April's References and Testimonials

Donna Snyder-Smith, Rider Bio-Mechanics Specialist

April "hears" horses. Her talent is not some mystical ability, but rather an acute sensitivity to details; details so small most of us miss them. Details as tiny as the flick of an ear, a wrinkling nose, a slight hesitation in the movement of a leg. These are the details of horse language and April speaks it fluently. Horses "talk" to April because she listens to them and is capable of understanding their body language. Add to that many years of training and conditioning experience and you have the knowledge, not only to "relieve," and "fix," but also to consult on training programs designed to produce elite, sound, happy athletes in any discipline. She won't tell you how many jumps to ride, barrels to run, circles to do; she can show and tell you what to do for your horse between those rides which will enable them to exceed your expectations. A moment reviewing her AERC competitive record will confirm this fact beyond a doubt.

As a coach and trainer, I have studied with some of the best in the world, from Europe to the US. April may not have the trappings of a "fancy" rider, but she is on a par in her level of "feel" and sensitivity to those who wear top hats and tails. When it was time for me to trust the Arabian colt I bred to someone, it was into April's hands I passed him. She confirmed that trust week after week and the colt grew strong and confident, more trusting and beautiful in her care. I recommend her to all who can be open enough to see the gifts she brings to your horse(s) with her experience and knowledge.

I have never met April in person but we met through our businesses of treeless saddles. We have now become great 'long distance' friends and April has been wonderful in helping me and my mare to be healthier.

April has talked to my mare Mariah several times and she has always been correct in all her findings regarding what is bothering her (what an asset this is to have April's talent to do this!).

After April's recommendation of putting my mare (and myself) on the Natural Cellular Defense to detox her I saw quite an improvement in her overall attitude and more flexible joints (she is 15 and has some arthritis in her hocks).

We all hope to get April to North Carolina to meet her and to experience her wonderful skills in person!!

Meeting April and having her come work on my horses was an experience I can't put words to! I wish I knew of her expertise a long time ago--my horses would have been a lot happier and better off! I am so grateful for what April has done for my horses and myself, I can't tell you how much I have learned.

It all started by seeing the free yoga video she has on You Tube. Then, after talking with her on the phone about my horses issues, I asked her to do a reading on both my 28 year old gelding, Sam, and my 7 year old gelding, Malik.

Sam was my mom's favorite horse before she passed away, and has been with us for many years and while he was showing signs of improvements he still had a ways to go. He was very slow in walking, it seemed. Each step was painful for him. He had soreness in his front legs, stocking up in both rear legs, had kidney issues and we just wanted him to feel better. April has a gift for listening, and it seems also in hearing what the horses have to say, and I had been looking for someone like her for a long time. I did as much as I could myself with herbs and homeopathies as the Vets said ''He is just old''.

Then we invited April to Arizona to work on them. It is amazing what a horse does when they are able to move and how their attitude changes when they feel better. With April's body work, some changes in his diet and supplements that April had recommended, he is now like the energizer bunny. He has got pep in his step…a lot of pep! When we used to turn him out with other horses they would pick on him and he could not get out of the way quickly, but he needed exercise. Now he likes being out with the other horses more because he can now move better. It is very apparent that he is happy! He is continually improving and it makes my heart melt. Today for the first time in many years my 28 year old horse was out in the arena and he was bucking and throwing his head, this is huge for Sam…I just wanted to cry. The "Thank You" goes to April!

Malik, my 8 year old, came to me with a huge toxic overload (overhead fly spray system in show barn). He was completely shut down from his withers back, with very tight acidic muscles tender to the touch. He also needed cranial sacral work which has contributed to a lot of his symptoms--spooking, head tossing, agitated with hind end/sacrum being touched or worked with. He was very skittish and flighty and needed a lot of patience and love, all of which I was willing to give. After one session with April there was a huge difference in him. She continued with small sessions for the 5 days she was here and revealed to me a new and softer horse. A few diet changes, with a detox program she recommended to relieve his system of the toxic overload, and he is now able to be soft and pliable in his muscles and trusting more of others. More the horse I envisioned riding someday.

When you start listening to your horses, as shown in her DVD, "Horses Are Talking--Are You Listening,'' you have a new-found relationship with them. April couldn't have been more right about that statement! I love watching her DVD and learning more about how my horse should be able to move. Also the time she spent with me, showing me how to keep my horse going, is absolutely invaluable, she is worth more than she could ever charge but she does it for the love of the horse. We are on a continuous journey and April will always be a MASSIVE part of our lives.

I will have her here as much as I can and I will always ask her advice with my horses. They need her and so do I. We continue to do our "horse yoga" which I had no idea was so important. When you see it firsthand it all becomes very real. If you have any question about needing April or not, call me, I have lots to share!

Tamara in Arizona
602-790-7030
Email Tamara

I brought Navarre to April's ranch home just two days ago. He's an 18 year old thoroughbred who spent the first half of his life as a hard-core eventer, campaigning as a breeding stallion. Gelded at age 9 and sold to people who just didn't know any better, he never had support to help his body heal and recover from his hard working days and multiple injuries.

I was already aware of what Navarre needed, where his body was misaligned, that he wasn't comfortable or happy in his body, and that his nutrition and energy were out of balance. I saw it, but I didn't have what it takes to help him.

I wanted more than a chiropractor, because there was more going on than just skeletal problems. I wanted more than a massage therapist. Acupuncture would have helped, but only to a certain point. I knew a veterinarian wouldn't have what Navarre needed to regain emotional and energetic balance. I could have combined all of these types of therapies, and over a long period of time, after spending a very large amount of money, Navarre would have been closer to health. But that still wasn't enough.

April's unique approach went straight to the source of Navarre's various issues, and she very gently provided him with a way to release, physical and non-physical, that gave him immediate relief. His body relaxed visibly. As soon as he understood that April is here to take the pain away, he began offering to her, "Here…go to this part of my neck! Oh, yes, and go to my head now. And my hip wants to be released, too!" His coat changed color within the afternoon, regaining his rich dark bay that had faded to a stressed reddish color from spending years in pain.

April's treatment was clearly immediately effective, Navarre moved more comfortably, and I watched him relax right before my eyes. I could have paid hundreds and hundreds of dollars to inch Navarre closer and closer to relief…but the truth is, I don't want to! April is more effective, more gentle, more efficient, and worth more than the money she receives.

My goal with Navarre is to enjoy each other on trails, on the beach, and wherever else life takes us. With his body out of pain, he can feel comfortable riding again, and we get to have the relationship we've both always wanted - a "little girl" and her horse, totally in love!

Email April or call her at 530-823-7321.