Horse sense training petting zoo sonya abused a young 14 year girl and hurt her bad St Albert, Alberta

Horse Sense and Sonya have been very supportive and accomodating in starting a new Riding Club. She has welcomed us in for practices and play days at her riding areana.

We have invited her students/boarders/volunteers to come join in the fun. All of her students are very positve and willing to learn, her horses are well cared for and very well trained. Without Sonya and Horse Sense we would not be able to continue to have regular practices in the winter months. We enjoy trailering in and having fun with all her students and horses. We greatly appreciate Sonya and her efforts to helping our club grow. She is a very caring and supportive person and all of her students/volunteers are very positve and love being there to help out and ensure all the animals are well cared for.

Thank you Sonya and Horse Sense!

I believe these reports were written by Kevin at "K & G Equine" - wanna-be competitors of Sonya at Horse Sense. "K & G Equine" are not competitors of Sonya's because Horse Sense is out of "K & G's" league. Sonya provides services far above "K & G Equine" - compare the facilities at both places and see for yourself; Horse Sense is by far a superior facility with knowledgeable, trained staff. "K & G Equine" has written false reports about Sonya at Horse Sense in attempts to deter Sonya's current clients and any prospective clients. I can attest to this first-hand because Kevin told me several lies about Sonya and Horse Sense in attempts to deter my decision to move my horse to Horse Sense. Horse Sense is truly a safe place to board your horse, take lessons or gain valuable equestrian insights. Check out Horse Sense; you won't be disappointed!    

We have been part of the Horse Sence Family for over 4 years, and I have to say that I am completely shocked to hear of this claim. We are at the barn so much that I'm sure some people think we live there. I have never seen or heard of any child being abused verbally and especially not physically. Sonya has always been there for us and helped us in any way she could weather it was an issue with our horses or something that we needed to work on with our riding or even when it's not barn related. I have full faith in Sonya and Horse Sence with the welfare of our animals. Its pretty sad when a person lowers themselves to these standards and feels the need to try and destroy someone's livelyhood and reputation. Learning how to look after a horse is the first thing you should learn along with the shoveling and sweeping .......it's called responsibility.

I cant beileve some of you ppeople can say this about Sonya!! She is an amazing peson and has allowed me to do so much at the barn. I have volunteered for almost a year and took riding lessons, I have loved every minute of it. No time is wasted in the saddle and by you saying that she abuses kids in her lesson program is not true. Sonya helps you to conquer you're fears by making you go out of you're comfort zone. this is not a bad thing because if you stay in you're comfort zone you're whole life you will never get better. When I first cam to horse sense I did not know anything about horses since then I have learned so much about horses; like they can feel when you are nervous, that is why sonya always says to stay calm. Saying that she abuses her animals is the biggest false acquesation someone could make. she cares so much about her animals and never lets one go a day without love. You can tell that this information is not true or else there would be a whole bunch of people saying this. Even when boarders leave Sonya's barn  she is never mad at them she just hopes they will find another good barn. During the summer i spent almost everyday at horse sense that is because it is a great place to be!

- Payton Brown

I have volunteered, taken lessons, and leased from Sonya for a while now. I have to say, she is one of the kindest people I have ever met. She really cares about her customers and animals and I have NEVER seen her "abuse" a student. I always look forward to my lessons with her, and every time I come away even more impressed by Sonya's knowledge and patience. In my opinion, having to clean up after yourself is a life skill, not a hardship. Most kids don't even mind sweeping up after having a great ride on a beautiful horse. Sonya really makes Horse Sense a second home and I am glad I have the privilege of learning from her. So please don't post nasty things about people you barely know.

