Horse training services are provided by Melissa Bertz of Exclusive Show Horses. We offer colt starting, tune-ups, and advanced training. We listen to you to determine the best fit for you and your horse based on your abilities and goals. Melissa has over 25 years of experience and is a fully insured, full-time professional.
Continuing education is very important to Missy so she regularly attends clinics of everything from western dressage to team sorting and encourages her clients to do so as well. While she has an interest in learning different disciplines, she specializes in training and coaching of the western all-around show horse. Seeing a need for a compassionate and correct trainer in the industry, she focuses on developing horses that are true in their gaits and carriage. Since most of her clients keep their horses for many years, they need to remain sound and sane for a lifetime.
Draw reins, harsh bits, tying around and submission are not a part of her program. Her clients are encouraged to enjoy creating a partnership with their horses. She is passionate about teaching riders how to communicate through correct, subtle aids, soft hands, and understanding how a horse’s body works. Each horse is an individual with it’s own strengths and weaknesses. Missy helps students identify these and develops a program to bring out the best in each team.
Students learn all aspects of riding and animal husbandry. Missy encourages her students to try different things with their horses. Many of her horses can go showing one weekend, and camping the next. And maybe work cattle the next! Her goal is to have riders that can handle any situation, in the show pen and on the trail. She takes pride in knowing that her clients can feel confident enough in their abilities to go to a show by themselves. Missy has clients of all ages and experience and is especially good in working with riders who may experience anxiety. She has a big show group and yet manages to make sure no one feels left out. Ethics such as good sportsmanship, compassion, and hard work are the core of her program.
Potential training horses and riders (when applicable) must go through an evaluation session, either beforehand or upon arrival, to determine physical and mental wellness. If you and your horse are struggling with an issue, we work hard with our team of experts to understand the problem and find a solution. To achieve the best possible outcome, we encourage you to to be honest with your trainer when discussing problems. We are here to help you with your goals!
