Testimonials

                                                      

  

" I have attended several of Davids clinics in Tennessee and Georgia. He has worked two mustangs for my brother that were adopted 6 weeks before the clinic. I was able to have him here at my place , in Alabama, a couple of years ago, and I had folks calling me and even coming to my house weeks afterwards, just to tell me how glad they were that I had a Horseman of his caliber, come to this area. Trust me, the man is super. I am a  52 yrs old woman, and have learned so much from him, that I am using today with my horses. I have been to other clinics held by other "horse trainers" , but there's something about David that horses &  people just "bond" to. I've never known anyone to come away disappointed."   

 Rosalee from Alabama

 

 "Watching David work a horse is like watching a waltz".    

 Mike O'Neal  for  The Chattanooga times.

 

 Tennessee Cross Roads a PBS show calls "Mr. Archer a remarkable man"

 

"I gotta tell you I have been to my share of clinics and including Lyons, Hunt, Brannaman, Parelli and Sharke to name only a few. I have watched every trainer I can find who work with horses. Just ask anyone that knows me. But watching David work that stud last night was more than a treat and a learning experience. David's got all of them boys beat in my book. The horses are lucky to have him on their side. Thanks David for sharing your time and experience so we may all learn how to help the horse. I have seen no more honest or sincere in their handling of horses than David." 

Donna from Norco CA.

                                     
 

"I have known David for many years, dating back to his sojourn in Tennessee where he became known as the Tennessee horse whisperer.  David's knowledge, skill, and rapport with horses is unequaled.  This alone would put him in the upper echelon of trainers but it is his genuine love and compassion for horses that sets him apart.  His regard for each horse is heartfelt.  Horses sense it instantly and people recognize it almost as quickly." 

Ray Strickland
Wolf Trap Farms, Tennessee

                                                          

 

 

 

 

     

    "I have been having fun experimenting with some of the techniques that I saw David use when he came up to N. Calif for the Martinez clinic and then did the ranch visits in the Tracy/Livermore area the next day. But by far the most fun has been what I saw him do with a  PMU colt that could not be caught/haltered, etc.  It was kind of a modified clicker training thing.


    So yesterday when my neice came out - we taught her little pony Princess to come to her and stand to be haltered with her using the clicker. Princess is a very hard pony to catch. But it was just priceless to see my neice Dakota use the clicker and have Princess walk right up to her and follow her around and stand calmly for Dakota to get the halter on.
    Today I decide to use his method on some more challenging subjects. Mustang stallions that are pretty wild. I decided to start with the easiest one (read the smallest and youngest - only a two year old). The gal I am ranch sitting for leaves a halter on him since he can not be caught. Since I get quite nervous about that - I decided I was going to clicker train him so I can keep the halter off while he is under my care. And I am sure she will be shocked to death when she returns and finds my note with the clicker and instructions on how to have him walk right up to her for haltering. It only took about 10 minutes and was just so awesome. Just to make sure - I went back to his corral 3 more times throughout the day and entered with the clicker to make sure he really knew his stuff = IT WORKED !!! So halter is hanging on the outside of the fence now where it should be.
    Stallion #2 is a big and bold guy - figured he would be more of a REAL warm-up for my "goal stallion". He did great also and learned how to lead and give to pressure - but his backing up still needs some work.
    Stallion #3 has always been an "untouchable". To move him between corrals they have to herd him into a stock trailer, etc. If he sees a human approach anywhere near his corral he is jumping out of his skin and running to the furthest point away. I was even contemplating not going into his very small temporary pen because he is so wild and just trying it from outside the pen. But since he didn't try to kill me when I entered his pen to shovel out the manure first - I figured I would be brave. I had to take it very slow with this guy and I still have a lot of work cut out for me with him. But since this is a stallion that never lets anyone close to him - I felt like we accomplished a lot when I finally got him following me around and standing within a foot of me. He has yet to let me touch him - but he did at least learn that click means to "come". "IF" I am able to finally touch this guy and get a halter on him it will be absolutely amazing. I am sure David probably would have since he is a pro - but I am sure happy about the progress we made today.  I can't wait for David to come up here for another clinic and ranch visit sessions. "

