Mary Ellen,

I wanted to send you an update on Playboys Ranger.  He made the trip very well and has adjusted to his new home.  He is a very good natured horse and I can not help loving his personality,  He comes over to me and sets his chin on my shoulder and wants to be rubbed.  He will follow me around the pasture, he is such a good boy.  I have ridden him lightly about 30 minutes a day and he is such a fast learner. I wanted to thank you for your help in getting him.  I will keep an eye out on your site for others and Highly recommended your site.  Just as an FYI, HorsePower Transportation there in Frisco Tx was awesome, small company but great service,  I would highly recommend him to transport in the future his number is 214-704-8162 his name is Neil Shillig.  Again many thanks on Playboys Ranger.

PS .  Will you still send his Papers or will that be Linda.

Jim Smith
Assistant Vice President

----- Original Message -----
From: George McConathy
To: walkerswest@walkerswest.com
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 8:09 AM
Subject: RAZZ'S SUNRISE

Royal and I have just hit it off - love at first sight !

She has settled in well and has a new best buddy in our Morgan mare Stormy. Stormy is the bay mare "lurking" in the woods in the one photo. We have been for several rides around the farm, and yesterday ventured out on the trail. She did really well. The only thing she gave an eye to was a big mailbox encased in stone with the Dallas Morning News sticking out encased in grey plastic. A border collie running out did not phase her, and she handled road traffic just fine (although there was not much of that on Sunday). Maybe next weekend we will take her to the trails around Lake Lavon, along with Stormy.

She was updated on her shots last week and seems happy here! I am so pleased with her. She is a patient kind horse. Just perfect for me.

Pat Monson

Dear Mary  Ellen,
This is a note to tell you how pleased I have been with every aspect of my purchase of Raven Sunrise( a.k.a. Jazz.) from the purchase, to the shipping, to Jazz himself.  You had warned me
that he had some "go" about him so I took the precaution of having a trainer come ride him first. He pranced and danced and wanted to go back to the barn, but he eventually settled down.  He is just dealing with a lot of new experiences.  I am riding him with a Myler low port
Mullen mouth bit with a 7" shank and have never felt that I was losing him.  We do some lunging, a lot of circles under saddle and he is making a lot of progress.  He has a wonderful gait.  There isn't one ounce of meanness about him, and he has never tried to throw me.  He gets along great with my other horses.  I can't wait to show him next year.  If I am ever in the market for another walking horse, I look forward to doing business with you again. 
Regards,
Jeannie Stevenson

Original Message -----
From: connie bobo
To: walkerswest@walkerswest.com
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 5:56 AM

----- Original Message -----
From: jenn@localink4.com
To: walkerswest@walkerswest.com
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 2:05 PM
Subject: Thank You

I would like to thank you for the history of the walking horse that you have on your web site. I've always owned quarter horses. Recently my husband, who has always rode gaited horses, talked me into getting a TWH. He is a lot different than my QH, but I am truly falling in love with him. I had been wondering about the breeds history, and while looking for some info on the TWH, I found your website. You give more history on the TWH than any other site I have found. You have really opened my eyes to the wonderfully interesting history of the Tennessee Walking Horse.

Lora

Mary Ellen,

Thank you for letting us know that Just Like U (Huey) has been picked up by his new owners.  I will bring the papers over when you are ready for them.

If you can give me the address of the new owners when I come over, I will mail them the caps with his name on them.  I will also send them the ribbons he won while we owned him.  They may have no desire for any of the stuff, but just in case, I will be glad to send them.

We really appreciate your conscientious effort on our behalf.  It is a great help to us to have one less horse.  We still have 7, but we are working on selling another one.

That will leave us with 4 we raised, my trail horse, and the retired Dark Spirit mare that is 20 years old.  She is the one we bred to Bum's Warrior, and we still have the baby, Spirit's Gollybum, soon to be five.  He's not much of a baby now.  He is 15h2" and weighs (by a weight tape) 1300 pounds.  When I saw that weight yesterday, I confined him to a smaller patch all by himself.  He's been enjoying the spring grass way too much.

