Testimonials
This is what others have to say about our services:
Hi Monique and Erwin,
Micky (aka Hamid) and me are doing really well...I thought I should send you some photos.
(Georie Lutz, Bridgetown)Georgie just had to send you pics of her and Micky in the ocean. She was so excited. We are so lucky we have great horses.
I would like to officially thank you both for the recent schooling done on my two Friesian Warmbloods, Whinney and Tonk.
When I feel as though I want to thank you most for your help with my young colt Tonk, I remind myself that the work you did on my mare Whinney has really set my daughter up for success.
Both Ayla and myself have a much clearer understanding of the relationship that we should be having with our horses after bringing them to your schooling centre.
Erwin, you brought a calmness to the whole excersise. A calmness that we needed to see as we can't be heavy handed with our horses due to the sheer size of them. You showed me that you don't have to use brute force, you just need to get the relationship right. Person is the boss, horse follows! No exceptions.
I believe I was very fortunate to travel to you for every lesson in the 6 week period as I learnt so much just watching. My fears of dealing with this monsterous 16hh, 2 year old colt just melted away with each week of his schooling. Then to get an extra couple of weeks with Whinney was an added bonus.
Monique, you are truly Erwin's second best asset. (His first being his talent with horses of course). You make what he does out there come together with your clear and often very humerous narrations of events. I enjoyed it when you where there to share it with me. You also taught me a lot on the sidelines.
What you have done for Ayla is amazing and she has never looked back. You finally got her to realise she doesn't need the rein's to control Whinney. Of course this is a hard habit to break but she is more open to drop the reins now and Whinney is always appreciative of her efforts. The canter is now more relaxed and enjoyable to watch without Whinney's head jammed up.
I think our favourite Ewin'ism is the one rein stop this is a wonderful tool for sorting out the relationship when your on top and it is not an offensive correction. It has helped me immensely with Ayla as she drops the reins more knowing that she can just do a one rein stop if necessary.
What you have both given to me is unable to be expressed in words. Thankyou both of you for sharing your skills with us and for your continuing support and encouragement. You have helped us to enjoy our involvement with our horses more than I thought we could.
We are looking forward to our future lessons.
(Reena Harwood, Aree-Aycur Friesian Warmbloods, Manjimup)
I would like to say a great big thank you for working with Ronan. We went to our first endurance ride and we had a ball. He was so well behaved he did all I asked of him and more, I felt so confident riding him we even did some distance by ourselves. He is a changed horse and I thank you for bringing out what I hoped was there. He never shied or refused anything, the only thing he didn't like was the start and finish line which was written in huge white letters on the road. So we just went around it, but when we came back he was probably that tired he didn't care what he went over, so he walked over fine. He was great in the vet ring, he was a bit shaky, I think it was a mixture of nerves and excitement but he got thru with flying colours, so thanks again and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone.
(Sharon Tilbee, Collie)
We currently have him in a paddock on our front lawn and we are constantly amazed at how subtle and quiet he is. All I have to do is call his name and he up at the fence seeking attention. We have caught him almost everyday since he returned home and have continued the routine Erwin created with Fly. Not only can I just handle him, my little sister Kate caught him for the first time the other day and he took it all in his stride! We are all just so pleased that Fly is now a happy horse:). Thank you very much!
(Emma and Peta Ryan, Justt Stud , Manjimup)
Just wanted to say THANKS again for all that you have done for both Dusty and myself. Like I said to Erwin I was at a stage in my riding where i had lost confidence and was even considering giving up altogether...... I am eternally grateful for the extra effort you have put in for both of us and I cannot help but come back from every ride with a smile from ear to ear!! So great to be back in the saddle with a sensationally trained horse all thanks to two wonderful horse trainers!
(Lesa Boni, Greenbushes)
"I'm looking forward to getting Nickle home and just hope that I can build on the good solid foundation that you have given him. He is a different horse to the one that I sent to you and for that I shall be eternally grateful. Erwin I think you are marvelous, you have so much talent you really deserve to be widely recognized as one of the best. In my humble opinion you are the best. I learnt so much just watching you. You are patience personified."
(Jan Markby, Byford)
"Gday Erwin and Monique,
A quick email to let you know Monty traveled home well. I saddled him up this morning and did what you advised yesterday Erwin. He walked on easily with the extra hip movement by me and turned well with very little bit use. I changed from a walk to trot and back again as you suggested and he performed really well with the transitions and even stopped from a trot with no use of the bit. Backing up on a loose rein went very easily. He was also turning on the fence with the leg commands you showed me.
He is still a little bit spooky when he sees something he is not sure of but at no time did he try to swerve severely or bolt. More just a small jump to the side and coming to a stop but as he matures I am sure this will settle to. Any way thanks again for starting him and bringing him to a very good level for me to continue with.
They say the best compliment for a business is to recommend them to others and I will definitely be recommending you to any one who needs their horse started or needs a bit of polishing. Thanks again."
