Ruth Butler-Victor Herrald, SD - Sho Ta, MaSte, Sock
From: Ruth Butler-Victor Herrald
Subject: Don Harwood Reference
Victor's stallion, Sho Ta, had been a range stallion for the first eight years of his life before he acquired him.
Sho Ta was minimally halter broken, but that was all. He adapted to life in a barn with an outside corral quite easily.
Two weeks before the Sturgis parade, Don took him and began training him. At the time of the parade Don had ridden him a total of five times.
Because Victor was not available to ride him in the parade as was planned, I rode Sho Ta. (I am a bona fide senior citizen who has never been a bronc rider!)
The theory was that if he were too agitated, he could wait in the trailer.
However, he was a perfect gentleman and took everything in stride, the mounted shooters, bands, wagons, bands, balloons, crowds, other horses.
He didn't whinny or act in any way like a stallion might have.
Granted, that Sho Ta has a great disposition, but the wrong handling would have made an unmanageable horse instead.
I have so much confidence in Don's ability that he has trained my horse MaSte for me.
I have also watched him take my mare, who had had minimal handling, work with her in the round corral and then just take off and ride her.
She followed him without a lead rope out in the forest, was content to take the lead or to ride off away from the other horses.
If I had not known Sock and her history, I would have sworn that she was a well trained horse instead of on her very first ride.
I have watched Don work on other horses and I have always been very impressed with his methods.
He uses his knowledge of horses, especially the Spanish mustangs, instead of force.
I cannot praise him or his methods highly enough.
Dave & Melissa Millin - Sparky & Spunky
From: Melissa Millin
Subject: Donnies Reference
To: "Terri Smiley" Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 4:45 PM
This letter is in regard to Sparky we recieved from Donny.
I aquired Sparky for my husband as a gift. Sparky was a training horse that Don had in 2007.
My husband fell in love with how well mannered he was for a three year old. He could be ridden just about by anyone and anywhere.
My husband Dave rode him on several occasions during his training period and never had a problem. We are very pleased with his outcome ad would recommend Don to anyone.
I also have a colt that will be going to Don for his traing when he is ready. Spunky will be for a 12 year old boy at that time and I am confident he will be great and safe before Don will say his training is finished.
Owners of Sparky & Spunky. David and Melissa Millin
Roxanne Harley - Marshmallow Man
From: Roxanne Harley
Subject: Re: Just wondering?
To: mustangsmiley@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 6:18 PM
I'm so happy for Buff! Please keep me informed when you need ANYTHING!..fly spray, hay, whatever!
Marshmellow has melted everyone's heart at the Ranch.
If I get MY way, BUCKWHEAT, will be sent to you next. (She just turned 2 this year, but I've sat on her backwards while i brushed her, just like Marshmellow.
Buff's brother is the dad, though (the one he sold at the bucking horse sale because after 90 of training he'd still rather kick you in the head than look at you. That trashed his car in the barn) Buckwheat has an attitude, but also, is very loving of affection. I guess you could say that she's quite smart and mischievious! (and will try to get away with anything she can!) She's my favorite out of the whole bunch. Bud loves you and thinks you did a great job with Marshmellow. It made my heart melt when I saw an old man who hadn't been in the saddle for 16 years, hop on him and ride...not to mention the 12 year old, full of spunk, who hasn't ridden, that was able to ride him!!! I'm so proud of Marshmellow! You did a great job, and I'll work on the neck riening with the side pull bridle that I bought!! Sincerely, Roxanne
Mary Krause - Ringo
Subject: Hello!
From: Mary Krause
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:56:53 -0700 (PDT)
To: Terri Smiley
Hi Terri and Don,
I got your most welcome letter just the morning I was leaving on a backpacking trip, so I got back last weekend and am just getting around to answering it. It sure was nice to hear from you.
I am doing great with Ringo. I really love that horse and want to thank you for letting me buy him from you. I am doing great with Parelli with him. I actually haven't ridden too much yet, unfortunately, I ordered a saddle and it still hasn't come yet. I have been waiting and waiting. We did borrow a saddle from a friend, but I don't thing it was a very comfortable saddle for Ringo,so we didn't ride him much with it. They are a month late with delivery!!
Everywhere I go people want to know what kind of horse he is, and think he is beautiful and elegant horse.
I am hoping to get lots of riding in this fall. However,I think that Ringo looks forward to our Parelli sessions. I haven't let him "get away with' not getting caught!! He is really a good boy, really a star student, but as sort of a novice with horses, he keeps me on my toes!I am pretty sure he is so well trained that he is being patient with me as I learn. What a great horse.
I brought Ringo up to Montana with me, and boarded him so I could work with him a lot. Then, he got to travel with his companion Racy(our other horse) to Dan's parents house for a month or so to enjoy knee high grass on 80 acres. They have one old horse, that is probably really enjoying the company. We will bring him back to Wy by early September.
