Success Stories

"I did not expect to buy Magic, and I did not go prepared to buy her because Kimberly said she was sometimes "fussy" and wanted to have complete disclosure about everything the horse might do. My daughter is neuro atypical, and I needed a steady horse that would be sensitive to her needs (my daughter is a competent rider). While Magic didn't sound perfect, I thought I should give her a chance and go look. Horses often pick their owners and maybe she was just waiting for my daughter? I am so glad I made the trip to see Magic!

When I rode Magic, I knew she was the right horse. She was very well trained and obviously liked people and liked her "job". She was responsive, easy to handle, and displayed a willingness to try and listen to her rider. I was so surprised because Magic did not display any real fussiness. She seemed more than willing to meet me in the middle on our ride, and she has been a SAINT for my daughter.

Magic does all she is asked. She is friendly, happy, and intelligent. She is so easy to catch all the time and she likes to go for rides - hops right in the trailer. She has an excellent handle and rides well in a simple sidepull bridle and treeless saddle. She doesn't spook, bolt, or buck, or ever refuse something my daughter has asked.

The only issue with Magic is she is partially deaf. We believe this is where her "fussiness" may have come from, as she doesn't respond to clucks, clicks, smooches, or any voice cues. She completely relies on the aids (as a good horse should), and, again, Magic knows she cannot hear much and is willing to meet her rider in the middle. While she isn't completely deaf, her limited hearing in no way impedes her. She walks past bikes, dogs, OHVs, dirtbikes, quads, and any obstacle; she even carried my daughter steadily through a pounding hailstorm! If we hear something coming, we simply turn Magic so she can see what is coming, and she is very relaxed. She enjoys this partnership as we are respectful of her and she of us. She was completely healthy otherwise when we got her and Kimberly obviously focuses on proper horse nutrition. Magic was not too skinny or too fat, and her coat was very shiny and black even when in the Arizona sun all the time.

Magic's training is excellent and she has a very nice little gait. She does love treats probably a bit too much but she has learned to wait patiently for them and not maul your pocket. We love Magic and we are happy with her training and abilities.

-Cynthia & Trina"

"Kimberly has given me back my dreams with my mare Misty. Kimberly’s hard work, training and encouragement has opened an entirely new life for me with Misty. I highly recommend her, she is one of the very few trainers out there who really knows gaited horses. I’m quite proud of the fact I found her! LOL. I can’t say enough about how happy I am thanks to her. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by to work with her, you’ll be sorry if you do"

-Elizabeth & Misty

"I recently had the pleasure of purchasing a gelding from Kimberly. This horse is a pure joy to ride, and it is all thanks to Kim and her training abilities. Kim is professional to deal with, and she is certainly an equine expert. She is easy to talk to about horses, and is more than willing to share her excellent knowledge about horse health, training, foot care, etc., etc. I have renamed my new partner George, and he is delightful to be around. He is so easy going and affectionate. On the trail he pays attention to where he puts his feet, while confidently carrying me over multiple trail conditions. He is no slouch, and I love his energy. I would not hesitate to ask Kim to help train any horse should I ever need it, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who finds themselves in need of her expertise.

Jana Butler"

"It has been a little while since February 2021, the day my wonderful husband gave me the go ahead to just send my horse Blue in for training! Blue is my Paso Fino, who, when I got him, I had no idea what his breeding was. He definitely didn’t have a good gait! So I immediately ruled out anything gaited. His build wasn’t even like a gaited horse. So I finally had his DNA tested and found that he was indeed Paso Fino with Lusitano and Peruvian Paso. He had been ridden like a QH for so long, that was all he knew to do, including a horribly uncomfortable trot. I soon found out as he started driving with his hind end and not pulling himself with his front end, that his build gradually became more like a Paso. His shoulders have leaned out beautifully.

I met Kimberly Moilanen last summer at a gaited horse clinic. She rode Blue and quickly informed me that he does have a gait but it would take longer than an afternoon to bring it out, in fact it would take a lot of time to change his mindset. After trying with no luck or experience to get Blue to gait by myself for six plus months, I finally sent him directly to Kimberly for two months of daily training sessions. I was instantly amazed at how fast he was improving. He was carrying himself in an actual gait! I was sent several videos of his improvement. And I became so excited to ride him.

Of course, I was so used to his horrible trot and would naturally brace myself against it. This is my bad habit and it has taken me awhile to learn to just relax, which actually helps Blue to relax into his gait. I also had to continue with the riding instructions Kimberly gave me.

After the two months, I was able to bring Blue home. It was truly like I was bringing home a new horse! I began riding him 5-6 days a week for at least 30 minutes. I've had him at home now for 3 1/2 months and have trailered him out with a friend or two. I have just started to take him on rides with other gaited horses with riders who understand that he is still new to gaiting and so far he is doing very well. He has been doing so wonderful! He has always been a trusted, well behaved horse. But I have noticed he has gotten sooo much better with me personally! I truly believe that he has more respect for me and that is a result of Kimberly’s training. I have also noted that he will gladly move out into a gait while he is in the lead, something he never cared to do before and would actually balk, not wanting to leave others behind.

Now, Blue is definitely my “go to horse” (I’m sorry Diego Diego has been my favorite for the past 17 years!). Now I understand what all the hype about gaited horses is all about. Now my biggest problem is squeezing in some gait time with my slower riding buddies, which can be hard, but thankfully most understand. It’s like driving my brand new Ferrari at only 45 mph when I want to fly and so does Blue!

When I think of Kimberly’s awesome work and training and how well Blue has progressed, I have nothing but the most admiration for Kimberly! She is awesome! She took my broken horse and made him into the gaited horse that he was meant to be. And I truly believe that Blue is very appreciative also! Thank you for replacing the smile on my face as I ride Blue

-Karen"

"Kimberly provided me a positive horse shopping experience. Her communication was clear and timely. When I arrived to see the horse he was not pre-ridden or caught. This allowed me to observe the horse’s usual behavior. She presented the horse well by showing how he saddled, tied, round penned and rode him also. She kindly described all her experiences with him, including challenging behavior, and answered questions patiently. If you’ve been horse shopping, you know how frustrating it can be. Kimberly didn’t play any seller games and followed through on her word. I am enjoying continuing the training/refreshing of my horse’s training and am pleased Kimberly helped match us up"
Rebecca & Jeb
(previously Big Red)

Last fall I purchased my first gaited horse, who was also young and not
trained. This was also my first gaited horse and I'm not at all
exprienced with gaiting. After finding Kimberly, I was able to get an
evaluation. This included shoeing, tack, bridle, ground work, her
riding and then observing my riding. My horse, Dancer, and I are both
new to gaiting and it was obvious:) Kim took Dancer for 30 days and
also gave me a few lessons along the way. WOW! We really made
improvement. I also took some follow up lessons with both Dancer and I
and we keep improving. Kimberly has even been willing to evaluate
videos of me riding that I send her for clarification. I would HIGHLY
recommend Kimberly. She's honest, fair to both the rider and horse, and
is most definitely improving the gaited horse world. It has been my
pleasure to be improving under the instruction of Kimberly. I HIGHLY
recommend!

Thankfully,

Dancer and Lisa