(Greg Button, Bullsbrook)
"My name is Helen Perkins and I am a friend of Maria who sent her horse Mr Lethal to you for starting. I have just been shown the dvd that you sent to Maria and I wanted you both to know that it was fantastic to watch! Even the music was excellent! Of course Maria and Gary are very impressed by your work with Lethal, I am also impressed with the gentle, calm manner shown by Erwin in the dvd (and the patience and work involved in producing it). I think both Maria and I were even a bit emotional while discussing the difference between the 'breaking' we have witnessed in the past, and the 'starting' by yourselves. We certainly know which we prefer!
I always believe in giving credit where it is due and I think you both deserve it for humans AND horses! Looking forward to meeting you one day....."
"Thanks to Erwin and Monique at Tales of The Trail Western Ranch down in Manjimup for the wonderful way they looked after Okey.
He's happy to be home. No problems on the trip. Started strutting like a Stallion again once he was in the paddock.
Myself and the stable hands have found that even though he was quite before he came down to you, he is now so much more considerate of where you are (lot more ground manners). I believe you've done a wonderful job in training him and we have a good start to a very bright future. You will be recommend to anyone who asks. See you in 2009 when you can start Mega Kool Colonel (Chance). Thanking you."
(Tony De Grauw, Coranda Estate, Mega Cool Quarter Horse Stud, Armadale).
(Tenaya Teague, Bridgetown)
"Erwin and Monique, thank you so much for the work you put into our 2 horses, Kasper and Spirit, over the month that they were with you. You have a wonderful gentle approach to training horses. Both our horses are calm and confident and a pleasure to ride. We come home with a smile after every ride. I have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone who needs some work done on their horses. Thank you."
(Jo and Claire Pettit, Australind)
"If anyone wants a testimonial I am happy to give one. I have sent a young horse there to be started. I had three ready to go at the same time so I sent my pally filly there as she was the more sensitive of the 3 and I didn't want to stuff her up.....she needed a kind, soft gentle approach. Anyway she is a super little filly, has plenty of forward but a great stop, has a very willing work attitude and is well mannered. Admittedly I had done heaps of groundwork with her before I sent her as I had bred her. What I got when she came back after 6 weeks was a quiet relaxed filly, with a great work ethic & forward, backwards, sideways, halt etc. She is very responsive to seat and leg aids, doesn’t spook at anything. I am very, very happy with her. I have seen Erwin's & Moniques's work on other horses so I know that it was not just a one off. They have a solid background in both dressage and western and are just lovely people. I would not hesitate to send another horse there for starting or to just have some miles put on them or a tune up."
(Jennie Franceschi, Pemberton)
Visiting instructors demonstrate gentle methods
“At our February rally we were lucky enough to have Monique and Erwin van Vliet come along and be part of our day. Monique took each of the groups for a session of flatwork with pleasing results. The beginners who were on lead line had a great time doing many balance exercises and working on their seats. Some games and a bit of healthy competition made for a few funny moments in the beginners arena. Monique told us that when she began riding her Dad made her ride with no reins or stirrups to develop her balance and this is so important for the beginner’s confidence. Everyone, children and parents alike from each of the three groups were very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed Monique’s lessons. Monique’s parents who were out here from Holland were also present and armed with a video camera and we hope they enjoyed the lessons and their day at an Australian Pony Club Rally.
After lunch we were given an insight into some of our four legged friends behaviour. Erwin took Kite a 3yr old thoroughbred filly belonging to Grace Vowles and began with some gentle handling, grooming and picking up her feet. He also made her stand quietly by moving her into position as he wanted. He did this in order to establish respect and a feeling of trust between Kite and himself as well as to get her listening to him. Erwin then put her through a number of exercises. We were all a trifle worried when she began to say no and did some rather showy bucking an a bit of rearing but a credit to Erwin’s horsemanship (and no doubt those long legs) he managed to stay on her and continue to work through some of her issues. It was great to watch Kite start to respond to Erwin and do the tasks he asked of her. He worked to earn her trust and we could see her response to his quiet, gentle but firm methods. Monique’s commentary as we watched Erwin work Kite gave us an even more thorough understanding of horse behaviour, how they think and ways in which we can achieve the same results. Monique’s quick sense of humour also added an extra dimension of warmth and lightness to the demonstration.
Monique and Erwin own the Western Ranch in Quinninup where they start horses and also have the pleasure of breeding their own stock. Monique’s background is in Dressage and Erwin can often be seen at Campdrafts around the area as he competes in various Western events. Monique and Erwin brought along one of their own youngsters that they had bred themselves. Erwin was then able to demonstrate some of their techniques and the gentle methods they use to get their horses’ respect with one of their own youngsters. Okey had only had 7 weeks of training in his life so far and it was fantastic to watch Erwin as he put him through his paces. Monique and Erwin were both quick to emphasize the point that it is all about respect and trust with horses and when you have these with your horse you can develop a great working relationship and a true partnership.
The demonstration was very impressive and we would all like to take this opportunity to thank Monique and Erwin for taking the time to come to our rally. I’m sure we all learned something new and it was a great experience for all.
So if you have a horse you want started (not broken) or are interested in their methods of horse training then visit their website for more information. You can also contact them by phone and have a chat or even arrange to go out and visit the ranch itself and see more of Monique and Erwin in action.“
(Blackwood Horse and Pony Club Inc. Monthly Newsletter, March 2007)
