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Reference Letters and Testimonials!
Roland (Top) is one of my best friends. We met at a boarding stable and I saw what he was doing in the round pen and I asked for his help with my horse Cody… I had a horse growing up, but I just taught myself to ride, so I never had any formal instruction… Cody loves to run, is very competitive and basically was very disrespectful. I would go home crying because while I was living my dream of owning a horse again this beautiful animal didn’t care about whether I lived or died (Perhaps, I am being a little over dramatic, but Cody had this bad habit of stopping on his front end and then spinning around, so the rider was flung from the saddle. Like an amusement ride except I wasn’t amused;) )
I had gone to a Clinton Anderson clinic because I had heard so many great things about his methods. I carefully watched what he was doing during the weekend, but I couldn’t translate what I saw into action with my own horse. I basically lacked confidence. I needed someone to show me in real life the techniques, have me practice them and then perfect my body language. So, I asked Roland for help. He was very gracious with his time and commitment. Today, I can experience the joy of a working partnership with Cody. He does everything I ask of him. Roland and I have had many ridding adventures together. Most of those rides are long training sessions where we are asking our horses to give at the poll, side pass, whoa with our seat and many other things you want from a willing partner.
I cannot say enough great things about Roland. I highly recommend him to anyone who really wants to learn how to communicate better with your horse and develop the working relationship that you have always wanted. Roland will give as much as he can with anyone who truly wants to learn and try. Learning to work with my horse was a growing experience for me and to be quite honest it stretched me out of my comfort zone. At times I still get frustrated, but I have to check myself and ask what my body language is communicating. Once that is adjusted then whatever issue I was having with my horse goes away.
- Jasmin Gammel
... I have been riding for twenty years and training professionally for seven; and I learned more in a few days with him (TOP) than in the past several years! What I appreciate most is he explains… the body language both he and the horse are communicating (with),... he shows you visually ..... it allows you to put two and two together much more quickly and easily.
I currently work as a rider for a big name show jumping trainer on the east coast, and am shocked at how often I put his techniques and training to use. Every horse I ride, I apply at least one of his methods if not more. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with him and am confident that you will too!
- Lindsey Kite
Over the past year I have observed TOP interacting with many horses, including my own, and all I can say is that he is truly gifted. He listens to and communicates with horses in a way that is simply amazing. From my own personal experience, I can assure you that his approach works. In fact, he will leave you with your head shaking in awe!!
When I bought my new horse a few months ago, I spent several weeks working on groundwork and fundamentals on my own, with limited success; in a few short hours with TOP's guidance, however, the transformation was remarkable. Not only is TOP fantastic at working with horses, he is also a great teacher to their owners. In a very positive, constructive, and fun manner TOP has shown me how to do things differently in order to communicate more effectively with my horse. Thanks to his help, I feel my horse and I are on our way to a more rewarding relationship. I have no doubt that any horse lover will enjoy working with TOP and will benefit greatly from the experience.
- Lynette Seymour
I can not say enough about Top and his horse wisdom. When we met him we were having all kinds of trouble with our 4 year old gelding. Scout literally was running all over us. He would bite, kick and had so many other bad habits. We were at our wits end with him and had no direction…
After working with us and Scout we are now able to do all sorts of exercises with him. We only ride on the weekends and have no problems now just jumping on him. Top really taught us a wealth of information and is always only a call of away. I continue to use him as a resource when I hit a stump in the road.
He also gave my daughter lessons for a week and she learned so much. She had never really ridden and is now riding every weekend with so much confidence. His patience with her was amazing! I truly respect him and his style of training. He has been a blessing to us!
- Michele Alcantar
I just wanted to go on recorded as saying you have the gift with horses and with teaching new riders. I truly enjoyed my week of lessons with you and it was a turning point for Brandii, my Arabian, and me. We communicate much better now. I understand her responses much better and can handle the difficult one better. Your quick eye and understanding of people and animals will continue to serve you well. I look forward to more lessons in the future. I wish you all the best.
- Sarah O’Keefe
My family and I have three horses. Until we met Roland “Top” Ramirez, our three horses were pasture ornaments with bad attitudes and a whole lot of disrespect ...“Top”… showed us how awesome a respectful relationship can be...
We recently rescued a three year old Quarter horse who had never been handled... We didn’t know where to begin… (TOP) explained in great detail the importance of leadership, ground training, learning to “read” the horse and communicating...in a way...they can understand. ...within two weeks, this horse was moving on a loose rein and even went on a trail ride with my husband who was also learning how to ride.
My husband had his own thoughts of riding & training horses and it wasn’t working in our situation. Top started training my husband to bring what he learned with ground training into the saddle. ...Today, my husband’s love for horses is stronger than it ever was before and because of his new understanding of horses, we have become closer.
- Alondra Carnahan
My name is April Lucas. I live and work in Austin and have a 4 year old paint filly and an 18 year old QH gelding. I’ve had one or two horses at most times in my life. I have boarded my mare at the same facility where Roland Ramirez has worked with various horses, including mine. I have ridden and worked some of his horses, including a 4 year old paint mare named Nova, (who I have also used as a kid horse for my stepson, who is 10, and a trail horse for horse-loving but inexperienced friends), and a roping horse named Dante, who Top was working some kinks out of. The progress of both horses was very impressive.
Top has been a tremendous help to me with my horse, both in that he can get her to do the things I want, but also, and more importantly, in that he’s very effective at teaching me how to work with her myself to obtain the kinds of results I hadn’t known how to get earlier. He has plenty of good ideas, and unlike some people, can communicate them effectively to a person, not only to the horse. To me, that’s very important because I like learning how to teach my own horse. In training horses and training people I’ve found him to be very patient, kind, clear, and firm. It helps. He knows how to firmly and effectively improve or eliminate undesirable behaviors, but I have never seen him (and have never even heard of him) losing his temper or doing anything hurtful or cruel to any animal, even animals who intentionally hurt him. I trust him with my filly completely.
His horse Nova, who my stepson has ridden, was only 4 at the time but very, very broke. She is soft-mouthed, responsive, and patient with children, but when worked by someone more advanced, has quicker action, does pretty rollbacks, can go bridleless, and even lies down upon request. (Top also helped teach my horse to lie down. We can even swing ropes and whips around her on the ground, and she doesn’t mind at all.)
Although my horse has never been a problem horse, I’ve seen Top make vast improvements on horses of others I know, too, horses who rear, who run off, who don’t stop quickly, and don’t know how to listen. He’s helped build the owners’ confidence and teach them how to deal with their horses more safely. I’ve been told there’s no substitute for time, for just a human and a horse. But know-how helps a LOT too. And Top has plenty of it and doesn’t mind sharing. I’d be glad to discuss by phone or respond to email inquiries about him anytime. (Contact information available upon request)
- April Lucas
