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A Note From Ivonne:
I was certified by John & Josh
Lyons in 2005. I spent 1 year in
Parachute, Colorado learning as
much as I could from John
Lyons himself.
I was a volunteer
assistant in several of
his weekend & week long clinics
aside from the certification
course which ran 7 months.
I began training soon after, fixing issues & more so, training horse
owners to strengthen their
communication skills.
I've also studied Clinton Anderson, Chris Cox, Parelli, Dennis Reis, Tom & Bill Dorrance, & was
fortunate to attend one of the final Ray Hunt Clinics in 2008. I'm currently working on my
endorsements from Dennis Reis.
The more horses I meet, the more I learn from each & every one.
EMAIL * Call: 925-922-0238
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TESTIMONIALS:
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After owning my horse for 18 years, doing almost every discipline of horse riding. I found myself at a cross road.
I was frustrated with the holes I had in my horses learning program. Lucky for me I got the help of Ivonne.
She was concerned with my horse understanding all new the new information that he had not had before in his life.
She had to concentrate on teaching me the concept and my then teaching it to my horse. With patients and a calm learning environment she pushes through any frustrating situations and will take the time she needs to get the communication across to you and your horse.
We only have a short time with our beloved animals and I appreciate her love for the horse.
~ Cynthia Eldridge, California 2009
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Have you ever wanted to learn a new language? Have you ever dreamed of communicating without words? Natural horsemanship trainer, Ivonne Gutierrez, can offer you just that. While learning how to interact with your horse in every imaginable situation, you learn life lessons and a language that you can use every day. Ivonne guides you on the language of ‘horse’ from the moment you approach the horse, put on the halter, lead and through the final horse sigh as your equine friend is returned to his place be it pasture or stall.
You learn the words for stay out of my space. For example, light bumps to the horse’s head as he leans that gorgeous head and looks at you with big eyes, tell your horse that No, I don’t care how gorgeous and wonderful you are. This is my space and you need to respect it. The horse will try a few head lunges at you saying, Are you sure? And you bump back, Yes, my space and mine only. Now, I’m not suggesting you bump that person in line who is pushy and invading your space. But your new found confidence and self respect will give off an aura of Don’t Mess! You have just communicated with the wordless speech of the horse.
Leading your horse to the arena for a session requires more horse language for Keep in your place. Ivonne will show you how to communicate to your horse that you are in control. Like any language, this one requires vigilance and practice to thoroughly master. Unlike other languages, horse absolutely insists that you use it all the time. If you slack off, lose your focus, you can be sure the mis-fired communication will have consequences in horse behavior.
These small examples are only the beginning. While learning to ride in a thoroughly common sense and natural manner, you discover how horses communicate with each other. How you can use those behaviors to talk to your horse. Don’t fool yourself, this isn’t easy or quick. You will be rebuilding yourself as a rider. But in the process, in the midst of possible frustration and discouragement, you will discover you enjoy your horse more. You find yourself feeling even closer to this equine who allows you to be in its world. The better you and the horse communicate the more you will enjoy each other. Both of you will be happier.
You will enjoy safer riding because Ivonne will teach you how to handle the problems that you can encounter on the trail or around the barn. More importantly, you will enjoy interacting with your horse more than you ever have before because you won’t use the language of frustration and anger. You will speak in ‘horse.’
~ Jan D. , California 2009
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What started out as a simple refusal to load into my trailer, turned out to be a major problem.
I did not handle Nike’s refusals correctly and trailer loading escalated into an extremely dangerous task. By the time I met Ivonne, Nike had knocked me over, jumped over me and took off running on several occasions.
Needless to say, I was as terrified at the trailer as Nike; we were caught up in a horrible cycle. With Ivonne’s help, both Nike and I have overcome our terror at the trailer.
My heart no longer pounds when we approach the trailer and Nike is able to load quietly and remain in the trailer until asked to unload.
Thanks to Ivonne, Nike and I can now broaden our riding horizons!
