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| © 2012 Michael Newman Photography |
"Mirka, Thank you for allowing us to bring Buck into our family. He is truly an amazing
horse thanks to your care and training. My Granddaughter has been riding and grooming him since she was 2 years old and she
will tell you, "Buck is my favorite". You are so very inspiring. I believe you have a true gift. Your insight into
how the horses mind works seems to come to you "naturally". Thank you for sharing it with others and thank you for
all you do for equine and human alike!" Ginger Gulsby "I came to Mirka just over a year
ago, with a horse I loved but did not understand and could not ride. Mirka completely changed that through patience, skill
and her confidence in both me and my horse. Now my mare and I are sharing a wondrous journey!" Glenda S. "Riding my green-broke mare, Tookie, used to end in frustration for both of us. Catching her in the pasture
was not an easy task, especially if she knew a ride was imminent. That was before we started lessons with Mirka. At first
we went for weekly lessons to help with Tookie's pushiness and inattentiveness and to improve my riding skills and communication
with my horse. Because of her relaxed, yet firm, style of instruction and friendly relationship with both horse and rider,
I felt comfortable leaving my horse with Mirka for a month of "boot camp." In less than a year, under Mirka's tutelage,
each ride with my horse is now fun, not frustrating. I have become less autocratic in the saddle, but more of a leader. Sometimes,
we both make mistakes, but Tookie and I are more tolerant of each other. I have learned from Mirka how to understand horse
body language and how to correct mistakes without causing my horse to rebel. I have a much better understanding of rein management,
although I am using them less because of my leg and seat cues. Instead of having to catch Tookie, she follows me when I walk
through the barnyard and pasture. We'll continue building our relationship and achieving greater goals with Mirka!" Pam
Elliot "We have been training with Mirka for three years, and she has helped work our way
up to Parelli level four. During lessons she quickly pinpoints problems we are having, and helps find effective solutions.
We have spent a lot of time working with her over the summer, and the horses she has trained teach us a lot and are really
fun to ride. Her honest critiques keep us progressing with our horses. Mirka has effectively blended many different natural
horsemanship techniques. She is especially good at training humans to use the subtle body language and communication that
horses understand." Morgan T. and Natalie T. "I had Mirka train my Arabian gelding,
Pie, when he was a yearling using her Natural Horsemanship methods for a couple of months, and then again to ride as a four
year old. Pie is full of life and quite the character. Mirka has manage to preserve that character in him (that I enjoy
so much) while making him a responsive and respectful horse and even more of a joy to be around. There are many things
that she trained him to do and be light on his toes about it. A few of the things he learned was to back, lunge with
control, become fearless and inquisitive of most objects including water, stand still, lead calmly, give to pressure and signals
and carry a rider with collection and finesse using a halter and a snaffle. I previously had not followed the school
of Natural Horsemanship very much but do know what kind and humane methods of training she has, as compared to the old school
trainers of yesterday and some of those that are still around. She made my horse want to perform to his fullest so that
his human would have pride in him. You can’t ask for anything else and he has quite the future thanks to her."
Robin Wright, Ghost Fleet Farm, Bay Minette, AL "My Tabasco! What a good boy.
Well, only that I could see. I was in desperate need for help so that others could see him as what I saw him as. I learned
from Mirka that there were two things wrong with what I just said. First, it didn’t matter what others thought of him
or saw him as. Second was, it was really all about what he saw himself as and did I accept that or not. But don’t change
who he is, teach him to be confidant. Trust himself. I called Mirka. I said, “I am tired of being mad at my horse,
can you come get him”. She did. And SUPER SMART, she brought the one thing I would have never thought of. A MARE!!!
He walked right in. Off to boot camp my Tabasco would go. It didn’t take long and I was hearing good reports on
my boy. Now it was time to start training me. “Might be easier to train a horse, than a human” I got to see the
ruff, unsure horse become settled in himself. He began to carry himself different, prideful. Always full of himself, now with
a direction, a meaning. I began lessons and it was like running backwards. I couldn’t have made something so natural,
any more difficult in my head. If the mind could go blank and take in the new information taught without using the old data,
it would be easy. I found out that you can teach me anything, without practice there is almost no point. Better to know than
to be ignorant. But in the horse world, better to know and soak it up and use it every day. That is what makes for a happy
horse and a happy person. I don’t ride every day, and I don’t have to go to the round pen to make Tabasco think.
