Grads

Texas & Skip, are owned by Gary Butterfield, Derry New Hampshire.

Randy, The Boys are doing well. I have to admit this little story. My wife and I took the Boys out shortly after returning from you. As we drove down a dirt road near our place in Vermont, I noticed something very different. I began to look around on the ground from atop the carriage, puzzled as to smooth ride. Not saying anything, my wife spoke, asking if the road had been regraded. To make a long story short. Texas and Skip were so in tune with each other, the ride in the carriage was like floating down the road. You did a great job making these guys carriage horses but since they have returned, they are a much improved saddle horse as well. Thanks again Randy.

Gary Butterfield

Julie & Belle

Randy I can't thank you enough for your work with Belle. I haven't ridden in over 15 years, and Belle is just wonderful. You have changed my life, and again I thank you.

Sincerely Julie Sprague.

Belle is a Morgan mare that was sent to us for both riding and driving training. Here she is seen with her owner Julie Sprague at the family farm in Maine.

(Click on thumbnail for larger photo)

These horses belong to Frolic Weymouth of ChaddsFord Pennsylvania. The two leaders in front, are Alush and True, and were with us for training during the spring and summer of 2001.Here they are seen on the Sept.14-17 drive sponsored by the Four In Hand Club, held at Mr. Weymouth's Big Bend Farm, and Mr. Dick Sanford's Sanford Hall Farm. The horses are pictured crossing the Brandy Wine River on one of the weekend drives.

Randy the best money I've ever spent! All continues to be amazing and great. So many, many , thanks, was wonderful meeting you. Please come again soon.

Frolic

The winter of 2001 I was looking for a Canadien Horse to purchase. I saw one advertised that sounded like it would suit me. I needed a horse trained for driving. Driving was a new sport for me, and I wanted a horse that could go down the road safely, and be brave in all circumstances. This sport really caught my fancy, and we plan on showing soon! The horse's name is Des Mont's Lalou Gringo (aka Maxwell). The owner told me he had been professionally trained by Randy Bird, and she sent me Randy's website to check out his methods of training. Not only did these methods seem to coincide with my methods of working a horse, but Maxwell's photos grabbed my heart strings. I knew he was the horse for me! I bought him after talking to Randy on the phone and a video. I have never bought a horse "sight unseen" before! After purchasing Maxwell in April, I waited 5 long months for my harness to be made.

I didn't need a riding horse - Maxwell was born to drive, and that's what I wanted him for. We long-lined, ground drove, and tried to create spooky situations for him, until the harness finally arrived. Knowing that Randy cracked a whip for desensitizing, I would crack a whip on the side of the barn and trailer, and tried all kinds of sacking out materials. He stood like a rock and looked at me like I was crazy. A young Amish fellow came over to check him out, and decided to fit my brand new harness on Maxwell and hitch my brand new cart to him. He then hopped in and drove two times around the arena, and jumped out over the side, handing me the reins. "He's fine", he said. "Hop in and drive your horse." So....I did! Maxwell has continued to impress me and my driving instructor. The first time on the road, with my instructor sitting quietly beside me, we encountered a school bus, several vehicles, and a garbage truck with air brakes! Randy's training was very evident as Maxwell didn't break stride, or raise his head when the sound of the air brakes came from behind us. Rattling flatbeds and tractors, geese, deer, goats, and rushing water are all things we have encountered. He goes quietly through the woods and is an absolute pleasure to drive. I highly recommend Randy and his training methods.

Sharon Myers in PA

"The whole experience of sending horses to be trained by Randy was an exceptional one. The horses progressed from unbroken youngsters into a confident, versatile team. Fionna and Ailsa Rose enjoyed their education and the work it involved; they were handled in a manner that made them trusting and kind. As the owner, it was a pleasure for me to visit regularly with Randy and Joanne, to go out driving with my girls and some of the other teams Randy had in his barn. Randy also trained me in the art of driving, and I look forward to continuing my education this summer, when I take my girls back, with their new marathon carriage, so I can do justice to the work Randy put into my fillies and the team he created."
Amanda

These two year old Clydesdale fillies were sent to us last fall for driving and riding training. They are owned by Jorge and Amanda Bernhard of Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.

" Jessie a Canadian filly in training at Randy Bird's Stable, driven by Larry Kushkin West Bloomfield,MI. with sister Susan Wolff Santa Monica CA."

Looking for a horse
A lady, on the web, in VA said she just purchased a wonderful young gelding through Randy Bird and could not be happier. I called Randy. He simply said "come see our Program". That says it all. Having been around horses for years, it was amazing to see him train horses in a way they understand. We hitched a Canadian Filly Randy had just started and took off through the creek, around the tied up neighbors barking dogs and down the road. Four hours later I was the owner of Jessie. Jessie is everything he promised and more. Looking for a horse or have one with a problem "Go see Randy's Program". It will be well worth your time and one of the great experiences of your life. Randy and Jo Ann will make you feel like family in 10 minutes and you won't want to leave. Randy we wish you all good things and are delighted to recommend you for your talent, your honesty and to have you as a friend. Larry Kushkin, West Bloomfield, MI.

(These ponies are owned by Munro Russell of Batesville Virginia. They were sent to us for training first as pairs, and then as a four in hand. The leaders are Mosby and Winston, and the wheelers are Toby and Jake Munro and the ponies will be competing in Combined Driving, at various shows in the U.S. We wish them the best of luck.)

Randy

What a great time I had seeing your hard efforts pay off. The ponies were just great. You have a knack that is just world class. My hat is off to you. The driving after your training is the easy part. I will do my first show with them on May 25th,and will let you know how they make out. Thanks again to you and your whole crew. Munro