Alexandria on Dakota, working with Kim on how to train a youngster off of another horse.
Kim Ewalt is one of the most extraordinary women I’ve ever known. I first met Kim when she and her family came to watch a clinic I was attending, but I didn’t really get to know her until she hosted the clinic the following year.
I was having severe, potentially dangerous, issues with my horse, Dakota, so much so that I got bucked off twice and had to jump off my horse on two different occasions at two different clinics. I’d looked for help with training my young horse for three years, but until I found Kim, I wasn’t able to find anyone I could trust. But seeing her at the clinics, feeling her kindness and generosity, I reached out to her for help. In the five years I’ve known Kim, I’ve been extremely impressed with her level of integrity in dealing with both horses and people.
Kim gave me back my horse, no question. Within five minutes of watching her work with Dakota, it was clear that Kim is incredibly skilled and that she was able to help my horse in ways I couldn’t. For two months, she worked with Dakota, consistently, firmly, with patience and kindness. And Dakota wasn’t the only one she helped. I too needed direction and guidance in how to handle the issues my horse was presenting with. I’d lost a good deal of my confidence as a rider and horse person, and she was there to help me through that as well. Her kindness towards me and Dakota, her generosity of heart, are qualities I’ll never forget.
It’s been a gift to know Kim and I’ll be forever grateful to her for her help and guidance for both myself and my horse.
–Alexandria Weinbrecht, Ph.D., Applegate, OR
Kim helped me be a better horse person. She got me through all my rough patches with my horse Shadow and has helped me to become a more brave and confident rider. I was ready to sell my horse and Kim helped me see how amazing Shadow really is. I could never thank her enough for everything she has done for me.
–Kayla
Cindy and Mia at J&P Ranch.
Kim Ewalt is a personal friend of mine and an amazing young woman. I have known her for the past four-and-a-half years and I have become aware of her exceptional qualities through that friendship. She is a remarkable horsewoman who constantly strives to improve on her knowledge of horses and horsemanship. She stands in the ranks with well-known horsemen such as Buck Brannaman and Brent Graef, and she strives be the best at what she does by attending their clinics twice a year. She trains her own horses and others who come to her by earning their trust and searching for the “feel” in each horse.
Not only is Kim and amazing horsewoman, she is a wonderful mother of two very awesome children Conner and Aurora, and wife to Randy Ewalt. The four of them make quite a team at the J & P Ranch. They have created a “family of boarders” who would do almost anything for them as they would for any of us.
In the last two years, Kim has lost over 100 pounds and has taken up running and personal fitness to remain as fit as she can be. She has more stamina, strength and competitive spirit than anyone I have met. She is as tenacious and driven with this as she is with her horses. She has a “don’t quit attitude” and a lot of heart. She is constantly striving to better herself in all areas of her life.
Kim is mature and wise beyond her years and makes everyone regardless of age feel as though we are on the same level. I have battled weight problems my whole life, when I met Kim, I inspired her to lose weight with me and a friend. She is a true inspiration to me. Yes, I do believe Kim Ewalt is a remarkable woman!
–Cindy Szigeti, Eagle Point, OR
I have been thinking on some things, since I am going to see Kim Ewalt tomorrow. I am blessed that I have found her. I met her when she took one of our Brent Graef clinics a few years ago. She is an amazing rider, and she is amazing with horses and reading them. Kim puts more hours in then most people do, can, or are willing too on her horsemanship. She has ridden with great horsemen and she has learned from them. She is humble, kind and has a quiet spirit. She is the real deal! But she also uses her own everyday experiences, her own thoughts and has her own way of figuring things out. She is not a name dropper, so she doesn’t need to use some famous name to convince people she knows what she is doing, or to rewrite a famous horseman’s words to make people think she knows more then she does. Kim has a good and compassionate heart and that is where horsemanship should start.
–Carol Higgs, Cottage Grove, OR
I would like to share some words about my experiences with my trainer, Kim Ewalt. I have owned and ridden horses most of my life, however I never had any formal training. Since I have been taking lessons and riding with Kim, I feel as though my skills and confidence have grown tremendously! She has shared her expertise in natural horsemanship, how to feel your horse, how to handle situations that come up out on the trail. I think she is a gifted trainer, and I think she could improve any riders skills and abilities!
–Shelley Fisher, Sams Valley, OR
Donna on Palomo, the Prince, working with Kim at J&P.
Last year I lost my mind and bought an Andalusian. He had a troubled past as a dancing horse. A good horsemen tried to restore the horse’s joy of performance, but he could no longer tolerate the kinds of events the man enjoyed. The man loved him so much that he allowed this Prince of a horse to take up a more relaxed career with me as a trail horse. Within days of coming home with me an unfortunate event occurred. Before I could even ride my new horse, a misguided person jumped on him bareback with a halter while I was at work. He got bucked off instantly!