So I guess if I can say there is one thing that Mirka did that is forever life changing and brings us endless amounts of joy
is we use thought. She taught Tabasco to be able to think confidently. And the whole experience has taught me to use thought
persuade him to do. I have to ask it, I have to think it, and he is ready to do it. Thank YOU!!!" Darleen : )
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"When I first decided to take riding lessons as an adult, I didn't know what to expect. I had
a dream of what my relationship with horses would be like but no idea how make that dream a reality. I am so happy that I
found Mirka--I learned so much more than just how to ride. She has a special gift for teaching..both horses and humans. She
doesn't just teach riding and training, but true horsemanship while always putting the relationship with the horse first.
Through her example, I was able to experience what is possible between humans and horses..she has inspired me to work towards
a true partnership with Slider. Thank you, Mirka, for showing me that the dream can be a reality--when you have the right
teacher!" Laurie Cotton "It's been my good fortune to have been a client of Mirka for
over two years. During that time I've had youg horses in training for reining and have taken regular, twice weekly lessons.
Mirka is dedicated to her profession and is an extremely talented teacher and trainer. She works with horses and people quietly,
thoughtfully, with dignity and respect. Her insight into equine and human behavior is amazing. She acheives remarkable results
from all of her students whether they be equine or human. Mirka displays honesty and integrity in all of her actions. I'm
fortunate to be working with her!" Mary Anderson "I cannot say
enough about Mirka and her abilities to teach humans and horses. My favorite thing about having lessons with Mirka is
that my lessons are always successful. There is no frustration or confusion for either me, or especially my horse. As
a visual learner, I have to “ see it” to understand it. Mirka has the ability to break it down into smaller
bits of relevant, understandable information, fix the smaller pieces of the puzzle, either for me, or my horse, then
put it back together so that horse and human, both “ get it.” So the next time I go get my horse, our alone
time, the lessons we learned still “ stick!” That is true success!" Rachel Mahone "In my opinion Mirka has a true gift and understanding of the horse. Blessed with
a rare insight, she has a natural ability to read them and communicate with them. She has not only helped my horse find confidence
and trust in me, but helped me to become a stronger leader for him. Beginning with teaching you to learn and appreciate your
horses’ personality and to realize how important the bond between the rider and horse can and should be, she patiently
encourages an older rider like me to continually learn and advance. Her extensive experience with horses and compassionate
disposition resonates in her teaching style. This is definitely her true calling in life. I am so very blessed
to have found that one special person who has the perfect blend of knowledge, wisdom, kindness, patience, and clarity to help
me develop a deep connection with my horse. That approach, knowledge and insight has given me the confidence to know that
I am doing the best I can with my horse and the courage and motivation to keep at it. Max and I thank you from the bottom
of our hearts Mirka!" - Karen Tucci "Mirka introduced me to natural
horsemanship through lessons, and after I purchased my first horse Skipper (the love of my life), she continued
to help me with the ground training necessary to build “my self-esteem” to the degree necessary to be able to
handle this amazing animal without being afraid. I commend Mirka for her patience with me at my age (when learning something
new is a little more difficult than if I was younger), but I was determined and I OWE IT ALL TO MIRKA! I truly believe
I would never have gotten this far in my journey without her assistance. I thank you Mirka from the bottom of my heart for
helping me live my lifelong dream!" Debbie Turi "For me, Mirka is not
just a trainer, she is also a friend, guide, and teacher. Her ability to "know" her students makes learning from
her all too easy. Her structure of teaching and training is based on exactly what each student, horse and pair need, no matter
what the skill level. She has an almost empathic way of connecting with both horse and human, leading to an amazing experience,
both from her, with her and after working with her. On a personal note, my confidence has grown and my skill level has advanced
by leaps and bounds, all while being calm, relaxed, and enjoying myself and my horses. With Mirka, you will not only follow
a path to becoming a better horseman, but you will find a true friend." Emily Larramore "Mirka, I just want to say THANK YOU! In just the short time I have known you I have learned so much about
myself, energy, and working with my horses. Your lessons in Natural Horsemanship opened a new door into the world of working
with my horses. I have so much more confidence working with pushy and bad manners. The biggest thing is I now know how to
ask the right question to get the right answer! I am also learning how to visulize a response and get it from any horse...not
just my own. It is the coolest thing. Thanks so much for coming into my life and sharing your incredible gift with me!"
Linda Carver
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