Mission:

Our mission at Next Level Horsemanship (NLH) is to provide the highest quality equine training and horsemanship education services to our clients and promote the advancement of both horse and rider to their Next Level in keeping with your horsemanship goals and in a manner consistent with the preservation of the horse’s natural spirit.

Philosophy of NLH training:

“……….build the relationship–keep the spirit………….”

At NLH we have a sound and steadfast training program that works – for every horse. From heavily imprinted horses to feral horses, our program produces expected high quality results and advanced training. It is based on classical and “natural” horsemanship methods and has proven effective under the most challenging horse behaviors and throughout varied training scenarios.

These methods draw heavily from an understanding of equine behavior and horses’ natural means of communicating with each other and enable us to readily establish a leadership role with our horses, while simultaneously earning their respect and trust. In addition, our techniques invariably encourage the horses to learn a new language, one more familiar to us. Our program calls horses a step away from their world and a step into ours and to a greater level of communication and connection between the two.

The underlying fundamental elements of our training program are consistency and repetition, the principle of pressure and release in the application of our training techniques and the individual assessment of each horse’s response to our methods. A horse’s personalities, as well as its mental and physical capabilities are attributes that will determine the speed and progress of training. In our training program we understand that these attributes are different for each horse and necessarily mandate that our approach to our training methods be adjusted accordingly

At NLH we place a strong emphasis on treating horses as individuals. Though we adhere to our training curriculum we believe that even more important than training methods is the ability to assess a horse’s response to our techniques. If I want to preserve the spirit of the horse during its training, it is critical that I as a trainer must evaluate what’s right for a given horse during the course of its training based on how it responds regardless of what method is applied. It is critical that during all training sessions I ‘read’ or assess my horses response to each technique and gauge my training accordingly

Horses speak our language by recognizing ‘cues’ or specific signals we apply to them. We use various forms of body language to convey these cues to our horses such as our hand, seat and legs. Cues are nothing more than subtle or scaled down forms of pressure. When we apply a cue the goal is for our horse to respond to that cue by performing a specific maneuver. And, in general horses will move away from pressure. If you apply your left leg on your horse’s side he should move to the right – to get “away” from your leg.

Horses learn (our language) from the release of pressure. During the application of training methods various forms of pressure are applied to the horse in a manner consistent with his natural way of communicating with other horses. The recognition by the horse, of the pressure we apply as a cue to perform a specific maneuver comes from the ‘release’ of that pressure at the precise moment when the horse tries to respond correctly (you apply your leg, the horse moves away from your leg, you release your leg). It is at that moment when the horse has learned how to get away from that pressure and hence respond to our cue. Now, with repetition and consistency, this response becomes more and more precise and the horse’s training becomes more advanced. The key element essential to the success of training, and not to be taken lightly, is the ability of a trainer to recognize even the slightest effort or “try” by the horse to respond to our cues correctly.

If a horse’s training experience is to be positive and successful it is essential that the trainer possess the unique ability to assess the horse’s responses to the pressures of various training techniques, and that the trainer be light initially in the pressure used to develop cues. A good trainer has a unique ability to “read” a horse and understand how to adjust a particular technique to make it work for that horse or to know when it’s time to try something different instead. A good trainer has exquisite feel for recognition of a horse’s try and precise timing to deliver release of pressure in response to that try. An excellent trainer does all this with the highest integrity, with aspirations of preserving the horse’s natural spirit and never with reckless ambition.

Why should you consider Next Level Horsemanship for your horse’s training?

I’ve often asked myself the question: “If I couldn’t train my own horse, who would I have train it?” For some this is a very daunting question because they know that not every trainer has the best interest of the horse in mind. In all honesty I would seek a professional that is balanced in their approach to training, and someone with high expectations for results but with the patience to know that results take time to develop. I’d seek someone who is not afraid to admit when they’ve made mistakes with their horses (because we all have), and someone who is open-minded to new concepts and ever committed to learning more. I’d look for someone who spans disciplines and breeds or at least is not obstinate to learning about them and who is physically tough enough to hold their ground against an obstinate horse but instead diverts their strengths towards setting their horse up for success in their training approach. And, most of all, I would look for someone who at the end of the day is not afraid to lay some loving hands on their horse to reassure them and build their confidence for the next go-round. These descriptions are what I would hope people see in me as they describe how I aspire to be.