I am attaching two photos of him, showing what a sweetheart he is.  You may see a resemblance in his head and the head of Bum's Warrior.  He will be our grandchildren's Play Day horse when the move from California in July.  To begin with, we will have to lead him because the children are so small, but our trainer will teach him to do some quarter horse stuff later for when the children get bigger.

I am concerned that you may be thinking of retiring from the horse business.  You have brought so much pleasure to so many people and been such a help to so many, no one can take your place.  I hope you won't retire from your horse business for a long, long time.  If you ever decide to do it, though, maybe you can groom someone to provide the services you have provided.  They are sorely needed.

We appreciate you very much.

Betsy McNeill

Mary Ellen,
I just wanted you to know just how pleased I am with Lucy. I knew that I had made the right choice the minute she stepped off of the trailer. She is everything that I saw in her pictures.
I know that you wouldn't and I normally wouldn't buy a horse sight unseen but for some reason her pictures on your site were just screaming at me. I knew that she was for me the moment I saw her. Anyhow, we have ridden twice so far. Just short 15-25 minute walks just to get to know each other, and to let her get used to the place. But she did everything that I asked her to do with the reins. Once again, thank you very much for giving me Lucy. If you ever find yourself in Virginia Beach, please give us a call and stop by.

Bob Strother

From: MRCLRK
To: walkerswest@walkerswest.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 12:02 PM
Subject: web site

I love your web site. As a previous ASB person, I had the good luck to acquire a TWH eight years ago for trail. I have never looked back and now have a barn full of Walking cuties. I browse your site often and just read the history of this phenomenal breed, and do the, we have an empty stall, what’s one more horse going to hurt, until my hubby puts his foot down….

Have a great Christmas,
Margaret Ginzel

Dear Mary Ellen: Thank you so much for the pen/light. It certainly will come in handy. I have been having a wonderful time with "Secret" (Delights Colorful Secret) (he was called "Shadow" by his owners). He has turned into a trail horse deluxe. I am so glad my husband and daughter came to your farm to ride him - 3 years ago already!!! I always check your web site to see what's new - when horses are in your blood you just want as many as possible. Hope you had a good and a better one next. Merry Christmas and may God bless and keep you Lori Kleski

I have the good fortune to own one of your horses and that is how I found you. Thanks for all the help you have been in helping me run down papers for A Temptation and giving me some background on him. I am somewhat new to Tennessee Walkers but have had horses all my life. Thanks again for putting up with all my questions.

From: Anne Gostling
Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 11:55 AM
Subject: Update on Lacey

Mary Ellen,
It has not yet been a week since Georgeanna and I were there and finalized our purchase of Annie and Sky Kicker. I have ridden Sky, as I call him, every day. What a great horse! He is everything I was looking for and I look forward to many years with him. Georgeanna is equally pleased with Annie. Although she is not the avid rider I am, she has been out with me on two rides and just loves her smooth gait and disposition. Thank you again for such a positive buying experience. Both Mo and Kelly were so helpful and patient with us as we tried several horses. It is such a blessing to work with people who value professionalism in equine sales. We are certainly glad to have found you and would not hesitate to refer others to you. Please give our appreciation to Mo and Kelly.
May God continue to bless you and your staff.

Sincerely,
Dan and Georgeanna Fischer

Dear Mary Ellen:

Tex (Copy's Peacock Perfection) was sorry he was so uncouth and unfeeling in his response to my fishing for a compliment about my riding. Here you see him kissing my wrinkled, sagging jowl with the left side of his little muzzle. Of course I melted and our relationship is once again on firm footing.

Donna

Dear Mary Ellen:

Tex  (Copy's Peacock Perfection) is as good as he is beautiful. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are here from Los Altos Hills near San Francisco. They bought property at the Gallatin River Ranch and were out yesterday looking over the spot they had arranged on which they will build their home on their 20 acres there.

