Testimonials
"Mike understands horses and uses that knowledge to build confidence with out creating fear. The first stop of any young horse we ever own will be at Mike's!"
I cannot express enough my appreciation for Mike Stacy's work with my 2 year old Quarter Horse gelding Freckles Cabernet (barn name Buster).
At 1:30 am on March 12, 2006, the coldest night in many years, with snow on all the mountains surrounding the valley of the sun, I helped my maiden mare deliver Buster. I held him on my lap, dried, warmed and imprinted him before he nursed. I worked with Buster daily while very young but by the time he was a year old stud colt, only my 6' 2" husband, Mark, could lead him and turn him out. When he turned two we had gelded him and started under saddle. He had been under saddle about ten times when we took him to Mike Stacy to be started. Within three weeks, imagine my delight when I was able to ride this two year old I loved so much!
Mike worked gently but diligently with Buster to develop solid ground manners and patience. He sacked him out and taught him to walk on tarps, taught him to stand, tie, lead, move off his legs, back, and stand at a hitching post on a black rubber mat to be bathed. Soon he was able to be shod. He is now used to quads, dogs, and kids. In addition, Mike took time each Saturday morning to provide me with lessons in ground work and riding so I would understand how to work best with Buster for continued success!
On Buster’s last Saturday with Mike, I was able to take him on a trail ride. Many experienced horse loving friends are surprised that I am able to ride Buster with so much trust before he is 2 1/2 years old. Mike's natural horsemanship methods, quiet demeanor, patience and knowledge created a willing partner of this surly two year old in a short period of time. Mike understands horses and uses that knowledge to build confidence with out creating fear. The first stop of any young horse we ever own will be at Mike's! Within a short period of time, Mike took a raw gelding (who still thought he was a stud) and turned him into a perfect gentleman who is a pleasure to be around. Thank you Mike!
A Heartfelt Recommendation - Brenda Brown Lyons
"It was amazing to watch the transformation in Chance. Chance went from a miss-behaved un-trained stallion to an amazing safe trail horse. Mike’s program emphasizes starting at kindergarten for both you and the horse. "
Mike Stacy saved us! We were at the end of our rope with our horse and desperate. Chance was 3 years old and a Stallion. Our relationship with the horse was going from bad to worse. We simply did not know what we were doing and were listening to all the wrong people.
Then we found Mike Stacy. We had Chance gelded and put into training with Mike the next day. It was amazing to watch the transformation in Chance. Chance went from a miss-behaved un-trained stallion to an amazing safe trail horse. Mike’s program emphasizes starting at kindergarten for both you and the horse. You have to work your way up to college in real life, so why are you expecting yourself and your horse to be at the college level.
Mike has a 3 month training program that trains both you and your horse. You are not on your own at the end of the 3 months. Mike continues to give us such valuable support and guidance with our horses. His philosophy is so true: instilling confidence in horse and rider.
Peg & Dominic Mahoney - New River Arizona
"Mike is not only an honest and knowledgeable trainer but also a really nice person."
When I first brought my horse to Mike, no one could approach him without him running or trying to get away. He was very head shy. After 60 days in training he will stand still when approached and let me pull a tarp over his head and leave it. Mike is not only an honest and knowledgeable trainer but also a really nice person. He works well with horses and people. I would highly recommend his work.
Karen Shipp - Arizona
"Mike was quick and proud to inform me that he has on several occasions succeeded in working with and training horses that others said could not be done. Mike also told me that he was confident that he not only would succeed in training Isabel, but he could do this training in 60 days. I turned from a discouraged horse owner to one that now possesses hope."
My name is Richard H. Parisek (Dick) and I am the proud owner of a four year old paint/thoroughbred/quarter horse mix mare who goes by the name of Isabel (Izzy). I acquired Izzy two years ago from a friend and co-worker. At the time of purchase ($1500.00), I did not realize the amount of time and expertise required to train my horse for basic TRAIL and PLEASURE riding. I had Izzy in training with two different trainers for six weeks at each training facility. Both of these trainers informed me that my horse was too stubborn, hot blooded, and stupid to train for basic TRAIL RIDING. One trainer, said that the first time I had my horse (Izzy) out on the trail, that she would buck me off and leave me stranded alone out on the trail. I had a hunch that the main problem was not my horse but the lack of professional skills by those I was paying my hard earned money to train Isabel (my horse). I was growing weary hearing these two self proclaimed horse trainers say, "we had another bad day".
One day as I was sharing the disappointment with an acquaintance who worked in the bakery department of our local grocery store, she suggested that I might consider a man by the name of Mike Stacy who worked at the Double Easy Ranch in New River Arizona. She was certain that Mike possessed the experience and skill required to train a horse with Isabel's characteristics. I thus called Mike Stacy on the phone, introduced myself, and provided him an overview of what the other two trainers had told me about my horse. Mike was quick and proud to inform me that he has on several occasions succeeded in working with and training horses that others said could not be done. Mike also told me that he was confident that he not only would succeed in training Isabel, but he could do this training in 60 days. I turned from a discouraged horse owner to one that now possesses hope. I made immediate arrangements with Mike and his partner Todd Cluff to have Isabel transferred to the Double Easy Ranch so Mike could get started with her.
Mike Stacy is gifted at his trade. He possesses instinct like no other trainer I have had previous dealings with. He did things with Izzy in the round pen that gave her CONFIDENCE and UNDERSTANDING. He was able to find out where she was mentally and psychologically and move forward with positive results. Within three wee, Mike had Isabel accepting a saddle, bridle, and a rider in the round pen. He next brought me in the equation to get me involved with my horse so I cold, as Mike puts it, "GET PLUGGED INTO MY HORSE". Because of Mike, I started to feel confident and assured that my horse was not stubborn and stupid as the past two trainers implied. Quite the contrary, the stubborn and stupid characteristics were only present in these two past trainers.
I have been out on the trail with Izzy and Mike several times now, find tuning my horsemanship abilities under Mike Stacy's leading. I am most grateful that I found Mike Stacy and I am now looking for another horse for Mike to train for my wife so we can explore and enjoy the great outdoors on the trails together.
Richard (Dick) H. Parisek - Anthem Arizona