~ Janet, California 2009
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Traveling 4+ hours to attend Ivonne's clinic in Iowa, was worth every mile
and more! Her personable manner, combined with a keen eye for detail, and a great ability to share her knowledge with students, shines from the first hour.
Groundwork is made manageable for each student, regardless of
different individual levels. Ivonne helps each participant engage in simple
steps to progress rapidly throughout their training.
We flowed into saddlework with ease and added challenge bit by bit, stretching our skills and enhancing our relationship with our horses. My confidence has grown immensely after working with Ivonne for only two days. I can honestly say, that her straight forward approach, lighthearted humor, and her passion for step by step teaching, can help anyone who wants to build their skills and confidence, and better understand their horse.
If you are even considering working with Ivonne, I urge you to "DO IT!!" Everything I expected and much more, I found from working with this wonderful instructor! Thanks Ivonne!!!
~Beth Rudy, Illinois, Aug/2008
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I can't recommend Ivonne highly enough to anyone looking for that "extra something" that you feel has been missing in your training program!
Watching her work with our "herd" of horses (all at different ages and skill levels) was a thing of beauty! She has such clarity of expression, and has that perfect level of assertiveness without aggressiveness that horses seem to respond so well to.
Her patience and perseverence, in combination with her ability to teach both the horse and the human clearly and effectively, are a true gift. Whatever you perceive your goals and issues to be, Ivonne will listen to them, and tailor her time with you to address you and your horse's specific needs.
Whether you are a rank beginner looking for a "starting point", an intermediate in need of a critique and pointers, or an old pro looking for " fine tuning", Ivonne can help you get the most out of your relationship with your horse.
Just one day with her has given me the confidence I was seeking to raise the bar and challenge myself and my horse.
~ Gwen Confalone, Vermont, July 19, 2008
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The weekend of May 3rd & 4th 2008 we had the pleasure of having Ivonne Gutierrez come to Vermont to do a clinic. It was a huge success and everyone wants her to come back in September. There were all levels of abilities and each participant had a different problem to work on.
Our horses hated to get on the trailer and it would take us at least an hr. to get them loaded. They, now get right on without any problem. The older horse had a problem with pulling back and rearing when getting saddled due to previous owners who over cinched him. He is doing great. Also, I just have to move my fingers on the reins and my horse goes where I want him to go and is so much softer.
We look forward to her coming back in September.
~Carol, Vermont. 2008
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We started with Ivonne initially to work with my daughter’s horse and calm both their nerves—they had a wreck a while back and if Peilani acted fidgety under saddle, my daughter got nervous—which of course made him more fidgety—a bad cycle in a horse that could go from zero to fraidy cat in 1.2 seconds!
After just a few sessions with Ivonne I realized both our horses had become calmer, more attentive and more responsive to cues…….or, was it that we were giving clearer cues, recognizing and rewarding correct responses better?....hmmm…...I think it was a good bit of both!
Ivonne taught me to apply concepts that I knew, but wasn’t applying effectively. She did a fabulous job of keeping me on track and focused—in the past I tended to give up too soon when asking for a specific action from my somewhat cheeky horse. I assumed I was doing something wrong when I didn’t get the correct response--Ivonne taught me to recognize when I was being played! What’s more is Ivonne makes learning a blast!—And by training (people and horses) in a logical manner instead of slapping on a “quick fix”, she teaches lasting skills that translate to a calmer, safer, more reliable horse—which is what every rider wants!
By using communication instead of force or pain, we hit the trails confident that the horses can handle whatever might be waiting around the corner. The “fraidy cat” horse now confidently leads the way into a concrete tunnel under the bridge near our trail! And recently when some jerk spread a tarp across the trail, my boy wasn’t fazed by the huge flapping monster blocking the trail—he stood calmly and watched curiously while I gathered it up—and of course he helped out by stomping it several times for me!
I can’t say thank you enough to Ivonne—our loss in Texas is your gain in California!