I must first take a moment to thank the suspected author of this report: a "wannabe" competitor known for his atrocious spelling and hilarious grammatical composition.  Several of us have already benefited greatly from the belly-laughing we shared in reading this, and our abdominal muscles thank you!  And for those of you who wish to build extra muscles from laughing, please take the time to read a second report on this site, clearly written by the same person, as evidenced by the exact same poor writing skills. On the less humorous side, it is really sad to read of the terribly slandering lies and completely unfounded stories told in the so-called report.  It is unfortunate that the Internet, and especially a site like this, allows for anyone to say anything without providing any evidence.  Yes, companies that cheat customers or do harm should be reported, and such establishments usually go out of business in a matter of a few years.  Wise consumers usually figure out pretty quickly when an establishment is a great service provider, or if it is one to be avoided. The fact that Sonya has been in business many years, and has a large and loyal following, should speak volumes.  We are delighted to show any evidence to the contrary of the false accusations above, and are happy to have local veterinarians speak on our behalf with regards to the quality care we offer our animals.  It doesn't take long for very long for even a novice to see the excellent care our animals receive, and the love we have for them.

Additionally, we pride ourselves on the fact that hundreds of children and adults have successfully learned to ride and work with horses at our facility.  Our main trainer is like the teacher you may have hated in school at the beginning of the year, and then learned to love in a matter of weeks.  Why?  She's tough, but she's also fair, and has a lot of grace.  She knows what it takes to get you past your fears, and also knows how essential it is for you to learn how to wisely handle an animal that weighs a thousand pounds more than you! It's not a surprise that many children with special needs come here, learn to work with horses, and find strength and dignity they never had before. So please feel free to research us.  Visit us at our facility.  Watch us work with horses and animals, and then make your own decision.  Thanks for reading this!

As a person who has loved Horse Sense, as a home away from home, for 3 years, this report appalls and saddens me.

In my 3 years of experience at the barn as a volunteer, riding lesson student, and worker, I have never had any complaints about Horse Sense, in particular Sonya, or the way she coaches. At Horse Sense, riding lessons advocate coming over your fears, and pushing your boundaries. For a lot of kids THIS is scary. If there is one thing Sonya does not do, it is yell and scream at kids. To make herself heard, she may raise her voice. It's a big arena, you need your voice to carry. Many kids return for lessons, and have been in the lesson program for multiple sessions.

Personally, I used to be terrified of riding without a saddle. I would cry before getting on the horse, and for the first while after getting on. Sonya was nothing less than supportive. She doesn't beat around the bush. She will tell you straight, what you are doing right, and what you are doing wrong. This is not bullying.

A fact of life: Kids cry. Parents make kids cry, teachers make kids cry, stress makes kids cry. Children cry when they're frustrated, they cry when they don't get what they want, they cry when they fall down.

What people may not realize, is a horse is a frustrating animal. It has a mind of its own, and it will not always do exactly what you want it to do. Watching kids learn how to assert themselves and go through intense personal growth, through Sonya Steiner's riding lessons, is one of the main reasons I love this barn.

When I first started taking lessons, I was extremely timid. Anyone who has taken lessons at Horse Sense, knows Reno. Reno was the only horse I would ride, as he goes very slow is very easy going. Through Sonya's encouragement and coaching, she taught me to push my comfort zone, and I now ride Maverick, an ex endurance horse (a lesson horse favorited by many students for his willingness to work)

I started at Horse Sense with no experience, at a farm, or in riding. Today I am 100% confident cantering on a horse without a saddle, even without my hands. Riding without a saddle used to be my biggest fear and is now one of my favorite things to do on a horse.

Also, cleaning up after yourself is part of barn life. Kids have to learn responsibility, and accountability. Part of this is cleaning up after your horse. It's not hard work, and if you ever consider buying a horse, these are skills you need to learn!

I highly recommend this barn to anyone with a love for horses, and many other animals too! Sonya has created a positive environment, encouraging personal growth and achievement in all of her students.

This lady should not have horses or coach riding lessons. She all most made my daughter never ride again. she yelled at my daughter so much that cryed so hard and could not sleep all night. told my daught no good and dum. and ripped us off of are money.