I will never forget the experience of trail riding with you all in the Black Hills, that was so much fun. Probably the most fun I have had all year!!
I have been scouting out places to ride and figured out that we can cross the road from our house and get on to a huge piece of BLM land to ride on. It isn't as wooded and scenic as the Black Hills, but we can ride for a long ways on it, and with out worrying about traffic, etc.It is nice just to go from the house.
I have seen your new foals on your website, and I can see how buying horses could become addicting.. they are so cute. I am falling in love with the Spanish Mustang, they are such neat little horses.
Remember we love having company, and if you come through, we have a place you could let your horse/s out. and we would enjoy having you stay with us.I would like to have a chance to return the wonderful hospitality that you showed us on our trip to Custer.
Take care and I will be in touch. Warm thoughts and hugs, Mary
PS,
Feel free to edit this for a reference letter.. you might want to leave out a bit!!
Mary Krause
WY
Sandy Johnson - Whistler
Subject: THANK YOU!!
From: Sandy Johnson
Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 10:41:54 -0700 (PDT)
To: Terri Smiley
Dear Don,
I just came in from working with Whistler and wanted to thank you again
for this absolutely terrific horse.
As I look back at the various e-mails we exchanged as well as our conversations
about him, he is everything you said he was - and more.
You did a great job of training Whistler: his ground manners are
flawless; he learns quickly and willingly; and he is extremely patient and
trusting. What has impressed us is his calm disposition. He doesn’t
“spook” at things but instead expresses concern, waits for reassurance and
then goes on down the road. For a young horse, he has behaved better
than many older, more experienced horses we’ve seen.
While there are many trainers out there who produce technically good horses,
you are the first one I've encountered who really cares enough about the
horse and the client to be sure that each is suited to the other. My
husband and I trusted you and your judgment, and you (and Whistler) exceeded
our expectations.
Don, thanks for your honesty, integrity, personal follow up and most importantly
for the great job you did training my new partner (and me!).
Happy Trails!
Sandy Johnson
Scottsdale, AZ
August 30, 2006
Sandy Johnson, ABR
"Your Personal Real Estate Advisor"
RE/MAX Excalibur
10458 E. Jomax Rd., #100
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Mobile: 602-568-4055
Office: 480-344-4400
Fax: 480-471-7126 (direct)
www.SandySellsArizona.com
PS By the way, I'm never too busy for your referrals
Non-Typical Outfitters - Salty and Stonewall
Subject: Re: salty and stonewall
From: "Non-Typical Outfitters"
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 14:04:09 -0700
To: "Terri Smiley"
Hi Don and Terri,
Stonewall and Salty are doing well.
They are both on winter pasture in Idaho right now, but will be back in the spring to go back to work.
They both did well this past fall.
Salty was ridden mostly by one of our guides who thought that he was great.
He really did a good job wiht a guide that is no horseman.
Stonewall did very well when he was able to work consistantly.
If he got too many days off he got a little frisky.
We had more experienced guides ride him last fall.
He also did a lot of packing and did very well.
Subject: Letter Of Appreciation
From: "Kline, Matthew - MD"
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:12:48 -0700
To: mustangsmiley@yahoo.com
Don & Terri Harwood
I wanted to thank you both for your horses, your horsemanship, and your hospitality. Paha Sapa Java, aka "Java", is hands down the best horse I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with.
I had always wanted a Spanish Mustang and always thought well of the breed. Java has far exceeded any and all of my expectations. The foundation that you built into Java is amazing, HE KNOWS HOW TO LEARN. Not only was Java a horse that I could hop on and lope off with, but he is a
horse that has adapted to everything that I have thrown at him. Wither it is tracking cattle, roping calves, cutting steers, hunting for whitetail high in the mountains, leading pack strings, of just giving me a nice soft gait. Java does it all, and if he hasn't done it before he figures out a way to get the job done. He is never in a foal mood and is truly one of the most caring and gentlest souls I have meet. He has become a trusted friend.
Don is able to match horse and rider so you not only get a solid mount, but, a horse that you connect with. I went to Custer for a horse named Fella, but Don saw a onnection between Java and I. Don gave me a choice of the horse I came for or Java. I choose Java, Don's personal saddle horse (who was not actually for sale). The offering of Java, Don's saddle horse, means more to me than anyone may understand. I would recommend and encourage anyone looking for a Spanish Mustang to talk with Don. Thank you for a fine horse and friend.
P.S.I have owned, ridden, and trained many breeds. The Spanish Mustang is truly a great breed. Feel free to ask Don and/or Terri for my number and I will be happy to tell you about the incredible and willing horses that Don offers.