    Cheryl from Livermore, California

One of the greatest things about the way you train horses, other than your AWESOME, is your "hoof side manner". Not only do you  treat each horse as an individual with its own issues, even when it may be something you have seen 100 times over, you don't make the the owner feel like its the same old thing again that you see all the time. You are very comforting to be around, very patient and treat people like the problems they are having are important even when they may seem menial to you. You know you have all respect from me and no one compares to you. BTW, you are a very humble man considering everywhere i go with you someone, usually multiple people know you or of you from the horse world.  A Very special cowboy you are DL.



 

When I first got Bride I didn't know much of anything about horses or riding - just the basics. (I had went through two other horses before Bride I was the typical green horseperson who bought a horse that was too much for her and later had a horse with an issue I could not fix) I had SO many people who I thought wanted to help me along my way but in the end I think some people just like to hear themselves talk....I was getting constant advice from about 10 different people all the time. A lot of the times people contradicted what someone else had told me. I felt lost - and confused. I felt like I was always on display like people were critquing every move I made. I was also in over my head with Bride as yes she was hot and I was a little bit afraid of her....and I had just come away from a horse that was a big bucker. I wasn't sure what Bride needed or what I was supposed to do. But eventually I started seeing things from a different viewpoint....I was finally learning and more importantly questioning the very people who had been guiding me. And once that started, it couldn't be stopped! I picked up books and started to educate myself on terminology, feed, horse anatomy...riding styles. I learned a whole TON about saddle fit LOL we all know why ha! Then you came and you worked with Melissa's mustang Whinny up at Jamie's place....she had told me about the experience (right after that session she had called me and was like you've GOT to meet this trainer who just worked with Whinny hee hee Whinny was bucking and being all stupid but he didn't take none of her shit! ha ha she was giving me details on everything you had done) so of course I wanted to meet you for myself at that point. So when I heard you were coming to G&C I signed myself up. Meeting you came at such a crucial time....

I hope you realize what you have done for me.  I went from SO MANY people trying to make me do things their way and people assuming that I was plain ol stupid and wasn't capable of handling myself and a horse. At times I DID feel like that.  I used to get caught in the middle of two girls who would see what the other was telling me and then come tell me don't listen to her. I went through a couple of trainers who did the SAME thing. I was convinced my opinion or idea was the wrong one. They had me convinced that I was no good & that my horse was no good...the things I had learned along my way I kept to myself...too afraid to say anything or do anything.

When you came along and you told ME I was doing a good job (I think when we all went to the Karen Parelli clinic) - that made ALL the difference. You were the first person EVER to tell me that I had accomplished something with my horse...you had told me I had good "feel" and that I worked on what you had shown me and that it showed. (I was so happy OMG I was finally doing something right!) My spirits about myself and Bride lifted greatly. I started to become more confident...you were literally the spark in my fire. Each and every clinic you did that I attended I learned more and more....which helped me to start thinking on my own. I started applying things you had taught me or had done with others...I started to read more and more....and watch & listen more and more...and most importantly I started to see a difference in my horse. I would and still do, get very excited when I know I get to see you either in a clinic or just for visiting. You gave me what I needed to get myself going and I can not thank you enough. It has changed my entire outlook past present and future. Not only were you the first to say I was doing good you were the first person to like Bride - you told me to forget about what people had told me....I finally let go of pent up negative comments about my horse. After you rode her the second time I remember you saying you were glad you rode her. You had her sidepassing and was oohing and aaahing the crowd on MY horse! GOD that felt soooooo great! Finally!! A HUGE weight on my shoulders came tumbling off....my horse is not as bad as everyone thought! She IS good at something.....And it is OK that she is the way that she is!!!!

