“Anyone who loves and respects their horses will have to be intrigued by gentle or natural horsemanship. I quietly have observed this approach for many years, but David’s feel for the horse has impressed me over any other. He knows exactly when to push and when to back off, to help the horse to learn and to earn it’s trust and respect. I feel lucky to have someone of that caliber in the area to resort to if we have a behavior problem with a horse, and to be able to recommend him to other people. Finding someone on the same wave length is a gift, even if our goals for the horses might differ, we are looking for the same connection with this beautiful animal. Thank you for all your help, David.”

Felicitas von Neumann Cosel,
International Grand Prix Dressage Trainer at First Choice Farm, Maryland

“If you are looking for a trainer that does quick fixes and takes shortcuts…. Look elsewhere! If you want your horse trained correctly (and with consideration of your particular horse’s personality/issues), then you want Dave Beard training them.

People that know me know how particular I am about how my horses are taken care of and handled. While I believe they should be allowed to be horses, they should have patience and understanding shown them while at the same time respecting us as they are asked to learn/improve their skills. Make sure, toward the end of your horses’ training, you take a couple lessons with Dave, they are invaluable to understanding how and why your horse is doing so well! His partner, Brooke, does a wonderful job re-enforcing Dave’s training and overseeing the care of all the horses.

Dave’s light aids (hands, seat, legs and body position) lend themselves well to all disciplines. Dave is a “Horse Listener”, they talk to him…. he listens and works from there.

Arlene Atkins, Sweetwater Bluff Farm
Equine Nutrition Specialist, Farmers Cooperative Assoc.
Arlene Atkins, Equine Nutrition Specialist
Fresh*Complete*Affordable Feeds
Farmers Cooperative Assoc., Inc.
820 E. South Street, Frederick, MD
301-663-3113 ofc 301-401-1618 cell
www.farmerscoop.com

“Dave Beard is the consummate horseman”.  He understands horses and they understand him.  Dave has broken two of my horses, including my everyday horse, Ellis. There is no one else I would have train my horses.  More importantly, Dave embodies the best of cowboy values – he is honest, dependable, ethical and trustworthy.  He is a good man. “

Barry Weller, M.I.R.M.

“You have helped me immensely with my mare; you truly are an asset with what you have to offer. Zippy had never seen a trail before coming to you and I lacked the confidence to take her out on one. Upon completion of your program, we are both enjoying many hours on the trails among other horse events. When I dropped my horse off I knew she would be well taken care of. I am very pleased with the training we received by Dave Beard and will definitely be a repeat customer.”

Thanks, Mary E. Rice

“I own three walking horses. Got them for a steal. Found out why when I got them home. Nobody sells a great horse for cheep money. So I guess you could say I got what I paid for. But damn those horses looked good in the stock yard. So now I have three horses one that kicks each strange horse it can, one that goes and has not a clue what whoa means, and the last one spooks when a leaf falls.

So I heard that David Beard trains horses and I make arrangements to give him one horse to train. Of course I set them man up good and give him the worse most dangerous horse of the three. I figure if he lives through that, then we can jaw a bit about the other two.

I came by several times unannounced to, first, see if the horse is being worked, and second just to check to make sure Raven didn’t kill him. I never came out and saw my horse in a field. The man works them every day. I want you all to know I am a pro Dog Trainer. That is what I do full time to support my family. I have made and carved a living understanding the psychology of the animal I train. As I watched David work it was clear to me that he had the same understanding of the animal he was working with. A gentle, calm, collected, patient approach, to having the animal wanting to do his bid. It was very plain to me that he understood how the horse was going to process the training and what would be gained by each exercise he did with the horse. And the effects were seen immediately. The horse responded the way he said he would before he started. I was so amazed to watch him work with my horse. It was just a beautiful thing to watch and I often thought this is how I hope my customers might think of the way I handle their dogs.

With each horse the results were as good as I could have hoped for and more. We got back well trained calm content horse each and every time. David asked us about each horse and the problems we were having and made a point to address each issue. My wife and I never noticed any neglect and found our horses to be very well cared for. No kicks no spokes and no race horse. Just 3 happy walking horses, and two very happy owners. Without hesitation I would recommend David Beard to anyone who has a horse with an issue.”

Daniel Rice Owner and Trainer
Brave Heart Kennels and Game Birds LLC
Point of Rocks, Maryland 21777

“David,
You’re the most knowledgeable horseman I know. I have observed him train many horses. His interaction with them is beyond what I’ve seen with any other person. David has a way of communicating with horses that can’t be taught through books or clinics. It really is as if they speak the same language. Whenever I speak to someone that is in need of training, David is the first person that comes to mind.”