I was at the GRR Equestrian Center where I got Tex ready and rode him over to their property. He was so good on the trail by himself. When we got to Tom and Barbara Mack's property and he saw them in the distance he put his head up to take a better look but took little urging to walk over there and meet them. They each got on him just for a picture to take home with them and make up a story about riding around their "ranch." Tex was so calm but each time I tried to back away so they could get a picture of him, he'd follow me even if they tried to stop him. He really is more like a dog then a horse. If all Tennessee Walking Horses are so sweet and personable, you should advertise it and you'd have those lovable animals flying off to homes practically as soon as you posted them on your web site. You can tell I love my little horse.

Thank you once again for promoting animals who bring such happiness to their new homes.

Love,

Donna

Good afternoon, Mary Ellen,

I just wanted to drop you a note as I'd told you I would about my experience/purchase from your Walkers West. I bought "Bad News Anticipation" or Rocky from you the end of October 2003. Even though I have ridden for over 20 years, at 50 yrs old, this was my first horse purchase. I drove 1000 miles and rode 6 horses that weekend I bought Rocky.  I arrived at your place after 4pm, after telling you I'd be earlier, and you were gracious enough to accommodate.  

After riding so many horses I was in tears. I'd almost decided maybe I didn't want a "walker" even though I'd ridden a walker 20 yrs earlier, and still remembered it to the point that I was convinced if I should ever be lucky enough to own my own horse it would be a Tennessee Walker. I thought I knew how to ride, but I seemed to have difficulty with keeping the reins so loose. I thought, maybe they are so different maybe I shouldn't be wanting a walker! But you said, "no you just haven't found the right horse yet!"

Then you brought out "Rocky". He's a 10 yr old/16.1 Gelding, I thought...'eeekkkk he's a lot taller than I'd planned'. But the minute I rode him I knew. English and Western trained, he would walk as slow as a quarter horse, or has the wonderful gaits we all love. Your trainer, Moe was wonderful too. Very patient, rode along with me with the horses so I'd feel comfortable. After viewing other horses that weekend I learned that walkers may not have been trained to "canter". I love to canter, even though after riding Rocky I knew I loved the way he handled, I forgot I hadn't cantered him while I was on him. Mary Ellen had Moe canter Rocky for me, and Moe's response to my husband was "if I'd have known he could do that so well I would have been riding him more!"  

I brought Rocky to Dickinson Texas to live. I specifically wanted a trail horse. I couldn't have cared less about a horse who's showed, or how they looked particularly. I was more concerned on getting the right temperament/disposition/no vices type of horse. But Rocky is beautiful a chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail. He gets compliments everywhere he's seen. He was initially a bit spooked every time I was on him, and I was worried at first, but I've learned he just needs to feel secure with his owner, and he needs to be ridden.

So four months later, I feel blessed. I've totally fallen in love with him. He has a lot of personality, knows all his commands. The trainer where I board that's ridden him states there really isn't anything he needs to "learn". He is getting better and better to ride as I've been able to ride him enough that he isn't so "scared or spooked" every time I get on him.  Actually I've learned he is better on the roads and open areas than in small arena, so he must have been used on trails as opposed to shows as I'd requested. Even if he did spook he only jumped to the side, nothing major. He comes when called, (which I love when others take three people to catch their horse!) has excellent ground manners, trailers without a hitch!  

It was such a scary thing to me to purchase this horse. It meant so much to me to get the "right" horse. People would laugh and say 'oh you'll have many until you find the "right" one'. I found the right one the first time. You had a wonderful selection to choose from, and I am blessed I found Rocky at your place. I think people need to hear the positives about a place.  That's why I've written.

Thank you,
Debbie Gore
 

Mary Ellen:

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to give you an update on Sure Fire: believe it or not, this past weekend was the first real time I've had to ride. It was snowing up to one week ago. The ice from the melting and refreezing was just to widespread and risky. But today it close to 80; blue sky; and beautiful. I rode Sure Fire on Sunday. Came over the hills, through the apple orchards and put him into my neighbors stable. I'll keep him there for a while now; at least until I can get him into shape.

But, all in all, what a terrific horse. His incredible disposition seems to be growing. As we spend more time together the bond is getting stronger. He is a true pleasure to ride. I've had him on the local roads, in the woods, in the fields, as mentioned in the apple orchards, around trees, through puddles, over logs, through streams, and he doesn't falter. Just keeps moving, nickering and whinnying; seems to be having fun himself.