At that show this past Saturday.....there were HIGH dollar horses. When we first pulled up to the place, I told Melissa oh shit what did we get ourselves into? LOL Almost all the riders had thier own personal groom and trainer....you could eat off of the tack room floor it was that clean and well kept and RICH lol. I was thinking to myself uh oh I am going to look like a fool ha! (watching a saddlebred / saddle seat based show was quite interesting to say the least....we can talk about the dynamics of that the next time I see ya lol)

Anyhow - to my surprise during the line up in the classes my number kept getting called! I was PLACING and even WINNING. People were handing me ribbons and Melissa was saying your kicking ass today! I was getting a ton of compliments! To have placed 2nd in that equitation class finally proved to me that yes I can do it! I am REALLY riding :) And shoot....maybe...just maybe I am finally good at it! I took home two blues that day and a friggen medal! A medal! Wow! hee hee

Oh and did I tell you yet that I have finally acheived collection and a nice head-set with Bride? (and do you also remember that that is what I had you work on with me and Bride on that private session the first time I met you and Nicki? So it has taken me awhile I am so pleased at this point) Bride is now riding flexed at the poll (on the vertical) on a loose rein....her back is rounded and she is finally happy and relaxed. I can stop her with my seat alone...she backs up with energy she is moving laterally with slight pressure.... even her neck isn't U-Necked anymore!! The "Park" is almost out of her ha ha! This has taken me SOOO long to achieve..actually if you saw her now you would not believe she is the same horse! When I was out there showing against those friesans and saddlebreds I felt like me and my Arab were fading into the rail unseen.....little did I know we were shining :) There is something that tickles me about beating a $30,000 Fresian on a $800 Arab LOL

Me and Melissa I consider a team. Me and her help each other out - I value her opinion and she values mine. It is a wonderful friendship. When in doubt I go to her and she goes to me - sometimes I feel like me and her are thinking as one person.....and I will tell you this.....it was NOT always like that lol. You made a HUGE difference for her as well - she has done a complete 180 in her horsemanship....I think you know what I'm talking about. And she knows it too. With out you, things may still have been the way they were - and I am dead serious when I say that. Me and her were resentful to each other....I didn't think the same way she did about most things....we bumped heads a lot. We competed against each other. I am telling you - you made that difference...opened up both of our eyes...after a clinic of yours we would re-cap on it for hours.  Again...just like for me, you were also HER spark that got her going!!! Now look at her she is bringing in a horse for training - she is making it happen! We do not compete anymore....I am proud of her and she is of me - there is no jealousy or bitterness....we are as it should be - equals. I love her like my sister we will forever be together riding horses!!

Nowadays people ask me what my take is on things. Now people ask me to ride their horses for them! Talk about a HUGE difference from the way I started eh?! It was extremely hard work (tell you what Miss Silvermoon had me sweating my butt off tonight ha ha) but oh so worth it...now Silvermoon is my project - my goal - and later she will be my accomplishment. There is nothing else like it. And ain't NOTHING stopping me!!!

So thank you David. You and Nicki mean a LOT to me.  I will always consider you friends and sorry but you will NEVER be rid of me ha ha! I am going to continue to do my very best that I can - and yes I finally do believe in myself. Thank YOU for also believing in me :)  ....I am anxious to share my accomplishments with you because I know that you (and Nicki) care - it means the world to me :)

Here's to many more happy moments! Here's to many more friendships and horses! I can't wait until tomorrow because I get to go work Silvermoon again and give Bride a big ol' hug. It is definently a life worth living - horses complete me. I am sooooooooo very lucky :)

Everyone take care!!! And good night!

Carrie

 

 

David has many more of these type of Testimonials from horseowners which could fill several pages. Wherever he does a clinic or works horses the first thing he is asked is when can he come back. He stands by the horse and  treats it as the special animal it is.