~ Laurajo & Zydeco, Texas, 2008
~ Kyllie & Peilani, Texas, 2008
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This is to tell you that I enjoyed your Clinic in Vermont,(5/3-4/08) very
much. It is the first time I have ever been to a "HORSE CLINIC" so I can
honestly say that it was the best one I have ever been to.
I thought to myself as I watched you talk to others and to me as well
that you were actually telling people that what they were doing was wrong
without actually telling us that "you are wrong." You have a presentation
that really by-passes that necessity. Even I, as hardheaded as I am, fell
under your spell and actually enjoyed doing IT, what ever IT was, the right
way. I guess it was because the right way got results. Please know that I
wish you all the success you truly deserve and will welcome the opportunity
to have you tell me "you are Wrong" any time you are in my area again.
Please put me on your mailing list for any future plans you may have in this
area,(N.Y. or VT.).
~ Phil Webster, Granville, N.Y. 2008
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"When I went to Ivonne Gutierrez for training, I could count on one hand the number of times I had ridden a horse.
For years I was content to sit on the horse's back and just let the horse dictate the ride. That's not riding but is merely being a passenger. My husband is a fairly good rider and I wanted to learn to ride so we could ride together.
However, as the only riding I had ever done was with a group of dude ranch horses, I was terrified of actually being in control of a horse.
I didn't know what to do. I am fifty years old and all I could think about was going too fast and falling off the horse. I was terrified. Ivonne was very patient with me and through her training I was able to gain confidence and control over my horse.
Not only can I now actually ride my horse without having to follow other horses, but I want to go faster than I ever thought I would want to go. That is confidence. We went on our first trail ride the other day and I had so much fun. I had no fear and I had total control of my horse.
I never thought I would or could ride like I do now. I would highly recommend Ivonne to anyone who is tired of just being a passenger and wants to learn to ride their horse with confidence. Ivonne knows her job and does it well."
~Connie Gonzalez, Elguin,TX 2008
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I just can't believe how much this experience has changed me and how, in turn, my horses have changed. One of he most important things I learned is the importance of MY focus. I learned that MY focus comes before the horse's performance and that the horse's "attitude" is the last thing I will get. I learned that trying to work with the horse's attitude is futile, since I can't see it or touch it.
I brought a rather "reactive" little mare to the clinic who tends to be very "stiff." Ivonne gave me the tools and exercises to help my mare and I am confident that she and I are going to get along a lot better going forward.
Although I have been studying the John Lyons method for over a dozen years, Ivonne's explanations really made sense to me and I now understand things so much better.
Since many of the participants at the clinic were already asking when Ivonne would be back, our next clinic is already in the planning stages!
~ Colleen Havers, Kamloops, BC Canada 2007
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I have just finished a 3 day riding clinic with Ivonne, in which I brought my 4 yr old Percheron mare.
She wasn't as broke as I thought she was. We entered the arena with her about 10 ft in front of me, at a gallop and me flying horizontally along behind!
So...the riding clinic became "unbroke horse" clinic for me!
Ivonne's fabulous exercises, explanations and patience helped us make breakthroughs in 3 days I would never have thought possible.
I truly cannot believe the change -- I now have a softer, happier mare, who is no longer buddy sour, and who finally sees me as the leader she has been seeking for 4 years.
I went from almost crying with despair, to crying with happiness at the change in her and I both.
This seems almost magic to me, as we simply worked a few simple exercises for the majority of the clinic.
The concepts learned in the application of these few exercises will stay with me through the rest of my horse handling days,-- as they are key to every training situation
~ Barb Hetherington, BC Canada 2007
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A Letter to John Lyons About Ivonne:
I have developed a deeper respect for the knowledge that your program gave her as well as her own personal experiences and knowledge of horses that makes her the unique individual she is. I have found her advice to be most helpful as she gives such detailed explanations and describes your cues in a way which most people can easily comprehend and put into practice.
~ Shannon
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Good luck with your career. The world is a better place thanks to people like you who care enough about animals to be willing to share your wonderful knowledge with the rest of us.