My horse was already troubled, and this bad event told me I was now in over my head. A friend suggested I call Kim Ewalt for help, and that is what I got. She called him The Broken Prince. He had suffered serious mistreatment. But she also said he was a wonderful horse who could do anything. The Prince needed a talented horsewoman who could restore his confidence and help him put his fear behind him. And we had found her!
A respected horseman asked me what was I thinking buying a troubled horse like this. I was thinking that if this Prince was offered peace, he might say yes. And thanks to Kim, he did!
It did take some time. But The Broken Prince is now just The Prince, no longer broken. Kim transformed him from a physically and emotionally scarred being into a loving and trusting trail horse. To me and The Prince it is a miracle. Every day I see my beautiful horse, and I am thankful that Heaven sent him to me and that Kim was able to help us both.
–Donna Alpaugh, Crescent City, CA
When I began riding and learning from Kim, I was a true novice. In the five years that she has been my teacher, I have learned to engage thoughtfully and carefully with horses. During every lesson, I learn new riding skills and gain confidence as a rider.
–Sasha Borenstein, Ashland, OR
Denise and her horse, Fynn, at a Dry Creek Extreme trail competition.
If you would’ve told me seven years ago that I would own a horse, let alone four, I would’ve said you were crazy. But that’s just what happened. I now have four horses, including a colt that I am starting under Kim’s guidance.
I never knew that the day I was thumbing through the phonebook, looking for a facility that provided lessons, it would be a life-changing experience. I feel so fortunate that I came in contact with Kim. She is the reason that I move forward in this endeavor and continue to improve in my skills as a horsewoman.
I thought maybe a lesson would be a one time deal. I’d try it, feel totally intimidated at my lack of knowledge, and call it good. But Kim made me feel as though I could do anything, and she gave me the confidence to continue taking lessons and later even compete in Trail competitions. She made it so much fun to learn, considering I knew absolutely nothing about horses.
I have been a student of Kim’s now for seven years, and I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge Kim has to offer. Not only is she amazing as a trainer, but she is also extremely knowledgeable about a horse’s health and well-being. She has helped me so much in caring for my horses. Because of Kim I am fulfilling a dream I never thought possible.
Kim teaches with kindness and patience. She emphasizes safety first, for you and your horse, from the safest way to tack up your horse, to what to do if there’s trouble on the trail. Kim has also instilled a love of learning in me. She encourages us to check out other clinicians, and she participates in clinics with her students as well.
Kim is always there for people. Whether you’re a student or someone she’s just met, she is always happy to answer any question. I could go on about what an amazing person she is as a friend and trainer, but you really have to experience her for yourself. You won’t be sorry! Kim truly is a blessing to people and horses.
If I could impart any advice to someone thinking about putting a horse in training with Kim or taking lessons with her, DO IT!!! You won’t be sorry, and you too will be singing her praises.
Thank you, Kim!
–Denise Shirk, Medford, OR
Drew with his Arabian, Romeo.
I believe that work that Kim Ewalt did for me and my horse saved both of our lives. It was Kim’s extensive knowledge and patience that guided this novice rider and abused Arabian to safety and happiness. It is very unlikely that you or your horse have such serious problems, but either way, I would enthusiastically recommend Kim’s service to anyone wishing to further their relationship with their horse and improve their riding.
–Drew McDermott, Ashland, OR
Sharon and Robert on the trail.
My husband and I have been working with Kim for about a month, after, for a variety of reasons, leaving a barn where we had trained for many years. We were both at a stage in our lives where we had contemplated getting out of horses all together. We felt burnt out and disillusioned.
It was especially hard for me to get enthused again, as I had not ridden in about two years after losing my mare, Delight. I began to think at the age of seventy that it was time to just “hang up my spurs.” Nevertheless, with my husband’s encouragement, I purchased a Lusitano mare that had been pastured for two years, and who I had pretty much ignored for another six months.
So there we were, the two of us out of shape, and with me having not the best attitude. Until we met Kim.
Kim’s expertise, her horsemanship and her outgoing and friendly approach, free of drama, was just what my husband and I needed to feel that spark of enthusiasm again. She is helping me and my mare start to work as a team and to get back in shape, and she has given both my husband and me new training tools to practice at home. We look forward to our lessons and we have signed up for her clinics. We couldn’t be happier. We both highly recommend Kim to anyone wanting a fresh, knowledgeable, experienced horsewoman who, on top off everything else, is just a really nice person.
–Sharon Robb-Chism, Merlin, OR