of an online article helped me understand we had an issue with saddle fit. (Although I’ve ridden most of my life, I primarily rode English and my family raised and showed Tennessee walking horses. My experience with a western saddle was basically nil.) After a particularly excruciating 3 hour trail ride with a large group, I was in tears and ready to sell her. I’d had enough in the two months she’d been mine and was no longer sure horse ownership was for me at this stage of my life. My husband, unwilling to give up, was given David Gray’s name and number from a trusted friend. We called and set up a time for him to evaluate Annie. We quickly discovered the saddle was indeed a major issue. None of the 3 we had ridden her with truly fit. The bit in her mouth was another issue and he wanted her barefoot. The saddle I was good with, the bit and the shoes I was a little iffy on. She was difficult to control and how would I do so without a bit? We left with a great deal to think about. We decided to go back for a weekend for Gray to work with Annie and me. In 2 days, he had me riding her in a saddle that fit, with no bit in her mouth. I was still lacking confidence in myself, but Annie was walking in an unfamiliar place with her head down, relaxed on a loose rein. By the end of the weekend, Gray was taking her shoes off and Annie was staying. We made the commitment to make the trip from Ft. Worth to Abilene as many times as we could while she was there so I could hold up my end of the bargain. Gray wasn’t just training Annie, he’d be teaching me a whole new way of horsemanship.
I’ve been working with Annie at home now for 6 months and needless to say after a 10 month association with David Gray and Gray Performance Horses, we consider it a success. Does that mean we never have an issue with Annie? Absolutely not. She’s the kind of mare that will always keep me on my toes. It’s just part of her personality and Gray told me that up front. Do I now feel better equipped to handle her? Yes, but when I do become unsure Gray is always there for a pep talk and advice. Gray started us on a path to a partnership and continues to work with us in person and on the phone when we have questions. This is a journey that will take time and effort on my part, but Gray has given me new tools to deal with Annie when she tests my leadership and the support and encouragement to stay the course and eventually have the true partnership I want with my horse.
“Thanks for everything you do for us Gray!”