Best Wishes,
~ Lynda & Rich, Fieldstone Equestrian Centre, BC Canada 2007
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October 2008 Article:
Easy Step Horsemanship
Ivonne Gutierrez says determination and dedication are the prerequisites for training a horse.
It’s no surprise that John Lyons certified instructor Ivonne Gutierrez has found a special niche with beginning horse people. She came to her equine passion relatively late in life, at 21, and, after initial hurdles, realized that training horses is not rocket science, but a series of easy steps. Thus the name of her business, Easy Step Horsemanship.
Ivonne is based at Bollinger Ranch in the East Bay Area’s San Ramon, and she teaches horse owners locally and far beyond through clinics, private lessons, videos and e-mail consulting.
Her first horseback ride was during a cattle drive trip that she took with several friends while studying film making in college. “It was so much fun and I became enthralled with riding,” she says. Easy-going and out-going, Ivonne befriended the ride’s trail boss, an Oregon cowboy. The more she observed his natural way with horses during later visits to his ranch, the more she became interested in learning to train horses herself.
The trail boss, however, passed away, and Ivonne spent considerable time searching for the right riding and horsemanship instructor. After a few “whip and spur” type places, Ivonne began to hear about John Lyons’ natural horsemanship approach. She sought him out at horse expos and became a believer in his gentle and effective techniques. “A lot of people confuse natural horsemanship with a soft, fuzzy, ‘let the horse walk all over you,’ approach,” Ivonne observes. “But really it is just plain common sense. It is about presenting the horse with an idea, through pressure and release, and letting the horse figure it out.”
Ivonne entered the John Lyons certification course in 2005, after saving up money to bring the required two horses, one unbroke and a started mount, for the seven-month-plus program at the Lyons’ Colorado headquarters. Although Ivonne now asserts that training is simple and straightforward, it didn’t seem that way at first. “What I learned there is that it’s not the mechanical stuff, it’s the psychology that’s important,” she explains. “My first few days there I was trying to move my horse’s feet by copying what (John Lyons’ son) Josh Lyons was doing with his body. Eventually, I learned that it’s your energy and how you focus it that gets the job done.
“I was really a mess when I started,” she continues. “But once I cleared out all my own problems, my horse quit his behavioral problems. That’s when I realized, Hey, this training is for me!”
Training In Action
After earning her certification, Ivonne stayed on in Colorado and set out her professional shingle. She later moved to Texas and built up a solid client base before family ties called her to California. She’s been at Bollinger Ranch in San Ramon and word of mouth is again building up her clientele.
In Texas, Ivonne focused mostly on training horses for their owners, but since coming to California she has shifted to training the horse and the rider at the same time. She has refined her clinics to add more fun for horse and human into the learning process.
Ivonne finds it gratifying to work with horse and rider because “You can make a lot of horses happy at the same time.” As for her affinity for beginners, the trainer says, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard somebody say, ‘I’ve got this horse and I don’t know what to do with it’.” In some cases, the owner is a raw beginner and in other cases it’s a middle-aged woman who rode as a kid and is now able to return to the sport. “They are 40 or 50 and bought a green horse and are asking, ‘Why is my horse doing all these things?’” Ivonne says. “They forget that the horse they rode as a kid was dead-broke, maybe, and also, there is often a bit of a fear issue.”
Unlike many trainers, Ivonne doesn’t automatically eschew a green rider, green horse match-up. “A lot of trainers would tell their students to get a different horse, but I think the rider will often have the same problem with the next horse because the problem is usually their confidence.”
The one-rein stop is the first thing Ivonne teaches any new student and once they’ve attained that control, the stage is set for confidence building. One of her mottos is, “Green on green doesn’t have to mean black and blue.”
“I learned to train horses as a beginning rider and I believe that if a person has the determination and dedication, they can do it, too.”
In addition to her regular students at Bollinger Ranch, Ivonne welcomes distance learners. Her “home study” courses incorporate e-mail communication and DVDs or videos that are currently enabling students in Montana and England to make progress with their horses. And she is happy to hit the road: A group of Vermont horse owners is one of Ivonne’s biggest fan networks.
