Fran Smith: Yuma, Az Barrel Racer 2005
Our experience with Twister Heller's training has been nothing but positive. We have many experiences to report about Twister. A few years ago, I sent a horse to Twister. The horse was terrified to be ridden out on trail, and he was just too much for me in that respect. By the time Twister put just 60 days on him, he was a whole different guy. I could ride him out on trail without wondering just where we would end up or fearing for my safety. If it weren't for Twister, I'd have had to sell that horse. As it is, I still have and use that horse today with great success.
A few months ago, we sent a three year old to Twister. This colt is one of our prized barrel prospects. From Twister's, we took the colt to Wendy McKenzie ( Lynn McKenzie's daughter) for professional barrel training. After Wendy had ridden this colt once or twice, she called and said, " Who started this colt?! Whoever put a handle on him sure did a superb job!" The McKenzies report that the handle put on our young horse has made him nothing but easy to train to barrels.
We have also referred Twister Heller to others. I have yet to have anyone say that they weren't just completely satisfied with the way their horse came home. Recently, one of my own clients took a young horse to Twister for their daughter. This mare returned to my clients stone gentle, and ready for the little girl to ride which she does often and with great success.
WE just cannot say enough good about the training and techniques that Twister uses. He treats a horse in a kind, gentle, but firm manner. Horses come away from Twister's schooling WANTING to work. If we had sent just one horse to Twister, perhaps it could be considered luck or that the horse was "easy", but that is not the case. We have many experiences of our own and the experiences of our own clients to testify to TWister's down to earth training. We have solid horses who each speak volumes of truth about Twister Heller. Horses never lie.
If anyone would like to contact us about our experiences with the Hellers, please feel free to call or e mail.
sincerely,
Fran Smith
928-539-9508 or
email yh_kenny@hotmail.com
Kim Croutear: England 2004
"I spent a wonderful six weeks training alongside Twister. Having had a
purely English riding background I had a lot to learn, but Twister just has
a gift for making what he teaches so easy to understand. I felt I massively
improved my riding and completely transformed my attitude towards training
horses. Overall I have become more structured and objective in my training -
which is helping me no end now, back at home in England with my own
competition horses. I was also made to feel like one of the family and was
treated to wonderful home cooking and plenty of my own space. I loved every
minute of my time at Twister's ranch and can't wait to get back there!"
Sara Gorsky: Oregon Sept 2007
"I learned a lot from this program. It has greatly improved my riding, and helped me to continue the training on my own horses. It also gave me a better understanding of the way horses think and react in different situations. Twister can teach you how to put a good foundation on your horse, no matter what discipline you ride. I had plenty of time to practice what I had learned, plenty of horses to ride, and I learned more than I thought possible in the month I was here. If you love to ride, and want to learn about training horses, then this is the place to be. I was around lots of great people, and lots of great horses, I just wish I hadn’t have had to leave so soon."
Lowell Goutremont: Joshua Tree, Calif Sept 2007
When I retired from the Marine Corps after 22 years in 2000 I did not know what to do with my life. Horses had always interested me, cowboys had always intrigued me and I reveled in reading stories about the old west. I was a green horn when I started. What happened to me is I got used and abused by so called horse experts, was taught incorrectly how to ride, was sold a horse that nearly killed me and seriously injured me. It took a good 2 and a half years to heal up from that ordeal. Being a retired Marine and not knowing how to give up, once I was healed I went back to the horses. Again I met more less then honest horse people who again taught me things that were incorrect. One day I came to a ranch I was learning/riding at in Yuma, Arizona and there stood a 9 year old gelded red roan paint QH. I was told the mount had come from New Mexico and had been on a cattle ranch near Moriarity. I was told the horse was broke. What my eyes saw brought tears. This horse was torn to pieces. He was ripped open at the girth and his hide was hanging, the hide was worn off his back the size of two silver dollars, his chin was ripped open from too tight a curb chain and inside his mouth his tongue was torn up and so was the interior of his mouth. Above the bridge of his nose, right between his eyes, he was opened up to the skull from someone hitting him with a 2X4. I was told the horse was for sale but someone else wanted to buy him. I wasn't ready to again own my own horse but after seeing this animals condition I bought him for $2,500. I attempted to train him myself utilizing tapes I bought from a currently famous horse trainer that is on RFDTV. Needless to say I could only get so far with his training. During that time I was bucked off, stomped, smashed, flipped, thrown and bitten. It got to the point where the animal refused to work and I considered selling him as I could do nothing with him. I stressed continually on what was the best course of action to take with him. I soon realized that I would get nowhere contacting more yuppie horse people for help with him. What I needed was a cowboy to help............................................................. "A Cowboy?". What was a cowboy? Where did they live? Did they really exist in this day and age? If they did, what would they know? I can tell you friends I went on a three month search to find answers to those very questions. This is what I found! Twister Heller is the real McCoy. He is as hard as woodpecker lips! He lives on his ranch, the 5N, near Congress, Arizona. He has been a cowboy all of his life and has trained horses since he was a little tyke in a cow camp. His lovely wife Sandy and his tough as nails son help run the ranch and train the horses. They are real, they are old school and they know horses! My horse and I have become very close to the Heller's. To me they are extended family and the 5N is a second home to me. My horse and I have ridden the trails, helped gather, drive and brand cattle, have received training that is second to none! I learned to build and mend fence. I was taught proper rein control, pressure and release, how to properly ride western style, how to climb steep hills, how to lead a packing horse, how to ride through boulder fields, posting, how to use the round pen and arena correctly, how to cut, how to read a cow, how to horse shoe and on and on! The proudest day of my life was this previous spring when I went with Twister south of the ranch. We were looking for cows that had gotten out. I found them and Twister told me what to do to get them moving. We got them back to the ranch and Twister turned to me and said, "Now your a Cowboy!" That meant more to me then any of the medals I earned in the Marine Corps. Anyone that wants to really learn should go to the 5N and undergo People Training!!!!!!! Stay for at least a month and longer if at all possible, you won't be sorry. I can assure you that you will cry when you leave. Twister and his family are the most honest, god serving folks it has been my honor to ever know. I have met some of their friends, real people like Steven, a working cowboy and his lovely wife Tina and child. I met the always energy driven Debbie! I met Mr. Thompson, helped with his ranch and cattle as well. I have even met the famous and hilarious Dr. Don! I have become friends with Twister's son Jud and his wife. Not a day goes by when I don't think of them all and how they are doing. If it wasn't for Twister, his family and his friends, I probably would have thrown in the towel on my horse years ago. You want to learn? You will if you go to the 5N!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Sandy Shultz: Vacaville, CA 2005