Thanks, Stacey

“David,
You’re amazing horse trainer. I would recommend him to anyone and everyone who owns a horse. It does not matter what breed of horse, age, discipline or owners abilities. His patience and kindness with horses is unbelievable, his firmness and understanding of them truly unique. I personally had a very troubled horse I needed to sell. I had raised him myself with kindness and love, he in turn completely disrespected me. It was to the point he was a dangerous horse. He would charge you, literally. Trying to eat you, kick you, bite you if he didn’t like what you were asking. I honestly thought it was a hopeless situation. I didn’t even trust him enough to consider taking him to the auction, just to be done with him. I was referred to David and immediately took this horse to him. Needless to say – David worked his magic. I was able to sell the horse to a friend a few months later and continue to watch him progress with the training he had received. I would not have believed it possible if it hadn’t been my own horse. David is now breaking another horse for me and once again – he is just amazing. Whether it is a one hour session or 30 – 60 days of training, David’s time is worth every penny. David’s new training facility is top of the line. There are individual paddocks with run-ins for horses in training, a large secure round pen with lights, a large grass ring with lights and allot of happy horses there. I truly enjoy every time I am able to watch him work. I think I learn more than the horses. I can not say enough how much I personally appreciated his knowledge and how much my horses have gained from him.”

Sincerely,
Debbie Bird and “Bandit”

“A true Horseman is the best description we can give of David Beard and his horse training skills. My husband, Tommy and I have known David for several years and watched him work with several young horses. His training is based on understanding the individual horse, not a “one size fits all” training program. He is quiet, gentle and patient, and he gets his point across to his equine student.

After starting young horses under saddle for many years Tommy and I decided it was time to stop. We have been thankful to have an excellent horseman to refer to and have even sent a horse of our own to him.

Now that David has his own farm, The Sevens, he has a beautiful new facility to work out of. The team of David and Brooke Vrany, a skilled horsewoman in her own right, are running an operation where the well being of the horse is paramount. The horses are happy as are their owners. Tommy and I have absolute confidence in the expertise of these two professionals.”

Judy & Tommy Smith
Good Friday Farm
Ijamsville, MD

“David Beard is not only an excellent trainer, but a true horseman. He reads the horse, reacts and respects the animal as if they are one. He has trained several, what we thought were problem horses at our farm, as well as, saddle broke many of my broodmares, and several young horses. I am very pleased with the immediate success David has had. He is my “go to” person for my many of my difficult training needs.”

Elizabeth Winters
Owner, Paradise Stables, LLC
Mount Airy, MD

“David Training Bora Bora:
David arrived at our place in early spring on a cool rainy evening. We introduced him to our unbroken 3 yr. old Lusitano filly, Bora Bora. I was amazed at the gentle and skillful manner our filly was introduced to the saddle, side pull, and the weight of a rider. With his artful use of the lunge rope, he convinced Bora Bora to trust and allow being touched on all parts of her body. David continued to come for three more sessions which always began with ground work and affirmation of the previously learned acceptance to being saddled and ridden.

My husband and I were so pleased with our filly’s trust and confidence, that we had David take and work with her at his place for one month. At the end of the month, she had been loaded on all types of trailers, trail ridden, and walk, trotted, and cantered on both leads in many ground situations. I continue to ride and work with Bora Bora toward the goal of a dressage competition horse. My husband and I owe our thanks and gratitude to David for establishing in the filly a trust and confidence to be handled and ridden.”

Thanks, Bora Bora’s Owner

“Dear Dave,
Thank you for all your time and efforts into training my quarter horse. As you know when I purchased him it was love at first sight and he was the horse I had to have. Being a novice rider at best, I didn’t know what I was getting into and then to find out out the issues that my Pepper had. He didn’t trust anyone especially a man around him. It would take me 20-30 minutes just to get him saddles ad then I never knew what kind of ride I would get. It could have been a nice and comfortable ride or the ride of my life. Because of your training, patience, and knowledge, I now have a different horse. Dave, I cannot thank you enough because had I not met you I would probably had to give him up and that would have bothered me.”

Thank you,
Andrea

“To the public,
Prior to my purchase, Skyliner was mishandled and incorrectly started under saddle, causing a “strong fight response”. David has worked with Sky and in 30 days gained his trust and confidence in a kind, respectful and very professional manner. I now look forward to continuing my horse’s training in dressage, as well as having a horse to enjoy safely on the trails. Thank you David.”

Yvonne Atwood
British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor and Trainer
USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist
www.mindfuldressage.com