When you bring your horse to NLH for training or whatever reason, be assured that I strive everyday to adhere to what I have described above as my training philosophy. I am committed to ensuring the well being of your horse during the course of its training and that each member of my team is educated in horsemanship and is very clear about my standards for training as well. Moreover, I personally oversee the progress of each and every horse that enters the program.

Together, our team is committed to not only making your horse’s training experience positive and successful in accordance with your goals; but, we are committed to enhancing your horsemanship skills as well in an effort to develope the communication, training and relationship between your horse and you while maintaining the natural spirit deep within each and every horse……

What others are saying:

“Finding a horse trainer – what a pain! All of our lives we’ve ridden and trained other people’s horses and it never occurred to us that one day we would not be able to do it anymore. When the time came we were faced with a tremendous dilemma – finding a good horse trainer! While chatting with another old timer about not being able to ride young stock anymore he said we had to meet Suzanne Myers. He went on raving about the great job she did on a young horse of his and just could not say enough good things about her abilities with a horse. Once meeting Suzanne you’ll find yourself completely at ease and get that knowing feeling that you are face to face with “the real deal!” So far she has worked with six of our horses. Everything from totally untrained two year olds to mature animals needing a “tune up” and after 60 days they are right where we needed them to be to continue working with them at home. Please understand that our horses are used in our work with handicapped riders and need a good solid foundation. Suzanne has “the gift” when working with a horse – it is more than phenomenal talent – it comes from deep within her. Her soft touch, easy mannerisms, feel, timing and balance enable her to get the most out of an animal. Some trainers think they have it and they can make a horse to work, with Suzanne it is different because the horses willingly work for her. The horses she has trained for us were not all “pussy cats” to begin with; some needed a real attitude adjustment. Being a superior all around horse person she is able to take the horse, evaluate its needs and abilities, and through her skilled training methods develop a good using horse. We really don’t want to recommend that anyone send a horse to Suzanne Myers for training – ’cause if you do there soon won’t be room in her barn for ours!!! Suzanne you are one of the best!” “…we met Suzanne and by the time the conversation was over I knew I wanted to see what she could do with a horse…. Suzanne Myers knows how to handle a horse!” “Suzanne Myers is intrigued by the challenge. Suzanne Myers has integrity. She is an honest person. You will find in Dr. Myers a person of supreme intelligence (the mind of a student – someone always wanting to learn more); the mind of a researcher (technically trained in the skills of conducting research, the ability to methodically approach a challenge and no matter what – see it through to the conclusion); the mind of a teacher (a willingness to enable her students to succeed and the ability to chart a course to success taking on full accountability of the educational process) all of these attributes are applied in her training and working with horses. Suzanne has the mind of a true horse person (possessing the innate ability to relate to the horse, to be able to evaluate the animal and the situation and address the need at the moment, to be able to be flexible, possessing balance –mental and physical, knowing when to back off and when to press on). Suzanne Myers is a rider. She has the Timing, Feel and Balance of the Masters.” ~~~ Ben & Shirley Nolt Owners, Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association, Grantville, PA and former executive secretary -PA State Horse Racing Commission.

“I just wanted to let you know how happy I am with Nugget. You taught him so much in the two months he spent with you. I have had other horses with some very accomplished trainers, but I am absolutely amazed at what my colt learned from you. I really feel that I more than got my moneys worth. I brought a very green colt to you,and two months later I brought home a broke horse. I never imagined that a horse could learn so much in that amount of time. The fact that he is so broke shows just how much time you spent with him. I also appreciate how quiet he is which attests to your ability and talent. Thank you so much for riding my colt and taking him to the level he is at. Because of you, I have a well trained, quiet, responsive colt to enjoy.”
Many thanks,
Denise Howard

“Suzanne and Jazz had a routine that showed control, finesse and the trainability that we were looking for in these Mustangs.” ~~~ Suzy Jeane, Valley View, Tex. AQHA professional horsewoman of the year and head judge-Midwest Mustang Challenge, Madison WI, 2008

“The slender blonde from Port Matilda wowed a crowd of more than 8,000 spectators at a sold-out Midwest Horse Fair riding the American Mustang “Jazz” to Craig Morgan’s “Little Bit of Life.”~~~Julie Bryant, President Latigo Associates

Some key concepts we believe:

• A firm foundation in groundwork is the key to success for establishing more advanced high school maneuvers.
• Learning is something we all should do continuously. At NLH we always strive to advance and upgrade our training techniques as new information and/or experiences become available that enable us to do so.
• Less is sometimes more….
• Anger has NO place in the barn or training arena.
• There are no secrets….what you see is what we do…all the time.