"Jane shares her exquisite knowledge about horses and the art of dressage riding, geared towards benefiting the horse. She identified the challenges "all of us," face, who muddle through without personal access to an instructor of the superb caliber of Jane Savoie. Then she used that wonderful brain of hers to figure out how to address the problem in several innovative ways.

But, I HAVE to tell you my experience of Jane is her exuberant drive to help you learn the arcane art of dressage. She lifts me up and spurs me on. She is passionate, almost scary in the breadth and depth of her knowledge, and she adds in psychology to weave it all together. She is just darned FUN... and my experience is through her books, Happy Horse instruction and her online Mentorship program.

Firstly, she developed her "Happy Horse" instruction set, using the 3 ways people learn--visual, auditory and performance. She teaches with such precision that you CAN and WILL get it. Then she developed her online Mentorship program, and rounded it all out with a program for improving your position.

Who would have thought that the web could be used to help you really learn how to ride horses!! Sure, you think of written articles, but Jane uses audio, images and video. It is amazing how effective it all is.

Mostly, though, I am so touched that her personal connection, her personality and drive to share her knowledge comes across--no matter what the medium. Yes, she is a Dressage Queen, but the nicest and most competent one you could ever have the great good fortune to know."

Petie Walker, Neophyte Dressage Rider, May 25, 2009

I purchased "Jane Savoie's Guide for Training a Happy Horse", after having seen and benefited from her other training videos such as "The Half-Halt Demystified".

Likes: 1. I can watch the DVD to see the instruction and demonstration riders and while driving out to ride I can listen again to the instruction on the CD in the car. 2. The lessons are short enough so that I am not overwhelmed and can be practiced immediately. 3. The lessons build on each other in a logical sequence. 4. Remarkably, Jane provides the information to know if what you are doing has worked, provides education for correction, and her training suggestions work just like she describes.

Dislikes: There has not been one problem that I have found with this riding system.

Quality: The quality of the DVD's, CD's, and book are good.

Summary: As a backyard dressage rider with limited access to regular instruction, I found the series of DVD's, CD's, and instruction book to be worth every penny spent. My horse has totally changed his frame, is more flexible, responsive, light, and engaged than he has ever been before. Jane has been able to address the issues I have struggled with for 30 years. I feel as if she has seen me ride and made this program for me. If my horse ever in the past found his way to be connected and on the bit, it was truly by accident. I could not have told you what I did to produce the result, nor could I maintain the frame. She has taught me to understand and use the dressage training pyramid, she has corrected my unsteady hands, taught me to put my horse together, turned my canter struggles into a pleasure, FINALLY TO USE MY OUTSIDE REIN, and so many other things, I cannot mention them all.

Rating: 5

Author: Happy Horse Rider, Horse Tack Review

Jane,

I wanted to tell you about how wonderfully my horse is doing and I attribute so much of it to your happy horse course. He is maturing and has really started trying to figure out what I'm asking him to do. Your course has helped me to improve my riding and consistency of my aides and he is really starting to respond. Yesterday he was so connected I was able to ride 12 meter circles with him staying connected on the outside rein! This is monumental for us! At 17.3 and 1600 lbs trying to turn him can be like trying to turn a freight train on a straight track. He still has challenges staying focused, but I can feel him thinking and trying hard to "do the right thing". It is the coolest feeling!

As I was reviewing the lesson on connection, you reminded us about following up a strong aide with a "whisper" so that you don't always have to use the stronger aide (clearly I had forgotten). With this reminder, he became so much more responsive to my forward aides. I can't tell you how much joy I am having riding this big beautiful boy.

Thank you hardly seems enough!

Terrie

I have a beautifully, talented Warmblood who is missing his near-side eye. He is super spooky, super flighty and as such isn't always able to allow his talents to shine through. I've always felt that when he gets in his spooky, flighty modes he blocks me by grabbing the inside rein and blocks through his shoulders. Well, since watching this suppling DVD, I have had awesome, soft, over the back, reaching, amazing rides!! The minute I popped him into trot I just had this amazing swinging, soft horse and it was just the highest of high feelings!! The true test was this morning as there were scary creatures hiding everywhere, and he was like a time bomb ticking! Whilst it took a little longer to get him to reach and relax, I slowly felt his body giving and then his mind relaxed and he gave me some really nice work! So thank you. That would not have been possible prior to watching your material.

Maggie, Australia

"I followed the steps on the Half Halt DVDs and once I got the hang of it, it was as though overnight I was able to get just about every stiff nose-poking hunter in the barn on the bit, over the back, and moving 10x better than before.

Jane has a way of taking complex topics and breaking them down into manageable bits. All for less than the price of one lesson!!"

Stephanie, Canada

"My horse is seventeen, and was very difficult to get on the bit and working through. He is now improving in leaps and bounds! I love the way you explain every movement and act from the rider's side too. No harsh and cruel remedies! Just go back one or two steps in the training scale! If only I've had this some thirty plus years ago! This is my daily bread!"

Regards, Erica, So Africa

"Jane's DVDs transformed my horse, got him off my hands, got him on the bit, and got him back on his haunches.

Her work in sports psychology has also been a factor in my overcoming significant fear issues."

Kayla, Nevada

"Thanks to you, I will be able to enter my three year olds for the first time into a walk, trot, and canter class. I'd just like to say thank you. Since I started to train with you through your DVDs, every training session with my horse is a happy one".

Karin, New Hampshire

"I have had many trainers & was very confused over the use of the aids. I had no idea what I was doing (my poor horse) no wonder she would toss her head in the air and then root. Today we were training & a friend watched me for a while, and then said, "Who have you been taking lessons with? You are riding sooo much better & with more control."

Gail, Australia

I am already seeing significant results in my new 4.5 yr old that I have had for two weeks now.
Thank you for contributing so much to a fabulous and fulfilling new relationship!!

Lexi, CA

I, like others, have aid issues with the canter and (staying on the bit in the transitions). As much as I read, I still had to be reminded of your "two set of aids at once;" I forget to get the connecting aids before, during, and after the transition. So this morning with my mare I worked on the connecting aids at the trot then worked with it at the canter and we achieved better transitions both ways. This was one of the best workouts with this little mare! So, again, thank you and I hope I can remember everything tomorrow!

Leslie, Hawaii