And what a show stopper! When I'm out on the road and that flax tail and mane get to blowing/swinging people will stop their cars just to stare or compliment. What great fun!

He's bigger, still growing. Has put on some good weight and muscle. Has taken to the hay up here and my food regimen. All in all, healthy as a horse!

Again, I hope all is well with you and Walkers West. Say hi to Brent and Doug. Hope they're doing well, as well.

Stay in touch.

Steve Moergen (...and He's Sure Fire!)

We bought Coal Black Mack from Walker West several months ago. He has been a real joy and quickly part of the family. He walks like silk, and is a real steady horse. Not a lot has spooked him even night rides or my four year old daughter. Thanks to you and Palmer House for an awesome horse to ride the trails and the neighborhood roads.

Melissa H.

Hi,
I was visiting the Walkers West web site and read your comments in the guest book section.  I have been looking quite a while now for my next and probably last horse and your comments were worth me emailing you in hopes of you sharing your experiences with your search and with Walkers West.  I noticed that you live in TN. and you would think you would have found something right there !  I live in FL and there isn't much of a choice here for good TWH or SSH.
I'm looking for what  most people are probably looking for:
Safe, sound, good conformation, well gaited, etc. I mostly trail ride, but am looking to start showing and want a horse that is versatile.
If you have any extra time, I'd love to hear back from you or call you to speak to you about your purchase of Trip.
Thanks for your time,
Kandy in FL

I hope my reply might be of help to you. I had looked for 2 years trying to find my horse. I looked on hundreds of web sites ,followed up by visits to horse farms. I met a lot of horse traders, to my dismay. Walkers West had the best horses period. I had looked in several states, including Tennessee. I went as far as to hire a Trainer to buy a horse. I have seen horses that were sored so bad they would almost fall down. I don't want a horse like that. I have Field Trial Dogs in Texas and was there, thought I would try one more time to find a horse. The day before  Walkers West I was at one ranch and they had nice horses, but no style. I went to Walkers West without calling ahead. As soon as I pulled in their driveway I saw the best horses of any place that I had been to. Doug Smiley asked what I was wanting, I told him what was important to me. He showed me what they had in an ascending order. He knew what I was after and saved the best for last. I made up my mind on Trip. Then I was told that he was only 22 months old. Doug had him to the level of a horse 3 to 4 years old. I watched Doug with all the horses. He did what he wanted without force or verbal commands. Trip is shod on the front only, Keg shoes. Due to rain he had not been ridden in awhile, no problem, Doug mounted him on the black top. I have been shown horse that were suppose to be babies they couldn't get on.

I left Trip with  Doug to finish out, due to his progress with Trip. Next week back to Texas,:) I am going to work with Doug and Trip, I think I may learn something. I am 62 years old and I think Doug can help me with a horse that has what I wanted when I was 30. Therefore if you need a super NATURAL HORSE I would recommend that you contact Doug. Pardon my ranting, but I have looked for 2 years.

Happy riding,

Ralph J. Bailiff

Mary Ellen,

Steve has pulled another right shoe.  Doug and I talked about the  advantage of bands and I meant to tell him to go ahead and have the  farrier put bands on when he resets Steve but forgot.  I was so thrilled  and very very nervous that I had actually ridden that my mind wasn't all  there.  Didn't quit shaking for about an hour after leaving.  I know it  will get easier from here and am so glad to have that first ride over.  Anyway, would you please ask the farrier to put bands on Steve's feet?  That way he can paw his brains out and not lose the shoes.

 You already know how much I admire and like Doug but I just can't say enough about how much he helped me yesterday.  It's wonderful to have a  trainer I can trust with my physical and emotional self as well as with  my horse.  Don't know if I would have had the courage to climb on again  without him.  He is a true gem as well as a precious man.  You are so  very fortunate to have him, but then you know that.

 I'll be out again Tues.  Thanks.  Have a great weekend.

Sue

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